Big Bluestem Flyer
Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Volume 42, Number 1
Programs
September 21, 2006
The Return of the Bald Eagle
Bruce Ehresman is a Wildlife Diversity
Program Biologist with the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources and has been working with that
program (formerly Nongame Program) since its
inception in 1981. He has both undergraduate and
graduate degrees in Animal Ecology from Iowa
State University and feels fortunate to be involved
with restoration efforts with species such as Bald
Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, and Barn Owl.
This program is about the amazing recovery of a
species that humans almost eliminated from the
planet. The life history of Iowa's Bald Eagles is
included with many fine photos, and the story will
be offered of how, with human help, the Bald Eagle
has returned from near extinction to enjoy a more
common status today within Iowa's landscape.
Dinner: 5:45 The Mandarin- 415 Lincolnway,
Ames
October 19, 2006
Survey of Whiterock Conservancy
Tom Rosburg
Tentative program. Check our website later.
Program meetings are held monthly, September-
May on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30
pm, Extension & 4-H 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
President’s Corner
Page 3
President’s Introduction
Page 4
Don Williams Lake Osprey Project
Page 5
Upper Midwest Audubon Conference
Great Lakes Ecosystem Restoration Conf.
In Memory of Janet Jepeway
September/October 2006
Field Trips
September 10 (Sunday)
Polk City Wildlife Area, Saylorville Lake, and
Pelican Festival
Pelican Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 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.
Meet in parking lot behind Ames Wild Birds
Unlimited (WBU) at 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning.
October 15
Saylorville Lake and Polk City Wildlife Area
for gulls, waterfowl, and lingering shorebirds.
Meet in parking lot behind Ames WBU at 7:30
am.
November 18
Lake Red Rock, Runnells Natural Area, and
Pinchey Bottoms for Waterfowl viewing
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,
(ozarksbirder@hotmail.com) for more information.
Page 6
Pelican Festival
Teachers’ Treasures
Page 7
New Members
Membership Form
Coupons
Page 8
Iowa DNR License Plates
 Presidents Corner and Introduction
Greetings fellow “bird gazers!” With summer winding down (will it ever?) and fall just around the corner, we’ll
have lots of exciting migrators coming through and mixing with our locals. All the travelers will be looking for “fast
food” as they traverse hundreds to thousands of arduous miles-- so don’t forget to clean and fill your feeders as you
prepare to admire and perhaps tally some new birds. Good luck identifying the LBJ’s as they zip through!
As the new BBAS 2006-2007 president, I’ve been asked to introduce myself. First though, I would like to
express how honored I feel to represent our group and to follow in the footsteps of former BBAS president Linda
Thomas who did such an effective and conscientious job heading our organization the last two years. Her real love
of birds and nature education kept her going strong both in beating back challenges to her health and in helping
the BBAS to progress along its respected path. I know that Linda, John Pohlman, Karl Jungbluth and other past
presidents will be in the wings for all of us.
Where to start? I feel that I’ve already lived several lives! I was born 58 years ago in upper state New York. I
was six when my father (Elec. Eng.) took a job at Lockheed in So. California and my family spent a month driving
across country, camping out at most of the East to West state and national parks. This first “big trip” ushered in a
fun childhood of weekend, holiday and vacation camping trips for my two brothers, my sister and me all over the
U.S. and down to Mexico. My dad loved to explore and hike and my mother had studied biology and botany and
loved sharing the wonders all around with us children. She got me a microscope and a subscription to a kid’s
nature magazine. The “nature or nurture” issue of my own intense fascination with and respect for the outdoors
and all things living is blurred. I had all sorts of pets that I cared for carefully, a small pond my dad and I dug, and
I gardened some. I spent a couple of summers as a volunteer nature interpreter at a local “wash.” I wanted to
travel right after high school but conceded to my parents that I would at least just try one college class that
summer. I enrolled in botany—and was hooked. I’ve been going to school or self-educating ever since.
In my “first life” I earned a B.A. degree in biology and a teaching credential. Upon graduation, I taught biology,
ecology, (basic) genetics and teaching methodology at a university in Arequipa, Peru for nearly three years as a
Peace Corps Volunteer. My students were all going to become secondary science teachers—only problem was most
of them were terrified of living creatures as rote education was all they had ever been exposed to. We did lots of
field work to surmount this obstacle and set up a “hands on” learning lab. I remember riding my horse out early
before classes to collect liverworts, ferns and other plant materials and buying lungs, hearts, dead guinea pigs and
other such at the mercado for use in classes. One of our field trips was to a small local slaughterhouse so the
students could see that, yes, there were parasites in the local herds. During the two summers I designed and
taught workshops for secondary science teachers in Cuzco. These wonderful teachers (42 total)
(cont. next page)

Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Officers and Committees
Officers
President: Lynne Brookes 434-2028 rppsolar@yahoo.com
Vice-President: Royce Bitzer 233-6741 mariposa@iastate.edu
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
Mary Doud 515-795-4176, BorealBirders@hotmail.com
Kelly Weichers 319-231-6999, goinfishin@hotmail.com
Rose Danaher rdanaher@iastate.edu
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 Board Members)
Membership Chair: Jon Bahrenfus 275-3263 jbahren@netins.net
Program Chair: Royce Bitzer (See Officers)
Publicity Chair: Kelly Weichers (See Board Members)
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 2006

attended the six week courses traveling to the school and housing themselves at their own expense “just” to become
better, “more modern” teachers.
My “second life” began when I returned to California and taught jr. high and high school biology and Spanish
for eleven years in Davis. We also bred, raised and showed Peruvian Paso horses that we brought back with us
from Peru. During that time I put my former husband through vet school and we started a veterinary practice.
Upon his graduation, I went back to school at U.C. Davis while teaching half time and earned an M.Ed. and an
M.S. in International Agriculture. After amicably parting ways with my husband I headed back into international
development working at Winrock International with headquarters in Arkansas.
My “third life” began when I lived on Petit Jean Mountain. for four and a half years managing an eleven million
dollar IDB project with Argentina for training 192 of their INTA (USDA equiv.) employees to the M.S. or Ph.D.
level in 12 countries and about 60 universities. All the INTA employees brought their families with them so there
were about 900 people involved in the program. I spent some time at various Argentine research stations to better
understand where the students would be returning. Another part of my work was to visit the study sites
evaluating student progress and living situations—which is how I first came to ISU! I was also at this time
professionally involved at the regional and national levels with foreign student affairs.
My “fourth life” began in 1990 when the then Director of International Agriculture Programs, Dr. Harold
Crawford (now a BBAS member!) offered me the opportunity to work full time managing various projects and to
simultaneously work towards a doctoral degree. Those were great and crazy years. I also met my wonderful
husband to be, Derrick, at this time. After graduation I had the opportunity to return to Winrock but decided to
stay in Iowa and work as Executive Administrator at Derrick and his partner’s budding solar energy company,
Iowa Thin Film Technologies, now known as PowerFilm, Inc.
In my present life, I am happily married to a Derek, a physicist who loves the natural world and live on a 10
acre old farmstead that we have “re-modeled” for wildlife habitat. Two years ago we added a 5,000 gal. 6.5 ft. deep
“natural” pond and two small bogs. These additions have started an even greater parade of new species to our little
island in the “sea” of fields around us. We share our lives with many wild critters outside and live with a European
starling (yes!), two small parrots, six finches, a few fish, lots of plants, four horses, and two Irish setters. If you
come visit you’ll laugh as you watch a parrot, then a starling, then another parrot come sailing down from their
room to fly through the kitchen and land on you. They are a hilarious trio and we have learned a lot because of
them and from them. We are members of a number of organizations. Some local ones include the Iowa Prairie
Network, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and Story County Partners. I am a member of the National and
the Iowa Wildlife Rehabilitators Associations and have worked in wildlife rehabilitation with the ISU Wildlife Care
Clinic for nearly three years. I provide programs on home wildlife habitat development and newly on various
aspects of the lives of local Iowa birds. Most recently I provided a program for the Mid-America Cage Bird Society
looking at the cross over learning from those raising companion birds and the care of birds in wildlife
rehabilitation.
Over the years I have heard and observed many good things about the role the BBAS plays in our community.
As BBAS president I wish to support the activities that have earned us such an excellent reputation. Most
importantly your BBAS board members and I would like to hear from members regarding your interests. Our
contact information is found in each newsletter and I encourage each of you to contact me and others on your board
with suggestions, questions, and ideas for improvement.
Finally, come to the monthly programs-- they’re great! Don’t be shy. After this monologue you at least know me!
Lynne Brookes

