Big Bluestem Flyer

Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Volume 45, Number 3 January-February-March 2010

Programs Field Trips

Meeting Place - Extension & 4-H Building, ISU, Ames
Currently Meetings Start at 7:00 P.M.
The building is located at the southwest corner of 13th St. and Stange
Road. Enter off of Stange Road on the first street south of 13th Street
(Wanda Daley Drive)
Important - starting with January 2010, start
time for the meetings will be 7:00PM
All field trips are free and open to the public. They are fun
and a great learning experience for both beginning and
experienced birders, so attend and bring along a friend!
Unless otherwise indicated, field trips depart 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. Please arrive before the departure time to arrange
carpooling. Contact Jeff Nichols for more information at 515-
795-4176 or ozarksbirder@hotmail.com.

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 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
Billy Reiter-Marolf – 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 20, 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.
January 30, 2009 Boone City Parks and
Cemeteries
Meet first for breakfast at 8:00 A.M. at the Dutch
Oven Bakery in Boone (605 Story St).
We'll probably start exploring around 8:45 A.M.
February 27, 2009 Lake Red Rock
Bald Eagles, waterfowl and gulls.
March 27, 2010 Big Creek State Park and
Wildlife Management Area (Polk County)
April 10, 2010 Smith's Longspur Search/Survey
at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge (Jasper
County)
Much walking as we search for longspurs and other
migrants. Meet behind the Ames WBU at 7:30 A.M. to
carpool OR at the Prairie Learning Center (Refuge HQ)
at 9:00 A.M. Bring snacks, water and a picnic lunch.
May 8, 2010 Bird-A-Thon
June 5, 2010 Birders' Brunch at McFarland Park
(Story County)
Meet at 8:00 A.M. at the Park. From Ames, take 13th
Street to Dayton Avenue. Turn north onto Dayton,
traveling four miles to 180th Street. At 180th Street,
turn east and travel ½ mile. The center is on the
north side of the road. We'll bird the trails around the
park then enjoy a potluck brunch.
Future Field Trips to be announced
in proceeding newsletters!

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 - President’s Corner Continued; Newsletter Options; Other Events of Interest
Page 4 - 2009 Olav Smedal Award Recipients; Coupons
Page 5 - Story County Conservation Thanks You; November 7th Field Trip
Page 6 - Ames Christmas Bird Count
Page 7 - Boone and Saylorville Christmas Bird Counts
Page 8 - New Members of National Audubon Society
 Big Bluestem Audubon President’s Corner
Society of Central Iowa
I hope you had a great holiday season and that we can all look forward to a
Officers prosperous New Year with lots of rare bird sightings.
President: Larry Dau
515-275-4963 It seems like every time I start to write this column for the next newsletter, I look
lgdau@netins.net out the window at poor weather conditions. In early October the temperature
Vice-President: Gary Erbes was an unseasonable 24 degrees, and I had a lonesome hummingbird trying to
gmerbes@gmail.com get nectar from a frozen feeder. Today I look out at the remnants of our 20-year
Secretary: Shane Patterson blizzard from last week, and the overnight freezing drizzle has changed to a
515- 232-4682
pretty heavy snowfall adding more inches to the existing snow pack. On top of
shane7896@yahoo.com
Treasurer: Stu Huntington
that, temperatures are going down below zero tonight. Looks like a long winter
515-292-4542 for the birds and birders!
huntin@iastate.edu A couple of important items: Note our new meeting start time of 7:00 P.M.
Board Members Beginning with our next meeting, January 21st, we will start the meetings one
Mary Doud half hour earlier at 7:00 P.M. The business meeting usually takes 20 minutes to
515-795-4176 a half hour, so the presentations should begin close to 7:30. The doors to the
BorealBirders@hotmail.com 4-H building should be open at 6:30 P.M.
Kelly Weichers
319-231-6999 Then next year, starting with our September newsletter, we will be converting to
goinfishin@hotmail.com online delivery for those with home computers and e-mail that desire to receive
Hank Zaletel their newsletter in that manner. We will not eliminate the printed copy for any
515-382-5427 member that still wants a printed newsletter mailed to them. Please see the
madowl@midiowa.net form on the bottom of page three for newsletter options.
Matt Wetrich Continued on page 3
641-919-6061
matt@naturebymatt.com
Lloyd Crim Clip and Join
515-432-5026 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 January-February-March 2010

