We are finally working on the last map in Audubon's terrific Great Washington State Birding Trail series. It's called the PUGET LOOP and it includes Rainier's area! We are invited to send in nominations for our favorite birding sites within the loop boundaries until the end of September. The map of proposed boundaries for the Puget Loop is shown below.

Many of you have seen at least one of the six maps in Washington already published. The first one was the Cascade Loop and featured a Pileated Woodpecker on its cover. The 68 sites on that map had been recommended by Audubon members and other birders; they included favorite sites such as Skagit Flats, Samish Flats, Blaine, Leavenworth, and Wenatchee areas.

Rainier is one of several Audubon chapters whose geographic boundaries fall in the new Puget Loop, and we have a committee set up to receive suggestions for favorite sites. I (Carol) am the committee chair, and I will take all your suggestions!

The Great Washington State Birding Trail maps are tours for driving our state and visiting birding "hot spots." At most of the sites, one can see quite a few birds within 15 to 20 minutes of arriving during the recommended season(s).  Most do not involve a lot of strenuous walking from parking areas and may even include pullouts along some roads. The maps are used by visitors to our state, but are also being used by local residents. They can be bought online from Washington Audubon, from Seattle Audubon, and from Tahoma Audubon. Best of all, you can click on the online maps to find directions and descriptions of the various birding hot spots. But if you'd like the big picture, you will probably want to purchase a map to take along on your trip.

To send in your suggestions for favorite birding areas within the loop boundaries, please email me. Even if your suggested site is not included on the final Puget Loop map, the committee will now know about the area and can ask more questions about it. The site may be posted on the Rainier Audubon website or on the websites of other Audubon chapters in the Loop.

Carol Schulz (206) 824-7618