Lee Morris passed away monday July 14th, 16 days before his 88th birthday.  Lee was an avid birdwatcher starting in 1958.  He was  treasurer of the NOU from 1962 till 1965.  He  was president of the NOU for one year before he was treasurer.  There is no record of it and not many still alive that would remember.  Lee ran a bird survey for thirty years.  Wayne Mollhoff told me that Lee found many birds on his routes that others didn't find.  Lee led a 4-H birding club teaching young people the value of birds for four years.  Lee is remembered for enlightening others of the buff-breasted sandpiper migration through central Nebraska in mid May.  Lee and his wife Shirley really enjoyed going to NOU meetings over the years.  I will surely miss my birding partner and father.

                        Scottsbluff Spring Meeting, May 16-18, 2008

It's always nice when the birds cooperate and cooperate they did for the 68 Nebraska Ornithologists' Union members who attended the spring 2008 meeting in Scottsbluff May 16-18.

We tallied a respectable 173 species in Banner, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff and Sioux counties.  Mountain Plover was the highlight of the weekend, a life bird for many of the members, who viewed as many as five of the relatively uncommon birds in a wheat field in Kimball County.

Thanks for the plovers go to Wayne Mollhoff, who organized excursions to the site both weekend days, and to Larry Snyder, the assistant at Nebraska Prairie Partners who led us to the birds.  Snyder's work includes locating and protecting Mountain Plover nests.  He and Nebraska Prairie Partners' coordinator Bart Bly described their work at a well-received presentation during the meeting.  Also presenting was Drew Larsen, a North Platte-based Regional Wildlife Biologist for Pheasants Forever.

The meeting was held at the Riverside YMCA camp.

Despite high winds most of Saturday, birding was generally good on all of the field trips.  A group led by Kathy DeLara ticked 100 species. A group led by Helen Hughson was rewarded with a several-minute close-up of a McCown's Longspur, including repeated flutter displays.

Two scholarship students--Luke Hamilton of Lewellyn and Tim Hajda of Broken Bow--participated in the meeting.  The NOU board reaffirmed its commitment to awarding scholarships to encourage membership by young birders.  As former president Alice Kenitz put it at one point, "Some of us are getting older."

Those attending expressed compliments and gratitude to our hosts at Wildcat Audubon Society, whose superb organization of the accommodations, presentations, meals and field trips contributed so much to the meeting's success.
                                                       by Urban C. Lehner

The following list is highlights of the field trips from the perspective of a south central Nebraska birder with the help of Kathy DeLara and Alice Kenitz, two of our field trip leaders both from the Scottsbluff area.  This list will not include highlights already mentioned in Urban’s article.

Snow Goose           Pectoral Sandpiper        Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ross’s Goose         Short-billed Dowitcher    Northern Mockingbird
Cackling Goose       Red-necked Phalarope)     American Pipit
Clark's Grebe        Caspian Tern              Tennessee Warbler
Osprey (nesting)     Burrowing Owl             Virginia’s Warbler
Ferruginous Hawk     Common Poorwill           Blackpoll Warbler
Golden Eagle         White-throated Swift      Northern Waterthrush
Peregrine Falcon     Western Wood-Pewee        Yellow-breasted Chat
Prairie Falcon       Dusky Flycatcher          Western Tanager
24 shorebird         Cordilleran Flycatcher    Brewer’s Sparrow
species including:   Great Crested Flycatcher  Lark Bunting
(Black-necked Stilt  Cassin’s Kingbird         Chestnut-collared Longspur
Whimbrel             Plumbeous Vireo           Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Long-billed Curlew   Violet-Green Swallow      Lazuli Bunting
Hudsonian Godwit     Pygmy Nuthatch            Bullock’s Oriole
Sanderling           Rock Wren                 Red Crossbill
 
You will find the complete list of birds seen at the Scottsbluff meeting
on the NOU web site (http://RIP.physics.UNK.edu/NOU) by clicking on "where have past meetings been held" then click on "list of birds seen at this meeting".
 

                     Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Board Meeting

Friday, May 16, 2008                               YMCA Camp, Scottsbluff
Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m.
Members present:  Kathy DeLara, Betty Grenon, Dave Heidt, Alice Kenitz, Steve Lamphere, Urban Lehner, Janis Paseka, Kevin Poague and Lanny Randolph.  Guests:  Roland Barth, Wayne Molhoff

1) Minutes ­ The minutes of the fall 2007 meeting were accepted and approved.

