October Field Days in Halsey a Success
by Janis Peseka
The Fall Field Days were held at the 4-H Camp in the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey on October 8-10. It is hard to imagine what spectacular rarities we would have to have seen to eclipse the weather, the fall colors of the Sandhills, and the fellowship of like-minded birders. We were the beneficiaries of sunny days warm enough to wear our Burrowing Owl shirts without jackets, and nights sufficiently balmy to leave the windows of the cabins open. The blue October sky contrasted with the golden leaves of the cottonwoods and the forest greens of the conifers was highlighted by the red native grasses.
We started off Friday night with a safari of sorts through the Serengeti Plain in eastern Africa, courtesy of John Sullivan. His presentation featured a wide variety of African birds. John impressed us not only with the quality of his photos, but also with his ability to remember the names of all the birds. In addition to birds, he showed us spectacular scenery, mammals of varying size and ferocity, and at least one dragon fly.
Saturday morning began early with too much good food (once again we were spoiled by the excellent meals at the camp) and three field trips. Lanny Randolph and Robin Harding were gracious enough to split up and lead trips around the National Forest and to the Valentine NWR, respectively. The third trip was led by Gertrude Wood, who gamely attempted to figure out which roads in the Long Lake area are considered public and which lead to an encounter with a landowner exercising his/her Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Late Saturday afternoon, Professor Bruce Eichhorst educated us on the characteristics and antics of Great Plains grebe species. Bruce has recently joined the teaching staff at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and will be continuing his grebe research whenever his schedule permits. Saturday evening Bub Blake gave his usual excellent slide present- ation, this time taking us through a year of photography, featuring scenes from the Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico in addition to various locations in Nebraska. One of the highlights was the brood of Barn Owls discovered in a farm bin in central Nebraska. The babies cooperatively lined up inside the bin for Bub to photograph, but their expressions were clearly disgruntled.
No bird rarities sighted, but we had a great turnout of birders, a respectable number of species (108) and a weekend away from the real world.
Highlights of our bird outings were the following: 108 total species; 77 species in
Cherry County, 49 species in Brown County (excluding National Forest land), 32 species
in Blaine County, 24 species in Thomas County (excluding National Forest land), and 61
species in the National Forest. Fourteen species of ducks, ten species of raptors, five
galliform species, and thirteen species of sparrow were observed. Some specific species
were: Western Grebes, American Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Cooper's, Sharp-
shinned and Ferruginous Hawks, Golden Eagle, Merlin, Prairie Falcon, several flocks of
Sandhill Cranes, American Pipit, Orange-crowned and Nashville Warblers, Clay-colored,
Grasshopper, Lincoln's and Swamp Sparrows, and Red Crossbills.
by Clem Klaphake
Sue Amiotte is already working hard on the May 19-21 NOU Spring Conference to be
held in Chadron. Check out the information she is providing in another part of
the Newsletter. I would like to encourage and invite anyone who is interested
in presenting a paper at the Chadron Spring Conference to contact me or Janis
Peseka. These need not be long in depth type of research papers, but can be on
topics dealing with birds and their habitats, ecosystems, migration, behavior,
identification, populations, reproduction, predation, etc.
by Kathy Larson
On October 30, l999 at 7:30 a.m. I had just walked out to my mailbox to get the newspaper when a bird hanging upside down in a tree caught my eye. Not something you see every day! It had a rusty colored breast and the first thing that I thought of was a dead Robin hanging in a tree. After getting a little closer I immediately knew that it was not a Robin, but was not sure what it was. It was hanging by one leg that was caught at the end of a branch just out of my reach. Then it blinked its eyes and I realized, much to my surprise, that it was not dead. I ran to the garage and got a ladder and unwound it's leg from the twigs. The little guy was very lively, not at all weak as I thought he would be after hanging upside down for I don't know how long. It's leg was just hanging so I thought it was probably broke. We then identified the bird as a Virginia Rail.
I gave him some water, and he actually drank it. He seemed in good shape except for the leg. I loaded the bird up in the van, covered the crate with a blanket and headed to town. Brad McKinney, president of the Wildcat Audubon Society, was there and I showed him the bird. Now it was walking around in the crate and just seemed fine. I then took him to a wetlands area not far away and carried him to the edge of the weeds and put him on the ground. He took off running towards the waters edge like nothing had ever happened to him. I'm sure he will be ok now if he just stays away from the trees.
I would like to also report that on November 2, l999, after thumbing through my
Western Bird Book I couldn't identify the woodpecker at my feeder. Then I looked
at an Eastern Bird Book and realized that I had a Red-bellied Woodpecker in my yard.
I was pretty excited, almost late for work. Very few have been sighted here in
Scotts Bluff County.