President’s Corner… Continued from page 2

The Christmas Bird Counts for Ames, Saylorville and Boone will be over when you get this issue. Many of our members
participated in one or more of the CBCs. If you have never participated in a CBC, give it a try next year. It is a fun activity
that gathers useful data for population trends. Even counting birds at your feeders is a great help.
We have some great upcoming
presentations. On January 21st, Jeff Nichols Great Backyard Bird Count
will be presenting “A Birding Tour of Poland.“
Then February 18th , Ron Andrews of the Cornell University will again be conducting their Great Backyard
DNR, will give updates on Iowa Wildlife Bird Count on February 12-15, 2010.
status and trends. On March 18th, Billy
Reiter-Marolf presents the Iowa Breeding This is a neat opportunity for all bird watchers. Turn in your bird
Bird Atlas project. So plan now to attend counts, submit your photos and
these presentations and bring along a friend participate in a citizen science
or two! project You can view other
submissions for our area and
There are several other winter events you other areas and help with a huge
can participate in including our BBAS field research project.
trips, Bald Eagle Days at several Iowa cities
and the February Great Backyard Bird For more information go to:
Count. So you will have plenty of outdoor http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc
opportunities, or just count the birds outside
your window in February.
Keep track of those unusual bird sightings to
Pine Siskin from Boone County
report at future meetings.
Thanks, Larry Dau

Important Information Needed

Other events of
Starting with our September 2010 BBAS Flyer newsletter issue, we interest
will be going to a mostly online delivered newsletter. This change
should produce some cost savings and be a greener option saving a BBAS Board Meeting Schedule
few trees. However, do not worry if you still want a printed newsletter (tentative)
sent to your door. We will still send printed copies of the newsletter (Meeting begins at 6:30 PM, State Forest
to any member choosing that option. We need to collect the follow- Nursery conference Rm)
February 10, 2010 (Wednesday)
ing information from you so that we can give you the BBAS Flyer April 14, 2010 (Wednesday)
in the format you desire.
2010 Bald Eagle Appreciation Days
Many Bald Eagles migrate to Iowa for the
Please Choose and Complete winter. Come out and enjoy them at one
(or several) of the Bald Eagle events held
BBAS Flyer Option Below... this winter!
Weekends:
Option #1 Jan. 3 - Feb. 14:Mississippi River
I have internet/e-mail access and wish to receive an online notice and Visitor’s Center, Rock Island, IL
delivery of the BBAS Flyer. January 08-10: Quad Cities, IA/IL
Please send an email message with "Desire Online BBAS January 9: Clinton, IA
Flyer" in the subject to Larry Dau at LGDAU@netins.net. January 16-17: Keokuk, IA
January 23: Dubuque, IA
Larry will return an e-mail verification once he receives your e-mail.
February 21: Saylorville Lake Visitor’s
Center
Option #2
I want to keep receiving a paper copy of the BBAS Flyer.
Complete the information below:
Name ______________________________________
Address_____________________________________
City/State ________________________ Zip ________
Once completed, please send the above information by mail to the
address listed below, by e-mail or bring the form to one of the
next two meetings.
Mail to: Larry Dau, 1644 Maple View Pl., Boone, IA 50036
E-mail: LGDAU@netins.net American Tree Sparrow

