Big Bluestem Flyer
Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Volume 38, Number 4
Programs
March 20
Ric Zarwell "Audubon Iowa's Important Bird
Areas (IBA) Program" Ric is IBA Coordinator for
Iowa.
The Iowa IBA program is part of an international
effort to identify and recognize, survey and monitor, and
protect and restore essential habitats for birds. All
citizens actively involved in positive, local-level, habitat-
focused support of the areas.
April 17
Karl Jungbluth “Weather, Birds and
Birdwatching: They're connected!” Karl is Science
and Operations Meteorologist with the National 16-18 FYI. Iowa Ornithologist’s Union Spring
Weather Service in Johnston, and a Big Bluestem Meeting in Waterloo.
member. 24 Colo Ponds. Meet at the cannon at the Story Co.
People might grumble about the weather, but birds
live in it every minute of every day. Learn more about
weather patterns, their affects on bird migration, and
how to use weather information to improv e your
birdwatching success. Karl will also demonstrate the
best Internet sites to access current weather information
and track bird migrations on weather radar.
May 15 tba
__________________________________________
Program meetings are held monthly, September-May
(except as noted above) on the third Thursday of the
month at 7:30 pm, Room 2226 Veterinary Medicine
Building, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
If you would like to meet and dine with the speaker and
the BBAS Board before the monthly meeting, please
contact John Snyder to confirm space and location at
515-232-8824 or jesnyder@ix.netcom.com
In This Issue
Page 2 Officers and Committees
President’s Column
Page 3 Ada Hayden Park Update
Oak Forest Feeders
Karl’s Backyard
Meetz Prairie Winds
March/April 2003
Field Trips
March
15 Greene County to see some of the waterfowl
habitat of Greene County, including Squirrel Hollow
Wildlife Ar ea and Dunbar Slough
April
19 Woodland Mounds Preserve and Lake
Ahquabi (Warren Co.)
May
10 Bird-a-thon. Join Audubon's all-day birding and
fundraising event. Prizes will be awared. Contact Karl
Jungbluth for more information (515-432-5057).
Courthouse in Nevada at 8:00. Trip Leader: Hank
Zaletel (515-382-5427).
June
7 Annual Birder’s Brunch at Ledges State Park
(Boone Co.). Meet in the upper Ledges at 8:00. We’ll bird
as we hike down the hill and have brunch in the lower
Ledges. Please bring a food item to share.
.
Unless otherwise indicated, regular field trips leave
promptly at 8:00 am from the public parking lot west
of (behind) the Ames Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU),
located south of the railroad tracks at 213 Duff Ave. Trip
destinations are subject to change based on recent rare
bird sightings and the desires of the participants.
Contact Jeff Nichols for more information at
515-795-4176 or jnichols1961@hotmail.com
Page 4 Field trip reports
Hallett's Quarry Photo Exhibit And Programs
Chickadee Checkoff and Wildlife Diversity
Page 5 Birdathon Announcement
Page 6 Birdathon Sponsor Sheet
Page 7 New Members
Membership Form
Coupons
Page 8 Boone Christmas Bird Count Results
 Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Officers and Committees
Officers
President: John Pohlman 232-6816 pohlman@city.ames.ia.us
Vice-President: Linda Thomas 292-7534 wbuames@mcleodusa.net
Secretary: [vacant]
Treasurer: Donna Flanagan 268-0458 ddflana@iastate.edu
Board Members
Bruce Ehresman 296-2995 behresma@opencominc.com
Jeff: Nichols 795-4176 jnichols1961@hotmail.com
Maridel Jackson 515-964-0140 mpwj410@covad.net
Wolfgang Oesterreich 515-232-3285 (h) wolf@iastate.edu
Matt Wetrich 956-4299 mwetrich@iastate.edu
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 296-2995
behresma@opencominc.com
Education Chair: Ida Johnson 233-4831 iwindj@aoLcom
Field Trip Chair: Jeff Nichols jnichols1961@hotmail.com
Membership Chair: Al Johnson 233-4831 awindj@aol. com
Program Chair: John Snyder 232-8824 jesnyder@ix.netcom.com
Publicity Chair: Linda Thomas 292-7534 wbuames@mcleodusa.net
Publications & Electronic Media Co-Chairs: David Edwards 292-3790
dcejce@qwest.net and Joyce Bahrenfus 275-3263 jbahren@netins.net
BBAS Web Site: http://www.wyalusing.org/BBAS.htm
Iowa Bird Sightings Hotline 319-338-9881
Wildlife Care Clinic 515-294-4900
The mission of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society 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.
Carried On The Wind
I’ve been given a gift of this I’m certain
A ray of hope through the darkest curtain
Sometimes when I don’t even know
Or on days at an all time low
Sweet sounds I’ve often heard
Come from some tiny bird
They carry my blues on their lofty flight
Forgotten clear out of sight
Replaced with the sound of cheer
Each time they reappear
Music carried on the wind
Paints my face with a grin
Thanks little bird for the spirits you lift
And thank you Mother Nature for this gift
Georgine Wessell
2 Big Bluestem Flyer
President’s Column
How often do you pause to think what inspires your
interest in birds? Recently I have been giving that
notion some reflection. I would like to share my
ruminations with you, in hopes of moving you to
appreciate your current interest in our winged-friends,
and also to encourage you to reflect on new Audubon
inspirations. What is it really that inspires us to slog
through snow or a trample through bramble under-
brush? Or battle a cutting wind so brisk that your eyes
tear up just trying look through the binoculars?
