For hundreds of years, birds have been considered stupid and incapable of advanced thought or learning; this is why the phrase “bird brain” is commonly used to denote persons who are dolts or simpletons. Kim Adelson, a retired college professor and currently president of the Black Hills Audubon Society chapter in Olympia, Washington, says birds don’t deserve this bad reputation and are in fact NOT less intelligent than mammals.

“What’s going on at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge?” presented by Molly Dixon, Turnbull Wildlife Biologist. Before Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge was established in southwest Spokane County in 1937, the land had been altered heavily. Wetlands were drained, forests were logged, and grasslands were heavily grazed.

How to Manage Domestic Cats to Benefit Cats, Wildlife and People, presented by Grant Sizemore

Domestic cats (Felis catus) can make wonderful pets but also have the capacity to kill birds and other wildlife, spread infectious diseases, and cause nuisances in the community. Predation by cats is the number one cause of wild bird deaths in the country.

Grant Sizemore, Director of Invasive Species Pro- grams at American Bird Conservancy, where he runs the “Cats Indoors” campaign, will talk about how to manage domestic cats for everyone’s benefit – birds and other wildlife, people, and cats themselves.

Effective cat management is often complicated by the species’ close affiliation with people and unique legal status. Grant will focus on the conservation and public health science under- pinning the need to manage domestic cats and identify opportunities for organizations and individu- als to advance science-based solutions.

Grant has earned degrees in Zoology and Environ- mental Science from Miami University in Ohio and an M.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida. He has worked in wildlife con- servation policy, education, and research for over 15 years and is a Certified Wildlife Biologist. Outside of work, Grant enjoys hiking, birding, and taking care of his indoor cat.

Tales from the Tri-Cities Burrowing Owl Nest Creation and Monitoring Project, presented by Jason Fidorra

Membership Report, by Alan McCoy

The Importance of Downed Trees, by Lindell Haggin

Independent bird counting opportunity next month, by Madonna Luers

Support for the re-WRAP Act, by Shenandoah Marr

Field Notes, by Jon Isacoff

Great Blue Heron, by the American Bird Conservancy

North Central Washington Audubon’s American Kestrel Nest Box Monitoring Program

presented by Kent Woodruff, Richard Scranton and Stu Smith

Three members of the North Central Washington (NCW) Audubon chapter will talk about their American Kestrel Nest Box Monitoring Program that currently involves dozens of volunteers and over 180 nest boxes primarily in the Waterville Plateau area of Douglas County.

A Glimpse Into the Lives of Solitary Bees

Presented by Dave Kollen

A Xerces Society Ambassador involved in education and outreach work, Dave Kollen will present information about native bee life cycles, including an exploration of the typical life of a solitary female bee, and how to help native bees.