Everett Wayne Gross, NOU member since 1966, passed away on March 5, 2008 at the age of 88.  Mildred, his wife of 65 years, preceded him in death by only a few months.  Both were regular participants at the NOU spring and fall gatherings until about 2 years ago when declining health prevented their usual automobile trip to the meetings.  

In fact, it was Everett’s compact red automobile sporting the unique bumper sticker message  “Love thy neighbor; Tune thy piano” that first called my attention to this quiet, unassuming gentleman who possessed such a marvelous sense of humor.

Everett was born in Burwell and graduated from Ord High School.  He served in the Army Air Corps in WW II attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant.  In 1957 he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Nebraska State Teacher’s College.  Subsequently, he obtained master’s degrees in physics (1960) and economics (1978) from UNL and taught physics at Doane College from 1960-74.  

Ornithology and physics were just two of his many interests.  His woodworking skills are well known to us by virtue of the unique walking sticks he crafted and regularly brought to NOU meetings for our use.  Many of us were both fascinated and frustrated by the metal, rope and wood puzzles that were the product of his inventive mind.  Most, likely, do not know that he was also a musician and a serious student of economics, particularly economic theories related to poverty and taxation.

Everett is survived by three children, two grandchildren, a great-grand-daughter, one brother and two sisters.  

In recent years, I was privileged to be included in Everett’s list of e-mail correspondents, receiving messages which reflected both his sense of humor and his interest in economic theory.  The last message arrived on February 18, less than three weeks before his death, demonstrating once more his remarkable sense of humor and his positive attitude toward life. The message, a humorous one, ended with this footnote:  “We can’t all be stars.....but we can all twinkle.  Live in the gladness of today”          
                                                         by Neal Ratzlaff
 
 

Ara Jane Dunlap is a life member.  She and her husband Dr. James H. Dunlap of 500 South 18th Street, Apt. 209 Norfolk, NE 68701 celebrated their 60th anniversary on March 28, 2008.
 
 

Wildcat Audubon Society will host the NOU Spring 2008 meeting on May 16-18 in the Jane Fliesbach Retreat Center at the Trails West YMCA Camp in Riverside (Zoo) Park in Scottsbluff.  The camp looks out on the North Platte River which could bring some interesting birds to our doorsteps.  There are eight new, large, and very nice motel-style sleeping rooms available.  Each room contains one queen-sized bed and two bunk beds with a bathroom including shower.  All linens are furnished.  Two of the units are handicap accessible.  Each room will rent for $80/night.  To reserve the meeting room, we have to pay for at least four sleeping rooms.  If we use all eight rooms, we pay nothing for the use of the meeting room.  So we need to fill the rooms.  We are asking that you reserve the sleeping rooms with Wildcat Audubon by contacting Bonnie Schoen—telephone 308-632-2383 or e-mail bschoen(at)bbc.net ----or Alice Kenitz —telephone 308-436-2959 or e-mail akenitz(at)prairieweb.com.  You may pay for them with your registration for the weekend.  So get your family and friends together and make your reservations!!    

Field trips on Saturday and on Sunday morning will be going to Kimball County to look for such species as Mountain Plovers and Cassin’s Kingbirds, Sioux County to look for longspurs, and the Wildcat Hills and various wetlands in Scotts Bluff County.  Friday night's speaker will be Drew Larsen from Pheasants Forever who will be talking about the habitat restoration work of Pheasants Forever.  Saturday night we will hear from Bart Bly and Larry Snyder from Nebraska Prairie Partners who will tell us about the various bird species (Mountain Plovers, Burrowing Owls, Ferruginous Hawks, and others) that they are working with.

Also in this newsletter you will find a map of Scottsbluff, the weekend schedule, registration form, and a list of motels for those not fortunate enough to get one of the Camp’s motel rooms.  If you have further questions, please contact Alice Kenitz.  Don’t forget to bring something for the door prize drawing.  We hope to see all of you in western Nebraska on May 16-18.
 
