The Motus network tracks the movements of flying animals across North and South America and Europe. Two Motus stations are located in the Omaha area, with plans for several more.

Our semiannual bird seed sales not only keep your feathered friends flourishing, they fund Audubon Omaha’s educational programs and conservation activities and are our primary fundraisers.

Michael Erb’s coloring book, A Colorful Introduction to Birds, provides a fun and engaging way for people of all ages to learn more about the diversity of birdlife through coloring, word searches, and crosswords.

Conservation begins at home! Each of us can help restore our unique ecosystem.

Calling all creative kids! We invite K-12 students to participate in the annual Student Art Contest held by Audubon Society of Omaha.

ASO President Anne Maguire looks back on the past year and looks ahead to upcoming programs and events.

Learn about the latest improvements to the two local prairies managed by ASO.

Some birds are surprisingly active in winter. Some owl species seek out their mates and build nests in January and February!

“I can’t see those birds in the tree — the leaves are in the way!” Well, that’s not a problem anymore, is it? What winter takes away also reveals something more. The leaves that interrupted views of a warbler flitting hither and thither have fallen to give us a better look at our winter birds. They’ve returned home for the holidays, back from their summer excursions far north.

 The great migration in Nebraska attracts visitors from around the world to see the breathtaking sight of the Sandhill Cranes. Our November program welcomes Sandra Douglas from The Crane Trust.

Hello, fellow nature-lovers. I’m Anne Maguire, the recently elected president of ASO. I’m looking forward to a great year of educational programs, birding events, and field trips. I hope to see you at these gatherings.

National Audubon Society partners with Masterpiecesinc.com to develop Audubon-branded products. A portion of the proceeds go to Audubon. Here’s a few that will spark interest in birds for young and old alike.

Although ethanol plants had been safely producing fuel using harvested corn or grains for some time, no one had done so using seeds that were coated with “neonics,” shorthand for neonicotinoids, which kill insects and fungi and are toxic to humans.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation selected “super volunteer” Glenn Pollock to receive the 2024 Lawrence and Eula Hagie Heritage Award. The award is given annually to a person who has demonstrated extraordinary personal service and commitment to improving the quality of Iowa’s natural environment while encouraging others to do the same.

Green Tips: Conservation begins at home; each of us can help restore our unique ecosystem.

Please welcome our new Executive Administrator, Sarah Shepherd.

Fall migration has a different energy. Birds are often in much less of a hurry. If the weather is nice and the eating is good, they might stay for a week or two at a stopover site. Short-distance migrants such as American Robins and Eastern Bluebirds are the slowpokes of the migratory world, only moving south when conditions become unfavorable.

A quick run-down of events we're hosting in September and October

Douglas W. Tallamy would like everyone to have a Homegrown National Park. And that’s the idea behind Nature’s Best Hope – How You Can Save the World in Your Own Yard, filled with practical tips for increasing habitat for endangered species, such as the monarch butterfly, at home, on your own.

Are you looking forward to feeding birds this fall and winter? Would you like to contribute to the financial success of Audubon Society of Omaha? Your orders and donations during the semiannual bird seed sales are Audubon Omaha’s main fundraisers for education and conservation activities. We offer a wide range of premium bird seed mixes and sizes at reasonable prices.

As I reflect on my time as president of the Audubon Society of Omaha, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and pride. It has been an honor to serve this remarkable organization for the past three years. Together, we have made significant strides in advancing our mission to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats.

An update on our latest election for the 2024-2025 term for Audubon Society of Omaha leadership team.

General information you might need like how to join or renew, change of address or contact information for injured birds.

Discover our upcoming member programs, free and open to the public.

The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu (HPAI) that began in January 2022 has continued into another year...

To paraphrase The Bard (or was it The Bird) …  “What’s in a name? That which we call Bewick’s Wren or Bullock’s Oriole by any other name would tweet and tweet.” That may be true, but some of our feathered friends are carrying a lot of symbolic baggage in names that reflect a racist and colonial past...

Catch up on our recent field trip, and welcome our new board members!

For the Audubon Society of Omaha, fostering a deep understanding of ecological principles and promoting environmental stewardship through education is paramount...

Monitor March & Appetizing April...

Migration begins in March and April for many shorebirds, songbirds, waterfowl and raptors. But keep an eye out for behavior changing in year-round species, too...

Don’t let the cold get you down. Our programs in January and February are sure to fire up your enthusiasm and warm your senses...

ASO’s November meeting welcomed some new faces as we “gobbled” food watching the fascinating PBS documentary, “My Life as a Turkey.”

