May-June 2004 Big Bluesterm Flyer Big Bluestem Audubon Society

8/9/2019 May-June 2004 Big Bluesterm Flyer Big Bluestem Audubon Society

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/may-june-2004-big-bluesterm-flyer-big-bluestem-audubon-society 1/8

Big Bluestem Flyer Big Bluestem Flyer

Volume 39, Number 5 May/June 2004

Programs

May 20 Ann Johnson

By day: Management Analyst for

the Iowa Department of Human Services

Other times: Web Designer and Site Operator for

Iowa Birds and others (See P. 6)

“Dragonflies and Damselflies of Iowa” Ann, a birdwatcher turned bugwatcher, will share her

enthusiasm for this fast-growing natural history

hobby. Few people even know that Iowa has 106 species

of dragonflies and damselflies. She will take us through

some of their physiology, explain some identification

techniques, show us some photos of these beautiful

creatures, and explain how species diversity is critical to

identifying water quality in our ecosystems.

.

Field Trips

May 8Bird-a-thon See Page 3.

May 15Camp Dodge nature trails. Led by Harlan

Ratcliff. Meet at 8:00 behind the Ames Wild Birds

Unlimited or at the Iowa Audubon HQ at Saylorville

Lake at 8:30-8:45. Bring a photo ID.

May 29Birders’ Brunch. Meet at 8:00 in the upper

Ledges near the campground entrance. We’ll hike down

the hill and have brunch in the lower Ledges. Please

bring a food item to share.

Page 2 Officers and CommitteesPresident’s ColumnField Trip report

Page 3 Birdathon Announcement 2004-2005 Program Planing BBAS Officer Elections

Page 4 Iowa Audubon State Office UpdateVolunteer to Feed Ospreys

In This Issue

Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Page 5 Photo Exhibit of Ada Hayden Heritage Park

Page 6 IOU Iowa Birds Web Site Overview Third Annual Pelican Gala

Page 7 New MembersMembership FormCoupons

Page 8 A Wise Owl

For details about regular field trips, contact Jeff Nichols

at 515-795-4176 or [email protected].

Unless otherwise indicated, regular field trips leave

promptly at 8:00 am from the public parking lot west of

(behind) the Ames Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU), located

south of the railroad tracks at 213 Duff Ave. Trip

destinations are subject to change based on recent rare

bird sightings and the desires of the participants.

Program meetings are held monthly, September-May on

the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm, Room

2226 Veterinary Medicine 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

confirm space and location with John Pohlman at

515-232-6816 or [email protected]

Rosemary Gilbert Bell



2 Big Bluestem Flyer May/June 2004

Big Bluestem Audubon SocietyOfficers and Committees

OfficersPresident: John Pohlman 232-6816 [email protected] Vice-President: Linda Thomas 292-7534 [email protected] Secretary: Bruce Ehresman 296-2995 [email protected]: Ed Carbrey 292-2404

Board MembersBreanne Marpe, 289-1106 [email protected]

Jeff

:

Nichols 795-4176 [email protected] Brookes Wolfgang Oesterreich 515-232-3285 (h) [email protected] Matt Wetrich 956-4299 [email protected]

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.

Committee ChairsArchivist: Hank Zaletel 382-427 [email protected] Bird-a-thon Co-chairs: Karl and Carmen Jungbluth, 432-5057

weatherbird.opencominc.com Conservation Chair: Bruce Ehresman 296-2995

[email protected] Education Chair: Amy Yoakum, 232-2516

[email protected] Trip Chair: Jeff Nichols [email protected] Membership Chair: Al Johnson 233-4831 awindj@aol. comProgram Chair: vacant Publicity Chair: Linda Thomas 292-7534

[email protected] Publications & Electronic Media Co-Chairs:

David Edwards 292-3790 [email protected] Joyce Bahrenfus 275-3263 [email protected]

BBAS Web Site: http://www.wyalusing.org/BBAS.htmIowa Bird Sightings Hotline 319-338-9881 Wildlife Care Clinic 515-294-4900