 

                        TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR SPRING MEETING

Friday, May 16
   4:30 p.m.  Registration
   6:00 p.m.  Dinner
   6:45 p.m.  Pheasants Forever-Drew Larsen
   8:00 p.m.  Board of Directors meeting

Saturday, May 17
   6:00 a.m.  Breakfast—pick up sack lunches at this time
   6:45 a.m.  Field trips leave
   6:00 p.m.  Dinner
   6:45 p.m.  Door prize drawing
   7:15 p.m.  Annual business meeting
   7:45 p.m.  Nebraska Prairie Partners—Bart Bly and Larry Snyder

Sunday, May 18
   6:00 a.m.  Breakfast
   6:45 a.m.  Field trips leave
   12 noon    Weekend tally (lunch on your own)
 

                                       NOU OFFICERS NOMINATED

The nominating committee consisting of Al Reyer, Nelli Falzgraf, and Steve Lamphere has submitted the  following slate of candidates, to be voted on at the business meeting at our spring meeting in Scottsbluff.  Thank you to the committee members and to the candidates for agreeing to serve.

President:       Lanny Randolph
Vice-President:  Urban Lehner
Secretary:       Kevin Poague
Treasurer:       Betty Grenon
Librarian:       Mary Lou Pritchard
Director:        Roland Barth
 

MOTELS

Microtel Inn — Gering Civic Center 1-888-771-7171
Candlelight Inn — 1822 E 20th Place  Scottsbluff    1-800-424-2305  
Comfort Inn — Highway 26 & 21st Ave   1-800-228-5150
Hampton Inn & Suites — Highway 26 and Avenue B  Scottsbluff 1-800-HAMPTON
Holiday Inn Express—Highway 26 & 20th Street  Scottsbluff  1-800-465-4329
Lamplighter American Inn — 606 East 27th St.  Scottsbluff  1-800-341-8000
Days Inn — Highway 26 & 21st Ave   Scottsbluff 1-800-597-3111
Super 8 Motel — Highway 26 & 21st Ave  Scottsbluff  1-800-800-8000

CAMPING

Riverside Park Campground & Zoo—1600 S. Beltline Highway W.  Scottsbluff   308-630-6235
Lake Minatare State Recreation Area
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area
 
 

Common sense conservation—that is the mission of the Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership.

We study and protect endangered interior least terns (Sternula antillarum athalassos) and threatened piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) in a way that minimizes conflicts between birds, industry, homeowners, and local communities.

All tern and plover sightings are valuable to us.  We can glean a lot of useful information from your field sightings.  If you see either of these species, we would appreciate it if you would contact us.  Please include the date, location, number of birds, what the birds were doing, and any additional observations you made.  The terns and plovers thank you for all your help.

Both species are listed as Tier 1 At-Risk species under the Nebraska Natural Legacy Plan.  Our approach is to work with all interested parties to find sensible, proactive solutions to protect
terns, plovers, and other components of the Platte River ecosystem, while ensuring that business, industry, and private interests are free to continue to operate with minimal interference.  We want both birds and humans to thrive.  The Partnership was founded in 1999 to prevent and resolve conflicts between birds and the sand and gravel mining industry.  Since then we have expanded our Partnership to include NRDs, housing developments, and others in our protection activities.

We estimate that Partnership activities have added at least 430 least terns and 130 piping plovers to the total population since our founding in 1999.  None of our sand and gravel mining industry partners have been prosecuted or fined for violations of the Endangered Species Act in that time.  According to the sand and gravel mining industry’s own estimates, our activities have generated at least $2,000,000 in additional revenue for them.  Not surprisingly, they are supportive of our efforts.  We are proud of all these accomplishment, but especially of the number of birds we’ve added.
The Partnership:
--Protects tern and plover colonies from predation and human disturbance.
--Works with conservation organizations on the wintering grounds in Mexico to protect the birds during the non-breeding season.
--Works closely with industry, homeowner’s associations, local governments, conservation organizations and the public.
--Increases awareness and appreciation of conservation issues by participating in events that educate and involve the public, industry and government.
--Maintains an active research program.  The more we know about terns and plovers, the more effective our protection efforts will be.
--Monitors tern and plover colonies through our community based “Adopt-a-Colony” volunteer program.
--Involves students through our “Job Shadowing” program.

For more information about the Partnership, to volunteer, or to get involved in our "Adopt-a-Colony" program, check out our web page at <ternandplover.unl.edu>.  Feel free to contact us at mbrown9(at)unl.edu (Mary Bomberger Brown) or cthody2(at)unl.edu (Chris Thody).  Our offices are located on the UNL East Campus at 153 Hardin Hall, 3310 Holdrege Street,
Lincoln, NE 68583-0931.
 
