Big Bluestem Flyer
Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Volume 42, Number 2
Programs
November 16, 2006 Thursday, 7:30 pm, November 18
Extension & 4-H Building, I S U, Ames
“Iowa Bobcat Project”
Todd Gosselink is an Iowa DNR Wildlife
Research Biologist studying bobcat ecology in
Iowa with associates at ISU. Todd will describe
the behaviors of radio-tagged bobcats in south Contact Leader: Shane/Katy Patterson:
central Iowa and the methods used for wildlife
research for other species he will also display
the various equipment used. Come enjoy
photos of bobcats that have been part of the
study in Iowa and learn about the remarkable
comeback of bobcats to Iowa's.
Todd will also talk about the mountain lion
sightings in Iowa, separating fact from fiction.
December 14, 2006 Thursday
“BBAS Holiday for the Birds
and BBAS Member Picture Show”
(Note these changes from our usual meetings
Time: 7 pm Second Tuesday of the month
Place: Story County Conservation Building,
McFarland Park)
Bring:(1) bird feed for the park (cash
accepted); (2) a few slides or electronic media
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.
Page 2
Officers and Committees
President’s Corner
Page 3
Christmas Bird Counts
Field Trip Reports
Page 4
Iowa Endangered/Threatened Species
Iowa REAP Spending
Page 5
Audubon Adventures Classroom Materials
Book Reviews
November/December 2006
Field Trips
Lake Red Rock, Runnells Natural Area, and
Pinchey Bottoms for Waterfowl viewing
Christmas Bird Counts
December 16, 2006 Saturday
Ames Christmas Bird Count.
232-4682.
E-mail: shane7896@yahoo.com
December 17, 2006 Sunday
Saylorville Christmas Bird Count.
Contact Leader: Steve Dinsmore: 233-2796.
E-mail: oldcootjr@iastate.edu.
December 30, 2006 Saturday
Boone Christmas Bird Count.
Contact Leader: Mark Widrlechner: 233-1532.
E-mail: mpwskd@aol.com
January 20, 2007
George Wyth State Park (Blackhawk County)
We’ll view the active feeders in the park and search for
wintering owls, raptors, and waterfowl.
February 10, 2007
Rathbun Reservoir area
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,
(ozarksbirder@hotmail.com) for more information.
Page 6
Birding Festival
Mortensen Mounds Update
Teachers’ Treasures
Page 7
New Members
Membership Form
Coupons
Page 8
Boone 4th Grade Birding Classes
 Presidents Corner

Autumn, “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,….1” Time to say “fare-thee-well” to the jewel-toned
hummers and to prepare a smorgasbord for northern travelers passing through. Time to leave the
gardens be so tiny critters have somewhere to overwinter. Many a chilly insect or egg mass has
provided meals for winter foragers. The bugs that make it will emerge next spring to lead their lives
and feed small migrators heading back north once again. Attract the birds and they’ll happily take care
of many of your insect “pests.”
Which brings me to an idea I’ve shared with some and would like present to all. Many of us BBAS’ers
not only observe and feed birds but have developed varying types and degrees of wildlife friendly
habitats in our backyards. Perhaps we could share what we’ve done and what we’ve learned about
attracting birds and other critters to our backyards. I’ll bet we could learn a lot from each other and get
some neat ideas for our own places. Jeff Nichols leads great field trips from September thru May. I’d
like to propose organizing a BBAS backyard habitat tour to be held next summer- in June or July.
For about ten years the Central Iowa Water Garden Association (an offshoot of the ISU Extension
Master Gardner Program) has offered a tour of selected of ponds and water features in the area. Rather
than reinvent the wheel, we could develop a tour of backyard habitats following their model.
Do you have a bird friendly yard that you would consider sharing with others? Clean water, food, and
shelter are the important basics- not size. Do you have a mini habitat in a corner of your city lot with a
bird bath, summer flowers, a shrub, tree or vines on a trellis? Have you planted native plants and/or
grasses in your yard? As a volunteer, have you helped set up a hummingbird/butterfly garden at a local
park or rest home? Have you put in a bird friendly water feature? Do you live in the country and
encourage birds with plantings for wildlife? Have you developed a prairie or wetland habitat? Would
you be willing to share what you’ve done with others? Please let me know.
Would you be interested in helping to organize or participate in such a BBAS activity? If so, please let
me know at (515) 434-2028 or rppsolar@yahoo.com and give me your input. A small group of organizers,
volunteers with yards/places to share, and ideas regarding such an activity are all welcome.
See you at our next meeting and program, October 19th!
1 “Ode to Autumn” by J. Keats

