Big Bluestem Flyer

Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Volume 44, Number 2 November-December 2008

Programs Field Trips

Meeting Place
Extension & 4-H Building, I S U, Ames
The building is located at the southwest corner of 13th Street
and Stange Road. Enter off of Stange Road on the first street
south of 13th Street (Wanda Daley Drive)
November 20, 2008
Thursday, 7:30 pm
The Shortfall in Conservation Yields
Jean Eells
E Resources Group, Webster City
Conservation programs have missed the mark with
landowners who are otherwise natural allies. Research into
the process of participating in conservation programs exposed
multiple barriers to landowners. Jean Eells of Webster City will
discuss her research into who has been left out of
conservation programs and will offer research-based
recommendations for improving policies and practices
December 11, 2008
Thursday, 7:00 pm
(Note earlier time)
Holiday Party & Member’s Short Presentations
Story County Conservation Center
56461 180th St. Ames
Please bring:(1) bird feed for the park (cash
accepted); (2) a modest number of slides or electronic
media pictures to share of your year’s activities, (3)
party treats! Extra goodies will be used at the dinner
after the Ames Christmas Bird Count.
January 15, 2009
Stephen Dinsmore
A naturalist's trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos
Islands
February 19
Jim Pease
Reminiscences About His Wildlife Talk Show
March 19
Steve Hummel
Iowa's Aquatic Insects - Little Critters of Great
Importance
All field trips are free and open to the public.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the public parking lot west of
(behind) the Ames Wild Birds Unlimited, located south of
the railroad tracks at 213 Duff Ave. Please arrive before
the departure time to arrange carpooling. Contact Jeff
Nichols (515-795-4176, or
ozarksbirder@hotmail.com) for more information.
November 1 (Saturday)
Swan Lake State Park (Carroll Co.)
and points in between
December 14(Sunday)
Saylorville Christmas Bird Count
Contact Stephen Dinsmore at 515-233-2796. E-
mail: cootjr@iastate.edu
December 20 (Saturday)
Ames Christmas Bird Count
Contact Shane Patterson at 515-232-4682.
E-mail: shane7896@yahoo.com
January 3 (Saturday)
Boone Christmas Bird Count
Contact Mark Widrlechner at 515-233-1532.
E-mail: mpwskd@aol.com
January 16-19
Long weekend trip to northeastern Minnesota
We'll start early each day and spend all day afield, with
breaks for meals or to warm up. Most of our time will be
spent car birding, but there will likely be some walking
on ice-covered roads or through snow over uneven
terrain. Some of the more interesting possibilities are
Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Boreal Owl,
Bohemian Waxwing, both Redpolls, both Crossbills, Pine
and Evening Grosbeak, Harlequin Duck, Gyrfalcon,
Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse,
American Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers,
Northern Shrike, Common Raven, Gray Jay, and Boreal
Chickadee. Every winter is different. Trip may be
cancelled if severe weather threatens.
Contact Jeff Nichols before January, 1
to sign-up or for more information.