 

Following are summaries of some of the Nebraska Christmas Counts.  I got the information from reports sent to NeBirds (the online computer dicussion group about birds of Nebraska) and reports sent to Robin Harding for inclusion on the NOU website.  Where summaries were submitted by the compilers, I have used those.  Where only the list was sent I have done my best to write a summary myself, but these are limited because I did not participate in all of the counts and I don’t keep records for any of the past counts.  If the summary was short I added my limited take on
highlight species after the compilers name.  Everything before the compiler’s name was written by the compiler, anything after I added.  If you will be a compiler for a Christmas Count next year and want a more complete summary in the newsletter, please write one and send it to NeBirds or to Robin Harding for the NOU website or to me Lanny Randolph NOU newsletter editor and current NOU president (contact information is on the back page of this newsletter).
 
 

SEWARD/BRANCHED OAK LAKE CBC:  Saturday December 15, 2007

Our 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.

The 15th Seward-Branched Oak Lake Christmas Bird Count was held Saturday, December 15 in less than ideal conditions.  Fresh snow (2-4 inches) had fallen the night before and continued to fall throughout the morning. Although winds were ideal, seldom above 5 mph, the temperature only
reached a high of 21 F in midafternoon.  Except for a few holes in the ice here and there, all bodies of water were frozen over.  The real problems were the driving and walking conditions.  Several participants got their vehicles stuck on roads most of which were covered with snow
on top of a layer of ice.  The field conditions were worse.  The overnight snow covered the ice layer from the recent ice storm and that was on top of an earlier frozen layer of snow.  Walking in these conditions was exhausting and limited our ability to effectively cover our territories.  A saner count coordinator would have postponed the count.  Nevertheless, 15+ volunteers braved the conditions, and the count turned out to be a success with a tally of 69 species plus 5 count week species that included a number of interesting sightings.  Surprisingly, the few small holes in the ice produced 8 species of waterfowl plus 3 American Coots (4th time on the count).  Two more
waterfowl species were seen the evening before the count and added as count week birds.  The highlight of the count was the first ever sighting of a white-winged scoter at Branched Oak Lake.  In contrast to the waterfowl,for only the third time in the count history, no gulls were recorded.  Raptors were more abundant than usual with four species at or near all time highs on the count.  Partial count results follow including comments by selected observations.

cw stands for seen during the count week but not on the count

  42     Canada Goose (all time low; previous low was 432)
  cw     Common Goldeneye (only missed on two previous counts)
   1     White-winged Scoter (first time on count)
 129     Wild Turkey (all time high, previous high 40)
  21     Northern Bobwhite (below 15 year average of 44.8)
   5     Cooper's Hawk (ties all time high)
  88     Red-tailed Hawk (all time high, previous high 84 in 2006; 15
         year average 49.9)
   4     Rough-legged Hawk (second highest count)
   5     Merlin (all time high, previous high 4)
  39     Eurasian Collared Dove (all time high, previous high 26 in 2006)
  42     Mourning Dove (all time high, previous high 25 in 1993, 2003)
   1     Short-eared Owl (third time on count)
 148     Blue Jay (highest count since 1999; 15 year average 131.0)
 355     American Crow (third lowest count; 15 year average 659.8)
  10     Black-capped Chickadee (all time low; previous low 11 in 2004;
         15 year average 120.3)
  23     Red-breasted Nuthatch (second highest count; should be no
         surprise to anyone)
   6     Carolina Wren (all time high, previous high 2 in 1993, 2006)
   3     Hermit Thrush (all time high, previous high 2 in 2003)
3275     Starling (all time high, previous high 2722 in 1997)
  29     Cedar Waxwing (all time low; previous low 48 in 2003; 15 year
         average 120.3)
   6     Yellow-rumped Warbler (second highest, fifth time recorded;
         previous high 9 in 1998)
  13     Fox Sparrow (all time high, previous high 4 in 1999)
   3     Song Sparrow (third lowest count; two previous counts of 2; 15
         year average 17.1)
  cw     Swamp Sparrow (only seen on two previous counts)
 212     Harris' Sparrow (all time high, previous high 202 in 2002)
1570     Total Juncos (second highest count; previous high 1611 in 1999)
  82     Purple Finch (second highest count; previous high 111 in 2003)
   2     Common Redpoll (third time on count)

Joe Gubanyi compiler
 
 

DeSOTO/BOYER CHUTE CBC:  Sunday December 23, 2007

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.

