Big Bluestem Flyer
Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Volume 41, Number 2
Programs
November 17 , 2005
Bugs and Prairies
MJ Hatfield
Native plant enthusiast and prairie re-
constructionist, MJ is also serving as an Americorps
volunteer with the Iowa DNR. She will talk about
Iowa prairie insects and their habitat relationships.
You will also be seeing some great photography of
bugs “up close and personal.”
December 15, 2005
“BBAS Holiday for the Birds
and BBAS Member Picture Show”
(Note: 7 pm - Story County Conservation Building,
McFarland Park)
Bring:(1) bird feed for the park (cash accepted);
(2) a few slides or CD-ROM pictures to share of
your year’s activities, (3) party treats! Extra
goodies will be used at the dinner after the Ames
Christmas Bird Count, and (4) please bring one
non-perishable food item to be forwarded to the
MICA food panty for distribution to area residents
less fortunate than ourselves.
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 contact Lynne Brookes to confirm space and
location at 515-434-2028 or rppsolar@yahoo.com
In This Issue
Page 2 Officers and Committees
President’s Corner
Page 3 Christmas Bird Counts
Page 4 Iowa Audubon Representative
Teacher “Treasures”
November/December 2005
Field Trips
November 19, 2005
Waterfowl viewing at Lake Red Rock, Runnells
Natural Area, and Pinchey Bottoms.
Christmas Bird Counts
December 17, 2005
Ames Christmas Bird Count.
Contact Leader: Shane/Katy Patterson: 232-4682.
E-mail: shane7896@yahoo.com
December 18, 2005
Saylorville Christmas Bird Count.
Contact Leader: Jim Dinsmore: 292-3152.
E-mail: oldcoot@iastate.edu.
January 1, 2006
Boone Christmas Bird Count.
Contact Leader: Mark Widrlechner: 233-1532.
E-mail: mpwskd@aol.com
Unless otherwise indicated, field trips leave
promptly at 8:00 a.m. from the public parking lot
west of (behind) the Ames Wild Birds Unlimited,
located south of the railroad tracks at 213 Duff Ave.
Trip destinations are subject to change based on
recent bird sightings and the desires of the
participants. Contact Jeff Nichols (515-795-4176,
(jnichols1961@hotmail.com) for more information.
Page 5 Board of Directors Activities
Page 6 Upper Midwest Audubon Conference
Page 7 New Members
Coupons
Page 8 Field Trip Reports
 President’s Corner
Hard to believe it is fall (especially after a recent 80 degree day) and soon the snow will be flying, the holidays
will be here and gone, and we will start another year all over again. Time marches on quickly, even more quickly I
think as we grow older. And one thing that’s also inevitable is change. Change in the seasons, the birds around
us, the plants and trees, the temperatures, etc. We just need to react more quickly to change.
Speaking of change, we have a new coordinator for the Ames Christmas Bird Count. Shane Patterson, along
with his wife Katy, has accepted this role. Thanks to Dave and Jeanne Edwards for their many years of
coordinating this activity. Before we know it, it will be time for the Ames, Boone, and Saylorville Christmas Bird
Counts.
And, speaking of the holidays, our annual holiday gathering will be Thursday, December 15th, starting at 7PM
(rather than 7:30PM), at the Story County Conservation Center at McFarland Park. You are encouraged to bring
money or birdseed for the center’s feeders, treats to share at the party, and one non-perishable food item that will
be forwarded to the MICA food pantry.
On a final note, we recently received the following regarding Big Bluestem’s Audubon Adventures
contributions.

