Big Bluestem Flyer

Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Volume 43, Number 3 January-February 2008
Programs Field Trips
Meeting Place All field trips are free and open to the public.
Extension & 4-H Building, I S U, Ames Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the public parking lot west of (behind) the
Ames Wild Birds Unlimited, located south of the railroad tracks
January 17, 2008 at 213 Duff Ave. Please arrive before the departure time to
Thursday, 7:30 pm arrange carpooling. Contact Jeff Nichols (515-795-4176, or
Do Prairie Restorations Regain Prairie Moths? ozarksbirder@hotmail.com) for more information.
Dr. Keith Summerville
Department of Environmental Science Drake University January 26, 2008
Keith will talk about his research on moths that are associated Ledges State Park
with native prairie remnants. He is interested in whether and (Boone County)
how prairie moths move into areas of restored prairie, and how
long it takes for different types of moths to establish February 23, 2008
populations in prairie restorations. Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
Dave’s Short Lesson: Sounds of the Winter Woods and Fields (Webster County)
Dinner: LaFuente Mexican Restaurant, 217 South Duff Ave, Ames
March 29, 2008
February 21, 2008 Ada Hayden Heritage Park and Little Wall Lake
Thursday, 7:30 pm (Story and Hamilton counties)
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge: Ecological
Restoration and Birds of the Tallgrass Prairie April 26, 2009
Karen Viste-Sparkman Bear Creek Wildlife Area and Soper’s Mill Historic
Refuge Biologist, Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Site (Story Co.)
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is a unique ecological May 10, 2008
restoration project, emulating tallgrass prairie and oak savanna Birdathon Details in March/April issue of BBAS Flyer
ecosystems that once dominated the Iowa landscape. Refuge
biologist Karen Viste-Sparkman will present information on the
May 31, 2008
refuge goals, management challenges, and how restoration
activities affect birds and other wildlife and their Birder’s Brunch at McFarland Park
interrelationships. She will discuss birds and birding (Story Co.)
opportunities on the refuge and data from breeding season
bird surveys that have been conducted on the refuge since Other Activities of Interest
1994 February 24, 2008 Saylorville Bald Eagle Watch
Dave’s Short Lesson: Bird Quiz Outdoor Viewing at selected sites around reservoir,
Dinner: India Palace, 120 Hayward Ave, Ames start at Visitor’s Center 10-4
For more information call 515-276-4656
March 20, 2008
Marlene Ehresman, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation February 29 – March 1, 2008 Red Rock Bald Eagle Watch
Upper Iowa River Bioblitz
Outdoor viewing at Howell Station 10- 2
April 17, 2008 Indoor programs 10 - 2
Benjamin Beck, Great Ape Trust For more information call 641-828-7522
Conservation of Golden Lion Tamarins
May 15, 2008
Ty Smedes
African Safari Adventures
The mission of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society is to enjoy the observation and study of birds and natural ecosystems,
contribute to their conservation and restoration, engage in educational activities to benefit humanity,
and gain a broader understanding and deeper appreciation of the world in which we live.
Visit us online at http://bigbluestemaudubon.org
Page 2 Book Reviews Page 7
Officers and Committees BBAS Contributions New Members
President’s Corner Nature Magazines Membership Form
Page 3 Page 5 Coupons
Field Trips Christmas Bird Counts Page 8
Teacher Treasure Collections Page 6 Great Backyard Bird Count
Page 4 Breeding Bird Atlas
Bald Eagle News Funding Wildlife Diversity
 Big Bluestem Audubon President’s Corner
Society of Central Iowa Late at night, as I slowly headed home down a frozen snow covered county road, a rooster
Officers pheasant ran right smack in front of my car. I heard a faint “thunk” of collision even as I braked
President: Lynne Brookes and swerved to miss. Heart racing, I looked for a field entranceway to turn around to see if the
515-434-2028 bird was dead or injured, suffering. Finally I found a place to turn and searched back up the
rppsolar@yahoo.com dark road but saw nothing in the headlights. I turned back again and searched along the
Vice-President: Royce Bitzer shoulder—and spotted him lying on his side in the snow. I threw the car in park and leapt out to
515-233-6741 find that he had a small cut on his head and was stunned but still alive. I picked him up and
