Big Bluestem Flyer
Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Volume 41, Number 3
Programs
January 19, 2006
Mountain Plovers
Steve Dinsmore
Wildlife ecologist and ISU (NREM) faculty
member Dr. Dinsmore specializes in avian ecology
and population biology. Steve will discuss his work
with birds in general and also tell us about
Mountain Plovers and Black–tailed Prairie Dogs,
Mountain Plover sex determination, and general
survival rates and population estimates from his
field work.
Dinner: 5:45 Hickory Park on S.Duff
Feb. 16, 2006
Iowa Native Orchids
Mark Loeschke
Mark is botanist for the Wildlife Bureau of the
Iowa DNR. He will show captivating slides and
provide less commonly known information about
the many orchids of Iowa. He will also discuss Iowa
fens.
Dinner: 5:45 The Mandarin on Lincoln Way
Program meetings are held monthly, September-
May on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30
pm, in the Extension 4-H Building, Iowa State
University, Ames, Iowa. See Page 5.
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
President’s Corner
Page 3 Non-game Wildlife Funding
Page 4 Great Backyard Bird Count
Teacher “Treasures”
January/February 2006
Field Trips
January 28, 2006 Ledges State Park in
Winter.
February 24-25, 2006 Mississippi River
Pool 19, near Keokuk, IA (Lee Co.). Meet at the
parking lot behind the Ames Wild Birds Unlimited at
5:00 p.m. Friday to work out carpooling to Keokuk,
or meet in the Keokuk Super8 Motel (319-524-
3888) lobby at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Make
your own lodging arrangements. We’ll bird around
Pool 19 and further upstream on Saturday, with
plans also to search for the local Eurasian Tree
Sparrows.
March 25, 2006 Little Wall Lake and
Bjorkboda Marsh (Hamilton County).
April 29, 2006 Woodland Mounds and Lake
Ahquabi (Warren County).
Meet at the parking lot behind WBU at 7:30 a.m.
(note the earlier departure time).
May 6 2006 Bird-a-thon.
June 3, 2006 Annual Birder’s Brunch at
Ledges State Park (Boone Co.).
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,
(ozarkbirder@hotmail.com) for more information.
Page 5 New Meeting Location
Field Trip Report
Page 6 Christmas Bird Counts
Page 7 New Members
Coupons
Page 8 Whooping Cranes
 President’s Corner

If you were able to attend our Holiday Party for the Birds a few weeks ago, you saw the movie on the
first 100 years of Audubon. 2005 marked National Audubon’s Centennial Year. 2006 is the start of the
next 100 years.
One of the primary and fundamental founding values of National Audubon was connecting people
with nature. If we expect to continue to enjoy the environment and the birds around us for the next 100
years, we – not someone else - need to make sure that we do whatever we can to continue to connect
people with nature.
In this column, at this same time last year, I challenged each of you to share your interest and
enthusiasm for birds, nature, conservation, and the environment with others. Once again, I am
suggesting the same for 2006. There will never be enough people or enough dollars committed to nature
and conservation to meet all the needs that are out there today or yet to come.
And, once again, I am challenging you to consider new or different ways to accomplish this. Perhaps
invite someone new to a monthly chapter meeting or an upcoming field trip. Participate in the 9th
Annual Great Backyard Bird Count February 17 – 20, 2006. National Audubon has adopted the joint
themes of “Go to a special place” and “Take someone with you” for this event, in hopes of getting more
people outside during February and encouraging people to open other peoples’ eyes to their own passion
for birding. Adopt a mile for Operation Migration’s successful efforts with the whooping cranes. Support
Audubon’s Upper Mississippi River Campaign. Buy someone a birdfeeder. And the list goes on.
I hope to see you all in our new location at our first meeting of 2006 on January 19th.
Best wishes for another healthy and prosperous new year!
Linda Thomas

Kirsten Munson

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 ozarksbirder@hotmail.com
Royce Bitzer 233-6741 mariposa@iastate.edu
Wolfgang Oesterreich 232-3285 wolf@iastate.edu
Tim Grotheer 233-9873 tgrotheer@prestonengineering.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 January/February 2006