“Amy, I don't know if you are the person I should write to or not, but I would
appreciate the Big Bluestem chapter of the Audubon Society knowing that our
Audubon Adventures box arrived today. I can hardly wait for us to use the
materials! At the present we are learning about science inquiry and becoming
familiar with tools, equipment, and investigative techniques. We will soon begin
our Animal Classification Unit of the district curriculum. The materials which
arrived today are such great resources. We will use them when we study spiders,
turtles, etc. This year an added class of each grade level was organized at
Meeker. I teach three fifth grade classes each day. The materials which your
organization provides will be used by over 75 children. Thank you again for your
support of education. We appreciate it. (I have copied this note to our
principal, Dr. Susan Risius, and to our Curriculum Director, Dr. Mandy Ross, so
they both know of your support to our students.)”

Sincerely, Suzanne Kelly, Fifth Grade Teacher, Meeker Elementary

Big Bluestem does make a difference. Thanks for being part of the Society!
Linda Thomas

Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Officers and Committees
Officers
President: Linda Thomas 292-7534 wbuames@msn.com
Vice-President: Lynne Brookes 434-2028 rppsolar@yahoo.com
Secretary: Bruce Ehresman 296-2995
Bruce.Ehresman@dnr.state.ia.us
Treasurer: Ed Carbrey 292-2404
Board Members
Shane Patterson 232-4682 shane7896@yahoo.com
Jeff: Nichols 795-4176 ozarksbirder@hotmail.com
Royce Bitzer 233-6741 mariposa@iastate.edu
Wolfgang Oesterreich 232-3285 wolf@iastate.edu
Tim Grotheer 233-9873 tgrotheer@prestonengineering.com
The mission of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society is to
enjoy the observation and study of birds and natural
ecosystems, contribute to their conservation and
restoration, engage in educational activities to benefit
humanity, and gain a broader understanding and deeper
appreciation of the world we live in.
Committee Chairs
Archivist: Hank Zaletel 382-427 madowl@midiowa.net
Bird-a-thon Co-chairs: Karl and Carmen Jungbluth, 432-5057
weatherbird.opencominc.com
Conservation Chair: Bruce Ehresman (See Officers)
Education Chair: Amy Yoakum, 232-2516
ayoakum@storycounty.com
Field Trip Chair: Jeff Nichols (See Officers)
Membership Chair: Jon Bahrenfus 275-3263 jbahren@netins.net
Program Chair: Lynne Brookes (See Officers)
Publicity Chair: Linda Thomas (See Officers)
Publications & Electronic Media Co-Chairs:
David Edwards 292-3790 dcejce@dandje.org
Joyce Bahrenfus 275-3263 jbahren@netins.net
BBAS Web Site: http://BigBluestemAudubon.org

2 Big Bluestem Flyer November/December 2005

 Christmas Bird Count Invitation

More than 50,000 observers participate each year in this international, all-day census of early-winter bird
populations. The results of their efforts are compiled into the longest running database in ornithology, representing
over a century of unbroken data on trends of early-winter bird populations across the Americas. Simply put, the
Christmas Bird Count, or "CBC", is citizen science in action.
From beginning birder to seasoned ornithologist, all are welcome to participate on any Christmas Bird Count.
Participants must do their counting within a designated 15-mile CBC circle on the given count day. The inclusive
dates of the Official Count period are always December 14th through January 5th of each season. Historically, the
Ames count is held the first Saturday of the period, December 17th this year. The Saylorville count will be on
the following Sunday the 18th. The Boone count is scheduled for Sunday, January 1st.
Count circles are divided into specific areas in which a group of 4 or more birders plan their method of search.
Experienced leaders are responsible for each area, and this is a good place for those unsure of their skills to learn.
Most but not all participants spend the whole day. Feeder counts are also made on the same day in each count
circle. At day’s end, participants meet for supper and share stories and bird tallies.
You may sign-up for a count at the November BBAS meeting or call the respective count leaders indicated on the
first page of this newsletter. Past participants will likely be contacted directly by the count leaders.
Participants 18 years of age and under can participate for free. All others are asked to pay $5.00 to help
Audubon cover CBC program costs (including database/web development costs, and the publication of the CBC
results summary).
David Edwards