3 Big Bluestem Flyer January-February-March 2010

Lloyd and Gaylan Crim Named 2009 Recipients of the Olav Smedal
Award By Michael Meetz
The Olav Smedal Conservation Award was initially The Crims have
established by The Daily Tribune and sponsored by the been involved in
Ames Izaak Walton League of America. The selection of numerous
an individual or group located in central Iowa by the conservation and
selection committee is based on recognition of educational
contributions to the public in the field of natural resource activities in central
conservation or other outdoor pursuits reflecting the Iowa and beyond.
highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship. Lloyd and Recent recipients
Gaylan Crim have been named the 2009 recipients of the of the Iowa
Olav Smedal award. Natural Heritage’s
Hagie
The selection committee, composed of 3 Ames Chapter, Conservation Mike Meetz presenting Olav Smedal Award to
Izaak Walton League representatives and 2 Story County Award, Gaylan Gaylan and Lloyd Crim
Conservation Board representatives, is especially and Lloyd have been
interested in recognizing those individuals or groups involved in a wide variety of programs and projects. Some
whose chief means of employment is work outside of the of these include the IDNR’s Trumpeter Swan Restoration
“conservation field.” Consideration is given to the Project, the ISU Trumpeter Swan Committee, the Squaw
individual(s) who gives unselfishly of their free time and Creek Watershed Coalition, IoWater Monitoring program,
voluntary efforts. Iowa Natural Heritage Bioblitz Team, Central Iowa Prairie
Network, and the Iowa Wildlife Center Steering
Recipients of the Olav Smedal Conservation Award for the Committee.
past five years include: 2003 Todd Burras, 2004 Jim
Colbert, 2005 Rick Dietz, 2006 John Pohlman, 2007 Through Gaylan’s work with the Trumpeter Swans and
Jimmy Thompson and 2008 Carl and Linda Kurtz Lloyd’s interpretive prairie walks sponsored by the Story
County Conservation Board and sharing their knowledge
The Crim’s interest in the natural environment started well with others about our natural environment it is easy to see
before the study they were doing with the IDNR in the late why they are so deserving of this honor.
1970s on the diet and movements of the recently
reintroduced wild turkeys to the State of Iowa.

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

Purchase Donation
Up tp $15 $1.50
$15 and over $3.00
$35 and over $5.00
Over $70 $7.50

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.

Offer good until June 30, 2010

Visit our website at http://bigbluestemaudubon.org

4 Big Bluestem Flyer January-February-March 2010

 Thank You!
Thank You!
Amy Yoakum, Naturalist - Story County Conservation

The Big Bluestem Audubon Society gave Story County Conser-

vation (SCC) a HUGE helping hand with a generous donation
of $2,000. The donation is serving two functions. It will aid wild-
life in Story County, and it will provide SCC program partici-
pants an opportunity to view wildlife more effectively. A portion
of the donation was used to purchase ten pairs of binoculars
and two tripods for spotting scopes. SCC field trips and public
bird-watching programs will benefit from this updated equip-
ment. The remainder of the donation was earmarked for habitat
improvement. For two days in November, a crew from Conser-
vation Corps Iowa worked on oak regeneration and invasive
species control at Robison Wildlife Acres south of Nevada.
Robison Wildlife Acres (RWA) is a 78-acre wildlife refuge bor- Pictured Left to Right: Ava Lambrecht, Delano, MN;
dered by West Indian Creek featuring nature trails that wind Rose Danaher Fairfield, IA; Mike Rosenberg South Euclid, OH;
through grassland and woodland. Conservation Corps Iowa is Lindsay Michel West Haven, CT; Jessica Renley, Lansing, IA -
Conservation Corps Iowa Crew Leader; Story County
managed by the Minnesota Conservation Corps and is based Conservation staff members Russ DeWall and Beau Hoppe
in Ames. The Conservation Corps trains young adults (18-25
years old) in hands-on natural resource management. The crew has been working together since March and will be end-
ing their term of service in mid-December. They have traveled around Iowa doing work such as invasive species re-
moval, prescribed burning, board walk construction, and watershed restoration for local county conservation boards, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, community development groups, and other non-profits. Story
County Conservation was very excited to be able to hire the Corps to help us improve habitat at a park with fantastic
natural resource potential. They did a wonderful job, and we hope to obtain grant funding to have them return next year
to continue the project. We invite you to visit RWA and see the changes. It is a WONDERFUL birding spot – especially
during warbler migration (put it on your “go to” list for Bird-a-thon). Thank you, Big Bluestem!

Robison Wildlife Acres is located on 295th Street and 632nd Avenue (5.5
miles south of Highway 30 on county Road S14, then 1 mile east on gravel.)