2) Treasurer ­ Betty Grenon handed out the treasurer’s report. The organization is in good financial shape.  Bank balance is around $60,000 right now, but expenses, particularly postage and the NBR publication, could rise in the future.  Betty reported she continues to shift money around from checking to savings to get the earned interest as high as possible.  She also said that as many as 70 of the roughly 200 NOU members needed reminding to pay dues.  Treasurer’s report was accepted and approved.

3) Publications Committee ­ Janis Paseka reported she is on track with getting the NBR out in a timely manner.  The next issue should have eight color pages, and hopes this new venture into color can be done with minimum delays.

4) Library Committee ­ No committee member was present and no report was turned in.

5) Records committee ­ No report.

6) Student scholarship - Luke Hamilton is the scholarship student attending this NOU meeting.  A question was raised as to how many scholarships are to be offered.  After discussion, it was generally agreed that as many can be offered as that apply, and an individual can reapply to subsequent meetings.  The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage attendance by young people.  It was mentioned that Tim Hajda, the other student, probably didn’t know about the scholarship due to some snafu with his membership, so it was decided that NOU would compensate his family for his registration and lodging.  It was also decided that all future scholarship applicants must apply for each meeting in writing.

7) Fall 2008 meeting - Kevin said the meeting will take place at Camp Carol Joy Holling near Ashland, and details will be ready for the newsletter preceding the meeting.  Urban has both speakers lined up, but he will be unable to attend.  He will find substitutes for lining up field trips and introducing the speakers.

8) Spring 2009 meeting - The spring 2009 meeting is set for York, but the actual meeting place within York is yet to be decided. Joel Jorgensen will be leading some field trips to the eastern Rainwater Basin.  Urban is having difficulty finding a “big name” speaker.  Several possibilities were discussed and work will continue.

9) Old Business

Betty mentioned the latest newsletter cost $200 more than usual, because of its length.  She encouraged Lanny to keep the issues brief to save money and time.  The issues before the meetings should be in members’ homes at least four weeks prior to the meeting, if not six weeks.

Wayne reported good progress on the breeding bird atlas project!  The Web site is up and running, complete with maps and worksheets.  Half the atlas blocks have been worked on already, ahead of the schedule of the last project.  He has ordered t-shirts to be made with the project’s logo on it, and shirts will be given to those who complete work in at least five blocks.

10) New Business

The board issued its thanks to members of Wildcat Audubon for hosting the spring meeting.

A handout was given from the Records committee.  Discussion ensued about whether to install the chair of the committee as a permanent position. This position requires someone with tact who is willing to put in a lot of work.  Rotating people in and out of this position does avoid the establishment of a clique.  But it was mentioned that the chair is really a neutral party, simply tallying the votes, so there is little power in this position.  The chair could be made a voting member or a non-voting member.  A motion was made to extend Mark Brogie’s term as records committee chair through 2008.  Motion passed.  A motion was made to accept Ross Silcock’s nomination as a member of the records committee for 2008.  Motion passed.  A committee was appointed to investigate the idea of the permanent records committee chairperson.  Dave, Alice, and Mark Brogie will be the committee.

Places to hold the fall 2009 meeting were talked about, and Valentine came out on top.

There was a motion to adjourn.  Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectively submitted,
Kevin Poague, Secretary
 

            Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Annual Business Meeting

Saturday, May 17, 2008                             YMCA Camp, Scottsbluff

Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by President Lanny Randolph.

Betty Grenon gave the treasurer's report.

The nominating committee presented its new slate of officers for the NOU board, which was published in the newsletter preceding the meeting.  No new nominations were given.  A motion was made and seconded to accept the new slate of officers.  The motion was unanimously accepted. The new board is as follows:

        President ­ Lanny Randolph
        Vice president ­ Urban Lehner
        Treasurer ­ Betty Grenon
        Secretary ­ Kevin Poague
        Director ­ Roland Barth
        Librarian ­ Mary Lou Pritchard
        NBR Editor ­ Janis Paseka

Lanny asked Kevin to relate details of the fall meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for Ashland in late September.  Lanny also said the proposed location for the spring 2009 meeting is York, with the eastern Rainwater Basin to be the target for field trips.  The fall 2009 meeting location was offered by the board to be Valentine.  Lanny asked for volunteers to help with planning.

Wayne Mollhoff described the progress made on the Breeding Bird Atlas Project II.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn.  Motion passed.