 FISH/WILDLIFE FUND- Nongame Wildlife Needs Your Support.
Research and habitat management for game species such as deer, turkeys, waterfowl and pheasants are funded
through license fees, habitat stamps and income taxes. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife
Diversity Program represents the 80% of Iowa’s wildlife that is not hunted. This program has no stable source of
funding and relies mainly on contributions from the public.
To make a contribution to the Wildlife Diversity Program and invest in the future of Iowa’s nongame
wildlife, remember to give to the Fish/Wildlife Fund (Chickadee Checkoff) on your state income tax
form. If you are a professional tax preparer, taking the time to prompt your clients on whether they
would like to give to any of the checkoffs can make them twice as likely to contribute. 100% of each
contribution will be used to conduct research and provide habitat management for Iowa’s nongame
species, and to promote education and enjoyment of those species to the public.
In recent years, contributions to the Nongame Program were used to conduct research and surveys on
Iowa’s frogs and toads, wintering bald eagles, heron rookeries, bats, and Iowa’s raptors. Public events
such as Bald Eagle Appreciation Days, Pelican Fest, and Hawk Watch, which attracted nearly 20,000
people, were also funded through donations. Several publications on the appreciation of Iowa’s diverse
wildlife and management of it were distributed to thousands of people. The health of Iowa’s wildlife and their
habitats contributes to the cleanliness of our air and water which in turn helps keep all Iowans healthy. With
respect to Iowa’s wildlife diversity, currently many are the beneficiary of contributions by few.
Research of the Fish/Wildlife Fund (Chickadee Checkoff) shows an average $11.50 contribution from a mere
1% (approx.) of the population filing income tax. This provides under $135,000 in revenue for the wildlife diversity
program and it does not match the level of management needed across Iowa. With 45% of Iowa’s population over
age 16 engaging in wildlife watching activities, there is much funding potential to realize.
Please consider contributing to the Fish/Wildlife Fund (Chickadee Checkoff) and if applicable prompting your
clients to remember the checkoffs when filing taxes. By donating a few dollars, you will be helping in the
conservation of 400+ nongame animals and their habitat. Please invest in Iowa’s natural beauty by supporting its
wildlife diversity. For more information please contact the Wildlife Diversity Program at 1436 255th St. Boone,
Iowa 50036 or by calling 515-432-2823.

Below is a list of future events that are sponsored or co-sponsored by the Wildlife Diversity Program.
Wildlife Diversity Program staff are scheduled to be in attendance at these events.
Event Date(s) Contact*
NatureMapping Jason O'Brien - 515-294-6440
Nature Mapping II - Volunteer Surveys Mark McInroy - 515-432-2823
Clinton Bald Eagle Watch, Clinton, IA Jan. 7 Contact - 815-259-3628
Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days, Rock Island, IL Jan. 7-8 Dave Burrows, 563-441-5695;
Dubuque Bald Eagle Watch, Dubuque, IA Jan. 14 Contact - 563-556-4372
Muscatine Eagle Watch, Muscatine, IA Jan. 14 Contact - 563-263-7913
Guttenberg Bald Eagle Days, Guttenberg, IA Jan. 21-22 Guttenberg Civic & Comm. Club - 877-252-2323
Keokuk Bald Eagle Days, Keokuk, IA Jan. 20-21 Contact - 319-524-5599
Le Claire Bald Eagle Watch, Le Claire, IA Jan. 28-29 Miss. Valley Welcome Ctr. - 563-322-3911 ext. 120
Burlington Eagle Watch, Burlington, IA Jan. 29 Kim Pearlstein - 319-753-5808
Quincy Bald Eagle Watch, Quincy, IL Jan. 29 Contact - 217-228-0890
Red Rock Eagle Watch, Pella, IA Feb. 11 Contact - 641-828-7522
Saylorville Eagle Watch, Johnston, IA Feb. 26 Contact - 515-276-4656
Linn Grove Eagle Watch, Linn Grove, IA Mar. 4 Beth Cathcart - 712-296-3790; 712-299-5248

* Contacts listed are the event coordinators. These individuals are not necessarily DNR employees.

