New  Members
Welcome to these new members who joined in September

Wes and Kay Tarr of North Platte
Douglas Chapman of Sioux Falls
Cynthia Miller of Lewellen
 

Mark your calendars!!!!  Wildcat Audubon will be hosting the NOU Spring 2008 meeting on May 16-18 at Trails West YMCA Camp in Scottsbluff.  More information will be in the next newsletter.
 
 

The NOU fall meeting at Halsey yielded 123 species and many memorable moments for the more than 40 birders who attended.  Common Raven was the bird of the weekend. It was only the third record of the species in Nebraska history.  A group led by Clem Klaphake spotted the bird on Clem's Breeding Bird Survey route in southern Cherry County on Saturday morning, September 29th.

Other NOUers followed Clem back to the scene Sunday morning in hopes of an encore, but whether because of the rain or the cold or just bad luck, the raven didn't materialize.

NOU Secretary Kevin Poague put out a press release trumpeting the find. It was the first NOU meeting in recent memory to produce a press release.

In a subsequent posting on NEBirds, Clem described the find this way:
"The Raven we saw in Cherry County is on my BBS route about 3 miles south of Brownlee. So I'm somewhat familiar with the area. We got a good look at it since it initially was on some roadkill (snake) in front of me. The size difference was immediately noticeable since there was a Crow right next to it. When it flew some distance away it never gained any height to see its tail - with the strong wind it just sailed away low very fast. However I did get a look at it with a scope again on a post with a crow near by."

While Clem & Co. were viewing the raven, another field trip led by Dave Heidt was enjoying looks at a Long-eared Owl at the Thedford Cemetery in Thomas County.  The owl was deep in a clump of evergreens but could not escape the watchful eye of Robin Harding.  Like the raven, the owl failed to cooperate two days in a row.

Other memorable moments included:

   --Close-up views of a regrettably deceased Common Poorwill, which Wayne Mollhoff spread out for all to see Saturday evening.

   --Wayne's photos of baby birds in the nest, some taken so far up the trees as to convince at least some observers that Wayne is not subject to the laws of gravity.

   --The cooperative Eastern Screech Owl that materialized right outside the main lodge of the 4H camp with at least half of the attendees present.

   --Bob Rooney's unbelievable photographs of the Aurora Borealis, taken in Blaine County, Nebraska.

   --NOU President Lanny Randolph proclaiming, within hearing range of witnesses who will back up my account, "Without NOU meetings, my life would have no meaning."

by Urban Lehner
 
 

Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m.

Board members present: Mark Brogie, Kathy DeLara, Betty Grenon, Dave Heidt, Alice Kenitz, Steve Lamphere, Urban Lehner, Janis Paseka, Kevin Poague, and Lanny Randolph.

Guest: Wayne Mollhoff

1) Minutes of the spring 2007 meeting were read and approved.

2) Treasurer's Report - Betty Grenon

Betty reported the NOU lost 15 members and gained about nine new members since the spring meeting, with total membership at about 200.  There are 25 to 28 library subscriptions for The Nebraska Bird Review (NBR), but about half have not renewed.

The NOU is in good financial shape.  Betty has been putting memorial donations in the endowment fund, as directed by the board at the spring meeting.  The North Platte meeting ended up making some money; the Halsey meeting probably will break even.

Betty handed out the treasurer's report and it was accepted.  She directed members' attention to the scholarship fund and asked what the NOU could do with the money.  Members discussed that the money could be offered to students and families as a way of paying part of their way to attend NOU meetings.

3) Publications Committee - Janis Paseka

Janis reported the June 2007 NBR is done and that she is working on the next issue.  She does need submissions of articles.  Paul Johnsgard's paper (see previous board minutes) is still in revision.

4) Library Committee - No report.

5) Records Committee - Mark Brogie

Mark reported the committee looked at 45 records for 2006 and voted on the validity of the sightings.  There are currently about 10 reports for 2007.  He has a draft of the 2006 report finished and ready for review. Mark's term is coming to an end and the records committee will appoint a new committee chair.