Looking to make a difference? Audubon Society of Omaha has a wide variety of opportunities for you to get involved.

Plastic-free for January & Free Up February

Join us for our January 20 field trip to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge... then get bundled up for a frozen treat at 9 a.m., February 17, at Lake Manawa.

We invite students K-12 to participate in our annual Student Art Contest held/hosted/organized by Audubon Society of Omaha.

The Audubon Society of Omaha (ASO) is spreading its wings once again as it resumes in-person monthly meetings at DJ’s Dugout, conveniently located off 114th and Dodge. After a period of virtual gatherings, members are excited to come together to share their passion for birds and conservation.

Your semiannual seed orders not only keep our feathered friends flourishing, they fund Audubon Society of Omaha’s educational programs and conservation activities and are our largest fundraisers.

While human intervention may be complicating the lives of many bird species, it is vital that we recognize we can just as easily modify our yards to benefit their means for survival rather than limit it. As all bird lovers know, there is a certain joy that comes with putting out bird feeders and feed...

Learning theory says that the greater the number of senses students use to understand and acquire new concepts, the deeper those concepts will be ingrained in their minds — and the more easily they can be retrieved and applied.

Speaking of “applications,” Tracee M. Herbaugh, in an APNews.com article, waxed eloquently about how Merlin, the birding app created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, enriches not only the experience of birding itself, but also the connections she forges with family and friends.

As the Share Omaha Giving Tuesday initiative approaches on November 28, the Audubon Society of Omaha is brimming with gratitude for the unwavering support it has received from its dedicated members. The upcoming Giving Tuesday promises to be a pivotal day, uniting communities in the spirit of generosity and providing crucial funding that directly advances the society’s mission of conservation and environmental education.

It turned out to be too good to be true. Back in 2015, six leading seed companies believed they had found an efficient, cost-effective way to dispose of unused seed that had been treated with pesticides and fungicides. Kansas-based biofuel concern AltEn would take the seed, transform it into ethanol and sell the resulting byproduct, called wet cake, to farmers, to use as fertilizer.

“When you embrace birding, the world opens up to you,” observes Nick Lund, author of “The Birdist’s Rules of Birding” blog, quoted in Koeppel’s article. Birder numbers are soaring, with more than 45 million watchers accounting for an economic impact of $41 billion a year, based on US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates.

Koeppel and his father (an avid birder) weren’t exactly birds of a feather, at least in the beginning. It took years for Koeppel’s interest to take off. Birding “seems beyond geeky to some, but once you start looking at it as a sport, or a game, it becomes deeply fascinating,” if not an obsession, he writes.

Identification, classification/counting and unpredictability combine to offer soul-satisfying skills to those willing to invest the time to take up birding. Koeppel breaks down birdwatching into three steps.

A short recap of what's been going on at Audubon Society of Omaha

Spring Creek Audubon Center has partnered with the Solidago Conservancy and the Lincoln Parks Foundation to purchase and preserve an additional 310 acres of previously unprotected native prairie in Lancaster County.

November 28, Share Omaha will sponsor a 24-hour fundraising event to raise support for Omaha-area nonprofits. Support our cause — the health of the environment — by donating online by credit card on Share Omaha’s website, https://shareomaha.org.

March and April often mark the beginning of the spring migration for a variety of bird species. Depending on the weather, which can run the gamut from spring-like temperatures to sub-zero snowstorms, initial waves of many migrating birds make their way back to our area.

The Nebraska birding world lost a wonderful birder, a great educator and an incredible mentor to many on December 28, 2022.

Although the weather outside can be frightful, bird-watching with your Audubon Society of Omaha buddies this January and February promises to be cozily delightful!

Audubon Society of Omaha proudly invites student artists to submit entries for ASO’s annual Student Art Contest. This year, we are returning to our popular in-person, LIVE event.

With the support of our board, our natural resource committee is investing in the earth to further the goal of conserving habitat for native birds. We believe the best way we can do this is to focus on acquiring more land around our two prairies, and by working to reconstruct and maintain habitat in those spaces.

Easy to identify with its bright yellow body and contrasting black and white wing markings, the American Goldfinch is many a birdwatcher’s favorite visitor to backyard feeders. Around this time of year, however, people begin asking, “Where did all my Goldfinches go?”

On a chilly November evening, a group of 23 cold-hardy folks gathered in the barn at Pottawattamie Conservation’s Hitchcock Nature Center to see one of North America’s smallest owls, the Northern Saw-whet Owl.

