September-October 2006 Big Bluesterm Flyer Big Bluestem Audubon Society

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Big Bluestem FlyerBig Bluestem Flyer

Volume 42, Number 1 September/October 2006

Programs

September 21, 2006The Return of the Bald Eagle

Bruce Ehr esman is a Wildlife DiversityProgram Biologist with the Iowa Department ofNatural Resources and has been working with that

program (formerly Nongame Program) since its

inception in 1981. He has both undergraduate andgraduate degrees in Animal Ecology from Iowa

State University and feels fortunate to be involvedwith restoration efforts with species such as Bald

Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, and Barn Owl.This program is about the amazing recovery of a

species that humans almost eliminated from theplanet. The life history of Iowa's Bald Eagles is

included with many fine photos, and the story will

be offered of how, with human help, the Bald Eaglehas returned from near extinction to enjoy a more

common status today within Iowa's landscape.Dinner: 5:45 The Mandarin- 415 Lincolnway,

Ames

October 19, 2006 Survey of Whiterock Conservancy

Tom Rosbur gTentative program. Check our website later.

Field Trips

September 10 (Sunday)Polk City Wildlife Area, Saylorville Lake, and

Pelican FestivalPelican Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at

Camp Area #2 in Jester Park on the west side of

Saylorville Lake. American White Pelican,Osprey, and waterfowl viewing, and activities

for all ages. Sponsored by Polk Co.

Conservation Board, Des Moines Audubon, IowaAudubon, and the Wildlife Diversity Program ofthe Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources.

Meet in parking lot behind Ames Wild BirdsUnlimited (WBU) at 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

October 15Saylorville Lake and Po lk City Wildlife Area

for gulls, waterfowl, and lingering shorebirds.Meet in parking lot behind Ames WBU at 7:30

am.

November 18

Lake Red Rock, Runnells Natural Area, andPinchey Bottoms for Waterfowl viewing

DecemberChristmas Bird Counts.

Page 2Officers and CommitteesPresidents Corner

Page 3Presidents Introduction

Page 4Don Williams Lake Osprey Project

Page 5Upper Midwest Audubon ConferenceGreat Lakes Ecosystem Restoration Conf.In Memory of Janet Jepeway

In This Issue

Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society

Page 6Pelican FestivalTeachers Treasures

Page 7New MembersMembership FormCoupons

Page 8Iowa DNR License Plates

Unless otherwise indicated, field trips leavepromptly 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 theparticipants. Contact Jeff Nichols (515-795-4176,

([email protected]) for more information.

Program meetings are held monthly, September-May on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30

pm, Extension & 4-H Building, Iowa StateUniversity, Ames, Iow a.

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 [email protected]


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2 Big Bluestem Flyer September/October 2006

Big Bluestem Audubon SocietyOfficers and Committees

OfficersPresident: Lynne Brookes 434-2028 [email protected]: Royce Bitzer 233-6741 [email protected]: Bruce Ehresman 296-2995

[email protected]: Ed Carbrey 292-2404

Board MembersShane Patterson 232-4682 [email protected]: Nichols 795-4176 [email protected] Doud 515-795-4176, [email protected]

Kelly Weichers 319-231-6999, [email protected] Danaher [email protected]

The mission of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society is to enjoy the

observation and study of birds and natural ecosystems, contribute

to their conservation and restoration, engage in educational

activities to benefit humanity, and gain a broader understanding

and deeper appreciation of the world we live in.

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

weatherbird.opencominc.comConservation Chair: Bruce Ehresman (See Officers)Education Chair: Amy Yoakum, 232-2516

[email protected] Trip Chair: Jeff Nichols (See Board Members)

Membership Chair: Jon Bahrenfus [email protected] Chair: Royce Bitzer (See Officers)Publicity Chair: Kelly Weichers (See Board Members)Publications & Electronic Media Co-Chairs:David Edwards 292-3790 [email protected] Bahrenfus [email protected]

BBAS Web Site:http://BigBluestemAudubon.org

Presidents Corner and I ntroduction

Greetings fellow bird gazers! With summer winding down (will it ever?) and fall just around the corner, well

have lots of exciting migrators coming through and mixing with our locals. All the travelers will be looking for fast

food as they traverse hundreds to thousands of arduous miles-- so dont forget to clean and fill your feeders as you

prepare to admire and perhaps tally some new birds. Good luck identifying the LBJs as they zip through!

