Big Bluestem Flyer
Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Volume 41, Number 1
Programs
Sept. 15, 2005
Iowa's Living Roadways
Steve Holland
Steve Holland is the Coordinator of the IDOT's
Living Roadway Trust Fund and an enthusiastic
supporter of prairies in Iowa. An engaging
speaker, he will provide an overview of the DOT
roadways native planting program and answer
questions people may have about this novel
approach to providing habitat along roadways.
Dinner: 5:45 Olde Main- 316 Main St., Ames
Oct. 20, 2005
Sylvan Runkel: Citizen of the Natural World
Larry Stone, writer/photographer formerly with October 15
the Des Moines Register (1972-1997), will talk
about well known Iowa naturalist, Sylvan Runkel
and his many contributions. Larry Stone has written
two books for the IDNR and in 1999 published his
book, Listen to the Land. With coauthor, Jon
Strathers, he wrote and published Sylvan Runkle's
biography in 2003. The author's books and
photographs will be made available at the talk.
Dinner: 5:45 The Mandarin- 415 Lincolnway, Ames
Program meetings are held monthly, September-
May on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30
pm, Room 2226 Veterinary Medicine Building,
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
If you would like to meet and dine with the speaker
and the BBAS Board before the monthly meeting,
please contact Lynne Brookes to confirm space and
location at 515-434-2028 or rppsolar@yahoo.com
In This Issue
Page 2 Officers and Committees
Chichaqua-Neal Smith BCA
Page 3 Crim’s’ Hagie Award
Page 4 Endangered Species Reports
Vermillion Flycatcher
September/October 2005
Field Trips
FYI September 11 (Sunday)
Pelican Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at
Camp Area #2 in Jester Park on the west side of
Saylorville Lake. American White Pelican,
Osprey, and waterfowl viewing, and activities
for all ages. Sponsored by Polk Co.
Conservation Board, Des Moines Audubon, Iowa
Audubon, and the Wildlife Diversity Program of
the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources.
September 24.
Doolittle Prairie (Story Co.). Come prepared
to hike through tall and wet grass as we search
for sparrows, rails, and other fall migrants.
Saylorville Lake and Polk City Wildlife Area for
gulls, waterfowl, and lingering shorebirds.
November 19
Waterfowl viewing at Lake Red Rock, Runnells
Natural Area, and Pinchey Bottoms.
December
Christmas Bird Counts.
Unless otherwise indicated, field trips leave
promptly at 8:00 a.m. from the public parking lot
west of (behind) the Ames Wild Birds Unlimited,
located south of the railroad tracks at 213 Duff Ave.
Trip destinations are subject to change based on
recent bird sightings and the desires of the
participants. Contact Jeff Nichols (515-795-4176,
(jnichols1961@hotmail.com) for more information.
Page 5 Missouri River Level
Mortensen Mound Update
Page 6 Pelican Festival
Teachers’ Treasures
Page 7 Membership Form
Coupons
Page 8 Crims Pictures
 New Addition to Iowa Bird Conservation Area Program

Just a few short weeks ago, about 100 people attended the dedication ceremony of the Chichaqua-Neal
Smith Grasslands Bird Conservation Area. The event was hosted by the Polk County Conservation
Board, and there was general excitement amongst participants for the potential that this area holds for
grassland birds. This area becomes Iowa's seventh BCA, and like all other BCAs, it contains its own
special characteristics that contribute to its uniqueness. The two other major partners in this venture
include the Polk County Conservation Board and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Each of these
agencies own and manage large areas of public land situated at the north and south ends of this BCA,
respectively. All told, there are more than 15,000 acres in permanent habitat protection within this
~76,500 acre BCA. Another important aspect of this BCA is that over 31% of this entire BCA already
exists in some type of grassland cover, already surpassing the Model BCA minimum requirement for
25% of this area to be in grassland landcover. This grassland habitat provides important nesting and
foraging habitat for declining birds like short-eared owls, northern harriers, Henslow's sparrows,
bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks.