The DeSoto/Boyer Chute CBC was held December 23rd under clear skies, winds NW at 10-20 with gusts to 30, crusted snow cover 3-6 inches, and temperatures between 15-26 F.

15 participants located 54 species plus 3 count week species and 9038 individuals.  Very little open water and strong winds made locating birds difficult.

Highlights:
8 species of waterfowl including 3 swan (sp) seen in flight, 7 species of raptors including a single rough-leg, and a merlin seen in count week.

1 yellow-bellied sapsucker and 1 common redpoll seen during count week.

Missed though usually present:
any gulls
belted kingfisher
carolina wren
yellow-rumped warbler
white-throated sparrow
lapland longspur- largely absent in the area
snow bunting

High numbers:
eurasian collared dove 10
red-breasted nuthatch 8
dark-eyed junco 2314
meadowlark sp 143

Low numbers:
all waterfowl
american crow 88
a single robin
purple finch 8
a single pine siskin

Jerry Toll compiler
 
 
 

OMAHA CBC:  Sunday December 16, 2007

The Omaha CBC, is centered on the Base Lake in Bellevue and extends into
Lake Manawa and down towards Plattsmouth and Glenwood.

The CBC was postponed from Saturday, December 15 to Sunday, December
16 because of the snow and most of us were really happy with the change. We lost several of our steadfast counters due to conflicts, but the roads were passable and we did quite well.

Even with the water being almost totally frozen, we found a few ducks and
geese, scored a few owls and what with the winter migrants, came up with 71 species. That is our second highest ever and included a new species, Eurasian Collared-Dove.

I suspect the total number of birds was low both due to weather and
fewer counters.

Betty Grenon compiler

 1    American Black Duck
 5    Eurasian Collared-Dove
 1    Red-headed Woodpecker
 3    Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
19    Red-breasted Nuthatch
10    Brown Creeper
22    Carolina Wren
 3    Winter Wren
 2    Ruby-crowned Kinglet
 6    Fox Sparrow
 1    Lincoln's Sparrow
 9    Swamp Sparrow
 5    White-throated Sparrow
 1    White-crowned Sparrow
 3    Rusty Blackbird
51    Purple Finch
60    Pine Siskin
 
 

CRAWFORD CBC:  Saturday, December 29, 2007

The Crawford CBC was conducted on December 29, 2007, with three people in the field and four feeder watchers.  Weather conditions were favorable, clear skies but cold (8 to 23 degrees) with snow depth varying from 4 to 9 inches on the ground.  Twenty-nine species were counted along with two count week species.  1,239 individual birds were counted.  A record number of Horned Larks were found, but no Snow Buntings or Longspurs could be located.  Eurasian Collared-Doves continue to increase in numbers since first counted in 2003.  Raptor numbers were low, this year, possibly because of the continued drought and lack of associated prey base.

Bruce and Donna Walgren compilers
Partial count results follow.

cw stands for seen during the count week but not on the count

 cw     Golden Eagle
 60     Eurasian Collared-Dove
 cw     Pinyon Jay
442     Horned Lark
 26     Black-capped Chickadee
 cw     Bohemian Waxwing
 

SIOUX COUNTY/HARRISON CBC:  Sunday, December 30, 2007

The Harrison CBC was conducted on December 30, 2007, with three people in the field and scouting assistance for count week from Steve Dinsmore.  At 8:00 AM, it was clear, calm and 15 degrees; by 10:45, skies were mostly overcast and the temp had gone up 1 degree.  Snow cover generally ranged from 5 to 10 inches (with “challenging” drifts in many areas - some of the canyon/butte areas were inaccessible).  By 1:30 PM, the temperature was up to 29 degrees, the wind picked up and light snow was falling, creating reduced visibility.  By 3:00, falling temps and blowing snow persuaded us that it was probably time to finish things up.  Thirty species were counted along with three count week species.  1,099 individual birds were counted.  Horned Larks were numerous, but as
with the Crawford CBC, no Snow Buntings or Longspurs could be found.  We didn’t find any buteos or eagles this year.  The Mountain Chickadee, Redpoll, and Purple Finches were new for the count.