Now I know some of you keep a written life list of
the birds that you have seen. Some of you do quick
sketches capturing fleeting moments of flight. Some of
you have become expert photographers forever
engraving details of colorful birds in their lush
landscapes and skyscapes. I suspect there are some of
you, who like me, keep a mental list of what is
observed. My memories are more important to me
than lists, since I would have a tough time quickly
jotting those birds names on a list, and I can paint a
verbal picture that illustrated what I was seeing,
where I was at, what I was doing, or how I felt when I
first really saw the bird. A good example would be
witnessing a cormorant diving more than fifty feet for
fish in Lake Superior while I was kayaking with Jim
Pease a few years ago. Now maybe I had seen
cormorants before but none like those, in those
surroundings, at that moment; they were special, and
I was special in that place with those birds, people,
sky, on the water. These are the moments with birds
that always inspire, and are always part of my
cherished memory.
Looking to learn, learning to understand, and
transforming understanding into inspiration is one
reason I search for birds. It is the activity that we are
doing that gives us inspiration. We become observers,
students, teachers, artists, writers, and naturalists.
We are more intense and aware of surroundings, yet
calmer, more observant, and ourselves, and we keep
looking, learning, understanding. We are more
determined to become involved in issues about our
environment.
I have a friend, Georgine Wessell, who is a naturalist and
educator for Monona County Conservation. Daily, in sunshine,
drizzle, snow, she hikes the hilly land of the loess in western
Iowa, watches birds soar on unseen air currents, examines
prairie and timber plants, rejoices in hearing the voices of the
wild, and takes great joy in sharing her discovers with others.
One of her poems, inspired by her great and personal outdoors,
was written on the New Years Day, 1998. It is presented in the
box to the left.
So whatever your passion in bird watching, I hope you feel
inspired. I hope you are filled with joy.
John Pohlman
March/April 2003
 Karl’s Backyard
North edge of Ledges SP—Boone County
The cardinals have been singing since January 31st.
Some people say that the cardinals sing in response to a
warm, spring-like day, but then why have I heard their
beautiful song on frosty February mornings with
temperatures in the single digits? And why are the
males chasing each other around the feeders in a
snowstorm, when a few weeks ago ten of them co-existed
quite well? My guess is that the cardinals respond to
the lengthening days. We’re gaining 3 minutes every
day now.
At sunset, we still see a single immature White-
throated Sparrow feeding on the ground with the
cardinals. And on February 5th, a dozen Cedar
Waxwings settled into a recycled Christmas tree that I
“planted” near the feeders to provide the birds shelter
from the wind.
Karl Jungbluth
Steven D’Amato
Oak Forest Feeders
Southwest edge of Ames
Mid-December to Mid-February feeder activity
remains slower than average years but with a few
highlights. Since the first really hard freeze in January,
flocks of Cedar Waxwings drop from the trees to our
heated water dish almost daily. We’ve counted as many
as 12 drinking at once with dozens more in the trees
waiting turns. A Sharp-shinned Hawk took over the
feeding station for a time for it’s own purposes. For one
brief lucky moment a Northern Shrike swooped at birds
on the water dish. It didn’t score, sat for a time, flew at
the brush pile, sat a little while, and then sailed over the the park sometime in late October or early November, 2003. We
neighbor’s house. That’s a first for our yard list. Sunday all are anxiously waiting.
(Feb.9) a robin came for a short drink. And, the past four
weeks a Yellow-shafted Flicker pair have taken
ownership and squatting rights to a peanut feeder --
even the Red-bellied Woodpeckers leaves them alone.
Dave and Jeanne Edwards
March/April 2003
Meetz Prairie Winds
Northeast of Ames a few miles
Saint, our golden retriever, and I ramble about on a
late January day, following the dry crackling trail that
bisects our two frozen potholes. Her nose to the ground,
Saint attempts to interpret the stories of passing crit-
ters, but with so little moisture available it is no doubt a
tough read. We discover many night roosts of Pheasant
and other smaller grassland birds, most likely our local
Junco and Tree Sparrow flocks.
Along our south fencerow the “pup” flushes a small
group of Red-winged Blackbirds that land on the mul-
berry brush pile marking the spot were a former wind-
downed tree had broken a steel post and stretched the
fence. Earlier, with chainsaw in hand I had removed it
so as not to stretch neighborly relations with the owner
to our south. Scat in the area indicates that raccoons are
using this brush pile as a new meeting place.
From here I headed north to walk across the clear,
dark ice to check Wood Duck boxes.
One, recently used by a Eastern Screech Owl, was not
occupied. A few small grey feathers and two small grey
fur-filled pellets below the box were all that remained.
The dog and I headed back through the dull, drab and
dried prairie vegetation, flushing Tree Sparrows above,
while I pondered the life locked in the soil awaiting bet-
ter times.
Saturday brings us a snowfall that finally covers most