mariposa@iastate.edu placed him gently in the back seat as I had no carrier and car trunks harbor dangerous fumes.
Secretary: Shane Patterson As I drove on in the dark I fervently hoped he would come to—but not just yet—as it could
515- 232-4682 result in a predicament and I planned the steps to take when I arrived home with him.
shane7896@yahoo.com I stopped alongside our house, entered, and went down to the basement to retrieve a
Treasurer: Michael Meetz “capture” towel and fix up an appropriate container. When I returned, I saw a resting but very
515-382-2534 alert bird eyeing me from the back seat. I cautiously opened the door to retrieve him using the
mmeetz@iastate.edu towel—and, you got it—he exploded to the other side of the car! I quickly shut the door and got
Board Members a large net. Again, I slowly opened the door, reached in with the net and-- WHOOSH! -- out he
Mary Doud came, rushing between me and the barely open door, faster than eyesight. He then stood about
515-795-4176 12 feet away surveying the surroundings and headed for the cover of a small spruce tree. I
BorealBirders@hotmail.com didn’t see him the next day. Two days later I searched for him. He flushed from tall grassy
Kelly Weichers cover in a good feeding area. He seemed to list a bit to the right in flight but he flew long and
319-231-6999 strong to another good area. I guess the ‘ol boy may make it despite my accidental assault with
goinfishin@hotmail.com a deadly weapon. He did leave mementos of our encounter—two beautiful long tail feathers on
Larry Dau the back seat, and, my husband reminds me, some frozen pheasant poop.
515-275-4963, A moral to this story? Perhaps that, despite our best intentions, “poop” happens. I would
gdau@netins.net venture to say that virtually all of us Auduboners are concerned about the many environmental
Tim Grotheer challenges we face— natural (e.g.. solar cycles) and human caused (industrial pollutants,
515-233-9873 etc.)—but, of course, we are “natural” too. Many of us have chosen careers that address these
tgrotheer1@msn.com important issues and wildlife biologists, climatologists, environmental educators, ecologists,
Lloyd Crim and similar professionals are among our number. Many more of us work as often and as well as
515-5026 we can as “citizen scientists” and by providing support to environmental organizations through
lcrim@opencominc.com volunteer activities, political activisim, and/or financial contributions. Sometimes our efforts
Committees succeed and sometimes they don’t —or don’t appear to. But for all the frustration, if we don’t
give up and stay alert, new opportunities arise to which we can apply our knowledge and skills
Archivist
to make bad situations better. Remember we’re in this for the long run—even if we list slightly
Hank Zaletel
as we move along the way.
515-382-427
CONGRATULATIONS to the CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT TEAMS! An annual job
madowl@midiowa.net
skillfully and enthusiastically organized by Shane Patterson, Stephen Dinsmore, amd Mark
Bird-a-thon
Widrlechner, and carried out by BBAS members to help keep track of local bird populations
Karl and Carmen Jungbluth
over the years. The potluck dinner that followed the Ames count, orchestrated by Sherry
515-432-5057
Dragula and Mary Dodd, was a lot of fun with great food, conversation and informative team
weatherbird.opencominc.com
reports. Thank you too, Sherry and Mary, for decorating and setting up the tasty party fare at
Conservation
the BBAS HOLIDAY FOR THE BIRDS. I might also mention that there is another very
Bruce Ehresman
important meaning to the term “spousal support” in conjunction with both of these activities!
515-296-2995
CONGRATULATIONS, TOO, to all BBAS members who have earned and/or contributed
Bruce.ehresman@dnr.iowa.gov
funds to the BBAS . Thanks to your efforts, we continue to assist with the purchase of habitat
Education
land, help with wildlife research, provide education, and help those assisting wildlife in
Amy Yoakum, 515-232-2516
distress. On page 4 is an overview of some of the good things towards which we have recently
ayoakum@storycounty.com
allocated funds.
Field Trip
Jeff Nichols
ENJOY A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON—and watch those roads!
515-795-4176
Lynne Brookes
ozarksbirder@hotmail.com
Membership
Katy Patterson
515-232-4682
birdgirl80@hotmail.com
Program
Royce Bitzer (See Officers)
Publicity
Mary Doud (See Board Members)
Publications & Electronic Media
David Edwards
515-292-3790
dcejce@dandje.org