Running low on bird seed? Want to help your feathered friends through spring migration? Better get clicking!

The evening of September 13 was a night to remember when scores of bird lovers flocked together to celebrate Audubon Society of Omaha’s 50th Anniversary at Lauritzen Gardens.

… by nominating officers and directors! It’s time to start our annual search for board members for the July 2022 - June 2023 term, and we need your help!

Join Olivia Darugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist at Nebraska Game and Parks, on Zoom at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 10, for an in-depth review of the commission’s updated Nebraska Birding Guide website

September Field Trip, 2023 Student Art Contest and Show, & Welcome Our New Admin

Despite this summer’s drought, volunteers have worked on the wetlands area of The Audubon Prairie to restore the pond and make it inviting as a Blue Heron feeding station.

Thanks to 276 ASO patrons, we sold 45,000 pounds of quality bird seed totaling $56,410 and raised over $10,000 to support local conservation efforts and education.

As Audubon Society of Omaha steps up preparations for the Omaha area’s 2023 Christmas Bird Count, it’s a good time to reflect on the fact that this year’s count marks the 123rd in the history of the National Audubon Society. 

Imagine the potential when like-minded organizations collaborate for a greater impact!  Our environment will always need stewardship and advocates; could we find greater strength and movement if our organizations worked together more?

It was the summer of 2020. The COVID pandemic had just begun, and Erin Thoman, nurse practitioner and mother of four, was looking for ideas to keep her kids learning and excited at home...

The October 5, 2022 edition of the Omaha World Herald contains an article about our local Audubon chapter, Audubon Society of Omaha, celebrating it's 50th anniversary. The story written by Marjie Ducey highlights 50 years of accomplishments and programs that you may be surprised to learn. CLICK below to go to the Omaha World Herald website.

Mark your calendar for 6 p.m., Thursday, October 13, to take advantage of a golden opportunity to celebrate Audubon Society of Omaha’s 50th anniversary at Lauritzen Gardens with Neal Ratzlaff, past ASO president and director, and Bird Seed Sale co-founder. Neal will focus on “The Birds of Lewis and Clark,” recounting the explorers’ ornithological achievements and touching on the convoluted, almost tortuous, nearly 100-year trek the expedition’s journals took to publication.

Enjoy tours of the Gardens, starting at 6, and peruse ASO scrapbooks from 50 years of birding, but be in your seat by 7 for Neal’s enlightening look at the Lewis and Clark expedition’s impact on ornithology.

As we prepare for the 50th anniversary celebration of Audubon Society of Omaha, I would like to thank two specific groups of volunteers that have given so much to the organization over the years.

Over the years, birding has inspired Neal to migrate from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from Maine to Louisiana. He has flown to New Zealand, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago (whose Main Ridge Forest Preserve shelters hummingbirds). Closer to home, Neal has swooped across North Dakota, the Sandhills, Pine Ridge and Indian Cave State Park – not to mention Nebraska’s sewage treatment plants, where “waterfowl” takes on a whole new meaning. “It’s been a great ride,” he says.

OVER THE PAST 50 years, countless volunteer hours from members who are passionate about our mission, have allowed our nonprofit organization to thrive. As we look back at our history and accomplishments, we can find inspiration to achieve our vision: We strive to appreciate, learn, and conserve our region’s unique biodiversity. In doing so, we will help our community appreciate nature and understand its importance. Ultimately, we aim to inspire others to join us in actively protecting our native ecosystems and restoring nature-friendly environments in the greater Omaha area.

Great numbers and varieties of our favorite migrating birds return from their winter retreat. Be prepared to be patient and persistent, and embrace a sense of adventure to find these treasured migrants.

To ensure your tiny feathered tourists (and, of course, honorable residents) are convening at disease-free feeding zones, you’ll need to make cleaning your feeders a routine occurrence.

Just how dry is it? At the end of February, 98 percent of Nebraska was officially in drought, up from 33 percent at the beginning of this winter. These U.S. Drought Monitor figures, published in a recent Omaha World-Herald article, underscore the seriousness of the situation.

Audubon Society of Omaha’s Winter Bird Seed Sale is providing more than 10 tons of seed (that’s 600 bags across 153 orders totaling 21,300 pounds) to area birds. Revenue from this major fundraiser supports ASO’s local conservation and education programs.

2021-2022 has been a year of learning, changing and growing for Audubon Society of Omaha. While we are still holding board meetings and monthly programming via Zoom, we’ve seen a return of our in-person group field trips, the collective for youth after-school programs, and increased interest in our bird seed sales and Student Art Contest and online show.