Bruce and Donna Walgren compilers

Partial count results follow.

cw stands for seen during the count week but not on the count

 cw     Great Blue Heron
 12     Northern Bobwhite
  1     Wilson’s Snipe
  1     Mountain Chickadee
 35     Pygmy Nuthatch
325     Bohemian Waxwing
 cw     Northern Shrike
 32     White-winged Junco
 cw     Purple Finch
  1     Common Redpoll
 

AMES CBC:  Thursday, December 27, 2007

A total of 53 species were found by 12 participants during the third annual Ames CBC on December 27.  The count circle is centered one half mile east of Ames, Nebraska, and covers part of both Dodge and Saunders counties.

The temperature ranged between 10 and 20 degrees F. on a calm but gray and foggy day.  There were 6 to 10 inches of crusty snow cover in most areas and little open water.
TOTAL SPECIES  53 (a count high, however, we've only done the count 3 years)

Don and Janis Paseka compilers

Partial count results follow.

 2     Merlin
 1     Prairie Falcon
54     Black-capped Chickadees
 8     Brown Creepers
 6     Golden-crowned Kinglet
 1     Snow Bunting
17     Rusty Blackbird
12     Purple Finch
 4     Pine Siskins
 

LAKE McCONAUGHY CBC:  Saturday, December 29, 2007

The thirteenth annual Lake McConaughy Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday, December 29, 2007. There were 17 field birders and 15 feeder watchers and they counted 93 species and 34,576 individuals.  Field participants on this year’s count included Elliott Bedows, Mary B. Brown,
Stephen J. Dinsmore, Joey Hajda, Tim Hajda, Luke Hamilton, Roger Hamilton, Alice Heckman, Bill Huntley, Joel Jorgensen, Bette Klaphake, Clem Klaphake, Roger Lawson, John Murphy, Justin Rink, W. Ross Silcock, and Gabriel Wilson.

Stephen J. Dinsmore compiler

Partial count results follow.

  2       Red-breasted Merganser
 83       Greater Prairie-Chicken
  1       Golden Eagle
  1       Merlin
  2       Virginia Rail
  9       Wilson’s Snipe
  6       California Gull
200       Herring Gull
  4       Thayer's Gull
  1       Lesser Black-backed Gull
122       Eurasian Collared-Dove
 22       Mourning Dove
 14       Long-eared Owl
  1       Northern Saw-whet Owl
 18       Bohemian Waxwing
  5       Rusty Blackbird
 33       Purple Finch
  2       Cassin’s Finch
665       Pine Siskin
 

LINCOLN CBC:  Saturday, January 05, 2008

We saw 71 species and 14,934 individuals.  35 field watchers and 7 feeder watchers participated.

Rick Eades compiler

Partial count results follow.

  8       Sharp-shinned Hawk
  6       Cooper's Hawk
  2       Merlin
  1       Peregrine Falcon
138       Mourning Dove
  4       Barred Owl
  2       Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
109       Downy Woodpecker
 15       Hairy Woodpecker
  1       Loggerhead Shrike
  4       Northern Shrike
  1       shrike sp.
 80       Black-capped Chickadee
 49       Red-breasted Nuthatch
 34       Brown Creeper
 22       Golden-crowned Kinglet
  4       Yellow-rumped Warbler
  1       Chipping Sparrow
  7       Fox Sparrow
  2       Lincoln's Sparrow
  5       White-crowned Sparrow
  2       Eastern Meadowlark
 65       Great-tailed Grackle
 96       Purple Finch
  5       Red Crossbill
 44       Pine Siskin
 

PONCA CBC:   Saturday December 22, 2007

The sky was cloudy in the morning and partly clear in the afternoon.  The temperature ranged from 18 to 20 degrees.

Bill Huser compiler

 17    Bald Eagle
 18    Rough-legged Hawk
  4    Northern Shrike
 23    Black-capped Chickadee
  6    Red-breasted Nuthatch
  1    Townsend's Solitaire
 10    Purple Finch
 

SCOTTSBLUFF CBC:  Saturday December 15, 2007

We had 66 species on count day plus 3 during count week and 17,304 individuals.