Visit our website at http://bigbluestemaudubon.org

2 Big Bluestem Flyer January-February 2008

 Field Trip Reports

Neal Smith National Wildlife
Refuge and Hendrickson Marsh
September 15, 2007
The weather couldn’t have been better for
the first fall field trip, though the birding was
a little slow. We first hiked some of the trail
through the Savanna Study Area. American
Goldfinch and Common Yellowthroat were
abundant in the adjacent prairie grasses.
We spent more time hiking a little used “B
Maintenance” road. Again, a nice walk but not
Skillet Creek Indian Mounds where a very cooperative Le Conte’s Sparrow
County Area and Boone Forks posed for several photos.
Wildlife Management Area
October 6, 2007
The first bird seen as we exited our cars at
the Skillet Creek parking lot was a Peregrine
Falcon! We saw two more Peregrines before
noon. The birding around the parking lot was
excellent with many sparrows seen (Eastern
Towhee, Chipping, Field, Song, Lincoln’s,
White-throated, Dark-eyed Junco) and good
numbers of migrating raptors. Warblers were
scarce with only Orange-crowned, Nashville
and Yellow-rumped being seen. On the short
hike from the parking lot to the Indian
mounds, Jon Bahrenfus found a Spring
Peeper, which was the first time some of us
had actually seen this little frog. We next
traveled to Dayton for a picnic lunch at the We also saw three very cold-looking Garter
city park. The wind had picked up Snakes here.
considerably by this time, and the temperature
was climbing into the 80s. On our trip back to
Ames, we saw a Swainson’s Hawk and Bald
Eagles migrating down the Des Moines River
valley, bringing our trip species total to 50.

very birdy. Another stop in the southeast
corner of the Refuge turned up Carolina Wren,
Nashville Warbler, and Rose-breasted
Grosbeak. After lunch al fresco at “Goldie’s
Ice Cream Shoppe” in Prairie City, we briefly
birded the Buffalo/Elk Range, finding a day-
roosting Great Horned Owl and seeing a large
flock of migrating Franklin’s Gulls. A quick
stop at Hendrickson Marsh added a number of
waterfowl and shorebirds to our trip list of 59
species.
Bauer Slough and Gordon’s
Marsh (Hamilton County)
November 3, 2007
Seven of us enjoyed a tour of several
natural areas in Boone, Hamilton and Webster
counties. We first visited Bjorkboda Marsh,
where we observed two banded Trumpeter
Swans, and some nearby private wetlands,
where we found a nice variety of waterfowl.
After lunch at “Whoop-ti-doos” in Webster
City, we explored the walking/nature trail and
adjacent Graceland Cemetery on the south
side of town. In the cemetery, we found a lone
Red Crossbill and a few Red-breasted
Nuthatches. On our drive home, we viewed a
private pond near Stanhope that was teeming
with waterfowl. We ended our day with 58
species.
A brief stop at Tunnel Mill Canoe Access Jeff Nichols
produced several passerines but nothing
unusual. Next was a visit to Gordon’s Marsh

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: coffee
cans, medicine/pill containers, egg cartons, and paper board (like cereal boxes, etc.). Please limit your collection of plastic containers with lids and
paper 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, cotton
balls, wrapping and tissue paper, colored pencils and other art supplies, calendars (any year, with appropriate pictures for re-use such as nature
scenes, landscapes, people, animals, plants, etc.), and other craft supplies. All must be clean and in good condition. I will continue to pick items up
at our monthly meetings. Thanks again!
Mary Doud