To learn more about the Conservation Corps Iowa, please visit

www.conservationcorp.org/iowa.
Before... …After

November 7th Field Trip by Jeff Nichols

Thirteen participants enjoyed a fabulous day of unseasonably warm weather, with temps in the 50s to
70s. We visited Mabaska Ponds, Dickcissel Pond, Bjorkboda Marsh and nearby private wetlands, Nesse
Cemetery, Bell's Mill County Park and Graceland Cemetery. Despite the warm weather, we managed to
spot our first-of-season Santa Claus (record early?) at Stratford. Birds, on the other hand, were a bit
scarce. Waterfowl were especially hard to find (only six species and few individuals). Highlights were
ten Trumpeter Swans and several Rusty Blackbirds around Bjorkboda Marsh, a Red-breasted Nuthatch
at Graceland Cemetery (Webster City), a cooperative adult Cooper's
Hawk north of Ames and a great lunch at "Whoop-ti-doos" in Webster
City. We managed
40 species before
finishing around
3:00 PM.

Trumpeter Swans Field Trip Participants

5 Big Bluestem Flyer January-February-March 2010

Ames Christmas Bird Count Shane Patterson - Ames CBC Coordinator

On a comparatively calm winter day (12/19), 32 field counters and eight feeder watchers participated in this year's
snow-covered Ames CBC.
The species total of 58, slightly above the 19-year mean (57), was part of what many observers described as an
average count day. Among the notable birds (in terms of Ames-CBC rareness or interest to wintertime birders) were
American Black Duck, Common Merganser, Gray Partridge, Rough-legged Hawk, Merlin, Eurasian Collared-
Dove,Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Shrike, Carolina Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Gray Catbird,
Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, and Lapland Longspur.
I thank the many birders who assisted with this CBC, particularly the various section leaders: Jon Bahrenfus, Joyce
Bahrenfus, Mary Doud, Sherry Dragula, Dave Edwards, Jeannie Edwards, Mike Meetz, Jeff Nichols, Wolf Oesterreich,
Mark Widrlechner, and Hank Zaletel. Sherry also organized another excellent potluck for the compilation.

*Canada Goose = 633; an average result for recent
decades
*Mallard = 187; third-highest count since '91
*American Black Duck = 1 at Ada Hayden (only second
occurrence 39-year history)
*Common Merganser = 1; first since 2003
*Gray Partridge = 4; below avg. result (larger coveys
observed previous to CBC)
*Ring-necked Pheasant = 100; within the usual count
range
*Bald Eagle = 11; typical (past results 13 in 2005, 14 in
2006, 12 in 2007, 8 in 2008)
*Sharp-shinned Hawk = 4; 3 rd highest since
'91(highest 14 in '99, missed 2003)
*Cooper’s Hawk = 9; 3rd highest, similar to recent
counts., more common since 2000
*Red-tailed Hawk = 96, including at least Harlan's; 2nd
highest (most 98 in 2007)
*Rough-legged Hawk = 2; a typically small number
*American Kestrel = 12; very close to the 19-year mean
(13)
*Merlin = 1; 5th time in count history, all this century
(past seen in ‘04, ‘06, ‘07, ‘08, ‘09)
*Rock Pigeon = 276; like last year (243), a rather low
result
*Eur. Collared-Dove = 70; Kelley & Nevada flocks
greatly increased totals ( 10< in recent yrs)
*Mourning Dove = 173; including this one, top 6 MODO
counts occurred during last 7 years
*E. Screech-Owl = 2; pre-dawn birders again found this
seemingly uncommon little owl
*Great Horned Owl = 2; definitely a very low number
*Barred Owl = 6; about average
*Red-bellied Woodpecker = 141; 2nd highest ever, but
close to recent (142 in '07, 140 in '08)
*Yellow-bellied Sapsucker = 2; only 3 occurrences 1991-
2003, now an annual discovery
*Downy Woodpecker = 251; new high (205 in '07, 189
in '08); mid 100s previously more typical
*Hairy Woodpecker = 41; down from 59 in '07, 53 in
'08, 52 in '09, above 19-year mean/median
*Northern Flicker = 6; many frugivores were much less
prevalent this year
*Northern Shrike = 1; a relief to find this time after a
disappointing absence in '08
*Blue Jay = 211; continuing the recent trend of above-
average counts
*American Crow = 9,800; down significantly from
previous three CBCs, large #’s ISU roost
*Horned Lark = 117; small scattered flocks; much lower
than last year's 455, above 2-digit median
*Black-capped Chickadee = 490; well above average
*Tufted Titmouse = 5; fourth-lowest count in the last 19
years
*Red-breasted Nuthatch = 12; after a stunning miss last
year, now close the median again
*White-breasted Nuthatch = 251; 2nd-highest since '91
(2002-09 much higher totals than 1991-2001)
*Brwn. Creeper = 31; within anticipated count range,
relatively numerous in Story County in F-W-S
*Carolina Wren = 7; 2nd-highest (most = 10 in 2006),
and 6 were found last year
*Winter Wren = 2; rare annual find, all in Ames city
limits (1-Pammel Woods, 1-Munn Woods)
*Golden-crowned Kinglet = 4; 2nd occurrence since
2002; many probably go unnoticed each year
*American Robin = 12; sub-20 counts happen on about
50% of our Ames CBCs
*Gray Catbird = 1; 4th occurrence (1996, 2002, 2006),
interesting to see if this one stays till spring
*European Starling = 2,287; an average number, and
close to last year's total (2,247)
*Cedar Waxwing = 59; down a bit from last years 157,
but within established range
*American Tree Sparrow = 448; widespread, with a
number of other sparrows mixed in the flocks
*Fox Sparrow = 2; basically an every-other-year
occurrence
*Song Sparrow = 25; fourth-highest since '91
*Swamp Sparrow = 3; previous CBCs have all produced
zero, one, or two
*White-throated Sparrow = 16; good result, considering
the paucity at feeders this winter
*Harris’s Sparrow = 2; single-digit counts have become
the norm in this century
*Dark-eyed Junco = 1,184; 2nd-highest (most = 1,556
in 2007) and well above mean and median
*Lapland Longspur = 17; down from last year's 138, this
open-country denizen not guaranteed
*Northern Cardinal = 313; 3rd-highest count; the 1st &
2nd-highest totals occurred prior two years
*Red-winged Blackbird = 5; typical result; no big flocks
expected with heavy snow cover/ice/cold
*Meadowlark species = 7; like last year, none of these
meadowlarks vocalized
*Common Grackle = 6; same story as RWBL
*Brown-headed Cowbird = 30; just the fourth double-
digit result since '91
*Purple Finch = 7; down from the 38 of last year, but
very close the overall median
*House Finch = 152; about average
*Pine Siskin = 2; apparently scarce this winter, after 2
years of high returns (61 in '07, 48 in '08)
*American Goldfinch = 286; record-highest; feeder birds
composed only a small portion of total
*House Sparrow = 991; slightly below average, most
since 2005
Plus count week Wild Turkey and Belted Kingfisher