As the new BBAS 2006-2007 president, Ive been asked to introduce myself. First though, I would like to

express how honored I feel to represent our group and to follow in the footsteps of former BBAS president Linda

Thomas who did such an effective and conscientious job heading our organization the last two years. Her real love

of birds and nature education kept her going strong both in beating back challenges to her health and in helping

the BBAS to progress along its respected path. I know that Linda, John Pohlman, Karl Jungbluth and other past

presidents will be in the wings for all of us.

Where to start? I feel that Ive already lived several lives! I was born 58 years ago in upper state New York. I

was six when my father (Elec. Eng.) took a job at Lockheed in So. California and my family spent a month driving

across country, camping out at most of the East to West state and national parks. This first big trip ushered in a

fun childhood of weekend, holiday and vacation camping trips for my two brothers, my sister and me all over the

U.S. and down to Mexico. My dad loved to explore and hike and my mother had studied biology and botany and

loved sharing the wonders all around with us children. She got me a microscope and a subscription to a kids

nature magazine. The nature or nurture issue of my own intense fascination with and respect for the outdoors

and all things living is blurred. I had all sorts of pets that I cared for carefully, a small pond my dad and I dug, and

I gardened some. I spent a couple of summers as a volunteer nature interpreter at a local wash. I wanted to

travel right after high school but conceded to my parents that I would at least just try one college class that

summer. I enrolled in botanyand was hooked. Ive been going to school or self-educating ever since.

In my first life I earned a B.A. degree in biology and a teaching credential. Upon graduation, I taught biology,

ecology, (basic) genetics and teaching methodology at a university in Arequipa, Peru for nearly three years as a

Peace Corps Volunteer. My students were all going to become secondary science teachersonly problem was most

of them were terrified of living creatures as rote education was all they had ever been exposed to. We did lots of

field work to surmount this obstacle and set up a hands on learning lab. I remember riding my horse out early

before classes to collect liverworts, ferns and other plant materials and buying lungs, hearts, dead guinea pigs and

other such at the mercado for use in classes. One of our field trips was to a small local slaughterhouse so the

students could see that, yes, there were parasites in the local herds. During the two summers I designed and

taught workshops for secondary science teachers in Cuzco. These wonderful teachers (42 total)(cont. next page)


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September/October 2006 Big Bluestem Flyer 3

attended the six week courses traveling to the school and housing themselves at their own expense just to become

better, more modern teachers.

My second life began when I returned to California and taught jr. high and high school biology and Spanish

for eleven years in Davis. We also bred, raised and showed Peruvian Paso horses that we brought back with us

from Peru. During that time I put my former husband through vet school and we started a veterinary practice.

Upon his graduation, I went back to school at U.C. Davis while teaching half time and earned an M.Ed. and an

M.S. in International Agriculture. After amicably parting ways with my husband I headed back into international

development working at Winrock International with headquarters in Arkansas.

My third life began when I lived on Petit Jean Mountain. for four and a half years managing an eleven million

dollar IDB project with Argentina for training 192 of their INTA (USDA equiv.) employees to the M.S. or Ph.D.

level in 12 countries and about 60 universities. All the INTA employees brought their families with them so there

were about 900 people involved in the program. I spent some time at various Argentine research stations to better

understand where the students would be returning. Another part of my work was to visit the study sites

evaluating student progress and living situationswhich is how I first came to ISU! I was also at this time

professionally involved at the regional and national levels with foreign student affairs.

My fourth life began in 1990 when the then Director of International Agriculture Programs, Dr. Harold

Crawford (now a BBAS member!) offered me the opportunity to work full time managing various projects and to

simultaneously work towards a doctoral degree. Those were great and crazy years. I also met my wonderful

husband to be, Derrick, at this time. After graduation I had the opportunity to return to Winrock but decided to

stay in Iowa and work as Executive Administrator at Derrick and his partners budding solar energy company,

Iowa Thin Film Technologies, now known as PowerFilm, Inc.