Annual Boone County 4th Grade Outdoors Day at The Ledges

Big Bluestem members once again gave short sessions on birding to 4th grade classes from Boone County during
their annual Outdoors Field Day. Jon Bahrenfus and I worked with eight classes on Tuesday and Katy Patterson
joined us for five similar classes on Thursday. We first showed them what they already know about common birds
and presented what they might see in that part of the park. After an introduction to using binoculars, they spent
the remaining 10 to 15 minutes looking for birds (and whatever else reached their 10-year-old fancies). The birds
available are always limited, but all classes on that hot Tuesday saw a group of resting White Pelicans on the river
shoreline. Other birds making brief appearances were American Robin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy and Red-
bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and the always exciting (to them) Turkey Vulture. Thursday classes
met very cold weather and there were even less birds. To fill their time and add a little interest, Jon placed paper
cut-outs on woods trees and asked the kids to spot them with their binoculars. There were only 25 minutes to
spend on birding in their schedule of seven activities.
Note that the binoculars were a gift from BBAS to Boone County Conservation, and a very-much-appreciated
component of the experience..
David Edwards

November/December 2005 Big Bluestem Flyer 3

 Wanted: New Iowa Audubon Board Representative

I have enjoyed working with others over the past 9 years in an effort to
build Iowa Audubon into an effective bird conservation organization, plus
more. It is now time to let someone else take wing in this effort, so I’ll be
stepping aside as the Big Bluestem representative on the Iowa Audubon
Board of Directors at the end of 2005.

As a result, BBAS is looking for a new person to represent the chapter on the Iowa Audubon Board of Directors.
Every Audubon chapter in Iowa has a representative on the Iowa Audubon Board, and that board also includes five
At Large members. The chapters elect their representative in whatever way they choose.

The new BBAS board member will represent Big Bluestem at Iowa Audubon board meetings (3-4 per year), and
keep the chapter informed about goings on in Iowa Audubon and throughout the state. Chapter representatives
also develop ways for Iowa Audubon to help chapters be more successful, and vice versa. Very importantly, Big
Bluestem’s representative would also assist other Iowa Audubon Directors in supporting Iowa Audubon’s mission
and goals, including the Important Bird Areas program, by building and managing financial resources, furthering
Iowa Audubon’s public image and participating in committees.

The Mission of Iowa Audubon is to identify, protect and restore Iowa’s bird habitats, to educate Iowa’s citizens
and build a greater level of conservation awareness, and to promote enjoyment and greater pride in Iowa’s natural
ecosystems, birds, other wildlife. This includes:
• Build the Important Bird Areas program into a statewide force for bird conservation and habitat
protection, management and restoration. Employ advocacy, education and communication to form
community-based constituencies for the monitoring and stewardship of essential bird habitats.
• Through festivals and education events, educate Iowans about the wonders of bird migration, the
importance of clean water and natural habitats, and the uniqueness of Iowa’s native birds, plants
and animals. The Pelican Festival at Saylorville Reservoir is one example of this action.
• Host fundraisers across Iowa, building the financial capacity to support bird and habitat
conservation.
• Identify issues concerning birds, habitats, the environment, and the quality of life in Iowa.

Interested candidates are invited to attend the October 29th Iowa Audubon Board meeting at 11 a.m. at the DNR
Wildlife Station near Ledges State Park. Iowa Audubon meetings are always open to BBAS members. If
interested in becoming the BBAS representative to the Iowa Audubon Board of Directors, also please contact Karl
Jungbluth (weatherbird@opencominc.com, 515-432-5057) or BBAS President Linda Thomas before October 29th.
The new BBAS representative will need to be elected before the January/February 2006 Iowa Audubon board
meeting.
Karl Jungbluth

A REMINDER RE: TEACHER “TREASURE’ COLLECTIONS

Lower elementary and art teachers are using our recyclable “treasures.” Here is a list of items that have been
useful:
Egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, cotton from pill bottles, lightweight cardboard, small pieces of wood (1” to 5”),
wooden dowels, partially used typing paper and other such paper, yogurt cups with tops, other plastic containers
with tops, toweling tubes, bits and pieces of wood (untreated), yarn and string and ribbon, fabric pieces,
discontinued printouts and cards printed on one side, beads, holiday decorations, old calendar pictures, artwork,
wrapping paper, bows/ribbons, and left-over craft materials. In other words, just about anything you can think of!