January-February 2008 Big Bluestem Flyer 3

 Bald Eagle Soars Off Federal
Endangered Species List
It has been a long time in the making, but
now there is good reason to celebrate. On
August 8, 2007, the Bald Eagle was officially
removed from the list of threatened and
endangered species under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). From at least 25,000
nesting pairs historically, the bald eagle
population plummeted to only 417 pairs in the
lower 48 states in 1963. The good news is that
the population has rebounded to over 10,000
pairs today!
Recovery began with the crucial decision by
the Environmental Protection Agency to ban of
general use of organochlorine pesticides,
particularly DDT, in 1972. Bald Eagle recovery
was further solidified with the legal protections
afforded by the ESA in 1978. Other cooperative
efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
state conservation agencies, and conservation
organizations led to protection of habitat around
nest and roost sites, backed up by law
enforcement measures and stiff penalties for
violating this protection.
Bald Eagle recovery in Iowa has mirrored
the national recovery, and in 2007, there were
an estimated 210 active nests – with overall
documentation of nesting in 81 different
counties. Iowa’s suggested recovery goal of 10
active nests has been surpassed 20 times over,
and the bald eagle will now be removed from
Iowa’s threatened and endangered list, as well.
Even though it is now delisted, the Bald
Eagle continues to have strong legal protection,
particularly by the Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
In an effort to keep track of the nesting status,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will work
with state wildlife agencies to monitor bald
eagles for at least five years (and probably for
20 years). If it appears that eagles again need
the protection of the ESA, the U.S. F&WS can
propose to relist the species.
The Wildlife Diversity Program wishes to
thank the many cooperators who have diligently
monitored existing Bald Eagle nests and
reported new nests as they are discovered!
Without your help, we would not know where
many nests occur; nor would we have
documented such important facts as 1 in 8 Iowa
eagle nests produce three young.
We very much appreciate your assistance!
Bruce Ehresman,
DNR Wildlife Program Biologist

HAVE YOU READ…? “how did they ever get that footage?” BBAS Conservation Donations
throughout the series-- guaranteed. Watch
There are many good books, nature guides,
South American eagles taking monkeys from
videos, websites, natural history museums to At the December 5th meeting of the Big
inside the forest canopy, long snooted
visit, etc. relating to birds and other wildlife. Bluestem Audubon Society executive board,
hummingbirds snacking off insect excretions,
Consider sharing YOUR favorites with other members unanimously approved BBAS
BBAS members! clever Woodpecker Finches and others using donations to the following conservation
Lynne Brookes tools to capture insects, and African Oxpeckers projects.
eating giraff earwax and parasites with an *$1,000 to Story County's Colo Bog
Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons in the occasional swig of blood! You’ll be impressed expansion, one of the largest conservation and
Lives of Migratory Birds. Miyoko Chu. by the lifestyles of the rich-ly diverse and restoration efforts in central Iowa. Multiple
2006. ISBN 0-8027-1468-4 Walker famous-for-flight birds with whom we share BBAS members have drawn attention to the
Publishing Co., Inc. New York, New this world. importance of this diverse prairie-marsh
York. complex, which is located very close to home
for many in our club.
An extraordinary book! Chu provides us *$500 to Jon Stravers' Red-shouldered
with an exquisitely written exploration of the BBAS MAGAZINES GET NEW Hawk research in northeast Iowa, which is part
unfolding story of songbird migration and of of Audubon's ongoing Upper Mississippi River
their lives throughout the year. From HOMES
Initiative. At the November BBAS meeting,
Christopher Columbus’s notes on birds resting Thanks to the donation of over one hundred Mr. Stravers presented an overview of how
on his ship and his following (migrating) flocks nature magazines by BBAS members last vital this region is to a variety of wildlife. More
to find land in the fall of 1492, to gripping tales winter and spring, the residents of four local information about Audubon's Upper
of the earliest field research, to a look at the nursing homes got to see more of the out-of- Mississippi programs can be found at the
most current scientific studies, the reader feels a doors wonders than they may have otherwise. following link. http://www.audubon.org/
part of this great adventure of discovery. As Thanks to each of you who contributed your campaign/umr/
fascinating as migration is, the chapters that past magazines for their pleasure. Everyone *$100 to Bat World Heartland's
follow about the lives of species and individual who wants to can bring more to the meetings conservation and rehabilitation center in
birds after their arrival at nesting grounds is and I’ll be glad to distribute them where they’ll Bettendorf. In October, Vera Blevins spoke
equally spellbinding. An absolute “must read” be appreciated-- again. Recycling at its best! with BBAS members about her work as
for all interested in the lives of birds. Lynne Brookes coordinator of this unique venture.