In my present life, I am happily married to a Derek, a physicist who loves the natural world and live on a 10

acre old farmstead that we have re-modeled for wildlife habitat. Two years ago we added a 5,000 gal. 6.5 ft. deep

natural pond and two small bogs. These additions have started an even greater parade of new species to our little

island in the sea of fields around us. We share our lives with many wild critters outside and live with a European

starling (yes!), two small parrots, six finches, a few fish, lots of plants, four horses, and two Irish setters. If you

come visit youll laugh as you watch a parrot, then a starling, then another parrot come sailing down from their

room to fly through the kitchen and land on you. They are a hilarious trio and we have learned a lot because of

them and from them. We are members of a number of organizations. Some local ones include the Iowa Prairie

Network, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and Story County Partners. I am a member of the National and

the Iowa Wildlife Rehabilitators Associations and have worked in wildlife rehabilitation with the ISU Wildlife Care

Clinic for nearly three years. I provide programs on home wildlife habitat development and newly on variousaspects of the lives of local Iowa birds. Most recently I provided a program for the Mid-America Cage Bird Society

looking at the cross over learning from those raising companion birds and the care of birds in wildlife

rehabilitation.

Over the years I have heard and observed many good things about the role the BBAS plays in our community.

As BBAS president I wish to support the activities that have earned us such an excellent reputation. Most

importantly your BBAS board members and I would like to hear from members regarding your interests. Our

contact information is found in each newsletter and I encourage each of you to contact me and others on your board

with suggestions, questions, and ideas for improvement.

Finally, come to the monthly programs-- theyre great! Dont be shy. After this monologue you at least know me!

Lynne Brookes


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September/October 20064 Big Bluestem Flyer

Upda te on Don Williams Lake Osprey Projec t

Although ospreys migrate through Iowa with regularity, there have not been any documented nests in

the state during modern time, but oral stories from certain Indian tribes tell of nesting ospreys in the

state in the past. In about 1997, the Iowa DNR began a program to try to get these majestic birds to nest

in the state instead of just migrating through.

As part of the reintroduction program, young osprey from nests in Wisconsin and Minnesota are

brought into Iowa. The birds are placed in a hack tower for a few weeks with the hope that they will

imprint on the area where they fledge and then return near the area to breed and raise a family. Male

ospreys have a strong tendency to return to within about 25 miles of where they were raised, while the

females may nest as far as 100 to 150 miles away. After the young birds fledge, they will leave Iowa in

the fall to go down to South America, returning in about 20-22 months. Osprey usually dont nest

successfully until they are about 4 years old.

The fourth season of the osprey reintroduction at Don Williams Lake in Boone County is well under

way with two big events occurring. Five young ospreys were released from the hack tower on August 7.

These birds came from Minnesota a few weeks before they were old enough to fly. Volunteers have been

feeding and caring for the birds, but now it is time for the young osprey to fly and learn to catch their

own fish rather than relying on humans for food. Although they will still need to be fed fish on a daily

basis, the osprey will gradually become totally independent. This is a traumatic time for the birds and

the people who help with the program but things usually work out well for most of the birds. This yearfour of the five birds fledged from the hack tower within two

days of the door opening. There is one remaining bird to

fledgeit will probably leave the hack tower soon. It is fun to

watch these young birds make their first attempt at flight and

they soon become amazing flyers. Learning to fish without the

help of an adult bird is quite a challenge, but by the end of

August or early September the birds will probably be catching

fish on their own.

The other big excitement this summer at Don Williams Lake

is that a pair of osprey flew in this spring and built a nest.

They produced two young which will likely have fledged by thetime you read this article. The adults and young are all doing

well and the people at Don Williams Lake are very proud and

protective of these birds. The adult male at this nest is a banded bird that came from the 2001 Osprey

reintroduction program at Saylorville Lake and the adult female is an unbanded bird. This event is an

important confirmation that the reintroduction program is working in Iowa. There are at least four

nests in Iowa this year including one at Saylorville. Most if not all of these nests involve at least one

adult osprey that has come from the reintroduction program.