President’s Column

The long anticipated grand opening of Ames newest

park is just around the corner. Ada Hayden Heritage

Park will soon be open for everyone to see. It will give us

all an opportunity to see, much more closely, the habitat

that has been attracting numerous migrating birds for

years. And that habitat has changed. As a part of future

water quality assurance, there were three wetland areas

added. As BBAS member Janet Jepeway observed at our

April meeting the other night, “Those new wetlands willundoubtedly serve as bird magnets.” I couldn’t agree

more. While those new wetlands will undoubtedly in-

crease the type and quantity of birds that visit the area,

so will the new tall grass prairie additions. The City of

Ames worked in partnership with the Story County Con-

servation Board to establish prairie, wetland and

meadow areas. They are only planting 30 acres of prairie

each year over the next couple years. They are doing it

that way to increase diversity, to reduce the chance of

bad weather impacting seeding, and to avoid depleting

central Iowa seed source.

The Park has 437 acres; 130 acres are the two lakes.

There will be paved trails, crushed rock trails, and picnic

areas surrounding the lakes. Only non-motorized boats

such as canoes, kayaks, and small sailboats will be al-

lowed on the lakes. There will be parking to the north

part of the park as well as public restrooms.

All of this restored prairie, wetlands and lake area

will be a haven for birds and other wildlife. It will also

create many environmental education opportunities for

all ages. Story County Conservation, ISU, and many

other area educators will be taking advantage of thiseasily accessible habitat. It will be a great attraction to

Central Iowa.

Big Bluestem Audubon will be involved getting a bird

blind built (details are not worked out yet). We will also

have many opportunities to sponsor field trips in the

area. I do not know how the initial influx of people, bicy-

cles and boats will effect wildlife, but I do believe there

are going to be never ending educational opportunities

with this restored habitat. The Grand Opening date is

not set yet, but is expected to be mid June. You can

check the City of Ames website for updates.

John Pohlman

Field trip report, Little Wall and Anderson Lakes, March 20, 2004

Twelve people enjoyed clear skies, mild temperatures,

and some intense winds while scrutinizing Ada Hayden

Heritage Park, Little Wall Lake and Anderson (Goose)

Lake for waterfowl and other birds. We saw 47 species

including 18 duck and 3 geese species. Both lakes had

good numbers of most waterfowl species, though there

were relatively few Northern Pintails. We also found American Tree, Fox, and Song Sparrows.Jeff Nichols

Daniel S Kilby



3May/June 2004 Big Bluestem Flyer

There is still time to participate in Big Bluestem

Audubon’s Birdathon. Dozens of chapter members and

friends will be out counting birds and raising pledges to

support conservation and education projects.

Last year’s Birdathon raised $4400. Some of that

money went to help build a new flight cage at the ISU

Wildlife Care Clinic, sent three 5th graders to the Boone YMCA’s Young Naturalist’s Camp, provided Audubon

Adventures education materials to local elementary

schools, helped fund the Iowa Important Bird Areas con-

servation program, and sponsored an Osprey for reintro-

duction at Don Williams Lake in Boone County. Plus,

the chapter was able provide matching funds for a land

purchase at the Union Hills wetland complex in north-

ern Iowa, and the chapter is poised to support a similar

land purchase right here in Story or Boone counties

when the opportunity exists.

WOW! If you would like to join the Birdathon, please

contact Birdathon Coordinators Karl & Carmen

Jungbluth soon at [email protected] or 515-

432-5057. Those who are unable to go birding on May

8th are encouraged to send a donation marked “Big Blue-

stem Birdathon” to chapter Treasurer Ed Carbrey, 3313

Morningside St, Ames, IA 50014.

Thanks for your support!

Karl Jungbluth

Birdathon is May 8th!

Kirsten Munson

There will be a Planning Meeting for the 2004-2005 year Programs and Field Trips held on Wednesday,July 28,

2004 at the State Forest Nursery in Ames. The time is 6 p.m.

All officers and board members, plus any other members with ideas and interested in planning our programs for

next year, are invited to attend. Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP to Linda Thomas by Monday July 26, 2004.

If uou are unable to attend, forward any suggestions to Linda Thomas or any other officer or board member by

July 26th.