For interested landowners and land managers, guidelines for how to manage birds in various habitats
are available upon request from Iowa DNR Wildlife Diversity Program. The BCA designation opens
possibilities for some landowners (who live within the BCA) to get special habitat planning assistance
from DNR's Private Lands Program staff. BCA status also can give landowners extra points when
competitively applying for certain USDA Farm Program practices. BCA partners already are exploring
what might be done to encourage more birders and other wildlife watchers to utilize this area. Future
plans are aimed at developing a birding trail guide, which will include a BCA bird list and a map
featuring some of the BCA's best birding areas. One of the long-term goals for the Chichaqua-Neal
Smith Grasslands BCA is to restore prairie-chickens to their landscape; a worthy goal indeed!
Bruce Ehresman, DNR Wildlife Diversity Program Biologist

Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Officers and Committees
Officers
President: Linda Thomas 292-7534 wbuames@msn.com
Vice-President: Lynne Brookes 434-2028 rppsolar@yahoo.com
Secretary: Bruce Ehresman 296-2995
Bruce.Ehresman@dnr.state.ia.us
Treasurer: Ed Carbrey 292-2404
Board Members
Shane Patterson 232-4682 shane7896@yahoo.com
Jeff: Nichols 795-4176 jnichols1961@hotmail.com
Royce Bitzer 233-6741 mariposa@iastate.edu
Wolfgang Oesterreich 232-3285 wolf@iastate.edu
Tim Grotheer 233-9873 TKGrotheer@aol.com
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 we live in.
Committee Chairs
Archivist: Hank Zaletel 382-427 madowl@midiowa.net
Bird-a-thon Co-chairs: Karl and Carmen Jungbluth, 432-5057
weatherbird.opencominc.com
Conservation Chair: Bruce Ehresman (See Officers)
Education Chair: Amy Yoakum, 232-2516
ayoakum@storycounty.com
Field Trip Chair: Jeff Nichols (See Officers)
Membership Chair: Jon Bahrenfus 275-3263 jbahren@netins.net
Program Chair: Lynne Brookes (See Officers)
Publicity Chair: Linda Thomas (See Officers)
Publications & Electronic Media Co-Chairs:
David Edwards 292-3790 dcejce@dandje.org
Joyce Bahrenfus 275-3263 jbahren@netins.net
BBAS Web Site: http://BigBluestemAudubon.org

2 Big Bluestem Flyer September/October 2005

 BBAS Members Lloyd and Gaylan Crim receive Hagie Heritage Award
For Lloyd and Gaylan Crim, the subtle delights of the natural world—a singing bird, a prairie plant in
bloom—have been reward enough for more than 30 years of conservation work.
The Crims who live in rural Boone County, are the recipients of the 2005 Lawrence and Eula Hagie Heritage
Award. One of the largest awards recognizing Iowa conservationists, the Hagie Award is sponsored annually by
the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), a nonprofit conservation group.
INHF will presented the Crims with a $1,000 check and a hand-carved acorn statue during a public open house
at the Story County nature center in McFarland Park.
“Conservation is a lifestyle, not just one or two extraordinary events,” said Gaylan. “We have a general belief
that every person has a responsibility to help maintain the health of the land.”
Since they were students in fisheries and wildlife biology together at Iowa State University, conservation and
the Crims have gone hand-in-hand. They have supported Iowa conservation in many ways, from water quality
issues to prairie preservation. This diversity is the key to maintaining interest and overcoming the pitfalls and
frustrations of the field, according to the couple.
“We pursue what interests us,” said Gaylan. “A lot of what we do is for our own enjoyment and awareness.”
“We enjoy seeing things change over the years—not necessarily for good or bad, just different,” added Lloyd.
“Doing things repeatedly over the years has really brought that home.”
Whatever their method to maintain interest—it’s worked. Many of their conservation projects have spanned well
over a decade, including Lloyd’s leading of walks through Story County’s Doolittle Prairie and Gaylan’s dedication
to caring for a pair of trumpeter swans at the Mabaska Ponds site for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’
Trumpeter Swan Restoration Project.
Although frequently pursuing projects with separate missions—Lloyd’s interests frequently draw him to prairie
and plant conservation and Gaylan’s more to wildlife—the couple relies upon each other for support and guidance.
They consider the approach a “divide and conquer” method for promoting conservation.
But for all they do separately, the couple also comes together on numerous projects. That partnership began as
Lloyd and Gaylan completed pioneering research on wild turkeys for their ISU master’s degrees, which is credited
with facilitating a successful reintroduction of the birds throughout the state.
In recent years, Lloyd and Gaylan have donned their waders, venturing together into creeks at four sites near
their home to sample water quality for the DNR’s IOWATER program. Of hundreds of sites across the state, the
four monitored by the Crims are among a total of six sites that have data reported for every statewide sampling
snapshot. They also try to sample every month, winter weather permitting.
“I’m just thankful to have the knowledge to be able to appreciate what I’m seeing,” said Lloyd. “When we are in a
group and we are the only people looking up into the sky when geese call, it seems as if we notice things that other
people don’t notice.”
It is subtle pleasures like these from time spent outdoors that have motivated the Crims to participate in
organizations like Iowa State’s Trumpeter Swan Restoration Committee, the Central Iowa Prairie Network and
the Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition. While working to preserve the many facets that contribute to a healthy
environment, living alongside less conservation-minded individuals can be frustrating for the two.
“I just wish everyone could see the interconnectedness of it all, how what a person does on their land affects all
of their neighbors,” said Gaylan. “I feel like the ‘web of life’ concept is often lost.”
Meanwhile, Lloyd and Gaylan continue to fight for victories on a smaller scale. The couple enjoys educating
others at the grassroots level, fostering a love of conservation in people just beginning to take an interest.
“There are important conservation events that draw a great turnout of 200 people or so, when really we should
need to rent a football stadium to hold them,” said Lloyd. “But the small victories are what keep you going.”
Another joy of their work is the close friends Lloyd and Gaylan have made through their involvement. The
Crims’ three nominations for the Hagie Award came from Jon and Joyce Bahrenfus, Erv Klaas and Carl Kurtz—all
of whom became close friends through conservation activities.
The Crims’ attitude toward conservation is especially evident at their rural home north of Boone. Over the past
18 years, they’ve planted prairie and created other wildlife habitat, as well choosing outdoor lighting that reduces
light pollution. Lloyd and Gaylan are also avid recyclers.
“We just do it because it’s the right thing to do,” said Gaylan.
The Hagie Heritage Award was created in honor of Lawrence and Eula Hagie by their daughters, Jan and Ila
Jeanne, to memorialize their parents’ commitment to environmental protection. The Crims were among three 2005
nominees. INHF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization that has protected and restored over 80,000 acres
of Iowa’s wild places. This article was written and posted on INHF's website in August 2005.

