Big Bluestem Flyer

Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Volume 44, Number 5 May-June 2009

Programs Field Trips

Meeting Place
Extension & 4-H Building, I S U, Ames
The building is located at the southwest corner of 13th
St. and Stange Road. Enter off of Stange Road on the
first street south of 13th Street (Wanda Daley Drive)
May 21
Roseanne Healy
Fabulous fungi of Iowa woodlands
BBAS member Rosanne Healy will talk about
the diversity of fungi in Iowa's woodlands, and
perhaps make some converts to mushroom
mania. After all, the diversity of fruiting is at its
most spectacular in late summer when the birds
are most difficult to see. But wait! You can
multitask - identify by song while mushroom
hunting. Come find out more about these
ephemeral, at times lovely, sometimes
grotesque, and always interesting fruits of the
woods.
All field trips are free and open to the public.
May 9 Saturday)
Bird-a-thon
Several groups of BBAS birders will be spending
the day trying to see or hear the greatest number
of species, a friendly competition.
If you would like to join a team
or make a pledge to support local habitat
development and environmental education, please
contact Dave Edwards (515-292-3790 or
dcejce@dandje.org).
June 6 (Saturday)
Birders’ Brunch at McFarland Park (Story Co.)
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the park.
56461 180th St. Ames
Proceed north on N. Dayton Ave from E 13th St.
After about 4 miles, Dayton Ave ends at a "T"
intersection. Turn right (east).
The park is about a half mile, on the left.
Contact Jeff Nichols (515-795-4176, or
ozarksbirder@hotmail.com) for more
information.
After a couple of hours of good birding in the park,
we will share a pot-luck brunch.

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 Page 3
Officers and Committees Elections and Budget
President’s Corner Coupons
Membership Form Page 4
Field Trip Report
 Big Bluestem Audubon President’s Corner
Society of Central Iowa This is my last missive as President and as newsletter editor. New leadership and
Officers perhaps new directions are expected and appropriate for the coming years. At the
President: David Edwards official annual BBAS meeting in May the membership in attendance elects officers and
515-292-3790 board members. All officers are elected for one year, and board members have two-year
dcejce@dandje.org staggered terms. The current, almost-complete roster is printed herein.
Vice-President: Larry Dau Just after you get this newsletter, on May 9th, at the height of the warbler migration,
515-275-4963, we will once again be operating our Audubon Birdathon. Proceeds from this event have
lgdau@netins.net been the most important source of funds for the BBAS education and conservation
Secretary: Shane Patterson missions. (See the budget summary on page 3.) We encourage all members to take part,
515- 232-4682
shane7896@yahoo.com
either by participating in a team or by pledging funds for the cause. We expect that the
Treasurer: Michael Meetz total number of species seen will be in the neighborhood of 150 this year. Look for
515-382-2534 more information on our website.
mmeetz@iastate.edu We have had a year of first-rate programs and field trips. As planning begins for next
Board Members year during the summer, the officers and board members are always open to new leads
Mary Doud and suggestions. Contact any of them with your comments. Current email and phone
515-795-4176 data are always available on our website, along with program and trip information,
BorealBirders@hotmail.com event location details, selected Christmas Bird Count data, and a handy source for lists
Kelly Weichers of central Iowa birds you might expect to see early, middle and late of each month.
319-231-6999 David Edwards
goinfishin@hotmail.com
John Pohlman
515-232-6816,
itsartjohn@isunet.net
Tim Grotheer
515-233-9873
tgrotheer1@msn.com Clip and Join
Lloyd Crim Remember to give gift memberships!
515-5026
lcrim@opencominc.com
Special Assignments Membership Application forms
Archivist
Hank Zaletel
515-382-427 New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
madowl@midiowa.net OR receive the Audubon magazine, the Big
Bird-a-thon Bluestem Flyer, membership card. — $20
Please make your check payable to National Audubon
Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
Conservation
Bruce Ehresman
515-296-2995 Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and
Bruce.ehresman@dnr.iowa.gov participate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities — $10
Field Trips Restrictions are that you will not be a National Audubon Society
Jeff Nichols member or have voting privileges, and you cannot be an officer or
515-795-4176 committee chair. Please make your check payable to Big Bluestem
ozarksbirder@hotmail.com Audubon Society.
Publicity & Outreach
Larry Dau Send your check and this coupon to
515-275-4963, Big Bluestem Audubon Society
gdau@netins.net PO Box 543, Ames IA 50010
Schools Liaison
Amy Yoakum
515-232-2516 Name _______________________________________________
ayoakum@storycounty.com Address _____________________________________________
Newsletter Editor & Membership City_____________________ State____ ZIP_______________
David Edwards Phone ________________ E-mail _______________________
515-292-3790
dcejce@dandje.org
Please do not use this form for renewals
to the National Audubon Society.
Visit our website at http://bigbluestemaudubon.org