Each year Audubon Society of Omaha elects or re-elects officers and directors. Here are the results for the term that starts July 1, 2022:

At Audubon Society of Omaha’s March board of directors meeting, the board voted in three new directors. These ambitious, young conservationists will bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to expand ASO’s reach and impact within our community and native habitat. We are excited to welcome Ashleigh Stohlman, Nick Romero, and Kyle Finley to our Board of Directors.

The 2022 Audubon Society of Omaha’s Student Art Contest was bigger than last year with almost 600 entries from 20+ schools and 20+ households. Students employed a wide variety of techniques and the results are delightfully imaginative.

Power lines span the Platte River at Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon, creating a deadly hazard to the approximately 450,000 Sandhill Cranes migrating through Central Nebraska. Amanda Hegg, a Conservation Program Associate at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, will present original research conducted in March 2021.

We have something fun in store for our March program! Join us via Zoom on Thursday, March 10, at 7 p.m., when celebrated educator and former ASO board president Ron Cisar will talk about the importance of sketching and journaling, discuss useful tips and techniques for getting started, and share some of his amazing bird art.

Many birders and bird watchers await the months of spring migration with great enthusiasm and anticipation. As southern winds kick up and the weather warms in March and April, waves of early spring migrants will journey to Eastern Nebraska. Spring migration peaks in May, and usually ends after Memorial Day weekend.

The legislative season has arrived, and there are a few exciting – and a few concerning – bills I want to bring to your attention. I also want to share a great new video exploring conservation easements.

What does the Audubon Prairie have to do with carbon sequestration? While it’s easy to observe a prairie’s natural beauty, you have to look below the surface to appreciate the work it does to alleviate climate change – because that’s where carbon sequestration occurs.

Ever feel as if you’re among a minority of people who care about conservation? Think again.

Join us for the February ASO General Education Meeting. This program will be presented by Caleb Strand. Caleb’s topic will be a wrap up of this year’s Fall HawkWatch at the Hitchcock Nature Center.

Miss a monthly member program on zoom? Now you can watch Audubon Society of Omaha programs on our YouTube channel, at a time and place that works for you. Click on the link to watch any of the recent meetings you may have missed, or would like to see again. Feel free to share with others and subscribe to our channel.

Running low on bird seed? Want to help your feathered friends through spring migration?
Starting January 5, stock up on seed at Audubon Society of Omaha’s Winter Bird Seed Sale.

In summer 2021, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) initiated efforts to introduce its values and goals to organizations and communities that do not typically interact with NGPC programming. One of these efforts blossomed into a partnership with Girls Inc. of Omaha, which serves 5-18-year-old girls attending schools east of 72nd Street.

Do you know a creative kid? Need a winter project that’s kid-friendly? Check out the ASO 2022 Student Art Contest – it’s free to enter and we award many prizes.

It’s an exciting time in Audubon’s 116-year history. For the first time, a woman will hold the CEO title — Dr. Elizabeth Gray, a scientist and ornithologist, will lead the organization.

FeederWatch is a November-April survey of birds that visit backyards, nature centers, and community areas in North America. You don’t even need a feeder!

Join Bob Wells for our Annual Christmas Bird Count and help count birds at Fontenelle Forest. People of all ages and birding abilities are welcome to participate in the count.

For almost 60 years there has been an Omaha CBC every year (except 2021). Formal records and data for the Omaha CBC date back to December 29, 1963, although there may have been prior CBCs in the Omaha area.

Watch for regular winter residents to arrive now, as well. Count Dark-eyed Juncos, Harris’s Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and Red-breasted Nuthatches among their number. If we are lucky, Purple Finch, Crossbills, or a Bohemian Waxwing may swing by.

Growing up near Dennison, Iowa, Glenn Pollock has always taken a keen interest in the natural world. After serving in the military in the late 60s, Glenn moved to Omaha to finish his education and start his 30-year career in bio-medical engineering. He also joined the Audubon Society, and began his lifelong passion — finding, protecting and restoring native prairies.

Here in Nebraska, less than 1% (.35%) of land is under agricultural and conservation land easement. This amounts to 176,066 total acres.

Let’s face it: It’s probably time to clean your feeder. A dirty feeder can cultivate deadly bacteria and promote the spread of disease as seed decays and droppings accumulate.

That’s what I said about my latest prairie restoration project. It all started when Audubon Society of Omaha acquired the virgin prairie and old brome field next to its existing prairie in North Omaha.

