Big Bluestem Flyer

Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Volume 45, Number 1 September-October 2009

Programs Field Trips

All field trips are free and open to the public. They
Meeting Place are fun and a great learning experience for both
Extension & 4-H Building, ISU, Ames beginning and experienced birders, so attend and
7:30 p.m. bring along a friend! Unless otherwise indicated, field
The building is located at the southwest corner of trips depart at 8:00 a.m. from the public parking lot
13th St. and Stange Road. Enter off of Stange Road west of (behind) the Ames Wild Birds Unlimited,
on the first street south of 13th Street located south of the railroad tracks at 213 Duff Ave.
(Wanda Daley Drive) Please arrive before the departure time to arrange
carpooling. Contact Jeff Nichols for more information
September 17, 2009 at 515-795-4176 or ozarksbirder@hotmail.com.
Mike Havlik and Matt Wetrich – Raptor Identification
September 5, 2009 Birder’s Brunch
October 22, 2009 Second-attempt Birders' Brunch at Jester Park.
Steve Holland - Iowa DOT Prairie Roadside Plantings Meet behind the Ames WBU store at 8 a.m. to
November 19, 2009 carpool to the park. We'll bird around Jester Park
Phyllis Mains – Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and view the American White Pelicans before
enjoying a late morning brunch. Please bring a
December 17, 2009
McFarland Park food item to share.
Member’s night – short photo presentations by BBAS October 3, 2009 Marshall County
members Marietta Sand Prairie State Preserve and
*Note – At Story County Conservation Center Grammer Grove Wildlife Area (Marshall County).
January 21, 2010 Bring a picnic lunch.
Jeff Nicholls – A Birding Tour of Poland November 7, 2009 Hamilton County
February 18, 2009 Bjorkboda Marsh, Bell's Mill Park and Gordon's
Ron Andrews - Iowa DNR wildlife updates Marsh (Hamilton County).
March18, 2010
Nichole Nagl – Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas Future Field Trips to be announced
April 15, 2010 in proceeding newsletters!
Tom Rosburg – Prairie Ecology: Structure, function and
composition
May 2-, 2010
Doug Harr - Birds of Panama

More detailed presentation information

can be found inside this newsletter.

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 - Officers and Committees; President’s Corner; Membership Form
Page 3 - 2009-2010 Programs Planned; Other Events of Interest
Page 4 - President’s Corner Continued; Coupons
Page 5 - BBAS Changes
Page 6 - New Members of National Audubon Society
 Big Bluestem Audubon President’s Corner
Society of Central Iowa
Welcome to the 2009-2010 season for the Big Bluestem Audubon Society.
Officers Somehow I have become the new President and Gary Erbes is serving as Vice
President: Larry Dau President of the organization. Please have patience as I try to figure out my
515-275-4963
duties and perform them in an adequate manner.
lgdau@netins.net
Vice-President: Gary Erbes
gmerbes@gmail.com Other changes include Stu Huntington replacing Mike Meetz as treasurer.
Secretary: Shane Patterson Treasurer is a a difficult job, our thanks to Mike for a job well done! We also
515- 232-4682 have two new Board members, Hank Zaletel and Matt Wetrich, who have
shane7896@yahoo.com replaced John Pohlman and Tim Grotheer. A well deserved thank you goes to
Treasurer: Stu Huntington all those officers that have completed their terms. A special thanks to Dave
515-292-4542 Edwards who served as president this past year. He has graciously tried to
huntin@iastate.edu answer all my questions and given me needed insight about the duties of
Board Members President.
Mary Doud
515-795-4176 Jeff Nichols will again be planning and leading field trips this year. Jeff
BorealBirders@hotmail.com deserves a lot of credit for doing such a great job! Check out the details of our
Kelly Weichers field trips and plan to participate.
319-231-6999
goinfishin@hotmail.com I think we have a really great list of presenters and programs lined up for this
Hank Zaletel
515-382-5427
season. Please read the details of each presentation on the following page of
madowl@midiowa.net this newsletter. I am sorry to say that I will miss the September meeting, as will
Matt Wetrich
641-919-6061 Continued on page 4
matt@naturebymatt.com
Lloyd Crim Clip and Join
515-5026 Remember to give gift memberships!
lcrim@opencominc.com
Special Assignments Membership Application Form
Archivist
Hank Zaletel
515-382-5427 New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
madowl@midiowa.net receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer,
Bird-a-thon
Nick Osness
membership card. — $20
Conservation Please make your check payable to National Audubon
Bruce Ehresman Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
515-296-2995
Bruce.ehresman@dnr.iowa.gov OR
Field Trips
Jeff Nichols Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and
515-795-4176 participate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities — $10
ozarksbirder@hotmail.com Restrictions are that you will not be a National Audubon Society member or
Publicity & Outreach have voting privileges, and you cannot be an officer or committee chair.
Gary Erbes
gmerbes@gmail.com Please make your check payable to Big Bluestem Audubon
Schools Liaison Society.
Amy Yoakum
515-232-2516 Send your check and this coupon to:
ayoakum@storycounty.com Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Newsletter Editor P.O. Box 543, Ames IA 50010 
Stefany Hulsebus
515-720-9322
stefany_h@yahoo.com Name
Audubon Membership Contact Address
Larry Dau
515-275-4963 City State ZIP
lgdau@netins.net Phone E-mail
Webmaster
David Edwards Please do not use this form for renewals For Official Use Only
515-292-3790 to the National Audubon Society. C9ZH570Z
dcejce@dandje.org