The Life of Birds. David Attenborough. *$100 to help provide seed for the feeders at
George Wyth State Park near Cedar Falls.
1998. BBC Video. © 2002 BBC
Many BBAS members have had the pleasure of
Worldwide Americas, Inc. observing woodland birds up close from the
This amazing beautifully photographed and blinds surrounding the park's numerous feeders.
well presented BBC video program series came If you would like to find out more about
out a while ago but is well worth re-watching if these endeavors, or you wish to make a further
you’ve seen it or seeing this wonder for the first contribution on your own, contact BBAS
time. The viewer will be astounded by the treasurer Michael Meetz for details.
glimpses of the life strategies developed by Shane S. Patterson
birds over millions of years in every nook and
cranny of our planet. You will be mouthing

4 Big Bluestem Flyer January-February 2008

 Ames Christmas Bird Count *Belted Kingfisher - 2; well below average, winter, much like last year
Results as expected under these conditions *House Finch - 165; about average for
*Red-bellied Woodpecker - 142; record- recent counts
Thirty-nine field observers and six feeder-
highest *White-winged Crossbill - 2; one at an
watchers participated in the annual Ames
*Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 4; record- Ames feeder and a second at the ISU
Christmas Bird Count on Saturday.
highest Horticulture Farm north of Ames
Unlike 2006, which featured unseasonably
*Downy Woodpecker - 205; record-highest *Pine Siskin - 61; second-highest; Pine
warm conditions, Saturday's count was defined
*Hairy Woodpecker - 53; second-highest Siskins seem to be widespread this winter
by cold winds, compacted snow, and very little
*Northern Flicker - 5; well below the *American Goldfinch - 170; about average
open water. This perhaps precluded us from
average *House Sparrow - 697; way below average;
reaching last year's record tally of 71, although
*Northern Shrike - 7; record-highest; more usually have well over a thousand
we still finished above the 17-year mean.
than the previous six counts combined; I Total = 60 species (plus count week Mute
(Species total = 60 this year; typical count =
surmise this is an irruption year for Northern Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Lesser Scaup,
mid to upper 50s.) That's about as much as we
Shrike. Common Goldeneye, Short-eared Owl, and Fox
could reasonably hope for on our lakeless CBC
*Blue Jay - 248; record-highest Sparrow)
in the windswept Prairie Pothole Region.
*American Crow - 15,200 at the traditional Finally, since they don't get public
Notables included White-winged Crossbill,
roost on the ISU campus; this total is still recognition very often, I'm giving a big thanks
Rusty Blackbird, Western Meadowlark (first
within the expected range here to the many who participated, especially
meadowlark identified to species on the Ames
C *Horned Lark - 136; well above average; the the various section leaders. These leaders
CBC), Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur,
snow concentrated several flocks along rural included Jon and Joyce Bahrenfus; Mary Doud
Winter Wren, Carolina Wren, Northern Shrike,
roads and Jeff Nichols; Sherry Dragula and Mark
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Long-eared Owl,
*Black-capped Chickadee - 575; record- Widrlechner; David and Jeanne Edwards; Bruce
American Coot, Gray Partridge (occurs
highest Ehresman; Michael Meetz; Wolf Oesterreich;
regularly but is always of interest to readers),
*Tufted Titmouse - 7; right at the 17-year and Hank Zaletel. (Kevin Healy is usually a