September/October 2006 Big Bluestem Flyer 3

 Update on Don Williams Lake Osprey Project

Although ospreys migrate through Iowa with regularity, there have not been any documented nests in
the state during modern time, but oral stories from certain Indian tribes tell of nesting ospreys in the
state in the past. In about 1997, the Iowa DNR began a program to try to get these majestic birds to nest
in the state instead of just migrating through.
As part of the reintroduction program, young osprey from nests in Wisconsin and Minnesota are
brought into Iowa. The birds are placed in a hack tower for a few weeks with the hope that they will
imprint on the area where they fledge and then return near the area to breed and raise a family. Male
ospreys have a strong tendency to return to within about 25 miles of where they were raised, while the
females may nest as far as 100 to 150 miles away. After the young birds fledge, they will leave Iowa in
the fall to go down to South America, returning in about 20-22 months. Osprey usually don’t nest
successfully until they are about 4 years old.
The fourth season of the osprey reintroduction at Don Williams Lake in Boone County is well under
way with two big events occurring. Five young ospreys were released from the hack tower on August 7.
These birds came from Minnesota a few weeks before they were old enough to fly. Volunteers have been
feeding and caring for the birds, but now it is time for the young osprey to fly and learn to catch their
own fish rather than relying on humans for food. Although they will still need to be fed fish on a daily
basis, the osprey will gradually become totally independent. This is a traumatic time for the birds and
the people who help with the program but things usually work out well for most of the birds. This year
four of the five birds fledged from the hack tower within two
days of the door opening. There is one remaining bird to
fledge—it will probably leave the hack tower soon. It is fun to
watch these young birds make their first attempt at flight and
they soon become amazing flyers. Learning to fish without the
help of an adult bird is quite a challenge, but by the end of
August or early September the birds will probably be catching
fish on their own.
The other big excitement this summer at Don Williams Lake
is that a pair of osprey flew in this spring and built a nest.
They produced two young which will likely have fledged by the
time you read this article. The adults and young are all doing
well and the people at Don Williams Lake are very proud and
protective of these birds. The adult male at this nest is a banded bird that came from the 2001 Osprey
reintroduction program at Saylorville Lake and the adult female is an unbanded bird. This event is an
important confirmation that the reintroduction program is working in Iowa. There are at least four
nests in Iowa this year including one at Saylorville. Most if not all of these nests involve at least one
adult osprey that has come from the reintroduction program.
The Big Bluestem Chapter has supported the Osprey reintroduction program at both Saylorville and
Don Williams Lake. The Chapter donated a spotting scope and provided financial support to the
program. A number of Chapter members have worked as volunteers in caring for the osprey chicks. This
investment of time and money has paid good dividends. The public is enthused about the osprey project
and many people come out to watch the birds in action. Those interested in observing the ospreys at Don
Williams Lake can get a good view from the shelter house on the west side of the lake.
There are many sites where ospreys could potentially nest in the central Iowa area including along the
Des Moines River and at area lakes. In looking at a map today, I noticed that it is a distance of only
about 22 miles from Don Williams Lake to Ada Hayden Park. Maybe someday one of those Boone
County Ospreys may wander in with a mate and decide to take up residence.
Jon Bahrenfus

4 Big Bluestem Flyer September/October 2006

 Upper Midwest Audubon Conference
Saturday and Sunday, October 14 and 15, Ho-Chunk Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells/Baraboo, WI
We hope to strengthen Audubon Chapters in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to make a
greater environmental impact in our communities through successful conservation and advocacy
programs. The keynote speech will be, "In Search of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker," delivered by Jim
Fitzpatrick, executive director of the St. Croix Valley Nature Center in Hastings, MN. Also, please
consider coming a day early, October 13, for “No Bird Left Behind,” “Bird Interactions with Tall
Structures’” and “How to Reduce the Risk” programs.
For more information, see www.madisonaudubon.org/audubon or contact Marsha Cannon, Madison
Audubon Society, marsha.audubon@charter.net, 608-327-0129.

Great Lakes Ecosystem Restoration Conference

November 3-5, Chicago area (exact location to be determined)
The Great Lakes watershed is one of the world's most significant ecological systems, on which the
region's fisheries, birds, other wildlife, and people depend. These are exciting times for Great Lakes
restoration. Be a part of it on November 3-5! Learn about important bird areas (IBAs) in the Great
Lakes watershed. Great Lakes experts will lead discussions on restoration. Attend workshops on citizen
science, advocacy skill building, exotic invasive aquatic species, and media training. Join us for the
Friday evening reception and participate in Great Lakes restoration work on Sunday.
We hope you can make it. Please send us your email address if you would like to receive additional
details about the conference once they become available. Drop a line to Karen Orenstein, National
Outreach Coordinator, korenstein@audubon.org, 202-861-2242 x3002. Feel free to contact us with any
questions or concerns.