Respectively submitted,
Kevin Poague, Secretary
 
 

Carol Joy Holling Conference and Retreat Center sits on 317 acres of beautiful, rolling hills just south of Ashland, west of the Platte River between Omaha and Lincoln.  There are miles of hiking trails and many nearby birding destinations, including Platte River, Schramm, and Mahoney State Parks.  The Center will provide meeting rooms, food service, and both modern and rustic overnight accommodations.

To get there from I-80, take exit #426 and turn north onto Hwy. 66 west. Go three miles past Mahoney State Park and the Strategic Air Command, then turn right (east) at the sign to Carol Joy Holling Camp.  After one mile, turn right (east) into Carol Joy Holling Camp.  Follow the paved road into the Camp, turn left at the “All Other Facilities” sign, and keep going to the Sjogren Center.  Look for the NOU signs.

From Highway 6, on the west side of Ashland, turn south onto Hwy. 66 east and go several miles to the sign for the Camp.  Turn left (east) and then follow the directions above.

Clem Klaphake has organized our field trips.  Field trip destinations will be such places as Platte River and Mahoney State Parks, Louisville Lakes SRA, Schramm Park SRA and Schilling WMA, all in the lower Platte River valley.  In addition to those locations Spring Creek Prairie and Branched Oak Lake in Lancaster County will be visited.  Fontenelle Forest and surrounding area in the Missouri River valley will also be the destination of one of the field trips.  A half day field trip will include the Jack Sinn WMA on the Lancaster/Saunders County line.  Depending on current sightings and migration patterns other areas may be added.  The above SRAs and State Parks require either a state park
sticker or a small daily fee.  Field trip leaders are Clem Klaphake, Don and Janis Paseka, Rick Schmid, Kevin Poague and Larry Einemann.  The counties involved are Cass, Lancaster, Sarpy and Saunders.

Urban Lehner has arranged for our speakers.  On Friday night Daniel Leger, who is an active NOU member in addition to teaching biopsychology at UNL, will give a presentation titled "How Many Bird Species Are There (and How Do We Know)?"  On Saturday a UNL biologist, Robert Gibson, will lecture on "Lek Behavior," a subject he has been researching for years.  Among other things he will speak about Sage Grouse.

The registration form for the meeting is on the front side of the back page of this newsletter.
                          by Kevin Poague, Clem Klaphake and Urban Lehner
 

                                Tentative Schedule For Fall Meeting  

Friday, September 26
   4:30 p.m.  Registration
   6:00 p.m.  Dinner
   7:00 p.m.  University of Nebraska Lincoln-Daniel Leger
   8:15 p.m.  Board of Directors meeting

Saturday, September 27
   6:30 a.m.  Breakfast—pick up sack lunches at this time
   7:15 a.m.  Field trips leave
   6:00 p.m.  Dinner
   6:45 p.m.  Door prize drawing
   7:15 p.m.  University of Nebraska Lincoln-Robert Gibson

Sunday, September 28
   6:30 a.m.  Breakfast
   7:15 a.m.  Field trips leave
  12:00 p.m.  Lunch
  12:45 p.m.  Weekend tally

                              NOU Meeting Student Scholarships

Scholarship money is available to help defray the cost of attending NOU meetings for full-time students.  As many students as apply can be accommodated.  Past scolarship recipients can apply again.  Interested persons should contact Lanny Randolph at virginiarail@nctc.net or (308)216-0427 or (308)468-5057 or 50370 24th Road, Gibbon, NE 68840.  They need to send a letter stating why they wish to go to the meeting.

                                      NOU membership renewals

NOU membership renewals are due the first day of each year.  Each year many members forget to renew.  An easy mistake, but then they wonder why after a while they don’t receive their Nebraska Bird Reviews or their NOU Newsletters.  Don’t let this happen to you.  Unless you are a life member look at your check book, if you have not made a payment to the NOU in 2008 you are not a current member.  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.net

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

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

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

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

Steve Lamphere (2009), 3101 Washington St., Apt. 98, Bellevue, NE 68005   402-291-9149         kingfisher65(at)aol.com

Kathy DeLara (2010), 170188 Spring Creek Rd. Mitchell, NE 69357   308-632-3047   renosmom(at)charter.net
 

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

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

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.com

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

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

NOU Website          http://RIP.physics.UNK.edu/NOU
Nebraska Birding Trails          http://www.NebraskaBirdingTrails.com
Nebraska Birdline     Josef Kren     402-721-5487 ext. 6490     800-642-8382 ext. 6490     birdsne@yahoo.com
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Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union
3745 Garfield
Lincoln, NE  68506