Linda Thomas

2004-2005 BBAS Planning Meeting

Election of BBAS Officers for 2004-2005 at May Meeting

Following is the Nominations Slate:

President: Linda Thomas

Vice President: Lynne Brookes

Secretary: Bruce EhresmanTreasurer: Ed Carbrey

Board Members (2 year term):

Matt Wetrich

Wolf Oesterreich

(Open)

Jeff Nichols & Breanne Marpe, current board members have 1 year remaining on their terms.

Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the May meeting.

If anyone is interested in the Open Board position please contact Linda Thomas or John Pohlman. (See page 2)



May/June 20044 Big Bluestem Flyer

Newsletter Material DeadlineBecause 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 deadlines for the first of the 2004-2005 newsletters will be the 15th of August.

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

On April 3rd, twenty-two Iowa Audubon members met

to discuss the future of the statewide Audubon program

in Iowa. It has been two and a half years since Paul

Zeph left as our energetic state director. Since that

time, (1) the Important Bird Areas (IBA) program has

grown under the direction of IBA Coordinator Ric Zar-

well, (2) we’ve been key participants in the wildly suc-

cessful Pelican Festival at Saylorville Reservoir, and (3)the Pelican Gala fundraising event has slowly gained

steam. But, the Board of Directors wanted to do more

for birds, habitat and conservation advocacy.

For the past 5 years, the state board has operated as a

“State Office” of the National Audubon Society. In all

honesty, there were some differences in direction and

philosophy, communication was difficult despite the best

of intentions, and some donors did not like the fact that

their checks went outside of the state before coming

back to go to work in Iowa. It has also become apparent

that National Audubon will not allow state office staff to

be rehired in Iowa until a substantial endowment is inplace to fund the positions. The state board thought

that we could make more progress in Iowa on a smaller

scale, by addressing Iowa issues from an Iowa perspec-

tive, building steadily on our record of success. Thus the

April 3rd meeting was held

Bottom line: By unanimous vote, the board decided to

build a modified, independent state organization called

"Iowa Audubon". Based upon input from members

around Iowa, the board will set it’s own objectives, set

budgets to meet those objectives, and all money raised

will stay in Iowa. There is a lot of work to be done!

Please note that the Big Bluestem chapter’s relation-

ship with National Audubon remains unchanged as a

result of this decision. It is my hope that Big Bluestem

will continue to support Iowa Audubon in a mutually

beneficial relationship, just like Iowa Audubon and NAS

hope to continue a working relationship. After all, we

are trying to accomplish the same big picture from dif-

ferent angles. Big Bluestem volunteers have been a bigpart of successes on the state level so far.

Of high importance to me, the Important Bird Areas

program will continue on, possibly as the highest prior-

ity of the new state organization. IBAs have great po-

tential for conservation success, at both a state and local

level. But, fundraising is a major issue that must be

addressed.

If this all sounds confusing, it is. I’d be happy to talk

with any of you, 1-on-1, at 515-432-5057 or via email

[email protected]. Another meeting to set

strategic objectives, a fundraising plan and organiza-tional structure will be held at 10 am on May 22nd at the

Oak Woods Learning Center (Audubon Office) at the

west end of the Saylorville Dam. Everyone is welcome.

We are looking for individuals with some time and tal-

ent, people who want to help build the state organiza-

tion. Could this be you, or someone you know? If so,

let’s talk about it.

Karl Jungbluth,

Big Bluestem representative on the

Iowa Board of Directors

Iowa Audubon State Office Update

Missy King at the Boone County Conservation Board is looking for help in caring for young Osprey this July.

The young Osprey will arrive at Don Williams Park north of Ogden in the first couple of

weeks in July. She would like to assemble a volunteer list now. If you would like to

volunteer to be a feeder or a monitor watcher, please contact Missy King at 515-795-2809.

She will have a short training session on how to care for the Osprey in June.

This a perfect opportunity to experience what Osprey parents go through, in all its glory

and dedication. Ask Jon or Joyce Bahrenfus for more information about their experiences.

Feed and Watch the Ospreys



5May/June 2004 Big Bluestem Flyer

Ames photographer Janet Jepeway has arranged a series of three programs to accompany her photo exhibit,

“Ada Hayden Heritage Park: Water, Fish, Flora and Fauna”. The programs expand on the subject matter in the

exhibit by educating and informing the public about wildlife viewing and outdoor opportunities available at Ada

Hayden Heritage Park. Those attending will also have opportunities to view the photo exhibit.