Lynne Brookes

Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Officers and Committees
Officers
President: Lynne Brookes 434-2028 rppsolar@yahoo.com
Vice-President: Royce Bitzer 233-6741 mariposa@iastate.edu
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
Mary Doud 515-795-4176, BorealBirders@hotmail.com
Kelly Weichers 319-231-6999, goinfishin@hotmail.com
Rose Danaher 641-919-3783, rdanaher@iastate.edu
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 Board Members)
Membership Chair: Jon Bahrenfus 275-3263 jbahren@netins.net
Program Chair: Royce Bitzer (See Officers)
Publicity Chair: Kelly Weichers (See Board Members)
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 2006

 Christmas Bird Count Overview and 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 16th this
year. The Saylorville count will be on the following Sunday the 17th. The Boone count is scheduled
for Saturday, December 30.
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).
During last year’s count, about 62 million birds were counted by over 57,156 volunteers. Thanks in
part to Bird Studies Canada, the Canadian partner for the CBC, there were 2,060 individual counts – a
record high. The information they collected revealed the effects of the historic 2005 hurricane season:
storms dramatically altered where birds were found on a continent-wide level, and the birds displaced by
the storms were then discovered in out of range places. Some western birds, most notably Franklin
Gulls, Townsend’s Solitaires, and western warblers and tanagers, displaced to Atlantic Canada by
hurricanes, were seen moving back southward through the eastern states. In other cases there were
unusually high numbers of a particular bird species counted in an area, such as the astounding number
of Gray Catbirds on many counts in northeastern North America.
David Edwards & National Audubon Society

Field Trip Reports

Polk City Wildlife Area, Saylorville Lake, and Pelican Festival, September 10, 2006
It was a dark and stormy field trip! The rain never let up throughout its 6-hours. Despite the
incessant rain and cold, the three of us managed to see 45 species, including large numbers of American
White Pelicans at the surprisingly well-attended (and very well-organized) Pelican Festival.
Fortunately, there were large tents at the festival where we could take refuge from the rain yet still see
the pelicans through the downpour and fog. At stops en route to the festival, we saw good numbers of
Blue-headed Vireos, an amazing 36 Eurasian Collared-Doves in Luther, and many Caspian Terns at
Saylorville.
Big Creek State Park, Saylorville Lake, and Big Creek Wildlife Area, October 15, 2006
Our trip began at Big Creek State Park where we encountered the first of hundreds of Yellow-rumped
Warblers we saw during this outing. No other warblers were seen except for the lone Nashville Warbler
which Wolf found in the parking lot (!) behind the WBU Store. There were fair numbers of waterfowl and
gulls on Saylorville, with the highlights being Surf Scoters, Horned Grebes, Bonaparte’s Gulls, and a
single adult Sabine’s Gull, which unfortunately was not seen by everyone. We also managed to see 12
sparrow species, American Pipit, Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawk (which caught something practically at
our feet), and around a half-dozen Cooper’s Hawks, as well as a Merlin, and two Eurasian Collared-
Doves (the novelty is wearing off) in Kelley. 73 species, 6 participants.
Jeff Nichols

November/December 2006 Big Bluestem Flyer 3

 2006 Iowa Endangered/Threatened Species Report

Peregrine Falcon: It appears that Iowa nesting peregrine numbers are holding
steady. Like 2005, there were ten confirmed peregrine territories. From these there
were at least five successful nests that produced a total of at least 11 fledged young.
There was an active territory in each of the following locations: Des Moines (Polk Co.),
Cedar Rapids (Linn Co.), Lansing (Allamakee Co.), Waukon Jct. (Allamakee Co.),
Bettendorf (Scott Co.), the Louisa Generating Station (Louisa Co.), Burlington (Des
Moines Co.), and Chillicothe (Wapello Co.). Davenport (Scott Co.) had two active
territories. Seven of the ten territories were along the Mississippi River (where most
historic nesting took place), with three of these territories focused on Mississippi River
bridges. Both Mississippi River bluff nests in Allamakee Co. were unsuccessful this
year, and there continues to be attention directed toward improving nest
success at these cliff-sites.
Bald Eagle: While the rate of increasing eagle nests in Iowa is slowing,
eagle population expansion continues. Six additional counties (O’Brien,
Wapello, Page, Boone, Franklin, and Dickinson) reported first time eagle
nesting this year – bringing the total number of counties with eagle nests to 77
(out of 99 potentially). Since DNR staff no longer have resources to monitor all
bald eagle nesting, a conservative estimate (based on reports including at least
20 new nests) indicated that there were at least 200 active eagle nests in Iowa
in 2006. Just 10 years ago (in 1996) there were 54 active nests in only 20 Iowa
counties. If the current rate of nesting increase continues, Iowa could have a
bald eagle nest in each of the 99 counties within 5 nesting years.
Barn Owl: It appears that recent mild winters are increasing barn owl
survival and proving beneficial to Iowa nesting barn owls. After a ten-year
high of seven confirmed nests in 2005, 2006 was an even better nesting year with eight
nesting barn owl pairs –one nest each for the following eight counties: Sac, Woodbury,
Montgomery, Lucas, Clarke, Guthrie, Page, and Wayne. A total of at least 14 young were
produced at those nests. Surprisingly, nests were not reported for Taylor and Tama
counties, which have been very productive barn owl nesting counties during the last decade.
Because barn owls do not survive harsh winters well, this might be one of the few species
for which global warming proves beneficial – especially here at the northern edge of its
range!
Bruce Ehresman, DNR Wildlife Program Biologist