6 Big Bluestem Flyer January-February-March 2010

Boone Christmas Bird Count Mark Widrlechner, Compiler - Boone Co. CBC
January 2nd, 29 intrepid birders braved the frigid weather to travel across Boone County as part of the 24th Boone
County Christmas Bird Count. The effort was also assisted by about 15 feeder watchers. Fifty species were reported,
somewhat below our average of 55, and the fewest since Jan. 1, 1992. The most notable numbers were record highs
for Great Horned Owl (56 so far) and Ring-necked Pheasant (204) and a miss for Cedar Waxwing. A single Great
Blue Heron was observed in open water below the Boone Sewage Treatment Facility near US 30. This species has
been seen on only three of the 24 counts. Four species of Icterids were also found: Red-winged Blackbird, Rusty
Blackbird, Common Grackle, and Brown-headed Cowbird.

Canada Goose 16 Red-tailed Hawk 60 Red-bellied Woodpecker 145

Blk-capped Chickadee 318 Song Sparrow 19 Rusty Blackbird 1
Mallard 6 Rough-legged Hawk 11 Downy Woodpecker 178
Tufted Titmouse 72 Wht-throated Sparrow 1 Common Grackle 4
Gray Partridge 17 American Kestrel 4 Hairy Woodpecker 84
Red-breasted Nuthatch 12 Harris Sparrow 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 12
Ring-necked Pheasant 204 Rock Pigeon 121 Northern Flicker 3
Wt.-Breasted Nuthatch 175 Dark-eyed Junco 1206 Purple Finch 11
Wild Turkey 16 Eur. Collared-Dove 6 Pileated Woodpecker 6
Brown Creeper 7 Oregon Junco 2 House Finch 32
Gt. Blue Heron 1 Mourning Dove 38 Blue Jay 154
Golden-crown Kinglet 1 Lapland Longspur 14 American Goldfinch 279
Bald Eagle 26 Eastern Screech Owl 12 American Crow 650
American Robin 2 Snow Bunting 3 House Sparrow 1008
Sharp-Shinned Hawk 2 Gt. Horned Owl 56 Horned Lark 314
European Starling 794 Northern Cardinal 329
Cooper’s Hawk 3 Barred Owl 9 Total Birds -6565
Am. Tree Sparrow 207 Red-winged Blackbird 13 #Species Cnt Day-50 #Species Cnt-Wk-0

Saylorville Christmas Bird Count Steve Dinsmore - Saylorville CBC Compiler

The Saylorville CBC was held on December 20th and tallied 69 species, its second lowest species total since the
count began in 1988. The total was hurt by just 5 species of waterfowl and no gulls. Count highlights included 2
flocks of Gray Partridge, a Red-shouldered Hawk, all 6 regular owls, 3 Pileated Woodpeckers, Carolina and Winter
wrens, a Gray Catbird, and Field, Fox, and Lincoln's sparrows. Thanks to all those who helped with this year's
count!

Cackling Goose 4 Short-eared Owl 2 Am. Tree Sparrow 648

Canada Goose 3173 N. Saw Whet Owl 2 Field Sparrow 1
Wood Duck 1 Belted Kingfisher 3 Fox Sparrow 3
Am. Black Duck 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 63 Song Sparrow 101
Mallard 135 Downy Woodpecker 130 Lincoln Sparrow 3
Gray Partridge 14 Hairy Woodpecker 30 Swamp Sparrow 45
Ring-necked Pheasant 50 Northern Flicker 23 Wt-throated Sparrow 32
Wild Turkey 48 Pileated Woodpecker 3 Harris Sparrow 3
Gt. Blue Heron 1 Northern Shrike 2 Dark-eyed Junco 1097
Bald Eagle (16-A, 9-I) 25 Blue Jay 131 Lapland Longspur 100
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 American Crow 271 Northern Cardinal 447
Cooper’s Hawk 3 Horned Lark 67 Red-winged Blackbird 36
Accipter Sp. 1 Blk-capped Chickadee 309 Common Grackle 1
Am. Kestrel 10 Tufted Titmouse 20 Brwn-headed Cowbird 6
Rd-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 4 Meadowlark Sp. 2
Rd-tailed Hawk 63 Wht-breasted Nuthatch 104 Purple Finch 1
Rough-legged Hawk 3 Brown Creeper 7 House Finch 36
Wilson’s Snipe 2 Carolina Wren 3 Pine Siskin 2
Rock Pigeon 783 Winter Wren 2 American Goldfinch 547
Eurasian Collared Dove 33 Golden-crwn Kinglet 1 House Sparrow 499
Mourning Dove 81 Eastern Bluebird 3
Eastern Screech Owl 4 American Robin 27
Gt. Horned Owl 8 Gray Catbird 1 Total Species- 69 Total Birds-13,213
Barred Owl 14 European Starling 3432
Long-eared Owl 2 Cedar Waxwing 502

7 Big Bluestem Flyer January-February-March 2010

New Members of National Audubon Society
Ames
Betty Blagen Rebecca Christoffel Mark Dobbe Pat Hansen Carl Herndl
Rosemary Jordan Richard Mumm Theodore Nostwich Margaret Pavlat Christine Quance
Sara Ramler Kaylene Rinehart Velma Rolling Barbara Royer Andrew Williams

Blairsburg Jefferson Gilbert

Diane Sinclair Shawn Ellsbury Phillip McCrea
Deanna McPherson

Nevada Perry Scranton

Faith Winchester Dorothy Summerson Linda Hoyt

Urbandale Webster City

Richard Miller Beverly Craig
Janet Johnson

Woodward
Jerome & Judy Gunderson
Bald Eagle - Minong, Wisconsin
Richard Rogers

Volume 45 No. 3 January-February-March 2010

unless you renew.

issue of the Flyer
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Ames, IA 50010-0543
PO Box 543
Ames, Iowa Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Permit No. 131 Larry Dau, President
U. S. Postage Paid Big Bluestem Flyer
Non-Profit Org.