2 Big Bluestem Flyer September-October 2009

 Big Bluestem Audubon Society
2009-2010 Programs Planned
September 17, 2009
Mike Havlik and Matt Wetrich -
Raptor Identification
It is great timing for this presentation
as we will be in hawk migration prime
time. This presentation will provide
helpful hints and identification basics
that should be of real interest for the
experienced as well as beginning bird
watcher.
October 22, 2009
Steve Holland - Iowa DOT Prairie
Road Plantings Specialist
Steve will discuss the Iowa Living
Roadside Trust that provides funding
for roadside plantings including how
the public and Organizations can apply
for prairie planting assistance. He will
also give a project progress and status
report.
November 19, 2009
Phyllis Mains – Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and
other Alaska wilderness has some of
the world's most valuable water fowl
and wildlife habitat. It is being
threatened by oil and gas exploration
on the North Slope. Phyllis will provide
information and updates about refuge
and its future.
December 17, 2009
Note – At Story County
Conservation Center
McFarland Park Member’s night
– short photo presentations by
BBAS members
Bring your images and slides for
everyone to enjoy. Lot of holiday
goodies to eat at the refreshment table.
Story County Conservation would
appreciate donations of bird food or
cash donations to help maintain their
feeding stations!
January 21, 2010
Jeff Nicholls – From the Baltic to
the Tatras: A Birding Tour of
Poland
Jeff Nichols will share observations
from a recent birding trip to
Poland. Jeff's presentation will discuss
3 Big Bluestem Flyer
Meeting Place
Extension and 4H Building, I.S.U Campus
the natural and recent cultural history
of Poland and illustrate some of the
country's bird life and natural habitats.
February 18, 2009
Ron Andrews - Iowa DNR wildlife
updates
Ron Andrews is a noted biologist
with the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources. He will
comment and give updates on the
population trends and status of
wildlife of Iowa in general and some
particulars on species of interest.
March 18, 2010
Nichole Nagl – Iowa Breeding
Bird Atlas
The Second Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas
began only two years ago, and trends
are already being set. Since 2008,
hundreds of volunteers throughout the
state have been scouring blocks
searching for signs of nesting, and
thousands of records have been
entered. Come and enjoy a
presentation by the Breeding Bird Atlas
Volunteer Coordinator to find out how
you can help. Learn why
collecting breeding bird
information today will be vital to their
protection in the future, and find out
what trends are appearing.
April 15, 2010
Tom Rosburg – Prairie Ecology:
Structure, function and
composition
Tom will provide a look at the some
of the interesting ecology,
organisms and interactions in the
prairie environment.
May 2, 2010
Doug Harr - Birds of Panama
Doug Harr, Iowa DNR Wildlife Diversity
Program administrator, will cover the
“Birds of Panama”. Doug will have
information about birding Panama and
photos of some of the exotics he
encountered from a recent trip.
Other events of
interest
August 30, 2009
Pelican Festival at Jester Park Polk
County
The Pelican Festival is sponsored by Polk
County Conservation, the US Army Corps of
Engineers-Saylorville Lake, Des Moines
Audubon Society, and Iowa DNR Wildlife
Diversity Team.
October 15, 2009
Paul Errington Memorial Lecture
Great Hall – ISU Memorial Union 7:00 PM
Dr. Robert Rockwell American Museum of
Natural History, Ornithology Department
Professor of Biology, City College of The City
University of New York
Dr. Rockwell is widely known for his work as
lead investigator on the Hudson Bay Project,
which studies coastal arctic tundra
ecosystems and their conservation.
BBAS Board Meeting Schedule
(tentative)
(Meeting begin at 6:30 PM, State Forest
Nursery conference Rm)
October 7, 2009 (Wednesday)
February 10, 2010 (Wednesday)
April 14, 2010 (Wednesday)
Christmas Bird Count Schedule
Ames
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Contact Shane Patterson
Saylorville
Sunday December 20, 2009
Contact Steve Dinsmore
Boone
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Contact Mark Widrlechner
Killdeer chick rural Boone County, July 2009
September-October 2009
 Continued from page 2

President’s Corner
Gary Erbes. Both of us have previously planned vacation
trips and will be out of town (Gary in France and I will be in
California). So, someone will have to fill in for us at the
meeting and introduce our speaker. I will take special care
to make sure this does not happen in the future!