In Memory of BBAS member Janet Jepeway (Feb. 6, 1942 - June 20, 2006)
Janet loved the Ames community and had resided here since 1969. Janet’s community involvement
included memberships in Ames Camera Club, Big Bluestem Audubon Society, Iowa Ornithologists’
Union, and Friends of Central Iowa Biking, and has been a committed board member and vice-president
of the Ames Historical Society. In that role she was responsible for launching the Society’s building fund
by recruiting an anonymous donor. At her own initiative she developed the Hallett’s/Hayden Project in
which she created an historical record illustrated by over 1,500 photos of Hallett’s Quarry and its
restoration as Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Many residents will recall attending her photo exhibits and
presentations given at Story County Conservation as well as the presentation at the Ada Hayden
Heritage Park dedication. Janet’s passions have been nature appreciation and photography. She began
taking pictures at age ten when she was given a Brownie camera. She has enjoyed travel throughout the
U.S. as well as Japan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, India, and Australia. As a creative artist, Janet
enjoyed doing macramé and exhibited at the Art Thing in the mid-1970s. Many organizations have
benefited from her interpersonal and organizational skills. Friends will remember her empathy for
humankind and love of nature (particularly birds).
Memorials may be donated to the Ames Historical Society, Story County Conservation, Big Bluestem
Audubon Society, Ames Area Amateur Astronomers, or Ames Camera Club.
Royce Bitzer

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 2006 Big Bluestem Flyer 5

 Mysteries of Migration Spotlighted at 2006 Pelican Festival
Did you know that Saylorville Lake provides a resting spot for one of the largest fall gatherings of the
American White Pelican in the world? Up to 10,000 American White Pelicans migrate to the lake
between mid-August and September as they make their way south for the winter. Polk County
Conservation welcomes the public to capture breathtaking views of these pelicans at Jester Park in
Granger, Iowa, on Sunday, September 10. The Pelican Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year's festival will feature the mysteries of migration. Special displays and programs will help
visitors better understand flyways, how birds navigate and the importance of Iowa's waterways as
resting spots.
Activities for all ages will educate participants about pelicans, waterfowl, osprey, and their amazing
migrations. Public education programs will take place all day on the half hour. Youth activities and
refreshments will be on-site. Spotting scopes, staffed by trained birders, will be available. View live
birds of prey on exhibit and two raptor releases at 2 & 4 p.m.
The Pelican Festival is a free special event sponsored by Polk County Conservation, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers-Saylorville Lake, Iowa Audubon, Des Moines Audubon Society, and the IA DNR Wildlife
Diversity Team. For directions
to Jester Park, please contact
Polk County Conservation at
(515) 323-5300 or visit the
website at
www.leadingyououtdoors.org.

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! Containers must be clean, and please: no glass.
Call your closest elementary school and talk to the art teacher or to the 1st, 2nd grade 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 2006

 Welcome New members
Clip and Join
Norma Adroen Don’t forget gift memberships!
Todd Crow
Susan Gwiasda
Lisa Hein Membership Application forms
Evelyn Ostrander
Marlys Swanson New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
Mrs. William Switzer receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer,
Tom Textor membership card. — $20
Jane Traver Please make your check payable to National Audubon
Arlee Brunsvold Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
Marge Darrow OR
Diane Drake
Roger Heiden Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and
Betty Kinzler participate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities — $10
Restrictions are that you will not be a National Audubon Society
Jerrine McCaffrey
member or have voting privileges, and you cannot be an officer or
Katie Pattee committee chair. Please make your check payable to Big Bluestem
Doris Richards Audubon Society.
Brad Sockness
Delmar Tigges Send your check and this coupon to
Isabelle Toot Jon Bahrenfus, Membership Chair
Gretchen Van Houton 1050 J Ave, Ogden, IA 50212
Steven Warner
Name _______________________________________________
Beth Douglass
Address _____________________________________________
Wayne Fuller
Sarah Franklin
City_____________________ State____ ZIP_______________
Harriet Simmons Phone ________________ E-mail _______________________
Please do not use this form for renewals to the National Audubon Soc.
Joan Welch

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: 10-31-06
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 October 31, 2006
BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • NATURE GIFTS

September/October 2006 Big Bluestem Flyer 7

 Natural Resource Plates Available
Have you purchased your Natural Resources license plates yet? The
traditional American Goldfinch and Wild Rose are just one choice. Iowa
wildlife artist, Greg Bordignon’s award winning Pheasant and Bald Ea-
gle can also adorn your custom plate and designate money for Iowa’s
Wildlife Diversity Program and Iowa’s Resource Enhancement and Pro-
tection Program (REAP). The money that goes to the Wildlife Diversity
Program is actually doubled, because it is matched with federal State
Wildlife Grant (SWG) money.
Please support Iowa’s wildlife diversity and purchase your Natural
Resources license plate today at your county treasurer’s office.
Bruce Ehresman

Vol 42 No. 1 Printed on Recycled paper September/October 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.