everything with some much needed moisture. Most of
the darker prairie plants stand upright against the
winds, providing texture and contrast to the snow. We
eat lunch and watch our bird feeding station. Linda
spots a mature male Northern Harrier gliding atop the
prairie to the south. It seems the Harrier has similar
dining interests. Not letting the northeasterly winds
dampen its hunting attempts, the bird glides, swoops,
and lilts, seeming to disappear and then reappear out of
nowhere. The silver, white and grey colors flash then
blend with the driving snows. It suddenly drops straight
into an area of foxtail and golden rod. We do not see it
rise until later that same afternoon.
It must have decided to eat-in and not carry-out.
Mike & Linda Meetz
Ada Hayden Park Update
Nancy Carroll, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of
Ames says that despite delays, they are still planning on opening
John Pohlman
In spring, I always feel that the marshes belong to the
ducks.”
Paul L. Errington in Of men and marshes
Big Bluestem Flyer 3
 Field Trip Report
January 18, 2003. Holst State Forest. Six
participants braved the cold and wind to begin the 2003
field trip season. A quick check of the Ames Quarry
produced one Mallard and lots of Canada Geese. No luck
finding the Northern Goshawk reported on the ISU
campus. At the State Forest, we hiked the trails down
the hill, observing many indications of woodpecker
activity, including some holes that appeared to be the
handiwork of Pileated Woodpeckers. We next found
several Bald Eagles on the nearby Des Moines River.
Joyce and Jon Bahrenfus invited the group over for
cookies and hot chocolate. Thank you, Jon and Joyce! At
their busy feeders, we added several species to our trip
list, including Purple Finch. Other highlights for the trip
were Rough-legged Hawk and an "Oregon" Junco.
Jeff Nichols
The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Hallett's Quarry Photo Exhibit And Programs purchased from Wildlife Diversity Program staff, or by
With permission from the City of Ames, Ames
Photographer and BBAS member Janet Jepeway has
been photographing Hallett's Quarry, now Ada Hayden
Heritage Park, since its' purchase over a year ago. She
has taken 1,000 pictures and slides and spent 200 hours
at the quarry for the purpose of providing historical
documentation of its appearance before restoration. The
exhibit photos document how the quarry looked in the
first months of City of Ames ownership.
All photographs in the exhibit are for sale. Profits
after expenses will be donated to the restoration of the
quarry as a park .
Friday, April 25, 2003, 7 pm
Opening Reception for the exhibit and a Program on Pat.Schlarbaum@dnr.state.ia.us. If you would like, you
Ada Hayden by Deb Lewis, Curator of the Ada Hayden may also request that Pat add your email address to the
Herbarium in the Botany Dept at Iowa State University: list to receive information on Nongame funding bills, as
Ada Hayden, Champion of Iowa Prairies. Story County
Conservation Center, McFarland Park.
Sunday, May, 18, 2003, 2 to 4 pm
"Walk Thru" by Janet with a supporting Program on
Hallett’s Quarry by Dennis Wendell, Board Member of
the Ames Heritage Association: Hunting, Farming and
Quarrying: 2000 Years of Human Activity at Hallett's
Quarry. -- Story County Conservation Center,
McFarland Park.
Chickadee Checkoff and Wildlife Diversity
We who work with the Iowa DNR Wildlife Diversity
Program (WDP) continue to do what we can with a very
limited budget. Because most of our revenue is still
derived from the “Chickadee Checkoff“ (Fish and
Wildlife Protection Fund) donations on Iowa’s Income
Tax forms, we continue to be very dependent on Iowans’
generosity to keep our program alive. With the funding
that we receive, we are able to continue the programs to
reintroduce or restore species like Peregrine Falcons,
Ospreys, Trumpeter Swans, and Bald Eagles. Plus, we
are very much involved in enhancing bird populations
through our efforts to establish Bird Conservation Areas
and promote Important Bird Areas. Since tax season is
here, please remember to contribute to the Wildlife
Diversity Program through the Chickadee Checkoff.
On a related subject, the new Nongame Support
Certificate for 2003 is now available. The $5 cost of this
collectible photograph also goes directly to the Wildlife
Diversity Program. The wonderful picture, taken by
noted Iowa wildlife photographer Ty Smedes, features a
mother bobcat and her kittens. The certificate may be
order from the DNR License Bureau, Wallace State
Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319.
The other subject that I wish to mention is how you
can get on our email list to receive the Wildlife Diversity
Program “E-News” and/or receive updates or postings of
the Conservation And Restoration Act (CARA) and
related funding bills for nongame wildlife. As many of
you know, budget constraints caused the Wildlife
Diversity Program to cease putting out a newsletter
several years ago. In its place, we are now creating an
electronic version of the newsletter, WDP “E-News.” If
you wish to receive this electronic newsletter, please
send your email address and name to Wildlife Diversity
Program staff member, Pat Schlarbaum, at
well.
The Wildlife Diversity Program has accomplished
much during the last two decades, and with the
generous support of groups like Big Bluestem Audubon
Society, we look forward to doing mor e for our wild
neighbors!
Bruce Ehresman