The mission of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society is to enjoy the observation and study of birds and natural ecosystems,
contribute to their conservation and restoration, engage in educational activities to benefit humanity,
and gain a broader understanding and deeper appreciation of the world in which we live.
Visit us online at http://bigbluestemaudubon.org
Page 2 Page 3 Page 4
Officers and Committees Membership Form Field Trip Reports
President’s Corner Coupons Teachers’ Treasures
 Big Bluestem Audubon President’s Corner
Society of Central Iowa Big Bluestem members once again gave short sessions on birding to 4th
Officers grade classes from Boone County during their annual Outdoors Field Day.
President: David Edwards
Jon Bahrenfus and I worked seven classes on Tuesday, September 30 and
515-292-3790
dcejce@dandje.org eight classes on Thursday. Using a picture quiz, we showed them what
Vice-President: Larry Dau they already know about many of 19 birds and then what they might see
515-275-4963, in that part of the park. After an introduction to using binoculars, they
gdau@netins.net spent the remaining 10 to 15 minutes looking for birds (and whatever else
Secretary: Shane Patterson reached their 10-year-old fancies). The birds available are always limited,
515- 232-4682
but many classes saw low flying Turkey Vultures and immature eagles.
shane7896@yahoo.com
Treasurer: Michael Meetz To fill their time and add a little interest during bird droughts, Jon
515-382-2534 positioned paper cut-outs on trees earlier and asked the kids to find them
mmeetz@iastate.edu with their binoculars. There were only 25 minutes to spend on birding in
Board Members their schedule of activities. Note that the binoculars were a gift from
Mary Doud BBAS to Boone County Conservation, and a very-much-appreciated
515-795-4176 component of the experience.
BorealBirders@hotmail.com Looking ahead, the local Christmas Bird Counts, or "CBCs", are coming
Kelly Weichers
up. From beginning birder to seasoned ornithologist, all are welcome to
319-231-6999
goinfishin@hotmail.com participate on any Christmas Bird Count. Participants do their counting
John Pohlman within a designated 15-mile CBC circle on the given count day. Count
515-232-6816, circles are divided into specific areas in which small groups of birders plan
itsartjohn@isunet.net their method of search. Experienced leaders are responsible for each area,
Tim Grotheer and this is a good place for those unsure of their skills to learn. Most but
515-233-9873
not all participants spend the whole day. Feeder counts are also made on
tgrotheer1@msn.com
Lloyd Crim the same day in each count circle. At day’s end, participants meet for
515-5026 supper and share stories and bird tallies. The inclusive dates of the
lcrim@opencominc.com Official Count period are always December 14th through January 5th of
Special Assignments each season. Historically, the Ames count is held the first Saturday of
Archivist the period, December 20th this year. The Saylorville count will be on
Hank Zaletel Sunday the 14th. The Boone count is scheduled for Saturday, January
515-382-427 3.
madowl@midiowa.net You may sign-up for a count at the November BBAS meeting or call the
Bird-a-thon respective count leaders indicated on the first page of this newsletter. Past
Karl and Carmen Jungbluth participants will likely be contacted directly by the count leaders.
515-432-5057 Participants 18 years of age and under can participate for free. All others
weatherbird.opencominc.com are asked to pay $5.00 to help Audubon cover CBC program costs
Conservation (including database/web development costs, and the publication of the
Bruce Ehresman CBC results summary).
515-296-2995 Finally, let me call your attention now to the proposed January field
Bruce.ehresman@dnr.iowa.gov
trip to Northeastern Minnesota to see winter birds. This three day trip
Field Trips requires a good bit of planning, so we ask you to contact Jeff now if you
Jeff Nichols are interested. More details are on the front page.
515-795-4176 David Edwards
ozarksbirder@hotmail.com
Publicity & Outreach
Larry Dau
515-275-4963,
gdau@netins.net
Schools Liaison
Amy Yoakum
515-232-2516
ayoakum@storycounty.com
Newsletter Editor & Membership
David Edwards Newsletter Material Deadlines
515-292-3790 Because we would like to have the newsletter to each member before the first day of its
dcejce@dandje.org coverage, the editor needs to have material at least two weeks before that. Hence the deadline
for the next issue will be the 19th of December.

Visit our website at http://bigbluestemaudubon.org

2 Big Bluestem Flyer November-December 2008

 7th Annual RIVERS & BLUFFS Clip and Join
FALL BIRDING FESTIVAL
Lansing Iowa
Don’t forget gift memberships!
Nov. 7 - 8 - 9, 2008
18,000 - 20,000 Elegant & Musical Tundra Swans
400,000 - 500,000 Colorful Ducks and Geese Membership Application forms
Dozens of Bald Eagles, and Many Others
"Identifying, Enjoying and Understanding
All Birds Around Us" New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
Highlights
3-hour Field Trips, AM and PM, Sat. & Sun. - to receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer,
MN, WI and IA - led by top birders. membership card. — $20
3-hour Boat Trips, AM and PM, Sat. & Sun. Please make your check payable to National Audubon
Enclosed & Heated - Mississippi Explorer Cruises
Introductory Presentation Friday Evening - Tim Loose, Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
Biologist, Upper Miss. River Refuge. Optional "Owl
Prowl" - Fri. & Sat. 8 PM - 9:30 PM, to call-in & view,
OR
3-4 species of secretive owls. Delicious Homemade Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and
Sourdough Pancake Breakfast - Saturday Morning, 7 -
9 AM participate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities — $10
Meeting Place: United Methodist Church, 490 Restrictions are that you will not be a National Audubon Society
Center Street, Lansing, IA member or have voting privileges, and you cannot be an officer or
Schedule Friday, Nov. 7 Doors Open: 5 pm; New committee chair. Please make your check payable to Big Bluestem
River/Wildlife Program: 7 PM; Owl Prowl: 8 - 9:30 Audubon Society.
PM Sign-up for an Excursion Boat Tour of your choice
with Captain Jack Saturday, Nov. 8 - same location,
Special Breakfast + Continue Registration 7 - 9 AM
Send your check and this coupon to
Saturday and Sunday. All Field Trips & Boat Trips: 9 Big Bluestem Audubon Society
AM to Noon, and 1:30 to 4:30 PM. Field Trips leave PO Box 543, Ames IA 50010
from parking lot at baseball field - Front Street and
John Street. Boat Trips leave from Mississippi Explorer Name _______________________________________________
dock on river near east end of Main Street
Registration Fee: Ages 7 - 17, $ 1.00, Adults $10.00
Address _____________________________________________
More Information at City_____________________ State____ ZIP_______________
http://www.lansingiowa.com/ Phone ________________ E-mail _______________________
or from Ric Zarwell at Ric.Zarwell@mchsi.com
Please do not use this form for renewals
to the National Audubon Society.

Present the coupons below at the time of your purchase and a donation will be given to BBAS.
Donations will fund the various habitat restoration and educational projects undertaken by BBAS.

Brekke's Town & Country Store, Inc.

Donate
1 1/2 miles east of I-35 on new U.S. 30 and 1/4 mile north
15%
of your next Hours: 8-6 M-F, 8-4 Sat. (515) 232-7906

purchase* to Purchase Donation

Up tp $15 $1.50
Big Bluestem $15 and over $3.00
$35 and over $5.00
Audubon Society Over $70 $7.50
*Coupon must be presented at time of purchase.
Valid only on regularly-priced merchandise. Brekke’s offers Big Bluestem Audubon Society a
One coupon per purchase.
May not be combined with any other offer. donation when bird seed or other bird products are
Valid only at Wild Birds Unlimited of Ames.
purchased.
Valid through June 30, 2009
Present this coupon with your purchase and a
213 Duff Ave Ames, IA 50010 (515) 956-3145
donation will be given to BBAS.
Mon-Wed 9:30-5:30 Thurs 9:30-8
Fri 9:30-5:30 Sat 9-5 Sun 12-4
BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • NATURE GIFTS Offer good until December 31, 2008

November-December 2008 Big Bluestem Flyer 3

 September and October Field Trips
Big Creek State Park and Pelican Festival at
Saylorville Lake (7 September 2008)
Our outing started inauspiciously at Big Creek SP, as 100s of
people packed the marina parking lot and swimming area for
some sort of athletic event. The first few 100 yards of the Neal
Smith biking/hiking trail were also unusually devoid of birds,
except for lots of Gray Catbirds and two Black-crowned Night-
Herons we found in a tree just off the trail. Polk City Wildlife
Area had lots of shorebirds, with the most interesting being 100s
of Stilt Sandpipers. Passerines were quite active along the roads
adjacent to the Wildlife Area, which was closed for the season.
At Oak Grove Recreation Area, we had nice looks at Buff-
breasted Sandpipers foraging in the cockleburs and a few flocks
of Sanderlings. The afternoon was spent watching the American
White Pelicans off Jester Park. Public turnout for this annual
event was very good, and unlike some recent Festivals, pelicans
were present in decent numbers (~500) and the weather was
great. Other highlights: American Avocet, Ruddy Turnstone, and
two Peregrine Falcons. Seven participants, 78 species.
Volume 44 No. 2
Ames, Iowa
Permit No. 131
U. S. Postage Paid
Non-Profit Org.
Bjorkboda Marsh and hawk watching at Boone Forks
WMA (4 October 2008)
Twelve participants turned out for a breezy but pleasant field
trip to several locations in northern Boone and southern Hamilton
and Webster counties. At Bjorkboda Marsh we found one
Nelson's Sharp-tailed and two Le Conte's Sparrows, as well as
Chipping, Clay-colored, Vesper, Savannah (many), Song,
Lincoln's, Swamp (many), White-throated, and White-crowned
Sparrows. Also of note at Bjorkboda were two Great-tailed
Grackles and two Sedge Wrens. A pair of Trumpeter Swans (one
with neck collar) with six cygnets were at Boone Ponds, just west
of Bjorkboda. We also found Rusty Blackbirds at Dickcissel
Pond and a half-dozen or so each of Sharp-shinned and Cooper's
Hawks at Boone Forks WMA in an hour of watching. 62 species.
Teachers Treasures
We plan to continue our teachers treasure project, but will be
stream-lining our collection to include only art supplies. Items
needed include: unused paper (white, colored, prints), crayons,
colored pencils, yarn, felt, ribbon, cotton balls, calendars, cards
and other such items. If special requests come in from the
teachers, I'll keep you informed. Please discontinue collection of
recyclable items such as plastic containers, paper board items,
etc. Thank you, as always, for thinking of our local students and
teachers.
Mary Doud, 515-231-8725, borealbirders@hotmail.com
November-December 2008
unless you renew.
issue of the Flyer
this will be your last
your mailing label,
after your name on
If you have an “X”
We welcome new members!
Ames, IA 50010-0543
PO Box 543
Big Bluestem Audubon Society
David C. Edwards, Editor
Big Bluestem Flyer