September/October 2005 Big Bluestem Flyer 3

 2005 Iowa Endangered/Threatened Species Report

Peregrine Falcon Thanks to restoration efforts spearheaded by the Iowa

DNR Wildlife Diversity Program, the peregrine is approaching recovery. As a
result of the hacking of 162 peregrines (since 1989), Iowa had in 2005 ten
confirmed peregrine territories, with seven successful nestings that
produced a total of 21 banded young. There were two territories in Des
Moines (Polk Co.), and one territory each in Cedar Rapids (Linn Co.), Lansing
(Allamakee Co.), Waukon Jct. (Allamakee Co.), Davenport (Scott Co.),
Bettendorf (Scott Co.), the Louisa Generating Station (Louisa Co.), Burlington
(Des Moines Co.), and Chillicothe (Wapello Co.). Six of the ten territories are
along the Mississippi River, which is good when we consider that the
Mississippi River bluffs held most of Iowa’s nesting peregrines historically.

Bald Eagle Extirpated as a nester from the state about 1905, the
first nest noted in over 70 years was located in extreme northeastern
Iowa on the Mississippi River floodplain in 1977. The exponential
growth of Iowa’s nesting eagle population during the 1990s has now
leveled off. There still were at least 20 new active bald eagle nests
reported in 2005, with approximately 190 total active eagle
nests in the state. Eagles now have nested in, at least, 71 of
Iowa’s 99 counties. This year, two new counties reported active eagle
nests, one each in Kossuth and Story. The Story County nest, situated
in Ames, received much attention from local eagle-watchers. Careful
watching and good record keeping by the eagle-watchers indicated that
the two young eagles first fledged from that nest on July 7 and July 10,
respectively.

Barn Owl Four confirmed nests have been reported for barn owls in 2005 - one nest
in each of the following counties: Adair, Jones, Lucas, and Tama. A total of 19 young
were produced at those nests. A fifth nest, reported in Madison County, has yet to be
confirmed. This seems to be a good nesting year for barn owls, since during some
years there are no nests reported for this rare species.
Bruce Ehresman

Vermillion Flycatcher in Central Iowa

Most of the summer there has been a steady stream of birders at the Whiterock Conservancy
near Coon Rapids. They could not have bought the kind of positive publicity and number of
naturalist visitors that one little red flycatcher has accomplished just be
getting lost and staying for the summer in the same location. Its vivid
color and relatively tame demeanor has allowed a large number of
birders to see this southwestern native. Our sympathies to those who
spent time at the site when it chose to rest elsewhere. We too were not
able to see it the first time.
David Edwards

