Andy Stepniewski, author of Birds of Yakima County, drove over from Yakima to educate us on bird habitats, geography, and the native and non-native plants of Yakima County and nearby areas of central Washington, specifically the shrub-steppe habitats. Ellen Stepniewski was a valuable addition to the presentation and put out specimens of the grasses, sagebrushes (very aromatic!), and rabbitbrush so we will know them next time we cross the mountains. Who knew there were that many varieties of sagebrush in the shrub-steppe or that Washington has a state grass (Bluebunch wheatgrass)?

Andy introduced the index bird species for each sage/grass combination, along with each bird’s song, global distribution, and threats. Often the threats were to the plant life, which of course are passed on to the birds, squirrels, etc. Along with the several highly desirable LBJ’s such as the newly split Sagebrush Sparrow and the declining Grasshopper Sparrow, as well as Burrowing Owl and Sage Grouse, we were also educated on the prolific nasty cheatgrass, introduced inadvertantly, as well as the introduced Chukar, one of only a few birds who benefit from it.

Andy encouraged us all to visit the White Cliffs area of the Hanford Reach National Monument for its scenic beauty as well as habitat areas that have been preserved somewhat. The Yakima Firing Range was also singled out as a preserved area.

In case you didn’t know, Andy tells us that the local Meadowlarks sing, “I’m such a pretty blackbird.”

The question/answer period brought up Russian Olive, and Andy tells us there is a movement to pull it up, which he and we lament somewhat. Even though it’s introduced, it is providing habitat to a few desirable species that might not stay without it.

A very interesting topic was the destruction of habitat by feral horses, which have increased exponentially just in the past 10 years on the Yakama Nation’s lands to about 11,000, with a carrying capacity of just 10% of that. This is going to be news for some time to come, and some of the horses have started to starve already. The horse lovers’ lobby are fighting hard against preserving habitat and therefore birds.

Thanks, Andy and Ellen!

Click photos below to enlarge.

Join us on Wednesday, May 6th, for a special presentation by Jerry Broadus and Clarice Clark about their recent trip to CUBA. As we know from our previous Cuba meeting and recent diplomatic changes, interest in birding in Cuba is skyrocketing. Find out the latest!

NEW DATE: May 6 – A Wednesday – 6:45 PM.

NEW VENUE: For this particular event, we will be meeting at the Pierce County Administrative Center meeting room at 3005-112th St E, Tacoma 98446, just off Highway 512. We’d like to know how you like this venue, as we have trouble always getting the usual meeting room at the UPlace library.

You all know Jerry and Clarice, retired from their surveying business now, but still doing consulting. Jerry also consults on legal aspects of the profession, being also an attorney. They are expert birders, with Clarice being called one of the best bird banders in the northwest by the banding team at Morse. They have been to many banding conferences throughout the western hemisphere. They volunteer their expertise and time at National Wildlife Refuges, especially Malheur and Nisqually. They are past recipients of Tahoma Audubon’s volunteerism award, and Jerry is currently on the Board of Directors of Tahoma Audubon.

So CUBA!! Join us May 6th at the library administrative building!!

ABC’s April 2015 meeting will feature a name we all recognize, and we’re anxious to see what he’s been up to lately. Andy Stepniewski of Yakima is the author of Birds of Yakima County, Washington, first published in 1999, recently in its 2nd printing, telling everything about the 300 species which have been found in that county. He is an all-round naturalist, connecting the birds with the plants/vegetation zones, geology, weather, and everything else. Yakima Magazine recently profiled Andy, from his youth in southern California, to his orchards in Yakima. See: http://www.yakimamagazine.com/2012/11/16/for-the-birds/

Please join us in inviting our friend, Andy Stepniewski of Yakima, to ABC on April 20, 2015, at the University Place Library at 6:45.

Contributions will be accepted for his travel expenses with any excess going to the Slater Museum of Natural History at the University of Puget Sound.