The Big Bluestem Chapter has supported the Osprey reintroduction program at both Saylorville and

Don Williams Lake. The Chapter donated a spotting scope and provided financial support to the

program. A number of Chapter members have worked as volunteers in caring for the osprey chicks. This

investment of time and money has paid good dividends. The public is enthused about the osprey projectand many people come out to watch the birds in action. Those interested in observing the ospreys at Don

Williams Lake can get a good view from the shelter house on the west side of the lake.

There are many sites where ospreys could potentially nest in the central Iowa area including along the

Des Moines River and at area lakes. In looking at a map today, I noticed that it is a distance of only

about 22 miles from Don Williams Lake to Ada Hayden Park. Maybe someday one of those Boone

County Ospreys may wander in with a mate and decide to take up residence.

Jon Bahrenfus


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Newsletter Material DeadlinesBecause 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 October, December, February, and April.

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

5September/October 2006 Big Bluestem Flyer

Upper Midwest Audubon ConferenceSaturday and Sunday, October 14 and 15, Ho-Chunk Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells/Baraboo, WI

We hope to strengthen Audubon Chapters in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to make a

greater environmental impact in our communities through successful conservation and advocacy

programs. The keynote speech will be, "In Search of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker," delivered by Jim

Fitzpatrick, executive director of the St. Croix Valley Nature Center in Hastings, MN. Also, please

consider coming a day early, October 13, for No Bird Left Behind, Bird Interactions with Tall

Structures and How to Reduce the Risk programs.

For more information, see www.madisonaudubon.org/audubon or contact Marsha Cannon, Madison

Audubon Society, [email protected], 608-327-0129.

Great Lakes Ecosystem Restoration ConferenceNovember 3-5, Chicago area (exact location to be determined)

The Great Lakes watershed is one of the world's most significant ecological systems, on which the

region's fisheries, birds, other wildlife, and people depend. These are exciting times for Great Lakes

restoration. Be a part of it on November 3-5! Learn about important bird areas (IBAs) in the Great

Lakes watershed. Great Lakes experts will lead discussions on restoration. Attend workshops on citizen

science, advocacy skill building, exotic invasive aquatic species, and media training. Join us for the

Friday evening reception and participate in Great Lakes restoration work on Sunday.

We hope you can make it. Please send us your email address if you would like to receive additional

details about the conference once they become available. Drop a line to Karen Orenstein, National

Outreach Coordinator, [email protected], 202-861-2242 x3002. Feel free to contact us with any

questions or concerns.

In Memory of BBAS member Janet Jepeway (Feb . 6, 1942 - June 20, 2006)

Janet loved the Ames community and had resided here since 1969. Janets community involvement

included memberships in Ames Camera Club, Big Bluestem Audubon Society, Iowa Ornithologists

Union, and Friends of Central Iowa Biking, and has been a committed board member and vice-president

of the Ames Historical Society. In that role she was responsible for launching the Societys building fund

by recruiting an anonymous donor. At her own initiative she developed the Halletts/Hayden Project in

which she created an historical record illustrated by over 1,500 photos of Halletts Quarry and its

restoration as Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Many residents will recall attending her photo exhibits and

presentations given at Story County Conservation as well as the presentation at the Ada Hayden

Heritage Park dedication. Janets passions have been nature appreciation and photography. She began

taking pictures at age ten when she was given a Brownie camera. She has enjoyed travel throughout the

U.S. as well as Japan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, India, and Australia. As a creative artist, Janet

enjoyed doing macram and exhibited at the Art Thing in the mid-1970s. Many organizations have

benefited from her interpersonal and organizational skills. Friends will remember her empathy for

humankind and love of nature (particularly birds).

Memorials may be donated to the Ames Historical Society, Story County Conservation, Big Bluestem

Audubon Society, Ames Area Amateur Astronomers, or Ames Camera Club.Royc e Bitzer


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6 September/October 2006Big Bluestem Flyer

Mysteries of Migration Spotlighted at 2006 Pelican Festival

Did you know that Saylorville Lake provides a resting spot for one of the largest fall gatherings of the

American White Pelican in the world? Up to 10,000 American White Pelicans migrate to the lake

between mid-August and September as they make their way south for the winter. Polk County

Conservation welcomes the public to capture breathtaking views of these pelicans at Jester Park in

Granger, Iowa, on Sunday, September 10. The Pelican Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This year's festival will feature the mysteries of migration. Special displays and programs will help

visitors better understand flyways, how birds navigate and the importance of Iowa's waterways asresting spots.