6) Breeding Bird Atlas Project II - Wayne Mollhoff

Wayne informed the board he purchased a laptop out of grant funds.  The webpage development has been slower than expected.  The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has no Information Services department to assist in getting the website up and running, and it is unclear if and when the position will be filled.  Because the commission has no server, the computerized data from the first atlas project has been lost, but Wayne has the hard copies.  Wayne also told the board he will no longer be doing the nesting reports for the NBR, as the atlas is taking up much of his time.

Wayne will put up some private money to have a color photo in the NBR associated with the atlas project.  The board discussed using NOU funds to have more photos in future issues.

7) Old Business - Lanny Randolph

Lanny asked the board about new t-shirts.  Several board members said there wasn't much enthusiasm for this when members at the spring meeting were asked their opinion.  No action was taken.

Alice said she and others from the Scottsbluff area have agreed to host the spring 2008 meeting.  There are no definitive plans but a committee has been formed to work out the details.  Ideas were passed around about locations for future meetings.  Lanny agreed to ask the members the following night if anyone would volunteer to host future meetings.  No action was taken on the 2008 fall meeting.

Lanny asked the board to give ideas on how to encourage member participation at meetings.  Do we need more nationally known speakers? This would involve planning meetings well in advance and perhaps spending more money to attract speakers.  Perhaps the NOU membership could be sent a form asking why they did not attend this meeting.

One suggestion to encourage attendance was to publicize the dates of the meetings well in advance.  A motion was made to make the dates of the spring meeting as often as possible fall on the third full weekend in May (the weekend containing the third Saturday). Any change to this would need board approval.  The motion was seconded and passed.  The dates for the spring 2008 meeting will be May 16-18.

8) New Business

The topic of scholarships was revisited.  The question was whether the money in the scholarship fund could be used to help defray the costs for some people (families with children, students) to attend NOU meetings. One young student was at Halsey, so a motion was made to use some of the scholarship money to help pay for Tim Hajda's participation.  The motion was seconded and agreed to.

Another motion was made to publicize the fact that scholarship money is available to help defray the cost of attending meetings for full-time students.  This could be publicized on the NOU website and in the newsletter.  Interested persons should contact the NOU president for consideration.  The motion was seconded and accepted.

There was a motion to adjourn. It was seconded and passed.

Respectively submitted,
Kevin Poague, Secretary
 

The NOU 2008 Fall Field Days will be September 26-28 at Camp Carol Joy Holling near Ashland.  More information will be in coming newsletters.
 
 

Life Member Rick Wright of Tucson, AZ, will be relinquishing his editorial positions at the American Birding Association to become Managing Director of WINGS (www.wingsbirds.com) as of the turn of the year.  As always, Rick and Alison look forward to seeing their NOU friends in southeast Arizona and on WINGS tours around the world!
 
 

We would like to hold our 2009 Spring Meeting in the Rainwater Basin.  The meeting should fall on the third full weekend in May (the weekend containing the third Saturday).  Preliminary checking has been done in Aurora and it looks promising.  A volunteer is needed to help finalize the details.  This will need to be started on fairly soon to increase our chances of attracting a nationally known speaker and encourage larger attendence of the meeting.  If you are willing to help then email, call or write to our president.  Contact information is on the back of this newsletter.
 

Scholarship money is available to help defray the cost of attending NOU meetings for full-time students.  Interested persons should contact the NOU president.  Contact information is on the back of this newsletter.
 
 

It's time for Christmas bird counts!  Great fun birding with friends in interesting places.  Wonder what will be seen?  Maybe something you've never seen before.  Find out about some great birding locations.  It is also a great opportunity to learn some tips on identify birds.  Are you having trouble with LBJs (little brown jobs), gulls or hawks?

by Robin Harding

GRAND ISLAND CBC:  December 15, 2007
Participants plan to meet at 7:00 AM at Tommy's restaurant on South  Locust Street.  Contact Connie McCartney at (308)384-0129.