Merlin, Northern Harrier, and Bufflehead.
median section leader, and would've been this year, too,
Many species were found in unusually high
*Red-breasted Nuthatch - 46; third-highest; if not for a scheduling conflict.)
numbers. The most prominent examples were
numerous this year, as in other parts of the state Shane Patterson
the 204 Snow Buntings (previous best = 25)
*White-breasted Nuthatch - 249; second-
and 7 Northern Shrikes (previous best = 3).
highest
Below is an annotated list of all species
*Brown Creeper - 20; fewer than expected
recorded; this now includes most of our
*Carolina Wren - 3; down from the record
feederwatcher data. In part, I added comments
10 found last year
in regard to the highest counts for the last 17
*Winter Wren - 1; now an expected species,
years (i.e., "record-highest" is in reference to
annually
data from 1991-2007).
*American Robin - 3; low count is not
Annotated List:
surprising perhaps, considering the pervasive
*Canada Goose - 746; about average despite
snow/ice cover
the weather
*European Starling - 1675; well below the
*Mallard - 62; also about average
mean and median
*Bufflehead - 1; 2nd occurrence for the
*Cedar Waxwing - 90; w/in the established
Ames CBC (the first was in 2006)
count range
*Gray Partridge - 34; record-highest count
*American Tree Sparrow - 479; fourth-
(previous high = 32)
highest
*Ring-necked Pheasant - 177; fourth-highest
*Song Sparrow - 20; the most since 2000
count
*White-throated Sparrow - 14; about
*Wild Turkey - 8; still uncommon on the
average
Ames CBC
*Harris's Sparrow - 1; average = 17
*Bald Eagle - 12; typical of recent years
*Dark-eyed Junco - 1556; record-higest by
*Northern Harrier - 1; one or two is typical
far (previous high = 1174 in 1999) Northern Harrier
*Sharp-shinned Hawk - 2; this and the next
*Lapland Longspur - 1; a flock of one, just
species were within the expected count range
*Cooper's Hawk - 10; see previous
like last year Saylorville Christmas Bird Count
*Snow Bunting - 204; exceeded the previous Highlights
*Red-tailed Hawk - 98; record-highest
high count by 179; most of the birds were in a
*Rough-legged Hawk - 7; record-highest
large flock along R70 - halfway between Hwy The Saylorville CBC tallied 79 species, right
*American Kestrel - 14; about average
30 and 250th St. (there were also multiple at the long-term average. There was one small
*Merlin - 1; columbarius female; third
groups of Horned Larks along that stretch of piece of open water on Saylorville and
occurrence
R70) waterbirds were scarce. We tallied 10 species of
*American Coot - 2; only two previous
*Northern Cardinal - 363; record-highest waterfowl (best were single Trumpeter Swan
occurrences
*Red-winged Blackbird - 1 and Greater Scaup), Gray Partridge, Great Blue
*Rock Pigeon - 539; third-highest
*Western Meadowlark - 1; identified by Heron, all 7 regular woodpecker species,
*Eurasian Collared-Dove - 9; growing from
vocalizations (given multiple times) Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Spotted Towhee,
year to year
*Meadowlark sp. - 10; about average Rusty Blackbird, and Common Redpoll.
*Mourning Dove - 309; record-highest (by
*Rusty Blackbird - 1 Stephen J. Dinsmore
far)
*Common Grackle - 1
*Great Horned Owl - 5; about average
*Brown-headed Cowbird - 2; Icterids were Full results of the Boone and Saylorville
*Barred Owl - 5; also about average
apparently scarce CBCs will be presented in our March-April
*Long-eared Owl - 1; only two occurrences
*Purple Finch - 4; difficult to find this 2008 newsletter.
since 1997