Call your closest elementary school and talk to the art teacher or to the 1st, 2nd, or kindergarten teacher and ASK
for suggestions. It would be nice if you identified yourself as an Audubon member and explained this project!
You could deliver your collection directly to the teacher, or bring them to the BBAS meeting, or to the home of
Jeanne/David Edwards and we will deliver them (please call first – 292-3790).
Jeanne Edwards

4 Big Bluestem Flyer November/December 2005

 Notes From The BIG BLUESTEM AUDUBON SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
of Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Treasurer’s Report
Birdathon income from 2005 was $3,339.45, and a First Federal Savings Bank balance of $9,353.72.
Birdathon Report
Birdathon income from 2005 was down somewhat this year. The 2006 Birdathon date will be May 6 (not on
Mothers’ Day weekend).
Iowa Audubon Report
The Iowa Audubon 4th Annual Pelican Gala (fundraiser), held on Sept. 9, was successful. Sixty-four people
attended, and 68 people paid to attend. Funding for Important Bird Areas is a priority of this gathering.
Membership Report
Overall membership seems to be holding steady.
Conservation Report:
The Kellerton Bird Conservation Area has been expanded from 10,000 acres to 51,000 acres. This larger area
encompasses The Nature Conservancy’s priority areas for protection and management. Also the Shimek Forest
Bird Conservation Area will soon be proposed for designation. As another funding mechanism for nongame
wildlife, two new Natural Resource License Plates, each featuring a bald eagle or a ring-necked pheasant, are now
available to buy from the Department of Transportation.
Education Report
Audubon Adventures packets are being paid for by BBAS to be distributed to 3rd-5th Grade classes, as well as
some home schooled children.
Archives/Library Report
A Vision Statement was presented, indicating the importance of documenting the history of BBAS. All
significant documents (including the BBAS Board minutes and newsletters) that relate to BBAS history should be
sent to Hank Zaletel to be archived on the fourth floor of the Iowa State University library.

Old Business
BBAS Brochure Revision
A new membership brochure is under development.
Upper Midwest Regional Audubon Conference
Shane and Katy Patterson attended this conference as BBAS representatives. They provided the Board with
some useful ideas for BBAS fundraising and increasing membership diversity. They plan do a short report of the
conference at the next general membership meeting. (Also, see the next page of this newsletter.)
Ada Hayden Signage Update
Contact was made with Ames Parks and Recreation about BBAS input into educational signage.

New Business
McCallsburg Habitat Purchase
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF)/Pheasants Forever are purchasing ~90 acres of land about 2 miles
south of McCallsburg in Story County that has excellent potential to be wildlife/bird habitat. It is bisected by East
Indian Creek and adjoins the west side of Union Pacific Railroad, where prairie habitat still exists. The goal of the
acquisition is to deed the property to Story County Conservation Board once it is paid for. It is hoped that $50,000
to $100,000 can be raised from local groups and individuals. A $2,000 donation by BBAS toward the area’s
purchase was approved by the Board.

Newsletter Material Deadlines

Because we would like to have the newsletter to each member before the first day of its coverage, the editor
needs to have material at least two weeks before that. Hence the deadline for the next issues will be the
fifteenth of December, February, and April.
Please be aware that editing your offering for length and style is sometimes necessary.