Two recent past NOU president's names were omitted from the Spring Conference
Centennial Brochure publication. Lee Morris was the president of NOU in 1977-78 and
Glenn LeDioyt in 1968-69. I am sad to report that Glenn passed away recently. Glenn
was a lifelong birder, conservationist, great story teller and active member in many
community organizations. Mr. LeDoiyt was instrumental in getting the first nature
center built at Fontenelle Forest in the 1960s and served as president of the
Fontenelle Forest Association Board for many years. He also was active in getting a
Nebraska field office established for The Nature Conservancy and serving as a trustee
on its board. Glenn will be missed. Sue Amiotte's name as current Treasurer should
also have been on this Centennial Brochure. We apologize for these errors.
All organizers of the annual Christmas Bird Counts should send their results, tallies and forms to Steve J. Dinsmore, 612 1/2 West Magnolia St., Fort Collins, CO 80521.
Speaking of bird reports, Bill Clemente indicates that we should be receiving the next
issue (June) of The Nebraska Bird Review soon, followed by the September issue in
January some time.
There is a new, national, 13-part Public Television series on birds, hosted and created
by Don and Lillian Stokes that premieres on Public Television Stations January 2000.
This magazine-style series will attract enthusiasts of every level. From how-to to
how-come, birders will learn to attract birds, identify birds, and be given great
birding tips. Hosts Don and Lillian travel to locales all across the country from
Maine to California, and Alaska to Florida for special birding events and to introduce
viewers to everyday people who are passionate about their hobby. Also featured: a
weekly challenge in which viewers are asked to identify a mystery bird and a time-out-
to watch moment that captures the beauty of birds, accompanied by natural sounds. This
series will be distributed to all the Public Television Stations for free, starting in
January. Some stations will start airing it then, other stations will air it later.
If you want more information about this TV series and viewing times, visit this
website: StokesBirds@Home.com StokesBirds@Home.com
by Clem Klaphake
For the past several years I have been noticing that articles about birding and
research about birds are appearing in more of what I would call non- birding
publications. I would like to draw your attention to one that recently appeared in the
September 1999 issue of Natural History entitled Sky Island Songbirds by Chistopher
Rimmer and Tim Laman. This article discusses the research being done with Bicknell's
Thrush by Rimmer and Laman in Vermont and the Dominican Republic (where only recently
was it discovered the thrushes spend their winters). Their research techniques in both
Vermont and the Dominican Republic range from banding to radio telemetry (even on these
small birds) to microsatellite DNA analysis to plain hard exhausting physical work.
Many of findings are new since so little has been known about this bird. Their
research covers the social organization of Bicknell's Thrush in both the breeding area
(New England) and the wintering area (the Dominican Republic). Also they discuss
issues of habitat loss-tourism, longevity, and predation of nests as it relates
specifically to Bicknell's Thrush. A very enjoyable and informative article to read.
by Janis Paseka
Present at the meeting were Clem Klaphake (President), Janis Paseka (Vice- President), Sue Amiotte (Treasurer), Bill Clemente (The Nebraska Bird Review, editor), Mary Lou Pritchard (librarian), Betty Allen (past President), Neal Ratzlaff (past President), Thomas Labedz (director), Mark Brogie (director), Alice Kenitz (director), Wayne Molhoff (chairman of the Breeding Bird Atlas Project), and Rosalind Morris (The Nebraska Bird Review, past editor)
Absent from the meeting were Mitzi Fox (Secretary) and Joel Jorgensen (Chairman, Records Committee).
The meeting was called to order by Clem Klaphake at 9:30 pm October 8. He established that a quorum was present.
Sue Amiotte reported on the progress she had made in arranging our spring meeting, to be held in Chadron on May 19-21, 2000. She is in the process of making reservations at Camp Norwesca, which has cabins for 106 people and a lodge with beds for 32 people. We would be eating breakfasts and lunches at Camp Norwesca and have the Saturday evening banquet at Chadron State College. Tom Labedz asked about availability of cabins or camping at Chadron State Park. Sue will check into it. It was discussed that we would probably want three field trips and Wayne Mollhoff volunteered to lead one. We will need at least two other people to lead field trips. Tom suggested we put out a call for speakers in the Newsletter.
Wayne reported on the progress of the Breeding Bird Atlas project. It is ready to go to the reviewers. It will be 150-200 pages in an 8 1/2 by 11 format. There will be an intro- duction, a map, and an account for each species, but no pictures. It was decided not to include pictures so that we can afford to print more copies and perhaps donate some to schools.