January-February 2008 Big Bluestem Flyer 5

 Iowa’s Second Breeding Bird
Atlas Kicks Off March 2008
Hard to believe but it has been 17 years
since the last data were collected for the first
Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA I). Data
collection for BBA I ran from 1985-1990 and
was published in 1996. Since then the Iowa
landscape has seen many changes, we’ve
Funding Wildlife Diversity
Chickadee Tax Check-off
The 2006 Chickadee Tax Check-off
donation numbers are in and
unfortunately donations continue to
decline. The revenue for 2006 was
down to $108,000 donated by
8,951 taxpayers. This represents a
decrease of 26% from revenues in
2001 ($147,003). The good news is
that the Fish and Wildlife fund check-off (as
it’s called on line 59 of the state tax form) is
still the most popular check-off.
Thank you to everyone who donates! In
fact, revenue for all the check-offs has been
going down and part of the problem may be a
change in Iowa’s tax withholding formula
which has decreased the number of folks
getting refunds over the last 2-3 years.
Teaming With Wildlife
Iowa’s Teaming With
Wildlife (TWW)
coalition continues to
grow with 215 member
organizations representing almost 90,000
citizens. Recent endorsers include the Iowa
Trails Council, 1000 Friends of Iowa, Project
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 issue will be the 18th of February.
Please be aware that editing your offering for length and style is sometimes necessary.
6 Big Bluestem Flyer
gained grasslands and wetlands from such
programs as the Conservation Reserve Program
and the Wetland Reserve Program. Now we are
beginning to see some of those areas revert
back to crop land with the increased demand for
ethanol production.
The current Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA II) is
a joint effort between the Wildlife Diversity
Program and the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union
(IOU). BBA II will be overseen by a committee
of 9 people: Stephen Dinsmore (Chair),
Christopher Caster, Bruce Ehresman, Jay
Gilliam, Doug Harr, Ann Johnson, Karen
Kinkead, Nichole Nagl, and Karen Vista-
Sparkman. This committee will make decisions
such as “How many hours does an observer
need to spend in each block?” and “How many
blocks should we include?”
BBA I covered 525 grid-based (or standard
as they were called then) blocks across all of
Iowa and an additional 339 habitat-based
blocks (at least 1 per county). The current
Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA II) will re-visit those
same 525 grid-based blocks and some of the old
habitat-based blocks. We are still in the process
of choosing some new habitat-based blocks. We
have yet to decide how many habitat-based
Green, Golden Hills Resource Conservation
and Development, the Lyon, Winneshiek,
Harrison and Benton County Conservation
Boards and the Boone and Lee County
SWCDs. Welcome and thanks! We have by
no means reached out to all the potential
Teaming With Wildlife Supporter’s in Iowa,
so if you know of any organizations or
businesses that would like to add their voice
to the call for adequate and sustainable
funding for our natural resources, they can
contact any of the wildlife diversity folks or
visit http://www.teaming.com/states/
iowa.html for more information.
Newsletter Material Deadlines
David Edwards, Editor
blocks there will be! An additional advantage of
the BBA II is the availability of the internet.
The internet will allow us (or volunteers, rather)
to enter our own data on-line, download maps
and information about the blocks, and see how
many blocks have been completed.
The IOU will host this website as a page on
http://www.iowabirds.org/ - The BBA II
website is not yet fully functional but will be
soon! Nicki Nagl has joined the WDP as an
AmeriCorps member. Her primary job
responsibility is to help volunteers get started.
She will be able to answer questions, provide
maps and directions, and give presentations to
organizations interested in volunteering for the
BBA II.
The Steering committee plans on awarding
prizes each year, including a random raffle
prize which everyone that has participated will
be eligible to win. We expect the BBA II
website will be functioning by the end of
January. In the meantime, you can reach Nicki
at BBACoordinator@iowabirds.org for any
questions or to ask her to give a presentation.
--Karen Kinkead WDP Monitoring and
Research Biologist
Iowa DNR License Plates
Finally, just a quick note on the
Natural Resource License plates.
Revenues from the plates have
continued to stay steady and provide
much needed funds for special
projects, such as providing matching
funds for State Wildlife Grants,
purchasing important natural areas,
and several research projects.
Wildlife Diversity Program News
January-February 2008
 Welcome New members Clip and Join
Ames
Ms. Darlene J. Heckenbach Don’t forget gift memberships!
Ms. Mary Walker
Andrea Schoen
Mr. Ed Jacobson Membership Application forms
Ankeny
Lynn Marsh
Madrid
Ms. Virginia Underwood
New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
Nevada receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer,
Ms. Deena Davis membership card. — $20
Mr. Arthur Check
Perry Please make your check payable to National Audubon
Ms. Linda Peters Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
Story City
Scheuermanns 4th Grade OR
Zearing
Mr. Jim Kemis Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and
Webster City participate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities — $10
Mr. David Eatriken 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