NORFOLK CBC:  December 15, 2007
Contact Duane Wolf at (402)841-0130

OMAHA CBC:  December 15, 2007
The count circle is centered on the Base Lake in Bellevue and extends
into Lake Manawa and down towards Plattsmouth and Glenwood.  Contact Betty Grenon of Bellevue at grenon925@aol.com or (402)731-2383.

SCOTTSBLUFF CBC:  December 15, 2007
Contact Alice Kenitz of Gering at akenitz@prairieweb.com or
(308)436-2959.

SEWARD/BRANCHED OAK LAKE CBC:  December 15, 2007
Help is always needed and appreciated. The circle includes all of Branched Oak Lake, the west end of Pawnee Lake, most of Twin Lakes, and all of Meadowlark Lake.  There are also two Bur Oak WMAs and lots of good roads to drive by creeks, private ponds, wooded areas, and prairies.  Most years the lakes are open making them very interesting.  If you work the larger lakes, you should have a spotting scope.  If you like to get out and walk, there is plenty of walking habitat or if you prefer to watch lakes for waterfowl and gulls, there are some good spots for scoping lakes.  Let Joe know your preferences and he will try and meet your needs.  Please email him off line if you can help.  He will send additional details and meeting times to participants before the count.  Contact Joe Gubanyi in Seward at Joseph.Gubanyi@cune.edu or 402-643-7316.

PONCA CBC:  (date unknown)
Contact Bill Huser at 140 Oakmont Drive, South Sioux City, NE  68776
home 402-494-1657            business 712-258-0638 extension 3127

BEAVER VALLEY CBC (near Petersburg in Boone Co.):  December 16, 2007
The count (also near Albion in Boone Co.) will be held on Sunday, December 16.  Please contact Don or Colleen Noecker if you're interested in helping with the count at dcnoecker@cablene.com or (402)395-6250.

DeSOTO/BOYER CHUTE CBC:  Saturday, December 22, 2007
Alternate rain date is December 23.  The count is centered in Washington County Nebraska and includes parts of Douglas County.  In Iowa, it is in parts of Pottawattomie and Harrison Counties.  Inclusive in the circle is the DeSoto and Boyer Chute Wildlife Refuges, Neale Woods Nature Center, Dodge and Hummel Parks, Wilson's Island State Park, Hitchcock Nature Center, and upper Cunningham Lake.  There is extensive wildlife habitat in all quadrants. Please contact Jerry Toll at geritol48@cox.net or
402-453-9239.

LINCOLN CBC:  Saturday, December 22, 2007
The center of the circle is the intersection of Coddington Ave. and West A Street. Areas included in the circle are Wilderness Park, Holmes Lake, Yankee Hill Lake, Pioneers Park, part of Pawnee Lake, Nine-Mile Prairie, UNL campuses, Oak Lake, and Capitol Beach/Salt Lake.  There is a nice mix of habitats and good
birding, especially if the lakes don't freeze over.  Yankee Hill Lake has water in it for the first time
in several years, so that may be a good spot for a change.  More help can always be used, so contact
Rick if you would like to participate.  Email Rick.Eades@ngpc.ne.gov to contact Rick Eades.

AMES CBC:  Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Count is centered on Ames, Nebraska.
Email paseka76@gmail.com to contact Don and Janis Paseka about the count.
 
CALAMUS CBC:  December 29, 2007
Contact Dave Heidt at daveh@northeastcollege.com or (402)371-3412.
 
CRAWFORD CBC:  Saturday,
December 29, 2007
Meet at the Snack Shop (301 Main St) in downtown Crawford at 7:30 AM for route assignments. If you know that you are coming, let  Bruce and Donna know so they can prioritize routes, etc.  If you need more details or if you need Motel/Hotel information, let them know.  Contact Bruce and Donna Walgren in Casper, Wyoming at bwalgren@coffey.com or (307)234-7455.

