Bird Banding

By Rick Schmid 

What is MAPS and why do ASO members care? On Thursday, March 11, Rick Schmid will answer these questions. Rick is the Director of Education at Fontenelle Nature Association (FNA) and also a bird bander. He has been an avid birder for over 40 years and has led birding trips to 20 U.S. states as well as to Belize.

In addition to finding a lot of birds on his field trips, he has found some interesting adventures, including

¨ Getting lost in the woods on Michigan's Upper Peninsula while chasing a Veery

¨ Rerouting the birding plans in Belize to search for a trip participant's lost passport

¨ Answering questions from the Border Patrol in southeastern Arizona about why he was driving people around in mini-vans by the Mexican border.

¨ Watching most of the group suffer from seasickness off the shores of Cape Hatteras

¨ Cruising the streets of Key West amid oddly-dressed residents while searching for Red Junglefowl. Who knew anyone dressed more oddly than birders??

Over the past 10 years, Rick has conducted numerous presentations for local organizations, school groups and the FNA Bird Club covering topics ranging from bird identification to bird banding to bird feeding.

In his presentation for ASO on Thursday, March 11, Rick will describe his (and ASO member Betty Grenon's) involvement with a multinational bird banding project that is providing valuable information about bird populations. The acronym MAPS stands for Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship.

Please join us for our program at 7:30 P.M. at the Hanscom Park Methodist Church, 4444 Frances Street (one block south of 45th & Center Streets).

A brief business meeting will follow the program, and the evening will conclude with a social hour, coffee and cookies. Visitors are welcome.

Slate of Nominees Presented

The Nominating Committee has presented the following slate for election of officers and directors beginning July 1 for the 2010-2011 year.

Officers:

President - Jerry Toll

1st Vice President - Jackie Scholar

2nd Vice President - Linda Dennis

Treasurer - Patty Albright

Recording Secretary - Laurine Blankenau

Corresponding Secretary - Kathleen Crawford-Rose

Directors:

Jamie Vann, new to our board; David Crawford, beginning a second two-year term (directors may serve a total of four years). Continuing in their positions as Directors are Nancy Williams, Helen Bartee, Phil Swanson, and Jason McMeen. Eric Scholar will finish four years as Director and continue as Natural Areas Committee Chair.

The vote will be taken at the April general meeting, with all members present eligible to vote.

Please join us for the program on bird banding and to vote for our officers and directors.

March Field Trip to Branched Oak Lake 

By Elliott Bedows

The March field trip will travel to Branched Oak Lake near Lincoln on Saturday, March 27. We will meet at 8:00 A.M. at the south dam and bird from there.

For those coming from the east, south-central Omaha, or Bellevue and vicinity who wish to carpool (always a good idea), we will meet at 6:30 A.M. at the southeast corner of Southroads Mall in Bellevue.

Typically, the group has lunch together in Malcolm, and we then bird our way home as we wish, but the lunch and afternoon part of the day is strictly optional.

Please dress for the weather, recallling that even on a relatively warm day, the lake water is still cold, and the air around the lake is likely to be chilly.

Don and Janis Paseka will lead, and birders from Wachiska Audubon Society are encouraged to join us.

Michael Forsberg Exhibition at Joslyn Now Through May 16

The title of the above exhibit bears the title of the latest book by Michael Forsberg, well-known photographer of America's heartland wildlife and places. Sixty photographs from the book are on exhibit at Joslyn through May 16.

Joslyn's publication describes the photographic images as "unparalleled encounters with the wild creatures and the breathtaking landscapes of one of the world's great grasslands. a 1-miilion-square mile network of ecosystems stretching from Canada to Mexico."

On Thursday, March 4, "An Evening With Michael Forsberg" will be held at the Museum beginning at 6:30 P.M. His illustrated lecture details the three-year process of creating his book.

The program will be held in the Witherspoon Concert Hall with exhibition viewing following, plus a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception. Tickets are $10 for Joslyn members, $20 for the general public. Reservations: 402-661-3862.

Volunteers Needed! 

By Jackie Scholar

For enjoyable work—a chance to see bird art by students from kindergarten through senior high.

We will be needing volunteers to help accept the entries for the Audubon Student Art Contest at the Audubon Office in the Center Mall on:

Friday - March 5 4:00 - 6:00 P.M.

Saturday - March 6 - 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Also we would appreciate help in setting up the artwork at Bellevue University on:

Friday - April 9 9:30 A.M. to Noon.

Any help would be appreciated. Please contact

Jackie at 551-5045 or jbscholar@cox.net if you can help.

