What is the NOU?

The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was founded in 1899, making it one of the oldest organizations in Nebraska devoted to the natural sciences. Even though our name may sound a bit old-fashioned, the NOU is anything but an organization of stuffy old birdwatchers. From the beginning, its membership has included people of all ages with diverse backgrounds and experience in ornithology - from beginning birders to those with years of experience, from serious amateurs to professional ornithologists of international distinction. Then, as now, they share a common passion for the study of birds. Everyone who is interested in birds is welcome in NOU.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE N.O.U. CAN BE FOUND HERE.
CURRENT BYLAWS CAN BE FOUND IN THE JANUARY 2005 NEWSLETTER.

Horned Lark - Eremophila alpestris Lark Sparrow - Chondestes grammacus

Why Join NOU?

Nebraska is the crossroads of North America, where birds of eastern, western, northern and southern distributions converge, and it is located along a major migration flyway. Within the state's boundaries are birds of eastern deciduous forest, Rocky Mountain pine forest, and of several distinctively different types of grasslands. Consequently, the birdlife of Nebraska is diverse. Over 400 species of birds have been reported in the state.

Nebraska is large and sparsely populated. NOU brings together those who share a fascination with birds. As a member of NOU, you will become part of a statewide network of people like you. You will learn from others, and share information about when and where to find birds, how to identify difficult species, and more about bird habits and behavior. A founding principle of NOU was that anyone sincerely interested in birds can contribute to their study and preservation. No group in the state is better prepared to help the beginner gain knowledge about Nebraska's birdlife than are NOU members.

Publications

Members receive The Nebraska Bird Review, the quarterly journal of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. Each year, this publication includes a wealth of information about Nebraska birdlife - reports of bird studies, Christmas bird counts, seasonal occurrence reports, breeding bird records, notes of interest to birders, book reviews and NOU business. Topics covered as "Notes" include new state records, bird surveys from particular locations or regions, unusual sightings, species status reports and information on bird behavior and ecology. In addition to The Nebraska Bird Review, NOU members also receive the Newsletter at least four times a year - a more informal publication providing information of immediate interest to members, including details of upcoming programs and events, bird sightings, NOU business, news about members and other bird notes of interest. Both publications are packed with tidbits of bird and birding information.

Meetings, Field Trips and Privileges

Twice each year NOU holds a three-day meeting for members, usually at select birding spots around the state. The spring meeting, held in May, includes a business meeting, paper sessions, demonstrations, slide presentations, field trips and a banquet with speaker. The 'fall field days' is a more informal gathering for birding and bird talk at which birders can hone their indentification skills in areas of Nebraska they might not normally visit.

With a membership in NOU, birders will improve their access to resource material and birding aids, including the organization's extensive publication library. Field check lists and other publications are available to NOU members. As a member, you will discover new sources of information about current bird sightings (such as the Nebraska Bird Line and Rare Bird Alert). All NOU members are encouraged to report unusual bird observations for consideration in the permanent records.

Membership Rates

One Active Member

$ 15.00

One Sustaining Member

$ 25.00

Student Member

$ 10.00

Family Active

$ 20.00

Family Sustaining

$ 30.00

Life Member

$ 250.00

Current Officers

Since spammers glean e-mail addresses from web sites, please replace the 'at' symbol for the (at) and remove the blank spaces.

President and Newsletter Editor:

Urban Lehner
15526 Pierce Circle
Omaha, NE 68144
urbanity(at)hotmail. c o m
(402) 330-3888

Vice-President:

Nancy Leonard
15526 Pierce Circle
Omaha, NE 68144
neleonard(at)gmail. c o m
(402) 330-3888

Secretary:

Kevin Poague
379 So. 46th Street
Lincoln, NE 68510
kpoague(at)audubon. o r g
(402) 477-7390

Treasurer:

Betty Grenon
1409 Childs Road East
Bellevue, NE 68005
grenon925(at)aol. c o m
(402) 731-2383

Directors:

Steve Lamphere 3101 Washington St., Apt. 98 Bellevue, NE 68005 kingfisher65(at)aol. c o m (402) 291-9149
Kathy DeLara 170188 Spring Creek Rd. Mitchell, NE 69357 renosmom(at)charter. n e t (308) 632-3047
Roland Barth 4002 Hunters Cove Omaha, NE 68123 rebarth(at)cox. n e t (402) 292-6291

Past President:

Lanny Randolph
2028 34th Road
Minden, NE 68959
snowbunting(at)rcom-ne. c o m
(308) 216-0427

Editor of The Nebraska Bird Review:

Janis Paseka
1585 Co. Rd. 14 Blvd.
Ames, NE 68621
paseka76(at)gmail. c o m
(402) 727-9229

Librarian:

Anita Breckbill
3237 R Street
Lincoln, NE 68503
(402) 472-3334 State Museum
(402) 438-1300 home
abreckbil1(at)unl. e d u

Seasonal bird report compiler:

Ross Silcock
P.O. Box 57
Tabor, IA 51653
silcock(at)rosssilcock. c o m
(712) 629-5865

Breeding Bird Atlas and Nest Records Committee:

Wayne Mollhoff
1817 Boyd Street
Ashland, NE 68003
wmollhoff(at)netscape. n e t
(402) 944-2243

Records Committee Chairman:

Mark A. Brogie
508 Seely, Box 316
Creighton, NE 68729
(402) 358-5675
mbrogie(at)esu1. o r g

How to join N.O.U.

Back to the N.O.U. home page.

This web site courtesy of the Department
of Physics and Physical Science

In cooperation with the University of Nebraska at Kearney

WebMaster: Robert I. Price
price_rip(at)hotmail. c o m
This site on line since 18 May 1998