Sue asked about a deadline for NOU dues. The consensus was that in the past the deadline had been March, or the May meeting at the latest. It was suggested to add information on when one's membership expires to the mailing labels. Neal Ratzlaff said he would take care of that. Also, reminders need to be sent to the members who have not paid. Neal distributed copies of the new NOU Directory he prepared, including officers, directors, committees, activities, services and the names and addresses of members. Neal reported on what we need to do to set up an endowment. This will allow anyone to give money to the NOU, accompanied by a directive stating the money is intended for an endowment. The money would be kept separate, and only the interest on the principal will be used. We will need to make a change in the by-laws creating the endowment fund. This will be voted on at tomorrow's meeting.
Neal also mentioned that we need to change the by-laws to include the chair of the Records Committee as a member of the Executive Board. The Board would then consist of the six elected officers, three directors at-large, two past presidents and the chair of the Records Committee. We will look this over also at tomorrow's meeting. The scholarship fund was discussed. The fund was originally set up to pay for registration, meals and lodging for one student in grades 9-12 and a parent or teacher sponsor for the fall meeting. The student would also receive a one-year membership in the NOU. To apply, a student must fill out an application and write a letter to why he or she is interested in birds. The consensus was that we are not doing enough to publicize the scholarship. Mark Brogie said he would put a notice in the NOU Newsletter and get the word out to Nebraska science teachers. Since the purpose of the scholarship is to encourage interest in birding in young people and to recruit new members, the restrictions on grade level, the fall meeting and number of students may be relaxed at the discretion of the board.
Bill Clemente commented on the March edition of The Nebraska Bird Review being distributed at this meeting and mentioned the change in format.
It is the Board's intention to hold the fall 2000 meeting in Ogallala and Lake McConaughy area. Steve Dinsmore is organizing the meeting and will set a date in mid-September.
It was decided that we would like to hold the fall 2001 meeting again at Halsey. Due to the fact that they do not normally take reservations more than a year in advance, and also are changing camp directors, Clem Klaphake will wait until January 2000 to make reservations for the fall of 2001. Hopefully it will be in mid-September.
It was pointed out to the board that in the list of members in the spring program, Lee Morris was omitted as a past President and Sue Amiotte was left out as the current Treasurer. These errors need to be corrected.
The NOU is an affiliate of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences (NAS) and Ed Brogie is the President of the NAS. He will report on the activities of the NOU to the NAS and put a note in our Newsletter about what it means to be an affiliate of the NAS.
The Treasurer's report was submitted. We will vote on its acceptance at tomorrow's Meeting.
Bill Clemente would like to have the NOU pay for a school to particpate in the Class- room Feeder Watch program sponsored by Cornell University. It costs $150 per school, and Bill said he would pay $50 himself. A decision on this will be made at tomorrow's meeting.
The Library Committee report was presented by Mary Lou Pritchard. We have resumed exchange with the New Hampshire Birds Records. Paul Johnsgard donated several volumes to the library. Surplus copies of The Nebraska Bird Review were recycled after the spring meeting. The supply of field cards for Nebraska birds is exhausted.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 pm.
by Janis Paseka
Present at the meeting were Clem Klaphake (President), Janis Paseka (Vice- President), Sue Amiotte (Treasurer), Mary Lou Pritchard (librarian), Betty Allen (past President), Neal Ratzlaff (past President), Thomas Labedz (director), Mark Brogie (director), Alice Kenitz (director), Wayn Mollhoff (chairman of the Breeding Bird Atlas Project).
Absent from the meeting were Mitzi Fox (Secretary), Bill Clemente (The Nebraska Bird Review, editor), and Joel Jorgensen (Chairman, Records Committee)
The meeting was called to order by Clem Klaphake at 10:00 pm October 9. He established that a quorum was present.
Changes to the by-laws were discussed. It was proposed that we change Article V, Section 1, to include the chair of the Records Committee on the Board of Directors. It was also proposed to add the formation of an Endowment Fund as Article XIII. Alice Kenitz moved to accept these changes to the by-laws. Seconded by Mary Lou Pritchard. The motion carried. Neal will write up the changes which will be published in the Newsletter and voted on at the general meeting in May.
Mark Brogie moved and Tom Lebedz seconded that NOU should finance the entire $150 Feeder Watch project at one school as outlined by Bill Clemente at the October 8 Board meeting. The motion carried.
The treasuer's report presented at the last meeting was amended to exclude t-shirt expenses and income until all the money from the shirts has come in. The amended amount of cash receipts is $12,737.10. Alice Kenitz moved to accept the treasurer's report. It was seconded by Betty Allen. The motion carried.