Co-sponsors of the program series are Story County Conservation and the Ames Historical Society (founded in1980 as Ames Heritage Association). The programs are free, open to the public, and held at the Story County Con-

servation Center, McFarland Park, 180th St., Ames, Iowa 56461.

Refreshments for all programs provided by Wheatsfield Grocery

7:00 PM Thursday, April 29, 2004

“Fish and Fishing at Ada Hayden Heritage Park”by Ted Tedesco, Veteran Angler and Mayor, City of Ames

What types of fish currently inhabit the lakes? What is being done to improve the fishing potential of the lakes

and will other fish species be added? When can we start fishing? If you want to learn the answers to these ques-

tions, this program is a “must attend.”

1:30 – 4:00 PM Sunday, May 16, 2004

“Who Lives in Ada Hayden Heritage Park”by Janet Jepeway, Photographer

Janet will do a “Walk Thru” of her photo exhibit, “Ada Hayden Heritage Park: Water, Fish, Flora & Fauna”.

She will discuss the individual photos and share her observations of the inhabitants of the park made in over 2

years of photographing the site, including the playful river otter, eagle, osprey, and a “feeding frenzy”.

“Butterflies and Dragonflies of Ada Hayden Heritage Park”

by Royce J. Bitzer, Department of Entomology, Iowa State UniversityWildlife abounds at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. However, most of it will go unnoticed by the casual observer.

This program will highlight where and how to observe butterflies and dragonflies in the park, their curious behav-

ior and what species are present.

Since the City of Ames took ownership of Hallett’s Quarry over two years ago, Janet has taken 1,500 pictures

and slides, and spent 300 hours at the site for the purpose of creating an historical record of its restoration and

transition into Ada Hayden Heritage Park. She has photographed the new park every month of the year and dur-

ing all types of weather.

“ Ada Hayden Heritage Park: Water, Fish, Flora and Fauna”* is an interactive exhibit that allows children and

adults of all ages to “play detective” by looking at clues in the pictures to find “Who lives in Ada Hayden Heri-

tage Park?” It is Jepeway’s second photo exhibit of the site.

All photographs in the exhibit are for sale. Profits after expenses will be donated to the restoration of the former

quarry as a park and backup water supply for the City of Ames. Prints purchased will be signed and dated by the

photographer.

Framing Courtesy of Walden Photo

Funding Sponsors of the Exhibit are: Outdoor Lighting Associates Inc, Access Direct, Royce J. Bitzer, Story

County Conservation Partners, Wild Birds Unlimited Viewing of the exhibit is April 5, 2004 – May 31, 2004

Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

Saturday and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00pm

Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park,

56461 180th St., Ames, Iowa

* Part of the “Hallett’s/Hayden Project” co-sponsored by Janet Jepeway and the Ames Historical Society (founded in 1980 asAmes Heritage Association).The purpose of the project is to create an historical record of Hallett’s Quarry and its restoration as Ada Hayden Heritage Park.

PHOTO EXHIBIT and ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK PROGRAM SERIES

“ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK: WATER, FISH, FLORA & FAUNA”



6 May/June 2004Big Bluestem Flyer

IOU Website at www.iowabirds.org

One of the best web sites for nearly anything about birds in Iowa and nature resources in general is operated by

Ann Johnson for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union (or IOU) at the web address above. If you haven’t visited it lately,

you will be pleasantly surprised. Let me list some of the information and services available.

An Iowa Checklist of birds

Links to Maps of all kinds in Iowa: state, county, state parks, topos, birding areas and more

An On-line store to purchase books and related nature-oriented materials A new Calendar page showing events of interest to Iowa birders in the state

A link to sign-up for the IA-BIRD litserv

Full information of the Important Bird Areas program of Iowa

In the IOU link is information about the organization and how to join

In the Birding Iowa link are

County bird checklists

Books aimed at birds in Iowa

Lists of Birders in specific areas of Iowa

Resources to identify birds in Iowa, including “flashcard” pictures and descriptions

Collections of bird art from Iowans

Links to show birding areas in regions of the state

Specific detailed guides to birding many state areas

Lists of and links to Birding clubs in Iowa including our BBASBird quizzes for testing yourself