At present we will follow the past years meeting time

schedule. The meetings will begin at 7:30 PM at the 4H
Building on the ISU campus. There will be a short business
meeting and a chance for members to report bird sightings
and such. The actual presentation will follow shortly
thereafter and last about 45 minutes. Members will also
have a chance to have dinner with the speaker at 5:30 PM
before the meeting.

Fall migration is already starting with many birds gathering in

flocks and moving about. Most years, migration seems to
come upon all of us with a sudden realization that summer is
about over after a very hot July. I think this year’s cool summer temperatures have prepared us for the seasonal
changes. So be watching for all those neat fall migrants so that you can report sightings at our meetings.

I encourage all of you to attend the meetings, presentations and field trips to show your support for our organization. Also,
let’s all try to bring interested friends or members that have not attended meetings for awhile to a meeting this season.
We all need to keep interest high and recruit new members so this organization can stay active and strong into the future.
Thanks.

Larry Dau
Buying from the businesses listed on this page not only benefits the
birds but also helps our local economy and provides funding for Big
Bluestem. Donations will fund our various habitat restoration and
educational projects. Present the coupons here at the time of your
purchase and a donation will be given to BBAS.

Brekke's Town & Country Store, Inc.

1 1/2 miles east of I-35 on new U.S. 30 and 1/4 mile north

Hours: 8-6 M-F, 8-4 Sat. (515) 232-7906

Dickcissel rural Greene County

Purchase Donation
July 2009 Up tp $15 $1.50
$15 and over $3.00
$35 and over $5.00
Over $70 $7.50
Young Marsh Wren at Snake Creek Marsh
August 2009
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.
Virginia Rail at Snake Creek Marsh
August 2009
Offer good until June 30, 2010

Visit our website at http://bigbluestemaudubon.org

4 Big Bluestem Flyer September-October 2009

 BBAS Changes!
Oh, oh, there is that word change. I think it is a little frightening for all of us. At our recent board meetings we have
discussed some possible changes for BBAS. I would like to discuss these changes and get member input at the
October 22nd meeting.

We currently send out a very large number of printed newsletters. Then we also have our on-line version. National
Audubon no longer requires a printed hard copy newsletter. When I have questions about a meeting, it is always faster
and easier for me to reference the on-line version and I think many others do the same. However, we realize that some
members are not regular computer users. We are not proposing that we eliminate the printed version, but rather keep a
mail list of those that prefer to have it, then just print and send those out. This change would probably cut our printed
newsletters to a portion of what we now send. It would also be a nice environmental statement that would save a few
trees each year!

A second change we discussed involves the monthly meeting start times. Currently we have a dinner planned with our
speaker (if the speaker is interested) at 5:30 PM and then actually start our business meeting and presentation at 7:30
PM with refreshments after the meeting. Often the social time after the meeting is just getting started at 9:30 or even
later! A couple of our speakers have commented that they would have liked to arrive at the 4H building earlier and work
with the set up. I know the meeting schedule goes way back in time and tradition. But, I think the later start and ending
times has some affect on attendance and is not real friendly for children that have school the next day (or some of us
older adults with an early bed time). I often leave right after the meeting, not staying for the social time, because it is a
long trek home into the countryside on a late winter night. We would like everyone to consider starting the meetings at
7:00 PM. With a 7:00 PM start time, we could either move the refreshments and social time to 6:15 or 6:30 PM (before
the meeting) giving members a chance to meet the speaker (skip the dinner). Or,
we could try to move the dinner earlier to 5:00 or 5:15 and go for a 7:00 PM start
time. Refreshments could still be left out for those that want to stay and visit after
the meeting.

Please consider the above two options!

Larry Dau

Photos and Content for Newsletter

I used some of my recent bird photos in this issue. However, I don’t
intend to monopolize. Please send me any photos you have of events,
birds, wildlife, habitat or BBAS members in the field that you would like to
see in the newsletter. I am also looking for short content items and
announcements that you would like to submit for the newsletter. Nesting Pileated Woodpecker at Ledges Park
June 2009

I would also like to mention that Stefany Hulsebus is now doing our final
Big Bluestem Flyer editing and creating the documents in publisher
format. We appreciate her expertise and help.

Larry

Lazing at the feeder, Boone County

June 2009

5 Big Bluestem Flyer September-October 2009

 Non-Profit Org.
Big Bluestem Flyer U. S. Postage Paid
Larry Dau, President Permit No. 131
Big Bluestem Audubon Society Ames, Iowa
PO Box 543
Ames, IA 50010-0543
We welcome new members!
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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 2009 Volume 45 No. 1
June 2009
Canada gosling at Lake Laverne
Pebble Holland 
Kelley
Wilbur E. Horine
Huxley
Craig Cunningham Mike Conyers
Boone
Jerrold Swenson Trish Strah Miriam Skrade
Paul Brooke Violet M. Baker E. R. Ahoy
Ames
New Members of National Audubon Society