Activities for all ages will educate participants about pelicans, waterfowl, osprey, and their amazing

migrations. Public education programs will take place all day on the half hour. Youth activities and

refreshments will be on-site. Spotting scopes, staffed by trained birders, will be available. View live

birds of prey on exhibit and two raptor releases at 2 & 4 p.m.

The Pelican Festival is a free special event sponsored by Polk County Conservation, U.S. Army Corps

of Engineers-Saylorville Lake, Iowa Audubon, Des Moines Audubon Society, and the IA DNR Wildlife

Diversity Team. For directions

to Jester Park, please contact

Polk County Conservation at(515) 323-5300 or visit the

website at

www.leadingyououtdoors.org.

TEACHER TREASURE COLLECTIONS

Last Spring, we started a new Audubon project by 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 classroomsupply 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:

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.

Call your closest elementary school and talk to the art teacher or to the 1 st, 2nd grade or kindergarten

teacher and ASK for suggestions. It would be nice if you identified yourself as an Audubon member andexplained this project!

Or, collect treasures to bring 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!

Jea nne Edw ards


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Big Bluestem FlyerSeptember/October 2006 7

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

Brekke's Town & Country Store, Inc.1 1/2 miles east of I-35 on new U.S. 30 and 1/4 mile north

Hours: 8-6 M-F, 8-4 Sat. (515) 232-7906

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

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

Offer good until October 31, 2006

Membership Application forms

Clip and JoinDont forget gift memberships!

New member of the National Audubon Society. You will

receive theAudubon magazine, theBig Bluestem Flyer,membership card. $20Please make your check payable to National AudubonSociety and include Chapter Code H-57 on the check

Subscribe to theBig Bluestem Flyer for one year andparticipate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities $10Restrictions are that you will not be a National Audubon Societymember or have voting privileges, and you cannot be an officer orcommittee chair. Please make your check payable toBig Bluestem

Audubon Society.

Send your check and this coupon toJon Bahrenfus, Membership Chair1050 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.

OR

Donate 10%of Your NextPurchase to

Big Bluestem Audubon Society

BIRDSEED FEEDERS BIRDBATHS OPTICS NATURE GIFTS

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

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

Offer Expires: 10-31-06

Welcom e New memb ers

Norma AdroenTodd Crow

Susan GwiasdaLisa Hein

Evelyn OstranderMarlys Swanson

Mrs. William SwitzerTom TextorJane Traver

Arlee Brunsvold

Marge DarrowDiane Drake

Roger Heiden

Betty KinzlerJerrine McCaffrey

Katie Pattee

Doris Richards

Brad SocknessDelmar TiggesIsabelle Toot

Gretchen Van Houton

Steven WarnerBeth Douglass

Wayne FullerSarah Franklin

Harriet SimmonsJoan Welch


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IfyouhaveanXafteryournameonyourmailinglabel,thiswillbeyourlast

issueoftheFlyerunlessyourenew.

Non-ProfitOrg.U.S.PostagePaid

PermitNo.131Ames,Iowa

BigBluestemFlyerDavidC.Edwards,EditorBigBluestemAudubonSocietyPOBox543Ames,IA50010-0543

Printed on Recycled paper

Wewelcomenewmembers!

September/October 2006Vol 42 No. 1

Natural Resource Plates Ava ilab le

Have you purchased your Natural Resources license plates yet? The

traditional American Goldfinch and Wild Rose are just one choice. Iowa

wildlife artist, Greg Bordignons award winning Pheasant and Bald Ea-

gle can also adorn your custom plate and designate money for Iowas

Wildlife Diversity Program and Iowas Resource Enhancement and Pro-

tection Program (REAP). The money that goes to the Wildlife Diversity

Program is actually doubled, because it is matched with federal State

Wildlife Grant (SWG) money.

Please support Iowas wildlife diversity and purchase your Natural

Resources license plate today at your county treasurers office.Bruce Ehresma n

Documents

September-October 2006 Big Bluesterm Flyer Big Bluestem Audubon Society