November/December 2005 Big Bluestem Flyer 5

 Upper Midwest Regional Audubon Conference
We recently represented Big Bluestem Audubon at the Upper Midwest Regional Audubon Conference in Galena,
IL from September 30th to October 2nd.
Roundtable discussions, formal presentations, and field trips highlighted a rewarding weekend in northwestern
Illinois. For sure, this region’s landscape of forested hills, dramatic bluffs, rocky streams, and idyllic dairylands
provided a nice backdrop to the conference. Forays to Mississippi Palisades SP, Apple River Canyon SP, and the
Lost Mound component of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge were among the many interesting
field trips offered.
The official theme of the weekend was “Uniting for Conservation: Moving Forward,” and a quick glance at
presentation titles definitely reveals a wide range of topics related to conservation. There were many sessions that
ran concurrently, and the following were talks that one or both of us attended.
-“Audubon Upper Mississippi River Campaign and Important Bird Areas Update”
-“Avoiding Burnout in Volunteers,”
-“Help Neotropical Biologists and Migrants on the Wintering Grounds: Adopt a MoSI Bird Station in Central
America”
-“Crafting Successful Letters to the Editor”
-“The Heart of Alaska’s Refuge: Protecting ANWAR”
-“Status and Trends of Grassland Birds in the Upper Midwest”
-“Partners in Flight, North American Landbird Restoration Plan”
-“Connecting Kids With Nature: Chapter Activities for Children and Youth”
-“Fundraising: What Works and What Doesn’t”
We were grateful to have represented BBAS during these various sessions. In that regard, we’d like to take a
few moments to share with you some of the specifics from the last presentation on the list, because it ties in
directly to a topic that applies to every Audubon club.
“Fundraising: what works and what doesn’t,” was a roundtable discussion led by members of the Zumbro Valley
Audubon Society of southeastern Minnesota. This session generated many useful ideas that could work for our own
group. Perhaps the most intriguing idea – a silent auction - is one that has already been implemented successfully
by Iowa Audubon at the annual Pelican Gala. As many of you know, this is the September event held right before
the Pelican Festival at Jester Park along Saylorville Reservoir.
People bid on such items as wildlife prints and photographs, birdhouses and birdseed, birding lessons for
beginners, guided birding tours, etc. For our own auction, Big Bluestem members, local businesses, and other
interested parties could contribute these aforementioned items. Additionally, it was noted that the inclusion of one
big item, such as multi-day trip to a popular wildlife-watching destination, could provide a built-in means of
boosting the auction. Speaking from personal experience, there are always a variety of interesting items and
plenty of willing bidders. The two of us have fun at silent auctions, even when we end up bidding on more than
we’d planned!
Although these events do require considerable organizational effort, the rewards are often significant. Several
people at the conference mentioned making hundreds of dollars – or often even thousands of dollars - for their
Audubon clubs at silent auctions.
A smaller-scale fundraiser idea that was presented was a “story shoe,” in which people put forth a small
donation before telling a story to the Audubon club. For example, if you’d like to share a story about birds you’ve
seen recently, or maybe what the grandchildren have been up to (especially if they’ve been birding!), then you
would just drop a quarter (or two) into the “shoe” to start the story. While this might seem like an unusual idea for
a fundraiser, the story shoe works effectively in a couple of ways. Not only does this storytelling help to cover
smaller operational costs, but it also serves as a great way to foster interaction among chapter members.
As for the “what doesn’t work” part of the fundraising discussion, several people mentioned the ineffectiveness of
bird-a-thons. We found this fact to be rather interesting – largely because of how successful our own club’s bird-a-
thons have been. So here’s to the continued success of the event!
Now, we’ve just summarized a few ideas from just one of the talks that we attended. We’d be happy to discuss
what we learned from the other presentations that we listed earlier as well. Feel free to ask!
Lastly, we are both glad that we took the chance to attend this conference. We gained much valuable
information, and we enjoyed exploring and learning about conservation areas of the region. We look forward to
attending forthcoming editions of this annual event (to be held in Wisconsin next year), and we encourage others to
join us.
Shane and Katy Patterson