LAKE McCONAUGHY CBC:  Saturday, December 29, 2007
The blizzard date is 30 December (hope it doesn't happen again like last year!) and more counters can always be used.  If you are interested in helping this year, please email Steve privately.  Or, you can always show up at the Valentino's restaurant in Ogallala at 5:30 p.m. on Friday,  December 28th for dinner and information on area assignments.  This count usually produces more than 100 species, often including one or more "good" birds.  This year looks to be interesting for winter finches, although you never know what will be found on the open water of Big Mac!
Stephen J. Dinsmore
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
339 Science II, Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
515-294-1348 (office)
cootjr@iastate.edu
www.public.iastate.edu/~cootjr/

SIOUX COUNTY/HARRISON CBC:  December 30, 2007
Meet at the Coyote Cafe in Harrison at 8 AM (Bruce and Donna can't get there before 8).  The Coyote Cafe is the A frame cafe next to the Sage Motel right on highway 20 near the east edge of Harrison.  The Cafe is open on Sundays from 6:30 AM until 2 PM.  The Sage Motel (308-668-2441) is also open.  There is also a B&B located on Main Street (the Harrison House 307-668-2166).  Consider meeting at the Harrison House for a short compilation when the count is done - they serve soup / salad / and sandwiches from 5 PM to 7 PM (or perhaps earlier).  If you're interested in staying in Harrison and want to start eariler than 8 AM, Bruce and Donna can email you a copy of the count circle (jpeg  format).
Bruce and Donna Walgren,
Casper, WY,
bwalgren@coffey.com or
(307)234-7455.

Christmas Bird Counts can
also be viewed at
http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc

NOU membership renewals are due the first day of each year.  A form for starting or renewing NOU membership follows.
 

NEBRASKA  ORNITHOLOGISTS’  UNION  MEMBERSHIP  INFORMATION

Please enter my membership in the category checked below:

_____One Active Member  $15.00
_____Family Active  $20.00
_____One Sustaining Member $25.00
_____Family Sustaining $30.00
_____Student Member  $10.00
_____Life Member  $250.00

Name____________________________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code________________________________________________________
Telephone__________________________e-mail__________________________________

Make checks payable to Nebraska Ornithologists’  Union and return with this form to:
Betty Grenon
1409 Childs Road East
Bellevue, NE  68005
 

President and Newsletter Editor:
Lanny Randolph
50370 24th Road
Gibbon, NE 68840
308-468-5057
virginiarail(at)nctc.n e t

Vice-President:
Urban Lehner
15526 Pierce Circle
Omaha, NE 68144
402-330-3888
urban.lehner(at)dtn.c o m

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

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

Directors:
Loren Padelford (2008)
1405 Little John Road
Bellevue, NE 68005
402-292-5556
lpdlfrd(at)cox.n e t

Steve Lamphere (2006)
3101 Washington St., Apt. 98
Bellevue, NE 68005
402-291-9149
kingfisher65(at)aol.c o m

Jan Uttecht (2007)
Box 823
Stanton, NE 68779
402-439-2114
jautek(at)stanton.n e t

Past President:
Daved Heidt
1703 Hilltop
Norfolk, NE 68701
402-371-3412
daveh(at)northeastcollege.c o m

Editor of The Nebraska Bird Review:
Janis Paseka
1585 Co. Rd. 14 Blvd.
Ames, NE 68621
402-727-9229
paseka76(at)gmail.c o m

Librarian:
Mary Lou Pritchard
6325 'O' St.
Lincoln, NE 68510
402-472-3334 State Museum
402-486-2428 home

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

Breeding Bird Atlas and Nest Records Committee:
Wayne Mollhoff
1817 Boyd Street
Ashland, NE 68003
402-944-2243
wmollhoff(at)netscape.n e t

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

NOU Website http://RIP.physics.UNK.edu/NOU

Nebraska Birding Trails http://www.NebraskaBirdingTrails.com

Nebraska Birdline:  Josef Kren at 402-721-5487 ext. 6490 or 800-642-8382 ext. 6490 or birdsne@yahoo.com
 
Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union
3745 Garfield
Lincoln, NE  68506