January-February 2008 Big Bluesterm Flyer Big Bluestem Audubon Society

8/9/2019 January-February 2008 Big Bluesterm Flyer Big Bluestem Audubon Society

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Big Bluestem FlyerBig Bluestem Flyer

Volume 43, Number 3 January-February 2008

ProgramsMeeting Place

Extension & 4-H Building, I S U, Ames

January 17, 2008Thursday, 7:30 pm

Do Prairie Restorations Regain Prairie Moths?Dr. Keith Summerville

Department of Environmental Science Drake University

Keith will talk about his research on moths that are associatedwith native prairie remnants. He is interested in whether andhow prairie moths move into areas of restored prairie, and howlong it takes for different types of moths to establishpopulations in prairie restorations.

Daves Short Lesson: Sounds of the Winter Woods and Fields

Dinner: LaFuente Mexican Restaurant, 217 South Duff Ave, Ames

February 21, 2008Thursday, 7:30 pm

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge: EcologicalRestoration and Birds of the Tallgrass Prairie

Karen Viste-SparkmanRefuge Biologist, Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is a unique ecologicalrestoration project, emulating tallgrass prairie and oak savannaecosystems that once dominated the Iowa landscape. Refugebiologist Karen Viste-Sparkman will present information on therefuge goals, management challenges, and how restorationactivities affect birds and other wildlife and their

interrelationships. She will discuss birds and birdingopportunities on the refuge and data from breeding seasonbird surveys that have been conducted on the refuge since1994

Daves Short Lesson: Bird Quiz

Dinner: India Palace, 120 Hayward Ave, Ames

March 20, 2008Marlene Ehresman, Iowa Natural Heritage FoundationUpper Iowa River Bioblitz

April 17, 2008Benjamin Beck, Great Ape TrustConservation of Golden Lion Tamarins

May 15, 2008

Ty SmedesAfrican Safari Adventures

Page 2Officers and CommitteesPresidents CornerPage 3Field TripsTeacher Treasure CollectionsPage 4Bald Eagle News

Book ReviewsBBAS ContributionsNature MagazinesPage 5Christmas Bird Counts

Page 6Breeding Bird AtlasFunding Wildlife Diversity

Page 7New MembersMembership FormCouponsPage 8Great Backyard Bird Count

Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Field TripsAll field trips are free and open to the public.

Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the public parking lot west of (behind) theAmes Wild Birds Unlimited, located south of the railroad tracksat 213 Duff Ave. Please arrive before the departure time toarrange carpooling. Contact Jeff Nichols (515-795-4176 , [email protected]) for more information.

January 26, 2008Ledges State Park(Boone County)

February 23, 2008Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

(Webster County)

March 29, 2008Ada Hayden Heritage Park and Little Wall Lake

(Story and Hamilton counties)

April 26, 2009Bear Creek Wildlife Area and Sopers Mill Historic

Site (Story Co.)

May 10, 2008Birdathon Details in March/April issue ofBBAS Flyer

May 31, 2008Birders Brunch at McFarland Park

(Story Co.)

Ot he r Act i v i t i es o f I n t e res t February 24, 2008 Saylorville Bald Eagle Watch

Outdoor Viewing at selected sites around reservoir,start at Visitors Center 10-4

For more information call 515-276-4656

February 29 March 1, 2008 Red Rock Bald Eagle WatchOutdoor viewing at Howell Station 10- 2Indoor programs 10 - 2For more information call 641-828-7522

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:/ / b igb l ues t em audubon . o rg


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Big Bluestem AudubonSociety of Central Iowa

OfficersPresident: Lynne [email protected]

Vice-President: Royce [email protected]

Secretary: Shane Patterson515- [email protected]

Treasurer: Michael [email protected]

Board MembersMary [email protected]

Kelly [email protected]

Larry Dau515-275-4963,

[email protected] [email protected]

Lloyd [email protected]

CommitteesArchivistHank [email protected]

Bird-a-thonKarl and Carmen Jungbluth515-432-5057

weatherbird.opencominc.comConservationBruce [email protected]