6 Big Bluestem Flyer November/December 2005

 Welcome
New Members Clip and Join
Don’t forget gift memberships!
Shelva Boyd-Ames
Donna Crosman-Boone Membership Application forms
Sharon Drake-Ames
Eliot La Follette-Boone New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
Charlene Hulsebus-Ames receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer,
Mary Lewis-Pilot Mound membership card. — $20
Mark Lincoln-Perry Please make your check payable to National Audubon
Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
Anita Nichols-Ames
Jerry Osier-Story City OR
Susie Petra-Ames Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and
Judy Roseland- Webster City participate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities — $10
Helen Schubert -Story City Restrictions are that you will not be a National Audubon Society
member 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 to

Jon Bahrenfus, Membership Chair
1050 J Ave, Ogden, IA 50212

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

Present the coupons below at the time of your purchase and a donation will be given to BBAS.
Donations will fund the various habitat restoration and educational projects undertaken by BBAS.

Brekke's Town & Country Store, Inc.

Donate 10% 1 1/2 miles east of I-35 on new U.S. 30 and 1/4 mile north
of Your Next Hours: 8-6 M-F, 8-4 Sat. (515) 232-7906
Purchase to
Purchase Donation
Big Bluestem Audubon Society Up tp $15 $1.50
Coupon must be presented at time of purchase $15 and over $3.00
May not be combined with any other offer
Not valid on specially-priced merchandise
$35 and over $5.00
Over $70 $7.50
Offer Expires: 12-31-05
Brekke’s offers Big Bluestem Audubon Society a donation
when bird seed or other bird products are purchased.
Present this coupon with your purchase and a donation will be
given to BBAS.
213 Duff Ave. Ames, IA 50010 (515) 956-3145
Mon-Wed 9:30-5:30 Thurs 9:30-8
Fri 9:30-5:30 Sat 9-5 Sun 12-4 Offer good until December 31, 2005
BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • NATURE GIFTS

November/December 2005 Big Bluestem Flyer 7

 Field Trip Reports
Doolittle Prairie (September 24)
Despite (or perhaps because of) a cold blustery day with occasional rain showers, seven participants enjoyed a
real sparrow show on this field trip. Four Le Conte’s Sparrows and dozens of Lincoln’s Sparrows, as well as two
record early (for Story Co.) White-crowned Sparrows topped the list of interesting sparrows. Also seen were
Philadelphia Vireo (Jeff only) and Nashville, Yellow-rumped, Palm and Connecticut (Wolf only) Warblers and
American Redstart and Common Yellowthroat. 48 species.

Big Creek State Park, Saylorville Reservoir, and Polk City Wildlife Area (October 15)
The weather was unusually nice for mid-October, and 12
participants enjoyed clear skies and pleasant temperatures
with little wind (YES!). We started with a short hike on the
American Coots were the most bike trail at Big Creek SP. Sparrows were elusive, and we
numerous bird on the waters. struggled to get good looks at even some of the more common
species. Yellow-rumped Warblers were abundant and the
only warbler seen. We next headed to Cherry Glen to look for
a reported Surf Scoter, but the lighting was poor. Viewing
was much better at the dam and from the viewing platform
behind the Visitor’s Center. We never found the scoter but we
enjoyed satisfactory if distant looks at 10 duck species and
Kirsten Munson
Eared, Horned and Pied-billed Grebes. After lunch (enough
said about that experience), we finished the trip with a
detour through Luther to pad our list with Eurasian Collared-Dove. We finally found two birds after about ten
minutes of searching. 59 species.
Jeff Nichols

Vol 41 No. 2 Printed on Recycled paper November/December 2005

unless you renew.

issue of the Flyer
this will be your last
your mailing label,
after your name on
If you have an “X”

We welcome new members!

Ames, IA 50010-0543
PO Box 543
Ames, Iowa Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Permit No. 131 David C. Edwards, Editor
U. S. Postage Paid Big Bluestem Flyer
Non-Profit Org.