The Meadowlark

Volume 31 Issue 10

ASO is a Chapter of the National Audubon Society serving Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa

December 2002

Raptors Up Close

By Ed Higgins and Laurine Blankenau

Nature has given hawks, owls and falcons impressive attributes: speed of flight, visual acuity, hunting prowess, grace of movement, and beauty of plumage and form.

They have long inspired admiration for their superior qualities, appearing thousands of years ago in the art of Egypt, Asia Minor, and elsewhere. Both hawks and falcons have figured in the sport and practical uses of falconry from very early times to the present.

We will have a chance to meet live raptors introduced by the Omaha Rap

tor Team at the general meeting Thursday, December 12. The birds, usually seen from a distance soaring high or flying rapidly out of sight, can be viewed up close.

You will meet the members of the Omaha Raptor Team and their feathered educators, which will include hawks, owls and falcons.

The nine-member Team are partners with ASO and the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District. They present over 180 programs yearly with their educational birds. While rehabilitation is not done by the Team, the

birds they present cannot be released into the wild.

Please join us to enjoy and learn more about birds of prey and appreciate the Team's work. They will answer questions you may have about these intriguing raptors.

The meeting will be held at the Hanscom Park Methodist Church, 4444 Frances Street (1 block south of 45th & Center), 7:30 P.M. A brief business meeting will follow the program and the evening will conclude with coffee, cookies and conversation.

Visitors are welcome.

Combining Citizen Science and Recreation

on Bird Counts December 14 & 21

Boyer Chute will be included in the areas covered.

The Omaha Area Count of December 21 will take place at four sites. Four captains will lead the volunteers at each site: Loren Padelford, 292-5556—Lake Manawa; Clem Klaphake, 292-2276—Fontenelle Forest; Neal Ratzlaff, 397-0135—Glenwood, Iowa, area; and Sue Mattix, 593-7433—Cedar Island on the Platte.

Coordinator for the Count is Betty

Grenon, 731-2383. Call Betty or one of the captains for meeting place, time, or other information.

Also on December 21 the Shenandoah, Iowa, Count will be held. To join this count, call Barbara Cunningham, 712-246-1203, bjcswuu@heartland.net.

You need not be an expert birder to be of help and beginners are welcome. The experts, however, will guide you. This is a way to learn, contribute, and enjoy a day of birding.

The December field trip is traditionally combined with the Christmas Bird Counts, combining recreation and a useful service. Founded in 1900, the Count compiles scientific data on the winter distributions of bird species.

Volunteers are urged to join birders across the western hemisphere on December 14 for the DeSoto Count under the supervision of Jerry Toll. Please call him at 453-9239 for particulars about locations and time.

2

Not for the Birds

By Eric Scholar

Because most of us are now in the middle of feeding backyard birds, I want to call your attention to the following article. It is a synopsis of an article that appeared in the Washington Post a few months ago and was sent to me by Arlys Reitan in an email a few months ago. It provides another aspect to birdfeeding, and I thought it would be of interest to ASO members.

When they hung a bird feeder in their Arlington yard, Bill and Nancy O'Brien just wanted to watch wildlife up close and do some good at the same time but quickly found that interacting with nature is complicated. First, the squirrels came to steal cracked corn from the birds, then rats to eat food spilled by the squirrels. A stray cat, which left behind a telltale pile of feathers, clinched it. Last summer, the O'Brien's regretfully took down the feeder.

Their mixed feelings about backyard feeding are shared for different reasons by bird experts. The surprising fact is that the kindhearted feeding of birds is not necessarily good for them. Birds do not need feeder food, research shows, and poorly maintained feeders can expose them to disease.

The main benefit of bird feeding, advocates say, is that it provides a direct, intimate view of the natural world for more than 50 million Americans who feed the birds in their yards. "It is not going to do significant damage. It is not going to do significant good," said Laura Kammemeier, a spokeswoman for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Project FeederWatch, which collects bird data from volunteers across the country. It is something we do for ourselves, and it has a lot of educational value."

Backyard feeding is most popular in winter, when birds seem to need the most help. Some people worry that birds will suffer unless they keep the feeders filled. But research indicates that most birds do not depend on feeders. Bird feeders supply at most a fifth of a bird's nutrition, according to a study of Black-capped Chickadees that researchers say also applies to other species. If a feeder is empty, birds find food somewhere else.

"I don't see in the studies that have been done that bird food is necessary for wild birds," said Stephen Kress, V.P. for bird conservation at the National Audubon Society. "The benefits are local, and for a few species, and only as long as someone is putting it out. A lot of birds don't come to feeders, so we are deluding ourselves if we think it has a widespread effect."

Feeders can help individual birds stressed by disease or very cold weather. Black-capped Chickadees with access

to feeders are more likely to survive very harsh winters, according to research, but they do not breed any better in the spring. Bird feeders may have extended the wintering grounds of some birds. Researchers think that is why cardinals and titmice, rarely seen north of Washington in winter four decades ago, now are common up to Canada. Fragile Carolina Wrens are more likely now to survive harsh winters.

Feeders generally draw Mourning Doves, sparrows and other common birds, not rarities. Some scientists worry that feeders subsidize starlings, pigeons and other unwanted, aggressive birds that outmuscle other species. Duke University Ornithologist John Terborgh believes feeders help grackles, cowbirds, and others that raid or usurp nests of native birds and the tropical birds that migrate to Washington each spring.

The strongest criticism of bird feeders is that they concentrate birds in crowds that can spread disease. The disease problem is such a concern that wildlife officials recently have stepped up warnings that people need to keep their feeders clean.

Feeders also enhance the risk that birds will slam into windows en route to a meal or be eaten by hawks and cats that stake out feeders as fast food stops. A study by Project FeederWatch concluded that each feeder may kill one to 10 birds each year this way.

Many groups promote bird feeding primarily because they hope it will inspire people to become more concerned about protecting the environment. They want them to stop using outdoor pesticides, plant shrubs with seeds that birds eat, and support stronger environmental laws. Kress of the Audubon Society calls it "the gateway effect."

This is what happened to Miriam St. Clair. At first she only put out feeders. Now her yard has nest boxes to house birds, a brush pile to shelter them, and plants like purple coneflowers and black-eyed susans to supply food. "Everybody who starts feeding birds starts reading about them more," she said. "Then you start to see other things that the birds need."

For Cynthia Davis, who tends a dozen feeders and suet cages in her yard, bird feeding offers a way to teach her 8-year-old daughter about respecting and caring for wildlife. Davis knows the birds do not depend on her feeders. But she has grown to depend on their presence in her yard, which is a few minutes from the noise and traffic. "You see nature at work," she said, "and I don't think you see that in a whole lot of urban neighborhoods."

Bird Seed Sale Completed

Sally Hansen, Chair, wishes to thank the following volunteers who assisted her to bring the sale to a successful completion. Three garage owners, Duane Bright, Barbara Sennentz and Neal & Izen Ratzlaff, stored the supplies and manned the sites the two days of the sale.

Don Paseka and Jim Kovanda performed the heavy duties of unloading the delivery trucks. Jerry Toll recruited volunteers and assigned them to the sites.

Helpers on sale days at the above sites and at the ASO Office at Heron Haven were Clem Klaphake, Betty Grenon, Sandy & Jim Kovanda, Babs & Loren Padelford, Dick Rasmussen, Jim & Colette Chiesa, Roland Barth, Roy Rayner, Steve Lamphere, Jim Meyer, Eric Scholar, Jack Phillips, Cal Wolf, Laurine Blankenau, Dave Nichols, Jim McLochlin, Don Westling, Jan & Justin Stolen, Bechara Embaid, Ione Werthman, Eunice Levisay, Mark Armstrong, Paul Kardell, Randy & Nelli Falzgraf, Dick Overfield, and Garry Mick.

Undertaking the hard work of chairing this major fundraiser was Sally Hansen, who brought the sale to a successful finish! ASO extends sincere thanks to her for taking on this important work.

Wild Kingdom Essay Contest

If you are between the ages of 9 and 12, the Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Kids' Summit could be your adventure of a lifetime.

Fifty-one winners will be chosen to represent their state at the second Wild Kingdom Kids' Summit April 24, 2003, in Los Angeles. The deadline for entries if February 7, 2003.

Contestants are to submit an essay of 50 to 200 words explaining, "What threatened or endangered species in North America do you most want to save, and how would you save it?" The animal must naturally reside in North America.

An official entry form and complete instructions can be obtained by contacting Bechara Embaid at (402) 399-9300 Ext. 2213 or Mobile (402) 578-7949. Complete rules will be mailed to you, along with the entry form.

Contestants must be between 9 and 12 years of age at the time of entering the contest. Parental approval is required.

What are the prizes? An expense-paid trip to Los Angeles, along with parent or guardian, to attend the Summit; seeing and learning exciting new things about our natural world; meeting original Wild Kingdom hosts Jim Fowler and Peter Gros, who will host the Summit and hear your winning idea; visits to the Los Angeles Zoo, Universal Studios and Universal City Walk; and your essay published on www.wildkingdom.com.

Please call Bechara Embaid at the above number for complete information.

Student Artists

To Showcase Their Talents

The Student Art Contest 2003 is being planned for the metropolitan area. An awards ceremony at the Westroads is tentatively set for Sunday, March 30, a somewhat later date than last year and perhaps less likely to involve a problem with weather.

The theme, deadline, and contest rules will be accessible on our web site when the date is firmed up. Notices will also be mailed to art teachers. Winners will receive prizes of nature-related items.

Nelli Falzgraf and Laurine Blankenau, Chairs, will be seeking volunteers for planning, receiving entries at the office, displaying the works, and distributing the entries after the ceremony.

This year the contest was a success with art teachers, students and families, with many attending the awards event and expressing gratitude to ASO for undertaking this contest.

If you wish to help, please call Nelli at 292-9687 or Laurine at 451-3647.

December Events

2 (Mon) Conservation Meeting

4 (Wed) Board Meeting

12 (Thur) General Meeting

14 (Sat) DeSoto Bird Count

21 (Sat) Omaha Area Bird Count & Shenandoah, IA Bird Count

4

Legislative Action

By Ione Werthman

Election 2002 - The lack of voters and lack of knowledge of issues on the part of citizens, especially concerning the environment, is most frustrating for me, and I know it is for many of you. We need to keep these issues on the table in public policy discussion and debate. Things are happening to our country that scare me and remind me of a comment made by Marge Higgins in her "Consumer's Friend" newsletter. "We're following the same identical path as the Germans did in the thirties. To this day people keep asking how did the Nazis take over Germany? It was easy! The people looked out for themselves, and so long as their stomachs were full and their houses warm, they shrugged their shoulders and said, `What can I do about it?'" And didn't bother to vote.

Rod Nordland in Newsweek, Oct. 18, wrote, "In their one-candidate presidential election, thousands of (Iraqi) voters bloodied their fingers with pins to mark the `Yes' box for seven more years of Saddam Hussein...The ballots, however, were all numbered to correspond to the voters, so only the hopelessly suicidal would have voted against Saddam."

It was heartening to read in the Nov 17 Omaha World-Herald that despite losing the election, renewable energy supporters caught the ear of OPPD. Frances Mendenhall and Tom Foster are to be commended for leading the charge for wind energy. OPPD Board President Jeff Hall has now directed OPPD's administration to put together a serious five-year plan for using renewable energy, saying also that an important part of the plan will be inviting public comment.

Will we be ready to respond? Margaret Mead said it very well, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." The question is, how soon will OPPD start planning?

Drilling for Oil - President Bush has not given up his proposal to drill in the Arctic NWR and in many public lands in the lower 48 states. Will he get the votes to succeed? Records show that more than 90% of our public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the Rocky Mountain States are already open to oil and gas drilling, and more than 60,000 oil and gas wells exist on public land.

Now the push is for drilling in the last 10% in areas such as the Grand Staircase - Escalante Ntl Monument, UT; Red Desert and Upper Green Basin, WY; California Coast; Missouri Breaks, MT; Little Missouri Grasslands, ND; Otero Mesa, NM, and others - over 6 million possible acres.

We must push for more government support of research into renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies. America is a nation of nature lovers. We can't be complacent and let the gas and oil companies have the last word!

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The auto industry needs to have pressure put on it, too. Earlier this year they helped defeat congressional efforts to raise fuel efficiency standards for cars, light trucks and SUV's, even though these haven't improved in nearly 20 years. However, since California passed the nation's first law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles (despite the industry's scare tactics), we need to spread the victory nationwide. The federal Clean Air Act allows other states to follow suit with tougher standards.

On the subject of clean air, power plants as well as industry, car and truck pollution cause about 30,000 premature deaths in America each year. An estimated 160 million people live in areas where the air is unhealthy.

Senator James J. Jeffords (I VT), in the Nov/Dec National Parks magazine, said, "Unfortunately, the administration's response to air pollution and global warming has been chilling at best. The administration has walked away from international negotiations on climate, insisting that voluntary actions are adequate. Enforcement of the Clean Air Act has been put on the back burner."

As Chair of the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, Senator Jeffords and 22 of his colleagues have sponsored the Clean Power Act of 2002, which would significantly lower emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury and carbon dioxide by 2008. The President's proposed bill would take twice as long to clear the air and would eliminate existing authorities vital for protecting parks and local air quality. This should challenge the new Congress in January.

Missouri River - Closer to home, Missouri River environmentalists are planning legal action against the Corps of Engineers in 2003 to force changes in the flows of the Missouri River. Led by national environmental groups; American Rivers; National Wildlife Federation's Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota chapters; and the Izaak Walton League; the coalition says that the Corps is violating the Endangered Species Act and other federal laws. The Corps has informed the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service that they cannot come up with a new operating plan by the 2003 deadline. This despite all the studies done by Fish & Wildlife, National Academy of Sciences, environmental impact statements, and public hearings held up and

Continued on page 5

Omaha Raptor Team - A Committee of ASO

- By Alison O'Connor

6

Audubon Releases List of America's Most Imperiled Birds

Despite the exciting recovery of endangered birds like the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon, more than one-quarter of America's birds are in trouble or decline, according to the National Audubon Society. In a report released October 23 entitled "WatchList 2002," Audubon identifies 201 species that show either significantly decreasing numbers or restricted range, or are under other threats.

"Audubon WatchList 2002 is a warning system that shows us where to focus our attention and resources if we want to help the survival of a vast number of bird species," says Frank Gill, Audubon's Chief Ornithologist and Senior Vice-President for Science and author of the comprehensive reference, Birds of North America. "It is also a powerful tool that policy makers, businesses, and the general public can use now to take positive conservation action."

Based on a stoplight model, WatchList places selected bird species in red, yellow, or green categories, depending on the danger they face. A centerpiece of conservation efforts at Audubon, the WatchList aims to halt the decline of America's birds and to rebuild their populations to healthy, green-light status.

WatchList serves to underscore some disturbing trends. Since 1970, many songbird species have declined by as much as 50 percent or more. The California Thrasher and the southeast's Painted Bunting both show declines in excess of 50 percent, while the Cerulean Warbler of the eastern U.S. has declined by more than 70 percent, and the Henslow's Sparrow from the Midwest has dangerously dropped by 80 percent. The Hawaiian `Akikiki from Kauai has dropped from about 6,800 birds in the early 70's to only 1,000 individuals today.

Ironically, these declines come at a time when bird watching is hitting an all-time high in popularity. The National Survey on Recreation and the Environment tallies 71 million Americans participating in 2001, up 250 percent from 1982, making birding the fastest-growing outdoor activity in the U.S. And, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Americans spent $40 billion on wildlife watching in 2001, up steadily from $30 billion in 1996 and $21 billion in 1991.

"The WatchList is preventive medicine," continued Gill. "It will be used first and foremost to enlist federal, state, and local governments to focus their resources towards protecting these birds before they become endangered or threatened - when they would demand more serious action and major taxpayer support to recover."

Audubon WatchList is a unique project that filters information on bird populations compiled by field scien

tists in the U.S. and overseas. The final product recognizes three levels of concern.

RED - Species in this category of global conservation concern are declining rapidly, have very small populations or limited ranges, and face major conservation threats. Audubon identifies several red-listed species as probable candidates for inclusion on the Federal Endangered or Threatened Species Lists.

YELLOW - Category includes the majority of species identified. Yellow-list birds are declining, but at slower rates than those in the red category. These typically are birds of national conservation concern, and those that can be saved more cost effectively.

GREEN - Species in this category are not declining, have unknown trends, or have very large population sizes. These species are not included on the Audubon WatchList.

For the first time in 2002, the Audubon WatchList includes birds of Hawaii and Puerto Rico, in addition to the birds of mainland North America.

"The reasons for identifying species on the WatchList are not entirely altruistic," concluded Gill. "Like the proverbial canary in the coal mine, birds are primary indicators of environmental health, and what hurts birds also hurts the people who share the same space. We should in no way take WatchList birds for granted. We should rather listen to what their declines are telling us about the ecosystems we both inhabit."

Methodology used in the WatchList was developed in conjunction with Partners in Flight, a coalition of North American ornithological groups of which Audubon is a leading member. Bird Life International developed global methodology. Audubon is the U.S. partner designate for BLI.

If you find an injured bird of prey, please contact a Raptor Recovery Center volunteer at 402-734-6817 or 402-731-9869.

5

People Use 83 Percent

of Land Surface: A Study

Humans take up 83 percent of the Earth's land surface to live on, farm, mine or fish, leaving just a few areas pristine for wildlife, according to a recent report.

People also have taken advantage of 98 percent of the land that can be farmed for rice, wheat or corn, said the report produced by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Columbia University's Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) in New York.

Their map, published on the internet at http://www.wcs.org/humanfootprint, adds together influences from population density, access from roads and waterways, electrical power infrastructure, and the area used by cities and farms.
The few remaining wild areas include the northern forests of Alaska, Canada and Russia, the high plateaus of Tibet and Mongolia, and much of the Amazon River Basin.

"The map of the human footprint is a clear-eyed view of our influence on the Earth," said Eric Sanderson, a landscape ecologist for the WCS, who led the report.

"It provides a way to find opportunities to save wildlife and wild lands in pristine areas and also to understand how conservation in wilderness, countryside, suburbs, and cities is all related."

Antarctica and a few Arctic land patches were not included in the study because of the lack of data and near absence of human influences, said Malanding Jaiteh, Senior Staff Associate at CIESIN.

Birders' Exchange -

Sharing Tools, Saving Birds

Researchers, educators, and conservationists in Latin America and the Caribbean are striving to protect birds and their habitat, but many are working without the most basic equipment such as binoculars and field guides.

For some time the ABA Birders' Exchange has asked for donations of used optics in good condition. (Binoculars must be in proper alignment, the focus wheel in operation, and the glass without flaws.) Especially needed are rubber-armored and/or waterproof binoculars and spotting scopes. Also needed are field guides, cameras, sound equipment, laptops, back packs, etc.

Donations of any of these or the above items are tax deductible and are acknowledged by a letter of receipt. All items are distributed free of charge.

This sorely needed equipment helps protect birds by enhancing awareness and empowering local people to make wise conservation decisions.
Besides equipment, financial donations are welcome. We are invited to contribute to a matching fund pledge from the Riedman Foundation in order to raise $100,000 for the program. Checks should be marked for the Janet Ruff Education Fund and sent to the address listed below.

Additionally, if anyone traveling to one of our sister nations to the south is willing to serve as a courier of birding equipment, this service would be welcome.

The mailing address for equipment or cash donations is Birders' Exchange, American Birding Association, P.O. Box 6599, Colorado Springs CO 80934-6599. Optics should be carefully packed for protection.

For all inquiries call 1-800-850-BIRD. Email: bex@aba.org; web: www.americanbirding.org/bex

A Restless Cardinal

Ruth Green has a bird story worth the telling. On June 23, 2002, she banded a hatching-year male Cardinal in her yard. On July 26 this bird was found in Rochester, Minnesota, having covered a record distance for one of Ruth's banded Cardinals.

This species, Ruth reports, generally remains in a 25-mile area, though young males are known to stray a bit farther. The movement of the species is not easterly but west.

The adventurous spirit seems to have burned brightly in this red breast. Ah, if we had wings, no long waits or annoying baggage checks...........

Continued from page 4

Conservation/Legislative Action,

down the river through the past 15 years. I'm sorry to say the Bush administration has endorsed the delay.

We have our work cut out for us for the next two years. We need to be aware of the issues and follow the thinking of our politicians, write our letters, speak out when possible, and do more than shrug our shoulders.

Make a New Year's resolution now (it isn't too early) and join us for our monthly Conservation meetings - the first Monday of each month. Next meeting is Dec 2, 7:30 P.M, ASO Office, Heron Haven, 11809 Old Maple Road.

Nature Safaris to Uganda and Kenya

Four nature and birding safaris are planned for December, January, June and July to East Africa by John and Jeanne Goodman, who are known to some at ASO for their programs in our film series.

The above trips offer three types of lodging: (1) camping, (2) camping plus hotels, and (3) hotels only. The facilities are national parks, Y's, small and upcountry hotels, private and public camps, "anywhere it is cheap and safe." You save only about $15 a day by camping. We do not stay in park lodges but visitors may choose them or expensive hotels during part or all of the stay.

The Goodmans use their own vans, cooks, and camp helpers. They offer 10-day, 20-day, and 35-day safaris. The prices range from $3800 to $4250, depending on the number of participants and length of stay. The cost goes down dramatically for 15 persons versus 5; the cost for 5 persons for 10 days is almost equal to that for 15 persons for 35 days. Air fare is included. The food? You can eat very well at their prices.

They will visit their favorite national parks in Uganda, stopping at Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyoni, and the incomparable Queen Elizabeth National Park on the Uganda-Congo border. For the longer tour they go on to Kenya's Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Maasai Mara, Samburu, Meru, and finally Nairobi.

Tentative dates are Dec.29-Jan 7, Jan 10-Jan 30 with option of 30 days. Others are June 15-25, June 28-July 18 or June 15-July 20.

The activities can be tailored to meet individuals' preferences. Some want to do more birding; others to see large animals. Some stays can be ex

Audubon Society

Membership Application

Addresses to Remember

President George W. Bush

The White House,1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington D.C. 20500-0001

Comments: 202-456-1111; fax: 202-456-2993

Senator Ben Nelson

U.S. Senate, Washington DC 20510; 202-224-6551;

fax 202-228-0012; Lincoln: 402-437-5246

Omaha address: 7602 Pacific St, #205, 68114

Senator Chuck Hagel

U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510-2705

Phone: (202) 224-4224; Fax: (202) 224-5213

Omaha phone: (402) 758-8981

Representative Lee Terry

U.S. House of Representatives,Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-4155 ; Fax: (202) 226-5452

Omaha phone: (402) 397-9944

Representative Douglas Bereuter

U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-4806; fax (202) 225-5686

Lincoln phone: (402) 438-1598

Governor Michael Johanns

Capitol Bldg, Box 94848 Lincoln, NE 68509

Phone: (402) 471-2244; Fax: 471-6031

Mayor Mike Fahey

Omaha/Douglas Civic Center

1819 Farnam St, Omaha NE 68183

Phone: 444-5000 Hot Line: 444-5555

The Audubon Magazine*(see below,

chapter-only membership) and your

membership card will be sent to this address:

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Street___________________________________

City_____________________State_________

Zip Code________Phone:_____________

Email:_____________________

Introductory Membership

National Audubon & Local Chapter

(1st & 2nd Year) $20 -

Chapter-only Membership: $15

(No National Audubon Magazine)

Mail to Audubon Society of Omaha

11809 Old Maple Road

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A bequest to Audubon is a gift to those who will succeed us; a gift to secure our natural heritage.

Memorials

The Audubon Society of Omaha greatly appreciates the memorials it receives.

When sending your gift, please identify the person you wish to memorialize. Please also give the name and address of the person to be notified.

tended, shortened or substitutions made. How much walking is involved? It need not be much—it's up to you.

The Goodmans have lived in Uganda, have led safaris to East Africa since 1978 and local birding trips for many years. Jeanne Goodman is a wildlife filmer and lecturer, most recently with Outdoor Film Adventures and previously with National Audubon. John has taught ornithology and zoology at various universities.

For the complete itinerary and other information on this unusual safari, contact John and Jeanne Goodman (909)794-2563, email mahaljua@aol.com

Birdline

For an update on the sightings in the state, call 292-5325.

Report your sightings after listening to the tape.

Audubon Society of Omaha, 11809 Old Maple Road, Omaha 68164

Phone: 445-4138 - http://audubon-omaha.org

Elected Officers:

President Eric Scholar, 5012 Nicholas St, Omaha 68132 551-5045

1st Vice President Elliott Bedows, 309 Greenbrier Ct, Bellevue 68005 292-5017

2nd Vice President Nelli Falzgraf, 414 Ridgewood Dr, Bellevue 68005 292-9687

Past President Lisa Peterson, 8911 Q St, Apt 212C, Omaha 68127 453-9146

Treasurer Sharon Draper, 6220 Kansas Ave, Omaha 68104 572-4026

Recording & Corresponding

Secretary Martha Massengale, 11667 Fowler Ave, Omaha 68164 493-5062

Elected Directors Jackie Scholar, 5012 Nicholas St, Omaha 68132 551-5045

Sue Mattix, 11111 "T" Plaz, #206, Omaha 68137 593-7433

Mark Armstrong, 12741 Forestdale Dr, Omaha 68123 292-9770

Bob Fuchs, 1113 Dillon Dr, Omaha 68132 553-8242

Paul Kardell, 1112 South 218th St, Elkhorn NE 68022 289-9864
Clem Klaphake, 707 Garden Ave, Bellevue 68005 292-2276

Standing Committee Chairpersons:

Conservation Ione Werthman, 11649 Burt St, #011, Omaha 68154 493-0373

Education Brian Jensen, 12430 Bel Drive, Omaha NE 68144 333-6375

Field Trip Clem Klaphake, 707 Garden Ave, Bellevue 68005 292-2276

Finance Nelli Falzgraf, 414 Ridgewood Dr, Bellevue 68005 292-9687

Fund Raising Steve Lamphere, 3101 Washington St, #98, Bellevue 68005 291-9149

Hospitality DwanDean Leach, 3006 Poppleton, Omaha 68105 346-5769

Membership Bechara Embaid, 3218 No. 120th Court Apt. 221, Omaha 68164 965-9598

Natural Areas Mgt

Omaha Raptor Team Jenny Henricksen, 4845 So 167 Ave 68135 895-5487

Program Ed Higgins, 3717 No 93rd St, Omaha 68134 572-1957

Publication Laurine Blankenau, 3808 Grebe, Omaha 68112 451-3647

Publicity Kathy Schwery, 3616 So 96th St, Omaha 68124 397-7343

Other Activities:

Speakers Bureau Ione Werthman, 11649 Burt St, #011, Omaha 68154 493-0373

Naturestudy Nelli Falzgraf, 414 Ridgewood Dr. Bellevue 68005 292-9687

Bird Seed Sale Sally Hansen, 2330 Bel Court #12, Omaha 68144 334-2329

Historian Kathleen Rose, 123 Bellevue Blvd So, Bellevue 68005 292-8912

Audubon Nebr Director Dave Sands, P. O. Box 117, Denton NE 68339.............. (402) 797-2301

NAS Board Member Dave Tylka, tylka@stlcc.cc.mo.us

Audubon Society of Omaha

11809 Old Maple Road

Omaha NE 68164

Non-Proft Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

OMAHA, NEBRASKA

PERMIT NO. 79