January/February 2006 Big Bluestem Flyer 3

 The Great Backyard Bird Count Returns for its Ninth Season February 17-20, 2006

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a joint project of Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, returns
for its ninth season February 17-20, 2006. Bird enthusiasts of all ages can share their love of birds with a friend, a
child, a scout troop, a class, or a co-worker - opening new eyes to the joy of birding and the fun of creating a unique
snapshot of winter bird abundance and distribution across the continent.
“The level of energy created each February by Great Backyard Bird counters is phenomenal,” said Dr. Paul
Green, director of Citizen Science for Audubon. “What always amazes me are the new discoveries made by people
across North America. Some bird watchers even send digital photos to back up
their reports. Last year participants sent in more than 1,000 photos and many
are now part of the GBBC web site gallery.”
Everyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to seasoned experts.
During the count, bird watchers can tally up birds for as little as 15 minutes,
or for as long as they like, keeping track of the highest number of each bird
species they see together at one time. People are encouraged to report birds
from public lands and local parks, as well as from their own backyards.
Participants enter their numbers online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc and can
explore sightings maps, lists, and charts as the count progresses.
For more information contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at
Steven D’Amato cornellbirds@cornell.edu or (800) 843-2473 if in the United States; or contact
Audubon at citizenscience@audubon.org; or (215) 355-9588 Ext. 16.
Why count backyard birds?
Scientists and bird enthusiasts can learn a lot by knowing where the birds are. Now
that winter has gripped much of the continent, what are our birds doing? Bird populations
are dynamic, they are constantly in flux. We want to take a snapshot of North American
bird populations and YOU can help us. Everyone's contribution is important. It doesn't
matter whether you identify, count, and report the 5 species coming to your backyard
feeder or the 75 species you see during a day's outing to a wildlife refuge. Your data can
help us answer many questions:
Kirsten Munson
* How will this winter's snow and cold temperatures influence bird populations?
* Where are the WINTER finches and other irruptive species?
* Will late winter movements of many SONGBIRD and waterfowl species be as far north as they were last
year?
The data that you collect will be combined with Christmas Bird Count and Project FeederWatch data to give us
an immense picture of our winter birds. Each year that these data are collected makes them more important and
meaningful. So as we see patterns, discover new questions and insights, we'll update you. And we'll ask for your
help again.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology & National Audubon Society

Teacher’s “Treasures”
A great big “thanks” to all of you who contributed recyclable materials to Big Bluestem “Teacher treasures”
collections.
These items are being used by elementary classroom teachers for projects, helping to defray the rising costs of
supplies. You did a grand job for our first year. We will continue those collections until the beginning of summer, at
which time this project will evaluated, and continued or ended, as the case may be.
Please keep bring materials* to the monthly Big Bluestem meetings. Thanks again for your great support.
Jeanne Edwards

* Typical materials include: egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, cotton from pill bottles, lightweight cardboard, small
pieces of wood (1” to 5”), wooden dowels, 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, old calendar
pictures, artwork, wrapping paper, bows/ribbons, and left-over craft materials. In other words, just about anything
you can think of!

4 Big Bluestem Flyer January/February 2006

 New Meeting Location
Note: We will no longer be meeting in the ISU Veterinary College Building.
Our 2006 meeting place will be the Extension 4-H Building on the north edge of ISU Campus.
The building is located at the southwest corner of 13th Street and Stange Road as shown below.
Enter off of Stange Road on the first street south of 13th Street (Wanda Daley Drive)

Field Trip Report

November 19, 2005. Lake Red Rock
Seven of us enjoyed birding around Lake Red Rock under overcast and cool conditions, with light rain in the late
afternoon. We first checked out the lake from the Visitor’s Center overlook. We found a few ducks and Horned
Grebes. Below the dam were a lone Brown Pelican, a few American Black Ducks with many Mallards, and a
Carolina Wren near the paved hiking/biking trail. After lunch in Pella at the Smokey Row Coffee and Soda
Fountain, we headed to Roberts Creek Park and found a colorful Long-tailed Duck – definitely the bird of the day!
We finished the day with 50 species.
Jeff Nichols

Steven D’Amato

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 February and April.
Please be aware that editing your offering for length and style is sometimes necessary.

January/February 2006 Big Bluestem Flyer 5

 Ames and Saylorville Christmas Bird Counts

Christmas Bird Counts Ames Saylorville Ames Saylorville

Dec. 17 Dec. 18 Dec. 17 Dec. 18
Snow Goose 1 Black-capped Chickadee 533 364
Canada Goose 415 7395 Tufted Titmouse 9 20
Canvasback 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 12 1
Gadwall 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 205 109
Common Goldeneye cw Brown Creeper 27 8
Ruddy Duck cw Carolina Wren 2 2
American Black Duck 1 Winter Wren 4 2
Mallard 27 1110 Golden-crowned Kinglet 8
Gray Partridge 32 Eastern Bluebird 13 17
Ring-necked Pheasant 186 122 Hermit Thrush 1 1
Wild Turkey 3 15 American Robin 44 8
Common Loon 1 Gray Catbird 1
Great Blue Heron 4 European Starling 2143 2649
Bald Eagle 13 13 Cedar Waxwing 111 185
Northern Harrier 2 2 Eastern Towhee 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 13 American Tree Sparrow 209 773
Cooper’s Hawk 11 10 Fox Sparrow cw 5
Red-tailed Hawk 64 84 Song Sparrow 15 81
Rough-legged Hawk 5 6 Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
American Kestrel 12 22 Swamp Sparrow 9
Merlin 2 White-throated Sparrow 19 166
Wilson’s Snipe 1 Harris’s Sparrow 18 17
Rock Pigeon 551 298 White-crowned Sparrow cw 8
Mourning Dove 233 410 Dark-eyed Junco 887 1493
Eastern Screech-Owl 2 13 Lapland Longspur 73
Great Horned Owl 8 43 Snow Bunting 10 87
Barred Owl 5 7 Northern Cardinal 363 402
Long-eared Owl 9 Red-winged Blackbird 1 626
Belted Kingfisher 2 5 Western Meadowlark 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 1 2 Meadowlark sp. 11 40
Red-bellied Woodpecker 105 117 Rusty Blackbird 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 1 Common Grackle 2 1
Downy Woodpecker 178 134 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 4
Hairy Woodpecker 46 53 Purple Finch 7 18
Northern Flicker 12 39 House Finch 282 127
Northern Shrike 1 1 Common Redpoll 1
Blue Jay 207 192 Pine Siskin 5 12
American Crow 8100 489 American Goldfinch 202 591
Horned Lark 170 109 House Sparrow 1150 811
Species Count 60 71
Total Birds 16689 19449
Count Participants 41 25