Christmas Bird Count data from Iowa (many do not report to NAS)

Information about Bluebirds

Rare Bird link details the most recent sightings in Iowa

Links to nearby states

Public photo gallery

IOU Records Committee Activity

Documentation form for use on-line

A General Links page with many kinds of resources including

Iowa Dragonflies and Damselflies (A labor of love of the webmaster Ann Johnson)

Iowa Reptiles and Amphibians

Iowa ButterfliesLinks to Birding in general

Birding travel

Birding Equipment

A Site Map will help you find something interesting and Site Search to look for specifics

If there is something you can’t find here, send a message to the webmaster, or, even easier, talk to her at the

next BBAS meeting. She is our featured speaker.

David Edwards

Iowa Audubon will host its 3rd Annual Pelican Gala fundraising event at the Jester Park Lodge on Wednesday

evening, September 8th. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a wonderful evening, starting with refreshments on the

deck overlooking the shores of Saylorville Reservoir and flocks of American White Pelicans! After dinner, we'llhave a featured speaker (to be determined) and a silent auction showcasing bird and nature related items.

The Pelican Gala is Iowa Audubon's most important fundraising effort of the year. Tickets are $125 per couple,

or $75 individual. Also, if you would like to offer items for the silent auction, please contact Tom Reavely, Iowa

Audubon Board President at 515-981-9675 or [email protected].

Karl Jungbluth

3rd Annual Pelican Gala is September 8, 2004



Big Bluestem Flyer May/June 2004 7

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 Donation

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

Brekke’s offers Big Bluestem Audubon Society a donationwhen bird seed or other bird products are purchased.Present this coupon with your purchase and a donation will begiven to BBAS.

Offer good until June 30, 2004

Membership Application forms

Clip and JoinDon’t forget gift memberships!

New member of the National Audubon Society. You will

receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer ,membership card. — $20Please make your check payable to National Audubon

Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check

Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and participate 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 or committee chair. Please make your check payable to Big Bluestem

Audubon Society.

Send your check and this coupon toAl Johnson, Membership Chair 3912 Squaw Road, Ames, IA 50014

Name _______________________________________________Address _____________________________________________ City_____________________ State____ ZIP_______________ Phone ________________ E-mail _______________________ Please do not use this form for renewals to the National Audubon Soc.

OR

Donate 10%of Your NextPurchase to

Big Bluestem Audubon Society

BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • NATURE GIFTS

213 Duff Ave. Ames, IA 50010 (515) 956-3145Mon-Wed 9:30-5:30 Thurs 9:30-8Fri 9:30-5:30 Sat 9-5 Sun 12-4

Coupon must be presented at time of purchaseMay not be combined with any other offer Not valid on specially-priced merchandise

Offer Expires: 6/30/2004

Mike Boeve

Harold - Rachel Crawford

Megan Crill

Marilyn Greene

Darlene Heckenbach

Harold Hulleman

Rodger - Margaret JunckLynn Klisch

Carol Koeneke

Mike Korf

Gary - Jenny Prochaska

Doris Richards

Daniel Rohden

Harold Schiel

Kyle Uhlenkamp

Rose Willson

Richard Manatt

New Members



I f y o u h a v e a n “ X ” a f t e r y o u r n a m e o n y o u r m a i l i n g l a b e l , t h i s w i l l b e y o u r l a s t i s s u e o f t h e F l y e r u n l e s s y o u r e n e w .

N o n - P r o f i t O r g . U . S . P o s t a g e P a i d

P e r m i t N o . 1 3 1 A m e s , I o w a

B i g B l u e s t e m F l y e r D a v i d C . E d w a r d s , E d i t o r B i g B l u e s t e m A u d u b o n S o c i e t y 2 3 0 8 S t a t e A v e A m e s , I A 5 0 0 1 4

Printed on Recycled paper

W e w e l c o m e n e w m e m b e r s !

May/June 2004 Vol 39 No. 5

Waiting for the latest copy of the Big Bluestem Flyer!

A wise owl.

May-June 2004 Big Bluesterm Flyer Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Documents

Transcript of May-June 2004 Big Bluesterm Flyer Big Bluestem Audubon Society