Mary Lou Pritchard moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the last meeting and accept the minutes. Alice Kenitz seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Janis Paseka
by Clem Klaphake
In October of this year BirdLife International, representing 2.2 million people in 105 countries, met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia released a report that said 1,200 bird species could become extinct in the next 100 years, with 600 to 900 more on the verge of joining the list. Countries with the most birds at risk are Brazil with 111 species, Indonesia (92), China (82), Columbia (81), Peru (79) and India (70). The highest densities of threatened species occur in the Philippines where 69 face extinction.
It is interesting to note that three of the seven listed countries are in the western hemisphere, and also are wintering areas for many the of neo-tropical migrants that we are so familiar with in this country.
The report went on to say that most birds are threatened by deforestation, burning of vegetation, commercial logging, subsistence farming, plantations, arable farming and mining. A total of 185 species face a high risk of extinction in the next ten years. Most threatened species live in forests. But populations of common countryside birds such as swallows and skylarks in Europe have declined by up to 50 percent in 30 years.
BirdLife has launched a plan of action to work with governments to improve ways of exploiting natural resources, identify and protect conservation sites and raise people's awareness. In light of these less than optimistic predictions, it is interesting to contrast the recovery of the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon in this country to the point of possible removal from the endangered category to the threatened.
Specifically, the Bald Eagle has gone from 417 nesting pairs in 1963 in the lower 48
States to 5,748 in 1998. However, this type of turn around in a species' numbers can't
be compared to the possibilities of accomplishing the same results in most of the areas
in the world that BirdLife has identified. The environmental circumstances, population
pressures, political structures, scientific information, and resources available are quite
different than what they were/are in North America.
by Clem Klaphake
What can we expect in the way of irruptions, or rare and unusual sightings this winter
season? There have been a number of comments from around the country that this may be an
unusual winter. Note, I said 'may' be. Our predictions in reference to bird movement is not
on the high end of accuracy. The unusually warm weather into December and lack
of precipitation (both rain and snow) in the Midwest may or may not impact bird
migration. There did seem to be an early movement
south by Red-breasted Nuthatches, Pine Siskins, and Redpolls, but that was likely related
to food supply rather than weather. There were some relatively late
reports coming in on shorebirds, but I don't know how
they compare to past records. Joel Jorgensen was reporting shorebirds well into November;
Least, Baird's and Pectoral Sandpipers; Dunlins; American Golden
and Black-bellied Plovers; Long-billed Dowitchers; and
an American Avocet. Be sure to report all of your sightings, not just the rare and unusual.
You can report your sightings to the Nebraska Birdline at (402) 292-5325
Mark Brogie has completed the 1998 Nebraska County Life-Lists (125 species minimum).
1998 Nebraska County Life List Totals
If you have any questions or suggested
changes contact Mark Brogie, Box 316, Creighton, NE 68729; (402) 358-5675; or
mbrogie@mother.esu1.k12.ne.us
Eldon W. Marsh of Brunswick, NE donated volumes 1 and 2 of Nature Trails by the Pine Ridge Naturalist Doris B.Gates. Doris was a biology professor at Chadron State College and wrote a column for the following newspapers; The Crawford Clipper, The Alliance Times Herald, The Chadron Record, and The Crawford Tribune.
Dr. Paul Johnsgard donated the following to the NOU library: a copy of the Souvenir Program
of the Centennial Meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union and two autographed books,
The Plovers, Sandpipers, and Snipes of the World and Crane Music: A Natural History of
American Cranes. On behalf of the NOU, I would like to thank Eldon Marsh and Dr. Paul
Johnsgard for their donations to our library.
Planning for the Spring 2000 Conference is under way. Camp Norweska, a beautiful facility with meeting hall, rooms and cabins, will be our main gathering place. It is right next to Chadron State Park where there are also cabins and a great campground. There is a private campground on the way to Camp Norweska. Camp Norweska is only 9 miles from Chadron where we have a new Microtel and several other motels. Breakfast both Saturday and Sunday, along with sack lunch for Saturday noon, will be provided by Camp Norweska. The Saturday evening banquet will be at the Chadron State College Student Center.
Western Nebraska boasts a variety of habitats for birding. Just to whet your appetite, you can see three species of nuthatches in Chadron State Park and Evening Grosbeaks at Camp Norweska. Members of NOU will lead field trips around the area with some trips lasting all day on Saturday.
Please plan to attend.
The mailing label on your newsletter will indicate the status of your NOU dues. Some of
you are paid ahead, either because you sent in dues twice one year, or you intentionally
paid ahead. Please note the date on your mailing label and let me know if you think I
have made a mistake. I'm ready to start taking dues now, so please send in the form in
your newsletter, along with your check, while you're thinking about it.
Sue Amiotte, NOU Treasurer