Notes on the Saylorville count Thanks

The two best birds were the Common We give special thanks to Shane and Katy Patterson for accepting
Loon that was trapped on the ice and a the time-consuming role of Coordinators of the Ames count. It was a
Gray Catbird. We did well with very good count, despite the somewhat cold and difficult walking
sparrows, open country birds, etc. conditions.
Obviously having no gulls and only five Further thanks are due Sherry Dragula for taking on the
waterfowl species hurt our total a lot. responsibility for finding a location and organizing the post count
Still a good count, especially with the potluck supper and get-together. It was done on short notice and turned
snow cover, brisk weather, and lack of out to be a very good location. We also thank the folks at Bethesda
open water. Lutheran Church for offering some spaces—we hope that that
Jim Dinsmore becomes a new tradition.

6 Big Bluestem Flyer January/February 2006

 Welcome
New Members Clip and Join
Don’t forget gift memberships!
Joan Boggs of Jewell
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Crawford of Ames
Julie Dixon of Cambridge Membership Application forms
Jerry Dunahoo of Ames
Richard Dunnihoo of Woodward New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
Robert Gaskill of Ames receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer,
Barbara Licklider of Boone membership card. — $20
Becky Lyon of Boone. Please make your check payable to National Audubon
R D Montgomery of Perry Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
Peggy Murdock of Ames
Gene Pollmann of Ames OR
Bernard Randol of Ames
Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and
Annamae Reed of Boone
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.
D C Edwards

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: 02-28-06
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 February 28, 2006
BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • NATURE GIFTS

January/February 2006 Big Bluestem Flyer 7

 Fifth Generation of Ultralight-led Whooping Cranes Reaches Florida Wintering Grounds
Nineteen endangered whooping cranes and their surrogate parents—four ultralight aircraft—reached Florida’s
Gulf coast after a 61-day trek of more than 1,100 miles through seven states.
At 9:30 a.m. Eastern, the cranes and ultralights arrived at their final destination in Marion County, first flying
over a crowd of more than 800 enthusiastic spectators gathered for the occasion at the Dunnellon Municipal
Airport.
These cranes are the fifth group to be guided by ultralights to Florida from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in
central Wisconsin. The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP), an international coalition of public and
private organizations, is conducting this ultralight-led reintroduction project in an effort to return this highly
imperiled species to its historic range in eastern North America. With the conclusion of this year's ultralight-led
migration, there are now 64 whooping cranes in the wild in eastern North America.
This year’s class of ultralight-led whooping cranes departed from Necedah NWR on Oct. 14. The young cranes
ended their first migration at a different location than in previous years. Instead of being “dropped off” by the
ultralight pilots at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Citrus County, the juvenile birds will instead
spend the next few weeks at an isolated location in Marion County.
In addition to the chicks migrating behind ultralights, WCEP biologists also released four additional chicks this
fall into the company of older birds at Necedah in the hopes that the chicks would learn the migration route from
adult whoopers.
WCEP asks anyone who encounters a whooping crane in the wild to please give them the respect and distance
they need. Do not approach birds on foot within 600 feet; try to remain in your vehicle; do not approach in a vehicle
within 600 feet or, if on a public road, within 300 feet. Also, please remain concealed and do not speak loudly
enough that the birds can hear you. Finally, do not trespass on private property in an attempt to view whooping
cranes.
More than 60 percent of the project's estimated $1.8 million per year budget comes from private sources in the
form of grants, donations and corporate sponsors. Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership

Vol 41 No. 3 Printed on Recycled paper January/February 2006

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
Ames, Iowa Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Permit No. 131 David C. Edwards, Editor
U. S. Postage Paid Big Bluestem Flyer
Non-Profit Org.