2 Big Bluestem Flyer May-June 2009

 At the May 21, 2009 Annual Meeting

Officer and Board Election Slate

President Larry Dau Continuing Board Members are

Vice-President Marry Doud
Treasuerer Stu Huntington Kelly (Weichers) Barnett
Secretary Shane Patterson Lloyd Crim
Board Member Hank Zaletel
Board Member Matt Wetrich.

Budgets
Income 2008-9 2008-9 2009-10 Expenses 2008-9 2008-9 2009-10
Budget Actual Proposed Budget Actual Proposed
National Rebate $ 1100 $ 1109 1100
Programs, Trips Meetings $ 250 $ 567 600
Memorials and Donations $ 200 0 0
Birdathon $ 3000 $ 3923 3000
Board Expenses, Meetings $ 300 $ 307 300
Coupons $ 200 $ 617 200 Newsletter $ 1400 $ 1213 1400
Newsletter (Local Members) $ 200 $ 70 100 Education Projects $ 1000 $ 1323 1000
Book, rummage, fundraisers $ 50 $ 20 50 Conservation Projects $ 1500 $ 5411 1000
Interest $ 10 $ 10 10 National Audubon Payments $ 300 $ 406 300

Total $ 4760 $ 5749 4460 Total $4250 $ 9233 4600

Current Funds Balance April 21, 2009 $ 4007

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
1 1/2 miles east of I-35 on new U.S. 30 and 1/4 mile north
15%
of your next Hours: 8-6 M-F, 8-4 Sat. (515) 232-7906

purchase* to Purchase Donation

Up tp $15 $1.50
Big Bluestem $15 and over $3.00
$35 and over $5.00
Audubon Society Over $70 $7.50
*Coupon must be presented at time of purchase.
Valid only on regularly-priced merchandise. Brekke’s offers Big Bluestem Audubon Society a
One coupon per purchase.
May not be combined with any other offer. donation when bird seed or other bird products are
Valid only at Wild Birds Unlimited of Ames.
purchased.
Valid through June 30, 2009
Present this coupon with your purchase and a
213 Duff Ave Ames, IA 50010 (515) 956-3145
donation will be given to BBAS.
Mon-Wed 9:30-5:30 Thurs 9:30-8
Fri 9:30-5:30 Sat 9-5 Sun 12-4
BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • NATURE GIFTS Offer good until June 30, 2009

May-June Big Bluestem Flyer 3

 Field Trip Report
River Valley Park, Edwards's feeders, Kelley, and Christiansen Forest Preserve
February 28, 2009.

The weather could have been nicer (i.e., warmer and less windy), and we had to work to find many birds.
The exception was our first stop at Jeanne and Dave Edwards's home, where we watched about two dozen
Common Redpolls empty their bird feeders. Northern Cardinals, White-breasted
Nuthatches, Pine Siskins, a White-throated Sparrow, Red-bellied, Downy, and Hairy
Woodpeckers, and Dark-eyed Juncos also visited the feeders. A Bald Eagle flew
over the yard as we were leaving. (Thanks, Dave and Jeanne,
for inviting the group to come inside to watch the feeders and
warm up!) We next visited River Valley Park in east Ames,
where Seth led us to a pair of Barred Owls. Also in this area
were a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Tufted Titmouse (heard),
and a few Brown Creepers. Afterwards we wandered around the town of Kelley, where
we found 6 Eurasian Collared-Doves. Askew Bridge Park/Cambridge Pond was birdless.
At Christiansen Forest Preserve, a flock of Cedar Waxwings added a nice splash of color
to a rather gray day (with occasional flurries). A few American Tree Sparrows were
seeking shelter from the wind at the Preserve, but we didn't find many other new species
for our day. We finished around noon with 31 species. 10 participants.
Jeff Nichols

Volume 44 No. 5 May-June 2009

unless you renew.

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

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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.