Katy Patterson, Membership Chair
201 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.

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 $5 of Your Next Purchase to 1 1/2 miles east of I-35 on new U.S. 30 and 1/4 mile north
Big Bluestem Audubon Society Hours: 8-6 M-F, 8-4 Sat. (515) 232-7906
January 2008 February 2008
Purchase Donation
Donate $5 from your Donate $5 from your
Up tp $15 $1.50
purchase of purchase of
$15 and over $3.00

5 5
$25 or more $25 or more
$ Specially-priced $ Specially-priced
$35 and over
Over $70
$5.00
$7.50
merchandise merchandise
BIRD excluded BIRD excluded
BUCK BUCK Brekke’s offers Big Bluestem Audubon Society a
Valid 1/1 - 1/31/08 Valid 2/1 - 2/29/08
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 www.wbu.com/ames Offer good until February 29, 2008
BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • NATURE GIFTS

January-February 2008 Big Bluestem Flyer 7

 GREAT BACKYARD BIRD the future of our environment.” The Great Backyard Bird Count Mystery:
COUNT IS A GREAT Wild Birds Unlimited has been a major Be a Bird Detective!
sponsor of the Great Backyard Bird Count
OPPORTUNITY Use your super sleuthing skills to identify
since the count began. Since opening in 1999,
TO CONNECT WITH NATURE! and record the birds at the State Forest
Wild Birds Unlimited of Ames has
Nursery on the count weekend! Join us on
coordinated local efforts to help people
Millions of novice and accomplished bird Sunday, February 17th from 1-4pm at the State
participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count.
watchers can make their fascination with Forest Nursery in Ames for a Great Backyard
Once again in 2008, Wild Birds Unlimited of
nature add up for science and for the future Bird Count Adventure! This event is co-
Ames is partnering with Story County
during the 11th annual Great Backyard Bird sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited of Ames
Conservation for a local Great Backyard Bird
Count, led by Audubon and the Cornell Lab of and Story County Conservation. We will have
Count Event:
Ornithology. During “Presidents’ Day” many adventures and activities for bird
weekend, February 15–18, 2008, anyone can detectives of all ages and skill levels to enjoy,
count birds from wherever they are and enter including naturalist-led hikes at the State
their tallies online at www.birdsource.org. Forest Nursery (a great place to see hawks,
These reports create an exciting real-time native sparrows, chickadees, nuthatches, and
picture of where the birds are across the much more!). You will have opportunities to
continent and contribute valuable information learn clues to each bird’s identity, to make
for science and conservation. Anyone can your own book of the birds you see, to be a
participate, from beginning bird watchers to sleuth and solve some bird name puzzles, to
experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes. It’s enter your sightings into the GBBC database,
free, fun, easy—and it helps the birds. and more! We will also have refreshments and
“These volunteers are counting not only for door prizes.
fun but for the future,” said Tom Bancroft, Call Wild Birds Unlimited of Ames at 515-
D C Edwards
Chief Science Officer for Audubon. “It’s fun 956-3145 or Story County Conservation at
to see how many different kinds of birds can 515-232-2516 by 5:00 PM on Friday February
be seen and counted right in your backyard or 15th to reserve your space!
neighborhood park. Each tally helps us learn Linda Thomas
more about how our North American birds are
doing, and what that says about the health and

Volume 43 No. 3 January-February 2008

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.