4 Big Bluestem Flyer September/October 2005

 Missouri River Spring Rise
A long-time environmental issue in the Midwest has been the management of our nation’s longest river, the
Missouri. For decades, the river has been managed for multiple uses but prime attention has been given to
navigation, flood control, power production, and agriculture. Recreation and fish and wildlife have received far less
attention. Some of this changed with the advent of the Endangered Species Act. Three species on the Federal T and
E list, Pallid Sturgeon, Least Tern, and Piping Plover, depend heavily on the Missouri River for the habitat they
need to survive. For many years, management of the river’s flow (by the Army Corps of Engineers-COE) has had
detrimental effects on those species. A few years ago, water flows were changed somewhat to provide nesting
habitat for the tern and plover. However, the Pallid Sturgeon has had very poor reproductive success in recent
years, apparently in part because of altered flow patterns. Historically, the water level in the Missouri River rose
dramatically twice, once in early spring with the runoff from snow in the river basin and again in late spring/early
summer when snowmelt from the mountains reached the river. These pulses of water both stimulated the sturgeon
to spawn and also provided the shallow water habitat needed by their eggs and young. Without the spring rise, the
sturgeon had much lower spawning success.

For a number of years, environmental groups have been trying to change the flow pattern of the Missouri River
so that sturgeon will have a better chance for survival. Because of the endangered species status of the sturgeon,
recent court rulings have forced the COE to provide a spring rise. This summer, some 60-80 people representing a
broad range of users of the Missouri River have been meeting to try to find some compromise whereby the needs of
all groups can be met. I have been representing Iowa Audubon at these meetings. To say the least, the meetings
have been trying as there are so many interest groups represented. Native Americans, who were excluded from
many earlier discussions, have been well represented at these meetings. Our original deadline was 31 July but
despite numerous meetings by that date, no satisfactory compromise had been found. A final meeting is planned
for 19 August as a last attempt to come up with a plan. If that fails, it will be up to the COE, working together with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to come up with a plan for a spring rise to begin in 2006. This issue is a
complicated one with many different groups using the river. Clearly those that have controlled the river’s use in
the past are reluctant to make any real changes in the future.
Jim Dinsmore

MORTENSEN MOUNDS UPDATE

More purples, yellows, and whites are showing up this spring and summer. This increase in color is probably a
result of the forbes having less light and root competition from fewer maximillian sunflowers and crown vetch
(resulting from ongoing control measures). Meanwhile, newly appearing forbes include stiff goldenrod, cinquefoil,
and an as yet unidentified large white vetch. Plans to create more color include seeding this fall with cup plant,
butterfly milkweed, prairie coriopsis, and liatris.
The goldfinch flock is still hanging around, and chipping sparrows (new) were seen several times. Goldfinch
were seen eating seeds from grey coneflower heads. However, since the wild parsnip was controlled, the black
swallowtail larvae found on them are no longer present. As occurred last year, Monarch larvae will probably be
showing up, since adults have been seen several times around the many milkweed plants concentrated on the west
end of the Mounds.
Even though Mortensen Mounds was just outside the blockades for the implosion of the two Towers dorms,
luckily they received no dusty fall out. However, “positive fall out” from the dorms’ closure has resulted in about a
90 percent reduction of trash here. Monthly trash collection is down from 2 to 4 large plastic bags tightly stuffed
full, to less than a grocery sack full. Along with the increase in colorful blooms, the neighbors are sure to
appreciate this improvement!
Jeanne Edwards

Newsletter Material Deadlines

Because we would like to have the newsletter to each member before the first day of its coverage, the editor
needs to have material at least two weeks before that. Hence the deadline for the next issues will be the
fifteenth of October, December, February, and April.
Please be aware that editing your offering for length and style is sometimes necessary.

September/October 2005 Big Bluestem Flyer 5

 Paul Baicich Highlights 2005 Pelican Gala and You Are Invited

Iowa Audubon will host the 4th Annual Pelican Gala on Friday evening, September 9, 2005.
Paul Baicich, of Swarovski Birding and the National Wildlife Refuge Association, will speak on "21st
Century Birding and Bird Conservation -- Where we've come from; where we're going." According to
Paul, birding and bird conservation in the United States are just 100 years young. America's birding
experience spans the bird-preservation movement at the turn of the last century, and their use of opera/
field-glasses to observe birds, to the bird conservation plans and Internet birding communications of
today. How did we get here? What have we learned? What have we forgotten? How can we take our
experiences into tomorrow? To hear the answers, be sure to attend the 2005 Pelican Gala!