Introductory Bird Identification Class

By Kathy Schwery

Saturdays: March 13, April 10, & May 1
8:00 A.M. - Noon - Fontenelle Forest Center
$20 fee includes all three sessions

For ages 12 and older

Registration required: Contact Clem Klaphake at 292-2276 or ckavian@cox.net

This class is limited to 15 participants

With over 50 million `birders' in the U.S., bird watching is the fastest-growing outdoor activity today.

This three-part class, led by Audubon Society of Omaha President Clem Klaphake, includes local field trips and instructon on identifying birds everywhere. No prior knowledge of bird identification is needed.

Spotlight on Nature Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers

By Eric Scholar

This is the first of what will probably be a bimonthly series spotlighting the natural history of a particular species of bird, other animal or plant that is prominent in the surrounding area at a particular time of the year. For this first issue I would like to highlight the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. The author welcomes suggestions for future topics.

In the winter, things often seem bleak and lifeless. At this time of year most activity is not readily apparent as for the most part we are in our houses. For those who have bird feeders in their yards and for those who take an occasional hike outdoors, a lot of wildlife is more noticeable than during other times of the year. The Downy Woodpecker, and to a lesser degree the Hairy Woodpecker, are two birds which are often seen and heard during this time of the year. These birds are not only common in this area but throughout the country from the east to west coasts.

Seven species of woodpecker are found in our area, each with its own unique lifestyle. The Downy Woodpecker is probably the most common. Pairs of these woodpeckers occupy territories during breeding season but disperse for fall and winter, maintaining a solitary existence from other woodpeckers though occasionally associating in small groups with chickadees, nuthatches and titmice. The Downy feeds in the wild on wood-boring insects excavated from branches as well as suet at feeding stations, and thus is usually abundant. In harsh weather it uses tree cavities for protection. Its close relative, the Hairy, is less common. The Downy Woodpecker is about 6 ¾ inches long. It is a small black and white woodpecker with a white back and a tail that has black bars. Males are recognized by the small red patch on the back of the head. It can be distinguished from the larger Hairy Woodpecker, which is a little over 9 inches long, by a smaller bill and the black bars or ladder markings of the tail.

Woodpeckers, like other animals that survive the winter, must be good at finding food. To accomplish this, they have a strong propensity for pecking wood. Most obtain the bulk of their food—insects, larvae and eggs— from tree bark or from burrows within the bark. To carry out this task, woodpeckers have straight, unusually sturdy, chisel-shaped bills backed by skulls that are exceptionally strong. Those skulls are made up of a tough case of spongy bone, which surrounds the birds' lightweight brains. There is also a narrow space between the skull and brain which probably helps absorb the shock of pounding when a woodpecker drives its bill hundreds of times a day into a tree. The strong muscles of a woodpecker's neck help drive the head and bill. These muscles also act as shock absorbers during the pecking process. While they do this work, the woodpeckers are steadied by three or four curved claws on each foot. Their tails meanwhile are tipped with sharp barbs that prop them up against trees. To locate their prey, woodpeckers apparently depend on their sense of hearing.

Woodpeckers also have extraordinarily long, wormlike tongues which they can stick out to astonishing lengths when feeding. Unlike other birds, their tongues are not attached at the rear of the mouth. Instead, the tongue forks into a pair of bony bases that loop behind the skull, pass over the top and are rooted in one nostril.

The woodpecker's beak is also used to excavate cavities for nesting and shelter and to drum on wood. This drumming is often heard while walking in the forest in winter and early spring. This is a form of communication used by woodpeckers to stake out territories and attract females for mating. They often drum on hollow trees that cause a lot of noise, but they will also drum on almost anything, including the sides and roofs of houses.

It should be mentioned that both of these woodpeckers are beneficial in that they often provide cavities for other birds to nest in, birds such as Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice and Eastern Bluebirds.

Next time you go out, keep your eyes open and ears tuned for these two woodpeckers. Chances are you will see or hear them.

Conservation Report

By Bob Fuchs

Items of interest on the environmental scene are always with us. Often these seem overwhelming, making us want to hide from the many problems so few seem to take seriously. The problem could be that those who care deeply don't communicate the importance of environmental issues well.

Recently the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) worked with Frank Luntz, a well-known pollster. His specialty is finding language that resonates with voters even if, according to his critics, it can be misleading. Luntz, whose firm is named The Word Doctors, pointed out the following:

"Americans want their leaders to act on climate change — but not necessarily for the reasons you think. . . A clear majority of Americans believe climate change is happening. This is true of McCain voters and Obama voters alike. And even those that don't, still believe it is essential for America to pursue policies that promote energy independence and a cleaner, healthier environment. . . People are much more interested in seeing solutions than watching yet another partisan political argument." See the Environmental Defense Fund website press release: http:''www.edf.org/pressrelease.cfm?contentID=10735. The full poll results can also be found on the EDF website, including focus group results Luntz terms "Opinion Elite." He recommends among other things that the words "climate change" be used instead of "global warming," and that the focus of limiting carbon emissions must avoid that language but instead emphasize creation of clean energy jobs.

Environment Omaha has published the final drafts of Natural Environment, Urban Form and Transportation, and Building Construction plan documents. The organization is seeking public comments on these documents. The Resource Conservation goal plan is now starting development. The last component to be developed will be that of Community Health. Go to environmentomaha.com to see the documents and to comment. 

Cabela's is a popular destination for hunters and fisherpeople to buy gear, but birders and other outdoor enthusiasts also shop there from time to time. It is worth noting that Cabela's is one of the sponsors of wolf-killing derbies in Idaho, where it is now legal to shoot wolves. "Contestants" are awarded points for every kill, and Cabela's donates money to anti-wolf lawyers and lobbyists based on these points. Already some wolves known with certainty to be from Yellowstone National Park have been killed when they wandered into Idaho.

Wolves have already proven their worth (as if they had to) in the Yellowstone ecosystem by controlling the elk population and providing more food for grizzly bears that feed on elk carcasses. The "brave hunters" who shoot wolves are told they are preserving the elk populations for future hunting. But wolves do a much better job at that because they generally take the weaker individuals from the gene pool.

If you disapprove of what Cabela's is doing, go to the Defenders of Wildlife website for more information and to send comments to Cabela's. (Source: Defenders of Wildlife: www.defenders.org)

Entries Wanted for Photo Contest

By Eric Scholar

Audubon's photo contest will be held again this year, and entries are being sought. These will be on display at the Spring Banquet, May 20.

Contest categories are birds, other animals, wildflowers, scenics/people in nature, and insects. Photos must be from nature—zoo shots and photos of pets are excluded. Entries are limited to two per person per category, may range in size from 5"x7" to 16"x20", and must be matted or framed.

First and second prizes will be awarded in each category along with Best of Show. Most Popular will be voted on by guests at the banquet.

Entries must be submitted by April 24. To make arrangements for delivering your photos, please call Eric Scholar at 551-5045.

You are encouraged to enter your photos, which are a popular part of our Spring Banquet.

Bob Fuchs Honored at Fontenelle 

Audubon Board member and Conservation Chair Bob Fuchs has been recognized recently for his extensive volunteer work with Fontenelle Nature Association recently.

A Teacher Naturalist at Fontenelle, Bob's service dates back nearly 25 years, earning the gratitude of staff, visitors and other volunteers. His work at the Forest finds him taking on multiple roles. He has done resident raptor handling, educating while leading hikes, doing animal presentations for children, and other ventures as he's needed. He does land conservation work: managing volunteer groups in clearing unwanted trees, planting trees, pulling garlic mustard, collecting seeds, and more. He conducts astronomy programs (constellations) at Neale Woods. It seems where and when a volunteer is needed, Bob is likely to be found.
He says he finds volunteering to be a pleasure, having learned so much through his associations with other staff members and through his work.

He serves ASO on the Board as Conservation Chair. He contributes articles for The Meadowlark. See his article on page 6 of this issue.

Neale Woods Nature Center Reopening

Beginning March 27, the Neale Woods Nature Center will be open on weekends after a winter hiatus. The hours are Saturdays 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Sundays Noon to 5:00 P.M.

A special offering each day will be Critter Encounters where children (and adults) will be introduced up close to the animals cared for at the Nature Center.

We welcome the reopening of this fine facility north of Omaha off River Road to White Deer Lane and around the bend to parking near the Center.

The Center will observe these hours through Sunday, June 20, Father's Day.

Helping Wildlife With Check-Off  

As you prepare your Nebraska State Tax form, you will be invited to donate to the Wildlife Conservation Fund of our State.

Please consider making a contribution, even a small one, to fund the non-game Wildlife Conservation Fund for Nebraska Game & Parks.

Look for the Peregrine Falcon symbol on your state tax form. You can also donate throughout the year online at www.outdoornebraska.org/ . Or mail a donation to Nongame & Endangered Species Fund, Nebraska Game & Parks, Box 30370, Lincoln NE 68503-0370. All donations are fully tax deductible.

Wanted: Photos of ASO Events

Kathleen Crawford-Rose, ASO Historian, would like photos of our activities for the history scrapbook.

Recently she has not received any photos/records of our field trips, Spring Banquets, Garden Walks, or other events. These would make fine additions to our records, so please consider bringing your camera with you to help Kathleen with her work as historian.