EducationAmy Yoakum, [email protected]

Field TripJeff [email protected]

MembershipKaty Patterson

[email protected] Bitzer (See Officers)

PublicityMary Doud (See Board Members)

Publications & Electronic MediaDavid [email protected]

Presidents Corner

Late at night, as I slowly headed home down a frozen snow covered county road, a roosterpheasant ran right smack in front of my car. I heard a faint thunk of collision even as I brakedand swerved to miss. Heart racing, I looked for a field entranceway to turn around to see if thebird was dead or injured, suffering. Finally I found a place to turn and searched back up thedark road but saw nothing in the headlights. I turned back again and searched along theshoulderand spotted him lying on his side in the snow. I threw the car in park and leapt out tofind that he had a small cut on his head and was stunned but still alive. I picked him up andplaced him gently in the back seat as I had no carrier and car trunks harbor dangerous fumes.As I drove on in the dark I fervently hoped he would come tobut not just yetas it couldresult in a predicament and I planned the steps to take when I arrived home with him.

I stopped alongside our house, entered, and went down to the basement to retrieve acapture towel and fix up an appropriate container. When I returned, I saw a resting but veryalert bird eyeing me from the back seat. I cautiously opened the door to retrieve him using thetoweland, you got ithe explodedto the other side of the car! I quickly shut the door and gota large net. Again, I slowly opened the door, reached in with the net and-- WHOOSH! -- out hecame, rushing between me and the barely open door, faster than eyesight. He then stood about12 feet away surveying the surroundings and headed for the cover of a small spruce tree. Ididnt see him the next day. Two days later I searched for him. He flushed from tall grassycover in a good feeding area. He seemed to list a bit to the right in flight but he flew long andstrong to another good area. I guess the ol boy may make it despite my accidental assault witha deadly weapon. He did leave mementos of our encountertwo beautiful long tail feathers onthe back seat, and, my husband reminds me, some frozen pheasant poop.

A moral to this story? Perhaps that, despite our best intentions, poop happens. I would

venture to say that virtually all of us Auduboners are concerned about the many environmentalchallenges we face natural (e.g.. solar cycles) and human caused (industrial pollutants,etc.)but, of course, we are natural too. Many of us have chosen careers that address theseimportant issues and wildlife biologists, climatologists, environmental educators, ecologists,and similar professionals are among our number. Many more of us work as often and as well aswe can as citizen scientists and by providing support to environmental organizations throughvolunteer activities, political activisim, and/or financial contributions. Sometimes our effortssucceed and sometimes they dont or dont appear to. But for all the frustration, if we dontgive up and stay alert, new opportunities arise to which we can apply our knowledge and skillsto make bad situations better. Remember were in this for the long runeven if we list slightlyas we move along the way.

CONGRATULATIONS to the CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT TEAMS! An annual jobskillfully and enthusiastically organized by Shane Patterson, Stephen Dinsmore, amd MarkWidrlechner, and carried out by BBAS members to help keep track of local bird populationsover the years. The potluck dinner that followed the Ames count, orchestrated by Sherry

Dragula and Mary Dodd, was a lot of fun with great food, conversation and informative teamreports. Thank you too, Sherry and Mary, for decorating and setting up the tasty party fare atthe BBAS HOLIDAY FOR THE BIRDS. I might also mention that there is another veryimportant meaning to the term spousal support in conjunction with both of these activities!

CONGRATULATIONS, TOO, to all BBAS members who have earned and/or contributedfunds to the BBAS . Thanks to your efforts, we continue to assist with the purchase of habitatland, help with wildlife research, provide education, and help those assisting wildlife indistress. On page 4 is an overview of some of the good things towards which we have recentlyallocated funds.

ENJOY A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASONand watch those roads!Lynne Brookes

January-February 20082 Big Bluestem Flyer

Visit our website at http:/ / bigbluestemaudubon.org


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January-February 2008 Big Bluestem Flyer 3

Neal Smith National WildlifeRefuge and Hendrickson Marsh

September 15, 2007

The weather couldnt have been better forthe first fall field trip, though the birding wasa little slow. We first hiked some of the trailthrough the Savanna Study Area. American

Goldfinch and Common Yellowthroat wereabundant in the adjacent prairie grasses.

We spent more time hiking a little used BMaintenance road. Again, a nice walk but not

very birdy. Another stop in the southeastcorner of the Refuge turned up Carolina Wren,Nashville Warbler, and Rose-breastedGrosbeak. After lunch al fresco at GoldiesIce Cream Shoppe in Prairie City, we brieflybirded the Buffalo/Elk Range, finding a day-roosting Great Horned Owl and seeing a largeflock of migrating Franklins Gulls. A quickstop at Hendrickson Marsh added a number ofwaterfowl and shorebirds to our trip list of 59

species.

Skillet Creek Indian MoundsCounty Area and Boone Forks

Wildlife Management AreaOctober 6, 2007

The first bird seen as we exited our cars atthe Skillet Creek parking lot was a PeregrineFalcon! We saw two more Peregrines before

noon. The birding around the parking lot wasexcellent with many sparrows seen (EasternTowhee, Chipping, Field, Song, Lincolns,White-throated, Dark-eyed Junco) and goodnumbers of migrating raptors. Warblers werescarce with only Orange-crowned, Nashvilleand Yellow-rumped being seen. On the shorthike from the parking lot to the Indianmounds, Jon Bahrenfus found a SpringPeeper, which was the first time some of ushad actually seen this little frog. We nexttraveled to Dayton for a picnic lunch at thecity park. The wind had picked upconsiderably by this time, and the temperaturewas climbing into the 80s. On our trip back to

Ames, we saw a Swainsons Hawk and BaldEagles migrating down the Des Moines Rivervalley, bringing our trip species total to 50.

Bauer Slough and GordonsMarsh (Hamilton County)

November 3, 2007

Seven of us enjoyed a tour of severalnatural areas in Boone, Hamilton and Webstercounties. We first visited Bjorkboda Marsh,where we observed two banded TrumpeterSwans, and some nearby private wetlands,where we found a nice variety of waterfowl.

A brief stop at Tunnel Mill Canoe Accessproduced several passerines but nothingunusual. Next was a visit to Gordons Marsh

where a very cooperative Le Contes Sparrowposed for several photos.

We also saw three very cold-looking GarterSnakes here.

After lunch at Whoop-ti-doos in WebsterCity, we explored the walking/nature trail andadjacent Graceland Cemetery on the southside of town. In the cemetery, we found a loneRed Crossbill and a few Red-breastedNuthatches. On our drive home, we viewed aprivate pond near Stanhope that was teemingwith waterfowl. We ended our day with 58species.

Jeff Nichols

Teacher Treasure Collections

We receive some feed back on items they no longer need at this time. Unless new requests are made, please discontinue collection of: coffeecans, medicine/pill containers, egg cartons, and paper board (like cereal boxes, etc.). Please limit your collection of plastic containers with lids andpaper tubing (both of these items must be clean, no milk containers, no paper on the tubing please).

Items still much in demand are: paper (clean and unused; white, colored, prints and stationary), yarn, felt, ribbon, fabric, wood cut-outs, cottonballs, wrapping and tissue paper, colored pencils and other art supplies, calendars (any year, with appropriate pictures for re-use such as naturescenes, landscapes, people, animals, plants, etc.), and other craft supplies. All must be clean and in good condition. I will continue to pick items upat our monthly meetings. Thanks again!

Ma ry Doud

Field Trip Reports


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Bald Eagle Soars Off FederalEndangered Species List

It has been a long time in the making, butnow there is good reason to celebrate. OnAugust 8, 2007, the Bald Eagle was officiallyremoved from the list of threatened andendangered species under the EndangeredSpecies Act (ESA). From at least 25,000nesting pairs historically, the bald eagle

population plummeted to only 417 pairs in thelower 48 states in 1963. The good news is thatthe population has rebounded to over 10,000pairs today!

Recovery began with the crucial decision bythe Environmental Protection Agency to ban ofgeneral use of organochlorine pesticides,particularly DDT, in 1972. Bald Eagle recoverywas further solidified with the legal protectionsafforded by the ESA in 1978. Other cooperativeefforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,state conservation agencies, and conservationorganizations led to protection of habitat around

nest and roost sites, backed up by lawenforcement measures and stiff penalties forviolating this protection.

Bald Eagle recovery in Iowa has mirroredthe national recovery, and in 2007, there werean estimated 210 active nests with overalldocumentation of nesting in 81 differentcounties. Iowas suggested recovery goal of 10active nests has been surpassed 20 times over,

and the bald eagle will now be removed fromIowas threatened and endangered list, as well.

Even though it is now delisted, the BaldEagle continues to have strong legal protection,particularly by the Bald and Golden EagleProtection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.In an effort to keep track of the nesting status,the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will workwith state wildlife agencies to monitor baldeagles for at least five years (and probably for20 years). If it appears that eagles again needthe protection of the ESA, the U.S. F&WS canpropose to relist the species.

The Wildlife Diversity Program wishes tothank the many cooperators who have diligentlymonitored existing Bald Eagle nests andreported new nests as they are discovered!Without your help, we would not know wheremany nests occur; nor would we havedocumented such important facts as 1 in 8 Iowaeagle nests produce three young.

We very much appreciate your assistance!Bruce Ehresman,

DNR Wildlife Progra m Biolog ist

HAVE YOU READ?There are many good books, nature guides,

videos, websites, natural history museums tovisit, etc. relating to birds and other wildlife.Consider sharing YOUR favorites with otherBBAS members!

Lynne Brookes

Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons in the

Lives of Migratory Birds. Miyoko Chu.2006. ISBN 0-8027-1468-4 WalkerPublishing Co., Inc. New York, NewYork.

An extraordinary book! Chu provides us

with an exquisitely written exploration of theunfolding story of songbird migration and oftheir lives throughout the year. FromChristopher Columbuss notes on birds restingon his ship and his following (migrating) flocksto find land in the fall of 1492, to gripping talesof the earliest field research, to a look at themost current scientific studies, the reader feels apart of this great adventure of discovery. Asfascinating as migration is, the chapters thatfollow about the lives of species and individualbirds after their arrival at nesting grounds isequally spellbinding. An absolute must readfor all interested in the lives of birds.

The Life of Birds. David Attenborough.1998. BBC Video. 2002 BBCWorldwide Americas, Inc.

This amazing beautifully photographed andwell presented BBC video program series cameout a while ago but is well worth re-watching ifyouve seen it or seeing this wonder for the firsttime. The viewer will be astounded by theglimpses of the life strategies developed bybirds over millions of years in every nook andcranny of our planet. You will be mouthing

how did they ever get that footage?throughout the series-- guaranteed. WatchSouth American eagles taking monkeys frominside the forest canopy, long snootedhummingbirds snacking off insect excretions,clever Woodpecker Finches and others usingtools to capture insects, and African Oxpeckerseating giraff earwax and parasites with anoccasional swig of blood! Youll be impressedby the lifestyles of the rich-ly diverse andfamous-for-flight birds with whom we sharethis world.

BBAS MAGAZINES GET NEWHOMES

Thanks to the donation of over one hundrednature magazines by BBAS members lastwinter and spring, the residents of four localnursing homes got to see more of the out-of-doors wonders than they may have otherwise.Thanks to each of you who contributed yourpast magazines for their pleasure. Everyonewho wants to can bring more to the meetingsand Ill be glad to distribute them where theyllbe appreciated-- again. Recycling at its best!

Lynne Brookes

BBAS Conservation Donations

At the December 5th meeting of the BigBluestem Audubon Society executive board,members unanimously approved BBASdonations to the following conservationprojects.

*$1,000 to Story County's Colo Bogexpansion, one of the largest conservation andrestoration efforts in central Iowa. MultipleBBAS members have drawn attention to theimportance of this diverse prairie-marshcomplex, which is located very close to homefor many in our club.

*$500 to Jon Stravers' Red-shoulderedHawk research in northeast Iowa, which is partof Audubon's ongoing Upper Mississippi RiverInitiative. At the November BBAS meeting,Mr. Stravers presented an overview of howvital this region is to a variety of wildlife. Moreinformation about Audubon's UpperMississippi programs can be found at thefollowing link. http://www.audubon.org/campaign/umr/

*$100 to Bat World Heartland'sconservation and rehabilitation center inBettendorf. In October, Vera Blevins spokewith BBAS members about her work ascoordinator of this unique venture.

*$100 to help provide seed for the feeders atGeorge Wyth State Park near Cedar Falls.Many BBAS members have had the pleasure ofobserving woodland birds up close from theblinds surrounding the park's numerous feeders.

If you would like to find out more aboutthese endeavors, or you wish to make a furthercontribution on your own, contact BBAStreasurer Michael Meetz for details.

Sha ne S. Patt erson


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C


Ames Christmas Bird CountResults

Thirty-nine field observers and six feeder-watchers participated in the annual AmesChristmas Bird Count on Saturday.

Unlike 2006, which featured unseasonablywarm conditions, Saturday's count was definedby cold winds, compacted snow, and very littleopen water. This perhaps precluded us fromreaching last year's record tally of 71, although

we still finished above the 17-year mean.(Species total = 60 this year; typical count =mid to upper 50s.) That's about as much as wecould reasonably hope for on our lakeless CBCin the windswept Prairie Pothole Region.

Notables included White-winged Crossbill,Rusty Blackbird, Western Meadowlark (firstmeadowlark identified to species on the AmesCBC), Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur,Winter Wren, Carolina Wren, Northern Shrike,Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Long-eared Owl,American Coot, Gray Partridge (occursregularly but is always of interest to readers),Merlin, Northern Harrier, and Bufflehead.

Many species were found in unusually high

numbers. The most prominent examples werethe 204 Snow Buntings (previous best = 25)and 7 Northern Shrikes (previous best = 3).

Below is an annotated list of all speciesrecorded; this now includes most of ourfeederwatcher data. In part, I added commentsin regard to the highest counts for the last 17years (i.e., "record-highest" is in reference todata from 1991-2007).

Annotated List:*Canada Goose - 746; about average despite

the weather*Mallard - 62; also about average*Bufflehead - 1; 2nd occurrence for the

Ames CBC (the first was in 2006)*Gray Partridge - 34; record-highest count

(previous high = 32)*Ring-necked Pheasant - 177; fourth-highest

count*Wild Turkey - 8; still uncommon on the

Ames CBC*Bald Eagle - 12; typical of recent years*Northern Harrier - 1; one or two is typical*Sharp-shinned Hawk - 2; this and the next

species were within the expected count range*Cooper's Hawk - 10; see previous*Red-tailed Hawk - 98; record-highest*Rough-legged Hawk - 7; record-highest*American Kestrel - 14; about average

*Merlin - 1; columbarius female; thirdoccurrence*American Coot - 2; only two previous

occurrences*Rock Pigeon - 539; third-highest*Eurasian Collared-Dove - 9; growing from

year to year*Mourning Dove - 309; record-highest (by

far)*Great Horned Owl - 5; about average*Barred Owl - 5; also about average*Long-eared Owl - 1; only two occurrences

since 1997

*Belted Kingfisher - 2; well below average,as expected under these conditions

*Red-bellied Woodpecker - 142; record-highest

*Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 4; record-highest

*Downy Woodpecker - 205; record-highest*Hairy Woodpecker - 53; second-highest*Northern Flicker - 5; well below the

average*Northern Shrike - 7; record-highest; more

than the previous six counts combined; Isurmise this is an irruption year for NorthernShrike.

*Blue Jay - 248; record-highest*American Crow - 15,200 at the traditional

roost on the ISU campus; this total is stillwithin the expected range

*Horned Lark - 136; well above average; thesnow concentrated several flocks along ruralroads

*Black-capped Chickadee - 575; record-highest

*Tufted Titmouse - 7; right at the 17-yearmedian

*Red-breasted Nuthatch - 46; third-highest;numerous this year, as in other parts of the state*White-breasted Nuthatch - 249; second-

highest*Brown Creeper - 20; fewer than expected*Carolina Wren - 3; down from the record

10 found last year*Winter Wren - 1; now an expected species,

annually*American Robin - 3; low count is not

surprising perhaps, considering the pervasivesnow/ice cover

*European Starling - 1675; well below themean and median

*Cedar Waxwing - 90; w/in the established

count range*American Tree Sparrow - 479; fourth-

highest*Song Sparrow - 20; the most since 2000*White-throated Sparrow - 14; about

average*Harris's Sparrow - 1; average = 17*Dark-eyed Junco - 1556; record-higest by

far (previous high = 1174 in 1999)*Lapland Longspur - 1; a flock of one, just

like last year*Snow Bunting - 204; exceeded the previous

high count by 179; most of the birds were in alarge flock along R70 - halfway between Hwy30 and 250th St. (there were also multiple

groups of Horned Larks along that stretch ofR70)

*Northern Cardinal - 363; record-highest*Red-winged Blackbird - 1*Western Meadowlark - 1; identified by

vocalizations (given multiple times)*Meadowlark sp. - 10; about average*Rusty Blackbird - 1*Common Grackle - 1*Brown-headed Cowbird - 2; Icterids were

apparently scarce*Purple Finch - 4; difficult to find this

winter, much like last year*House Finch - 165; about average for

recent counts*White-winged Crossbill - 2; one at an

Ames feeder and a second at the ISUHorticulture Farm north of Ames

*Pine Siskin - 61; second-highest; PineSiskins seem to be widespread this winter

*American Goldfinch - 170; about average*House Sparrow - 697; way below average;

usually have well over a thousandTotal = 60 species (plus count week Mute

Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Lesser Scaup,Common Goldeneye, Short-eared Owl, and FoxSparrow)

Finally, since they don't get publicrecognition very often, I'm giving a big thankshere to the many who participated, especiallythe various section leaders. These leadersincluded Jon and Joyce Bahrenfus; Mary Doudand Jeff Nichols; Sherry Dragula and MarkWidrlechner; David and Jeanne Edwards; BruceEhresman; Michael Meetz; Wolf Oesterreich;and Hank Zaletel. (Kevin Healy is usually asection leader, and would've been this year, too,

if not for a scheduling conflict.)Sha ne Pa tte rson

Saylorville Christmas Bird CountHighlights

The Saylorville CBC tallied 79 species, rightat the long-term average. There was one small

piece of open water on Saylorville andwaterbirds were scarce. We tallied 10 species ofwaterfowl (best were single Trumpeter Swanand Greater Scaup), Gray Partridge, Great BlueHeron, all 7 regular woodpecker species,Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Spotted Towhee,Rusty Blackbird, and Common Redpoll.

Ste phen J. Dinsmore

Full results of the Boone and SaylorvilleCBCs will be presented in our March-April2008 newsletter.

Northern Harrier


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Newsletter Material DeadlinesBecause 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 issue will be the 18th of February.Please be aware that editing your offering for length and style is sometimes necessary.

David Edwards, Editor


Iowas Second Breeding BirdAtlas Kicks Off March 2008

Hard to believe but it has been 17 yearssince the last data were collected for the firstIowa Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA I). Datacollection for BBA I ran from 1985-1990 andwas published in 1996. Since then the Iowalandscape has seen many changes, weve

gained grasslands and wetlands from suchprograms as the Conservation Reserve Programand the Wetland Reserve Program. Now we arebeginning to see some of those areas revertback to crop land with the increased demand forethanol production.

The current Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA II) isa joint effort between the Wildlife DiversityProgram and the Iowa Ornithologists Union(IOU). BBA II will be overseen by a committeeof 9 people: Stephen Dinsmore (Chair),Christopher Caster, Bruce Ehresman, JayGilliam, Doug Harr, Ann Johnson, KarenKinkead, Nichole Nagl, and Karen Vista-Sparkman. This committee will make decisionssuch as How many hours does an observerneed to spend in each block? and How manyblocks should we include?

BBA I covered 525 grid-based (or standardas they were called then) blocks across all ofIowa and an additional 339 habitat-basedblocks (at least 1 per county). The currentBreeding Bird Atlas (BBA II) will re-visit thosesame 525 grid-based blocks and some of the oldhabitat-based blocks. We are still in the process

of choosing some new habitat-based blocks. Wehave yet to decide how many habitat-based

blocks there will be! An additional advantage ofthe BBA II is the availability of the internet.The internet will allow us (or volunteers, rather)to enter our own data on-line, download mapsand information about the blocks, and see howmany blocks have been completed.

The IOU will host this website as a page onhttp://www.iowabirds.org/ - The BBA IIwebsite is not yet fully functional but will besoon! Nicki Nagl has joined the WDP as anAmeriCorps member. Her primary jobresponsibility is to help volunteers get started.She will be able to answer questions, providemaps and directions, and give presentations toorganizations interested in volunteering for theBBA II.

The Steering committee plans on awardingprizes each year, including a random raffleprize which everyone that has participated willbe eligible to win. We expect the BBA IIwebsite will be functioning by the end ofJanuary. In the meantime, you can reach [email protected] for anyquestions or to ask her to give a presentation.

--Karen Kinkea d WDP Monitoring a nd

Research Biologist

Funding Wildlife Diversity

Chickadee Tax Check-off

The 2006 Chickadee Tax Check-offdonation numbers are in andunfortunately donations continue todecline. The revenue for 2006 wasdown to $108,000 donated by8,951 taxpayers. This represents adecrease of 26% from revenues in2001 ($147,003). The good news is

that the Fish and Wildlife fund check-off (asits called on line 59 of the state tax form) isstill the most popular check-off.

Thank you to everyone who donates! Infact, revenue for all the check-offs has beengoing down and part of the problem may be achange in Iowas tax withholding formulawhich has decreased the number of folksgetting refunds over the last 2-3 years.

Teaming With Wildlife

Iowas Teaming WithWildlife (TWW)

coalition continues togrow with 215 memberorganizations representing almost 90,000citizens. Recent endorsers include the IowaTrails Council, 1000 Friends of Iowa, Project

Green, Golden Hills Resource Conservationand Development, the Lyon, Winneshiek,Harrison and Benton County ConservationBoards and the Boone and Lee CountySWCDs. Welcome and thanks! We have byno means reached out to all the potentialTeaming With Wildlife Supporters in Iowa,so if you know of any organizations orbusinesses that would like to add their voiceto the call for adequate and sustainable

funding for our natural resources, they cancontact any of the wildlife diversity folks orvisit http://www.teaming.com/states/iowa.html for more information.

Iowa DNR License Plates

Finally, just a quick note on theNatural Resource License plates.Revenues from the plates havecontinued to stay steady and providemuch needed funds for specialprojects, such as providing matchingfunds for State Wildlife Grants,purchasing important natural areas,

and several research projects.Wild life Diversity Prog ram News


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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.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 DonationUp tp $15 $1.50$15 and over $3.00$35 and over $5.00Over $70 $7.50

Brekkes offers Big Bluestem Audubon Society adonation when bird seed or other bird products arepurchased.Present this coupon with your purchase and adonation will be given to BBAS.

Offer good until February 29, 2008

Membership Application forms

Clip and JoinDont forget gift memberships!

New member of the National Audubon Society. You will

receive theAudubon magazine, theBig Bluestem Flyer,membership card. $20Please make your check payable to National AudubonSociety and include Chapter Code H-57 on the check

Subscribe to theBig Bluestem Flyer for one year andparticipate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities $10Restrictions are that you will not be a National Audubon Societymember or have voting privileges, and you cannot be an officer orcommittee chair. Please make your check payable toBig Bluestem

Audubon Society.

Send your check and this coupon toKaty Patterson, Membership Chair201 E Oneil Dr, Ames, IA 50010

Name _______________________________________________Address _____________________________________________City_____________________ State____ ZIP_______________Phone ________________ E-mail _______________________

Please do not use this form for renewals

to the National Audubon Society.

OR

AmesMs. Darlene J. Heckenbach

Ms. Mary WalkerAndrea Schoen

Mr. Ed JacobsonAnkeny

Lynn MarshMadrid

Ms. Virginia Underwood

NevadaMs. Deena DavisMr. Arthur Check

PerryMs. Linda Peters

Story CityScheuermanns 4th Grade

ZearingMr. Jim KemisWebster City

Mr. David Eatriken

213 Duff Ave Ames, IA 50010(515) 956-3145 www.wbu.com/ames

Donate $5 of Your Next Purchase toBig Bluestem Audubon Society

BIRDSEED FEEDERS BIRDBATHS OPTICS NATURE GIFTS

January 2008Donate $5 from your

purchase of$25 or more

Specially-pricedmerchandise

excluded

Valid 1/1 - 1/31/08

$5BIRDBUCK

February 2008Donate $5 from your

purchase of$25 or more

Specially-pricedmerchandise

excluded

Valid 2/1 - 2/29/08

$5BIRDBUCK

Welcome New members



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BigBluestemFlyerDavidC.Edwards,EditorBigBluestemAudubonSocietyPOBox543Ames,IA50010-0543

Wewelcomenewmembers!

January-February 2008Volume 43 No. 3

GREAT BACKYARD BIRDCOUNT IS A GREAT

OPPORTUNITYTO CONNECT WITH NATURE!

Millions of novice and accomplished birdwatchers can make their fascination withnature add up for science and for the futureduring the 11th annual Great Backyard BirdCount, led by Audubon and the Cornell Lab of

Ornithology. During Presidents Dayweekend, February 1518, 2008, anyone cancount birds from wherever they are and entertheir tallies online at www.birdsource.org.These reports create an exciting real-timepicture of where the birds are across thecontinent and contribute valuable informationfor science and conservation. Anyone canparticipate, from beginning bird watchers toexperts. It takes as little as 15 minutes. Itsfree, fun, easyand it helps the birds.

These volunteers are counting not only forfun but for the future, said Tom Bancroft,Chief Science Officer for Audubon. Its funto see how many different kinds of birds can

be seen and counted right in your backyard orneighborhood park. Each tally helps us learnmore about how our North American birds aredoing, and what that says about the health and

the future of our environment.Wild Birds Unlimited has been a major

sponsor of the Great Backyard Bird Countsince the count began. Since opening in 1999,Wild Birds Unlimited of Ames hascoordinated local efforts to help peopleparticipate in the Great Backyard Bird Count.Once again in 2008, Wild Birds Unlimited ofAmes is partnering with Story CountyConservation for a local Great Backyard BirdCount Event:

The Great Backyard Bird Count Mystery:

Be a Bird Detective!

Use your super sleuthing skills to identifyand record the birds at the State ForestNursery on the count weekend! Join us onSunday, February 17th from 1-4pm at the StateForest Nursery in Ames for a Great BackyardBird Count Adventure! This event is co-sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited of Amesand Story County Conservation. We will have

many adventures and activities for birddetectives of all ages and skill levels to enjoy,including naturalist-led hikes at the StateForest Nursery (a great place to see hawks,native sparrows, chickadees, nuthatches, andmuch more!). You will have opportunities tolearn clues to each birds identity, to makeyour own book of the birds you see, to be asleuth and solve some bird name puzzles, toenter your sightings into the GBBC database,and more! We will also have refreshments anddoor prizes.

Call Wild Birds Unlimited of Ames at 515-956-3145 or Story County Conservation at515-232-2516 by 5:00 PM on Friday February

15th to reserve your space!Linda Thom as

D C Edwards

January-February 2008 Big Bluesterm Flyer Big Bluestem Audubon Society

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Transcript of January-February 2008 Big Bluesterm Flyer Big Bluestem Audubon Society