Iowa Audubon's Pelican Gala celebrates the fall migration of thousands of American White Pelicans.
It is hosted at the beautiful Jester Park Lodge, with a huge viewing deck that overlooks Saylorville
Reservoir and the pelicans, all just north of Des Moines. The evening will begin outdoors with the
camaraderie of other birders, spotting scopes for viewing the pelicans, and an
expanded spread of Hors d'oeuvres with beverages. We'll then move indoors to
enjoy homemade desserts and the inspirational talk by Paul Baicich.

The Pelican Gala is more than a wonderful evening with birds and friends. It
is also Iowa Audubon's most important fundraiser of the year. Your attendance,
and participation in the Silent Auction, will allow Iowa Audubon to continue its
bird conservation work. The price of the Gala is $60 per person, $100 per
couple, or $25 per student, and this includes an Iowa Audubon membership
through 2006.

The Pelican Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. on September 9th. To reserve your
attendance, contact Jim Dinsmore at oldcoot@iastate.edu or 515-292-3152.
Karl Jungbluth

TEACHER “TREASURE’ COLLECTIONS

Last Spring, we started a new Audubon “project” by collecting recyclable items to contribute to the Ames Public
School teachers, who use these items as supplies in their classrooms. Teachers need this supplementation because
they find it necessary to spend their own money to cover their classroom supply needs, and they have been very
grateful for our collections. Especially, lower elementary and art teachers are using our “treasures.” We will
continue this project until further notice.

To help you out with some ideas, here is a list of items that have been useful:

Egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, cotton from pill bottles, lightweight cardboard, partially used typing paper and
other such paper, yogurt cups with tops, other plastic containers with tops, toweling tubes, bits and pieces of wood
(untreated), yarn and string and ribbon, fabric pieces, discontinued printouts and cards printed on one side, beads,
holiday decorations, artwork, wrapping paper and bows/ribbons. In other words, just about anything you can think
of!

Ccall your closest elementary school and talk to the art teacher or to the 1st, 2nd, or kindergarten teacher and
ASK for suggestions. It would be nice if you identified yourself as an Audubon member and explained this project!
Or, collect treasures to bring to the home of Jeanne/David Edwards and we will deliver them (please call first –
292-3790).
Do you like the idea of recycling? Of helping the little kids to get a good hands-on education? Of putting a dent
in teachers’ stress by producing some low cost supplies and showing them support? Here is a project for you!
Jeanne Edwards

6 Big Bluestem Flyer September/October 2005

 Warblers will be here soon
Clip and Join
Don’t forget gift memberships!

Membership Application forms

New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer,
membership card. — $20
Please make your check payable to National Audubon
Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
OR
Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and
participate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities — $10
Restrictions are that you will not be a National Audubon Society
member or have voting privileges, and you cannot be an officer or
committee chair. Please make your check payable to Big Bluestem
Audubon Society.

Send your check and this coupon to

Jon Bahrenfus, Membership Chair
1050 J Ave, Ogden, IA 50212

Name _______________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________
City_____________________ State____ ZIP_______________
Phone ________________ E-mail _______________________
Please do not use this form for renewals to the National Audubon Soc.

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 10% 1 1/2 miles east of I-35 on new U.S. 30 and 1/4 mile north
of Your Next Hours: 8-6 M-F, 8-4 Sat. (515) 232-7906
Purchase to
Purchase Donation
Big Bluestem Audubon Society Up tp $15 $1.50
Coupon must be presented at time of purchase $15 and over $3.00
May not be combined with any other offer
Not valid on specially-priced merchandise
$35 and over $5.00
Over $70 $7.50
Offer Expires: 10-31-05
Brekke’s offers Big Bluestem Audubon Society a donation
when bird seed or other bird products are purchased.
Present this coupon with your purchase and a donation will be
given to BBAS.
213 Duff Ave. Ames, IA 50010 (515) 956-3145
Mon-Wed 9:30-5:30 Thurs 9:30-8
Fri 9:30-5:30 Sat 9-5 Sun 12-4 Offer good until October 31, 2005
BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • NATURE GIFTS

September/October 2005 Big Bluestem Flyer 7

 Non-Profit Org.
Big Bluestem Flyer U. S. Postage Paid
David C. Edwards, Editor Permit No. 131
Big Bluestem Audubon Society Ames, Iowa
PO Box 543
Ames, IA 50010-0543
We welcome new members!
If you have an “X”
after your name on
your mailing label,
this will be your last
issue of the Flyer
unless you renew.
September/October 2005 Printed on Recycled paper Vol 41 No. 1
See story on Page 3
Lloyd and Galan Crim receiving Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation