CONSERVATION

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Purple Martin Nest Box Project

In Spring 2005, AAS President Ron Sikes asked for a project leader to restore purple martins to Port Townsend by erecting nest boxes along the waterfront. Jay Brevik built four nest boxes from US Fish and Wildlife Service plans. After a survey of suitable locations he got permission from the Port of Port Townsend to place two poles with two boxes each at the Boat Haven. While visiting Port Townsend in August 2005, Stan Kostka, a citizen scientist devoted to increasing the purple martin population of Puget Sound, discovered nesting martins in one of the boxes. In 2006, AAS' Rosemary Sikes supervised building of six boxes that were placed on pilings in the water at low tide, near the existing boxes on land. Six pairs nested, with 14 fledged. After the Department of Natural Resources gave notice that  they were going to remove the creosote pilings, volunteers moved the boxes to posts on land and raised the height of the existing land boxes in Spring 2007. Five pairs nested in both 2007 and 2008, with young fledged both years. In the Summer 2008, assisted by a Pacific Northwest Trails Association crew, five boxes were erected on the north shore of Kah Tai Lagoon and four boxes were erected on the Fort Worden pier. In June 2009 four nesting pairs were seen at the Boat Haven, with none at Kah Tai Lagoon or Fort Worden pier. Yet it is still early in the purple martin nesting season. Admiralty Audubon continues to seek volunteers to monitor the boxes, eliminate nesting starlings and house sparrows, and count nesting pairs and fledglings. For information call (360) 385-0307.

Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park

Admiralty Audubon has been involved in the Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park since its inception in 1987. Originally a tidal marsh, the land south of Kah Tai Lagoon was filled with dredge spoils from the Boat Haven expansion in 1964. In 1977 the Port of Port Townsend proposed a commercial development plan to be built on top of the spoils. This plan was voted down by Port Townsend city council. In the late 1970s and early 1980s citizens began working toward creating a park in the area surrounding Kah Tai Lagoon. By 1982 about 80 acres of land near Kah Tai Lagoon had been acquired for park purposes. The property involved had come from several sources: purchase and donations from private landowners, dedications of property by the city, the county and the Port, plus leases of property from the Port and the Public Utility District.

In 1982 the Port Townsend City Council approved a development plan for creation of a "nature-oriented park at Kah Tai Lagoon, providing opportunities for compatible recreational uses," and submitted an application for a $300,000 development grant to the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC). Elements of the plan included development of trails, berms, plantings, a play meadow, picnic shelter, parking, and restrooms on the south side of the lagoon, and creation of a nature center with boardwalks and a wildlife observation post on the north side.

In Spring 1983 IAC decided to fund the project in phases. A $57,000 matching grant was awarded to the city to develop the south side of the lagoon. Most of that land is owned by the Port of Port Townsend and leased to the City of Port Townsend until 2012. In the early years of the park the emphasis was on planting native plants. As the years progressed invasive weed removal also played an important role. The last large native planting was in 2005-2006. Admiralty Audubon led the planting of over 500 native plants and installed drip irrigation to the seedlings along the south shore. Without irrigation the new plantings had in previous years suffered a high mortality rate. The chapter has also erected nest boxes for chickadees, swallows, and hooded mergansers. With the approach of the expiration of the Port's lease to the City of Port Townsend, there is renewed concern about losing the park to commercial development. Admiralty Audubon is actively working with the Port and City to find a solution to preserving the wildlife and green space presently provided by the park. The Chapter continues to lead work parties to control invasive weeds such at Scotch broom, English ivy, European holly, and Himalayan blackberry, and to maintain native plantings. The Chapter is funding a wildlife survey to document what birds, invertebrates, and mammals are using the park. If you would like to participate in work parties, write letters, and attend public hearings, or become a citizen scientist in a wildlife survey for the park call 385-0307 or email rosemarysikes@olympus.net.

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