Alice Kenitz compiler
Partial count results follow

cw stands for seen during the count week but not on the count

comments in parenthesis by Alice Kenitz

2876    Canada Goose (lowest since 1992)
   1    Barrow's Goldeneye (2nd time)
   2    Hooded Merganser
   1    Red-breasted Merganser (1st time)
   4    Wild Turkey (lowest since 1987)
   1    Pied-billed Grebe (2nd time)
   1    Osprey (2nd time)
   1    Ferruginous Hawk
  cw    Rough-legged Hawk
   1    Golden Eagle immature
   1    Prairie Falcon
   1    Wilson's Snipe
 101    Eurasian Collared-Dove (high)
   1    Northern Shrike
  26    Black-billed Magpie
  26    Black-capped Chickadee
   4    Mountain Chickadee
  12    Red-breasted Nuthatch
   4    White-breasted Nuthatch
  cw    Pygmy Nuthatch count week
   1    Marsh Wren
  30    Townsend's Solitaire
   2    Spotted Towhee (high)
 136    White-crowned Sparrow
   1    Northern Cardinal
   1    Brewer's Blackbird
   1    Purple Finch (2nd time)
  cw    Red Crossbill count week
  89    Pine Siskin

NORFOLK CBC:  Saturday December 15, 2007

59 total species.  12,306 total individuals.

Duane Wolff compiler

Partial count results follow.

150    Cackling Geese
  8    Bald Eagles, adults
  5    Sharp-shinned Hawks
  3    Cooper's Hawks
  4    Accipiter species
  4    Rough-legged Hawks
  2    Merlins
  1    Prairie Falcon
  1    Wilson's Snipe
 11    Hairy Woodpeckers
  5    Northern Shrikes
  2    Black-billed Magpies
 35    Black-capped Chickadees
 22    Red-breasted Nuthatches
  1    Brown Creeper
  4    Golden-crowned Kinglets
  2    Eastern Bluebirds
  6    White-crowned Sparrows
  2    Lapland Longspurs
  1    Rusty Blackbird
  6    Purple Finches
 49    Pine Siskins
 

BEAVER VALLEY CBC (near Petersburg in Boone Co.):  December 16, 2007

The Beaver Valley CBC (also near Albion in Boone Co.) was held on Saturday, December 16.  Total species  39

Don and Colleen Noecker compilers

Partial count results follow.

174    Greater Prairie-Chickens
 54    Wild Turkeys
  8    Bald Eagles
  1    Sharp-shinned Hawk
  1    Northern Shrike
  3    Red-breasted Nuthatches
  4    Golden-crowned Kinglets
  2    Rusty Blackbirds
 

CALAMUS CBC:  December 29, 2007

56 Total species plus one count week.  4815 Total individuals.

Dave Heidt compiler

Partial count results follow.

  1    Hooded Merganser
 27    Common Mergansers
  6    Trumpeter Swans
  1    Sharp-tailed Grouse
 40    Greater Prairie-Chickens
  4    Sharp-shinned Hawks
  2    Cooper's Hawks
  1    Rough-legged Hawk
  1    Merlin
  1    Wilson's Snipe
  6    Northern Shrikes
  1    Winter Wren
  5    Black-capped Chickadees
  3    Red-breasted Nuthatches
  1    Townsend's Solitaire
 60    Cedar Waxwings
 45    Pine Siskins
124    Purple Finches

NEBRASKA STATE AND COUNTY LISTERS:
Added another category this year!

(1). NEBRASKA LIFE LIST: of the current 452* species on the "Official List of the Birds of Nebraska";  HOW MANY DO YOU HAVE?
* (posssible 4 species added in 2007; pending NOURC approval; Zone-tailed Hawk, Royal Tern, Frigatebird sp., and Eurasian Tree Sparrow)

THIS IS A TOTAL NEBRASKA LIST (not annual).
*** Report only totals of 250 or more in this category! ______________

(2). COUNTY LIFE-LIST TOTALS (OVER 125)!
If you cannot use this this form, there is one available also at the NOU Homepage!
*** Report only those counties WITH 125 or more species: As of 12/31/07: do NOT include any 2008 sightings!