Iowa REAP Spending

The Iowa DNR has a new page at www.iowareap.com that features a one-page poster, specific to each
county, showing the entire history of Resource Enhancement and Protection spending in that county.
Just click on 'County Posters' and select your county.
Posters on the site print at 8.5 x 11 inches. For the same poster 24 x36, email
stacey.olson@dnr.state.ia.us, and your printer can get an electronic copy directly from her.
Ross Harrison, Outreach and REAP Coordinator Iowa DNR ross.harrison@dnr.state.ia.us

4 Big Bluestem Flyer November/December 2006

 Audubon Adventures Classroom Materials
To: Amy J. Yoakum [BBAS Education Chair]
Subject: Audubon Adventures are here!
Dear Amy, Once again thank you for the materials for the classroom. As always, I appreciate the
generosity and support of the Big Bluestem Audubon group. The box arrived yesterday with an
excellent teacher resource and the four educational topics/magazines. Due to scheduling conflicts, I
haven't started my "animal classification" unit this year. Now I'm glad. I will have plenty of excellent
resources to use with my science classes. The kits have become a wonderful part of the fifth grade
curriculum that I use. Thank you again for contributing to the education of our students.
Suzanne Kelly, Teacher, Meeker Elementary
HAVE YOU READ…?
There are so many good books (and other media) about birds and other wildlife that it is difficult to
know which to choose. Possibilities include identification guides, field research accounts, documentaries,
and personal experiences. I understand that the BBAS newsletter contained book reviews in the past. I
would like to renew that tradition by inviting members to submit descriptions of their favorites to our
newsletter editor, Dave Edwards, at dcejce@dandje.org. I’ll share below two books that I’ve enjoyed and
look forward to reading your suggestions in future newsletters.
A Hummingbird in My House
Arnette Heidcamp, 1990
ISBN 0-517-57729-1 Ames Inter-library loan; Firehouse Books-order used; Borders-on shelf
This beautiful little book is an informative, meticulous, and honest personal account of a hummingbird
overwintered by author and photographer Arnette Heidcamp. It contains numerous illustrations and 57
excellent full color photographs of a juvenile ruby-throat as it lived through a New York winter in her 12’
by 15’ flowering plant filled sunroom. Through stunning photos and descriptive narrative the reader
gains insight into how this little guy drinks nectar, catches insects, bathes, flirts, sleeps, plays, and gets
a feather off that was stuck on his tongue. The author, who seemed unaware that holding a migratory
bird without a permit is illegal, was familiar with hummingbirds. She was in contact with the Cornell
Lab of Ornithology and others to ensure that he received proper nutrition and was healthy and ready to
go for spring release. All hummingbird afficionados and those interested in bird behavior will appreciate
this touching and at times humorous account.
Mind of the Raven
Bernd Heinrich, 1999
ISBN 0-06-093063-2 Ames library: 598.864 hei; Firehouse Books-order used; Borders-on shelf
Familiar to many BBAS members, Bernd Heinrich, a professor of biology at the
University of Vermont, writes extremely well, knowledgeably, and with subtle humor.
His accounts of field work in the Maine woods observing ravens in the dead of winter
are extraordinary. This guy is hearty! Thanks to his arduous work we gain insight into
the fascinating complex behavior of these intelligent and highly social “wolf- birds.”
Great photos showing ravens at play, using tools, and interacting, illustrations and
maps illuminate the narrative. From observations of ravens he raised and cared for in
order to study behavior “up-close-and–personal” to white knuckle accounts of climbing tall limbless trees
to check on nests and nestlings this book grips, entertains, and teaches. And, if you enjoy this award
winner’s book—he’s written more!
Lynne Brookes

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.

November/December 2006 Big Bluestem Flyer 5

 Birding Festival
The 5th Annual Rivers & Bluffs Fall Birding Festival is a relaxing, family-oriented, 3-day
event headquartered in beautiful Lansing, Iowa. The festival has grown for 4 consecutive years. Last
year 281 persons attended. Visitors have come from 21 states (including states on all 3 coasts),
Washington D.C. and Canada. This year's very low-cost festival will be held Nov. 10, 11 & 12th.
The 15-18,000 Tundra Swans and 250,000 to 350,000 other waterfowl that visit our nearby section of
the Mississippi River at this time each year, and a variety of other birds are an attraction of national
importance. Excellent field trip leaders will help visitors see many other species as well. The cumulative
list of species observed on this November weekend over just 4 years is now 114 species.
The festival includes interesting educational programs including two with live educational birds; boat
trips on the Mississippi in large, enclosed excursion boats to get close-up views of waterbirds; a half-
dozen vendors; drawings for door prizes; two special breakfasts; live music Saturday evening; silent and
live auctions; and other activities to match the magnificence of the area and our very special avian
visitors.
See the complete agenda and other details for our festival at: http://www.lansingiowa.com/
birdfest2006.html . If you would like a list of local accommodations, please contact me right away
and I will email a list to you. But please take action soon, rooms nearest to this event fill quickly. At this
writing we are just 31 days away from the festival. Many find that our festival is a great way
to celebrate the last and best days of autumn, before winter takes over. We hope to see you and
yours with us on November 10, 11 & 12th.
Ric Zarwell, Co-Director Rivers & Bluffs Fall Birding Festival P.O. Box 299 Lansing, Iowa 52151
Email: Ric.Zarwell@mchsi.com

Mortensen Mounds Update

Mortensen Mounds has been robbed — again! This is the third time someone — a person who holds a
good understanding of Iowa’s native plants — has removed some of the “best ones”.
What can we do?
I’ve held back on publicizing it in the Ames Tribune because that seems to tell people “come and get
‘em — nobody will know!”
Any ideas?
Jeanne Edwards

Teacher “Treasure’ Collections

An ongoing Audubon “project” is collecting recyclable items to contribute to the Ames Public School
teachers, who use these items as supplies in their classrooms. Teachers need this supplementation
because they find it necessary to spend their own money to cover their classroom supply needs, and they
have been very grateful for our collections. Especially, lower elementary and art teachers are using our
“treasures.” We will continue this project until further notice.
To help you out with some ideas, here is a list of items that have been useful: Calendars, egg cartons,
toilet paper rolls, cotton from pill bottles, lightweight cardboard, 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, artwork, wrapping paper and bows/ribbons. In other words, just
about anything you can think of! Containers must be clean, and please: no glass. Large plastic coffee
containers with hand grips built in (Folgers?) have been specifically requested.
Call your closest elementary school and talk to the art teacher or to the 1st, 2nd grade or kindergarten
teacher and ASK for suggestions. It would be nice if you identified yourself as an Audubon member and
explained this project! Or, collect treasures to bring to the BBAS meeting or to the home of Jeanne/David
Edwards and we will deliver them (please call first – 292-3790).
Do you like the idea of recycling? Of helping the little kids to get a good hands-on education? Of
putting a dent in teachers’ stress by producing some low cost supplies and showing them support? Here
is a project for you! Jeanne Edwards

6 Big Bluestem Flyer November/December 2006

 Welcome New members
Clip and Join
Ames Don’t forget gift memberships!
Bill Black
Robert Darner Membership Application forms
Amy Divine
Jodi Takes New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
Woodward receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer,
Dixie Boyles membership card. — $20
Madrid Please make your check payable to National Audubon
Joyce Carlson Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
Charles White OR
Des Moines
Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and
Dale Schroeder
participate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities — $10
Webster City Restrictions are that you will not be a National Audubon Society
Donna Vandemark 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 _______________________
Stephen D’Amato
Please do not use this form for renewals to the National Audubon Soc.

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: 12-31-06
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, 2006
BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • NATURE GIFTS

November/December 2006 Big Bluestem Flyer 7

 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 five classes on a hot
Tuesday and eight classes on Thursday. With questions we showed them what they already know about
many of 19 birds and then 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 many classes saw low flying Turkey
Vultures. Other birds making brief appearances were American Robin, White-breasted Nuthatch,
Downy and Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Thursday
classes met with cooler weather but there a few more birds. To fill their time and add a little interest
during bird droughts, Jon positioned paper cut-outs on woods trees earlier and asked the kids to find
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

Vol 42 No. 2 Printed on Recycled paper November/December 2006

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.