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 next deadline will be the fifteenth of April.
David Edwards, Editor

4 Big Bluestem Flyer March/April 2003

Birdathon!
Big Bluestem Audubon Society– bringing people together to help birds
May 10, 2003

The annual Birdathon is Pledges Support These

Big Bluestem Audubon’s Worthy Causes
biggest fundraising event.
Other groups have their • Iowa’s Important Bird Areas–
walkathons, bikeathons Identify, monitor and conserve
and bowlathons, but only places essential to birds
Audubon has Birdathon! • Audubon Adventures educational
materials for local schools
We count birds to raise funds for birds. • Osprey Introduction Project at
Anyone can do a Birdathon. If they can’t tell Don Williams Lake
• Scholarships for the Young
a towhee from a turkey, we can teach them.
Naturalists Workshop at the
It’s fun to introduce people to birds.
Boone Y-Camp
Birdathon can be an hour in the backyard, or • All money stays in Iowa and is
a 24-hour marathon with friends. Try it! tax-deductible as allowed by law

New to birding? Looking to join up with others or a team? Don’t know where to
start? Contact Birdathon Coordinators, Karl & Carmen Jungbluth, 515-432-5057
We need ALL
There are millions of How Does it Work? chapter members to
reasons to support
1. Audubon Birdathon is a national team event. support this effort!
Birdathon— our
millions of feathered 2. Birders collect pledges from donors to support
friends need your Audubon efforts. Ask relatives, friends, neighbors, • Collect at least $20
help. co-workers to pledge a fixed amount of $10, 20, or in pledges, and join
$50, or ask them to pledge an amount per species us on May 10th.
identified. We usually see 50 to 100+ species. • If you can’t join the
3. Sign up by contacting the Birdathon Coordinators. Birdathon, support
us by sponsoring
4. Prizes and incentives: Non-members who pledge
the chapter effort.
$20 or more get a complimentary Audubon
membership. Everyone is eligible to win prizes– bird Send your
feeders, bird books, T-shirts, binoculars– good stuff donation, payable
from local businesses and national sponsors. to Big Bluestem
Audubon to
5. On May 10th, head to your favorite birding spot.
• Donna Flanagan,
Count as many species as you can. Have fun!
Treasurer, 2511
Least Bittern
Art by Steven D’Amato and Daniel S. Kilby Aspen Rd, #1,
Ames, IA 50014
The #1 reason to join
Birdathon? It’s fun! Birdathon! TM is a Trademark of the National Audubon Society • Thank You!
5
6
 Clip and Join
F New MembersE
E Don’t forget gift memberships!
Kenneth Hunt
Jim Johnson Membership Application forms
Mr-Mrs Rodney Krause
Don Franksain New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
Leonard Konopa receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer,
Breanne Nicole Marpe membership card. — $20
Wanda Mc Cay Please make your check payable to National Audubon Society
Joe Nowers and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
Donald Craig Thomas
OR

Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and

participate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities — $10
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

Al Johnson, Membership Chair
3912 Squaw Road, Ames, IA 50014

Name _________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________
City_______________________ State____ ZIP_______________
Phone __________________ E- mail ________________________
Kirsten Munson
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.

213 DUFF AVE. Brekke's Town & Country Store, Inc.

AMES, IA 50010
(515) 956-3145 1 1/2 miles east of I-35 on new U.S. 30 and 1/4 mile north
Your Backyard Birdfeeding Specialist ®
Hours: 8-6 M-F, 8-4 Sat. (515) 232-7906
Donate 10%
of your Next
Purchase Donation
Purchase Up tp $15 $1.50
To Big Bluestem Audubon Society $15 and over $3.00
& Receive 2 lbs. FREE of our Deluxe Blend
$35 and over $5.00
Coupon must be presented at time of purchase Over $70 $7.50
May not be combined with any other offer
Not valid on specially -priced merchandise
Brekke’s offers Big Bluestem Audubon Society a donation
Monday – Friday 9:30am – 5:30pm when bird seed or other bird products are purchased.
Saturday 9am – 5pm Present this coupon with your purchase and a donation will be
Sunday Noon – 4pm Offer Expires: 04/30/03
given to BBAS.
We Bring People and Nature Together ®

BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • HOUSES • BIRDBATHS Offer good until April 30, 2003
HARDWARE • BINOCS • BOOKS • NATURE GIFTS

March/April 2003 Big Bluestem Flyer 7

 Boone Christmas Bird Count Results
January 1, 2003
CANADA GOOSE 50 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER 12 EASTERN TOWHEE 2
MALLARD 12 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER 220 AMERICAN TREE SPARROW 494
BALD EAGLE (adult) 10 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER 2 FOX SPARROW 4
BALD EAGLE (imm.) 20 DOWNY WOODPECKER 342 SONG SPARROW 114
BALD EAGLE (total) 30 HAIRY WOODPECKER 88 SWAMP SPARROW 3
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 5 NORTHERN FLICKER 16 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW 28
COOPER'S HAWK 4 NORTHERN SHRIKE 2 HARRIS'S SPARROW 29
RED-TAILED HAWK 87 BLUE JAY 184 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW 1
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK 2 AMERICAN CROW 797 DARK-EYED JUNCO 1348
BUTEO SPECIES 1 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE 637 OREGON JUNCO 2
AMERICAN KESTREL 16 TUFTED TITMOUSE 83 NORTHERN CARDINAL 276
RING-NECKED PHEASANT 23 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH CW RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD 545
WILD TURKEY 104 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH 296 PURPLE FINCH 6
ROCK DOVE 201 BROWN CREEPER 16 HOUSE FINCH 65
MOURNING DOVE 27 CAROLINA WREN 1 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 734
EASTERN SCREECH OWL 24 WINTER WREN 10 HOUSE SPARROW 881
GREAT -HORNED OWL 23 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET 9
BARRED OWL 7 EASTERN BLUEBIRD 1 54 species
LONG-EARED OWL 1 AMERICAN ROBIN 3 9764 individual birds
SHORT-EARED OWL 3 EUROPEAN STARLING 1701 43 field participants
OWL SPECIES 1 CEDAR WAXWING 178 24 feeder watchers
BELTED KINGFISHER 10 SPOTTED TOWHEE 3

Vol 38 No. 4 Printed on Recycled paper March/April 2003

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

We welcome new members!

Ames, IA 50014
Ames, Iowa 2308 State Ave
Permit No. 131 Big Bluestem Audubon Society
U. S. Postage Paid David C. Edwards, Editor
Non-Profit Org. Big Bluestem Flyer