 1. _____ Adams  32. _____ Frontier  63. _____ Nance
 2. _____ Antelope 33. _____ Furnas  64. _____ Nemaha
 3. _____ Arthur 34. _____ Gage   65. _____ Nuckolls
 4. _____ Banner 35. _____ Garden  66. _____ Otoe
 5. _____ Blaine 36. _____ Garfield  67. _____ Pawnee
 6. _____ Boone  37. _____ Gosper  68. _____ Perkins
 7. _____ Box Butte 38. _____ Grant  69. _____ Phelps
 8. _____ Boyd  39. _____ Greeley  70. _____ Pierce
 9. _____ Brown  40. _____ Hall   71. _____ Platte
10. _____ Buffalo 41. _____ Hamilton  72. _____ Polk
11. _____ Burt  42. _____ Harlan  73. _____ Red Willow
12. _____ Butler 43. _____ Hayes  74. _____ Richardson
13. _____ Cass  44. _____ Hitchcock  75. _____ Rock
14. _____ Cedar  45. _____ Holt   76. _____ Saline
15. _____ Chase  46. _____ Hooker  77. _____ Sarpy
16. _____ Cherry 47. _____ Howard  78. _____ Saunders
17. _____ Cheyenne 48. _____ Jefferson  79. _____ Scotts Bluff
18. _____ Clay  49. _____ Johnson  80. _____ Seward
19. _____ Colfax 50. _____ Kearney  81. _____ Sheridan
20. _____ Cuming 51. _____ Keith  82. _____ Sherman
21. _____ Custer 52. _____ Keya Paha  83. _____ Sioux
22. _____ Dakota 53. _____ Kimball  84. _____ Stanton
23. _____ Dawes  54. _____ Knox   85. _____ Thayer
24. _____ Dawson 55. _____ Lancaster  86. _____ Thomas
25. _____ Deuel  56. _____ Lincoln  87. _____ Thurston
26. _____ Dixon  57. _____ Logan  88. _____ Valley
27. _____ Dodge  58. _____ Loup   89. _____ Washington
28. _____ Douglas  59. _____ McPherson  90. _____ Wayne
29. _____ Dundy  60. _____ Madison  91. _____ Webster
30. _____ Fillmore  61. _____ Merrick  92. _____ Wheeler
31. _____ Franklin  62. _____ Morrill  93. _____ York

(3.) *** Total Nebraska County Life List Number: __________ (500 Minimum)

Add totals of all species for EVERY COUNTY visited (including those BELOW 125):  For example if you have seen 100 species of Nebraska birds in every Nebraska county; your total county number would be 100 X 93 = 9,300

(4.) Annual (2007) Species Total: _____________

This is the number of bird species you identified in Nebraska IN 2007.

THANKS!!! HAVE A GREAT YEAR BIRDING IN 2008!

deadline:  May 20, 2008
Call, Send, or E-Mail Totals to:

Mark A. Brogie
508 Seeley, Box 316
Creighton, NE 68729
(402) 358-5675
email: mbrogie(at)esu1.org

"It's a fun game. It is a lot harder to get new life list birds now than it used to be.  But the county game brings that part of the fun back into birding for us.  We can celebrate each time we find a new county bird.  That is what makes the county life list game so much fun, ..."
Lanny Randolph 2003
 
 

We will hold our 2009 Spring Meeting in the Rainwater Basin.  The meeting will be in York May 15-17.  A volunteer is needed to arrange accommodations, meals and a meeting room.  If you are willing to help then email, call or write to Lanny Randolph at virginiarail(at)nctc.net or (308)216-0427 or (308)4685057 or 50370 24th Road, Gibbon, NE 68840.
 
 

                                        NOU Meeting Scholarships
 

Scholarship money is available to help defray the cost of attending NOU meetings for full-time students.  Interested persons should contact Lanny Randolph at virginiarail(at)nctc.net or (308)216-0427 or (308)468-5057 or 50370 24th Road, Gibbon, NE 68840.
 
 
 
 

                              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
 

Registration for Spring Meeting at Trails West YMCA Camp in Scottsbluff, May 16-18, 2008

 Registration Deadline May 6

Meals (Price includes tax and tip)           Price  No. of Persons  Cost

Friday dinner—pizza and salad......................$6.00  x  ___________ =_________

Saturday breakfast—scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon....$6.00  x  __________  =_________

Saturday sack lunch................................ $5.00  x  __________  =_________

Saturday Dinner—buffet w/ roast beef and lemon chicken..$14.00  x   __________  =_________

Sunday breakfast—breakfast casserole, fruit.........$7.00  x   __________  =_________
 

Registration fee...........................$10.00  x   __________  = _______
 

Lodging—see article about the Spring Meeting...$80/room/night ($160 for the weekend)  =________
 

Total Enclosed with this Form........................................$_________

PLEASE  INDICATE  ANY  SPECIAL  DIETARY NEEDS __________________________

________________________________________________________________________
 

Name(s)__________________________________________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip__________________________________________________________________

Phone number__________________________________e-mail______________________________

Make checks payable to NOU and mail with this form before May 6 to:

  Betty Grenon, Treasurer
  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