The Meadowlark recently caught Christine Jacobsen for a brief chat between her roles as Director of Education at Lauritzen Gardens and newly installed President of Audubon Society of Omaha.

Cats kill an estimated 2.7 billion birds a year in the US. They are the greatest threat to birds in North America — killing more birds than the loss of habitat, climate change, wind energy, and building strikes. Unfortunately, most people are unaware of the magnitude of the problem.

Please join me on a journey to our Cuming City Prairie! Through my work at Fontenelle Forest and as an ASO volunteer, I have visited this prairie several times and would love to take you there in person. But until we can do so safely, let’s gather on the page! And let’s make our sojourn more about the experience than analysis.

During my time on the leadership team, Audubon Society of Omaha has worked strategically to actively promote environmental awareness to our community through education, conservation, and enjoyment of our natural heritage, with a special focus on birds.

Each year Audubon Society of Omaha elects or re-elects officers and directors. Here are the results for the term that starts July 1, 2021:

They are, virtually, Best of Show. Don’t wait another minute to mosey through the galleries on display during the 2021 Audubon Society of Omaha Student Art Show at audubon-omaha.org. Posted April 5, the more than 300 entries have amazed and delighted site visitors and judges, who awarded more than 200 prizes for Excellence and Merit.

Neotropical migrants pass through in May and are considered favorites by many for the vivid varieties of color in their plumage.

Like Yogi, Smokey is smarter than the average bear. Visit smokeybear.com, and you’ll see that, “Prescribed fires help reduce the catastrophic damage of wildfire on our lands and surrounding communities by:

Entries for ASO’s 2021 Online Student Art Contest were accepted through March 1. This year’s show will be available to view in an online gallery via the Special Events tab on our website starting April 5.

Help birds by installing rooftop solar panels. It’s never been so easy. Every day, the sun channels energy onto your roof. Solar panels let you capture some of that energy and use it to power your home, business, or electric car while lowering your electricity bill. By switching to solar power, you’ll reduce the carbon pollution behind climate change that threatens many birds, and their habitats.

INTERACTING WITH THE BIRD WORLD IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

As we pass the one-year anniversary of the arrival of Covid-19 in the U.S., it is a good time to reflect on how it has affected the birding world that so many of us enjoy. Unlike many aspects of our daily lives, the pandemic has had a largely positive effect on birdwatching.

Migration begins in March with waterfowl, blackbirds and cranes. As the water thaws, waterfowl, geese and swans will move north to their breeding grounds, so be sure to look for them on area lakes.

A huge thank you to Betty & John Fullerton and their bird seed committee. This year’s main sale was a huge success!

"So what do they eat in the winter?” That was a question I was asked about the small mammals that live on the prairie. Because there are several, I thought I would tell you about three small critters that live at Audubon Prairie.

As social distancing and masks continue to be part of our everyday routine, it’s a great time to be intentional about finding joy right where we are. Birds can be a true inspiration for this, and moments invested in nature provide many health benefits.

As we finish a year like no other, it is time to reflect and look to the future. Despite its chaos and isolation, 2020 was both busy and productive for the Audubon Society of Omaha.

I always enjoy birding in January and February because I get to start a new year bird list, and I’m anxious to see what I’m lucky enough to find! Suddenly, even birds I see in my backyard are exciting. I can set up a feeder and it won’t be long before Cardinals and Blue Jays are regular visitors.

Virtual Events
While bird-watching and bird-feeding are fabulous, socially-distant pandemic activities, in-person Audubon meetings are not! After several cancelled member meetings, we were able to arrange our first two virtual gatherings.

Depending on when you visit a prairie, you’ll see one of two seasonal sentinels that bookend the year — Pasqueflowers in the spring or Downy Gentians in the fall. Although they’re not related, Pasqueflowers and Downy Gentians share a few characteristics.

In the current era of our faltering pandemic-ravaged economy, one industry is thriving.  Backyard bird feeding and watching is booming.  During the second quarter of 2020 the national economy shrank an all-time record 9.5%.  The backyard bird feeding sector expanded by a reported 50-80%.

Prospects for sighting a wide variety of bird species this time of year are as unpredictable as the weather. Early cold spells could freeze over bodies of water and offer no refuge for waterfowl (especially for such northern migrants as Buffleheads, Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Goldeneyes, Ring-necked Ducks, three species of Scoters, and both Lesser and Greater Scaup, to name a few).

It’s official: ASO member meetings will be held online for the foreseeable future. It might take some adjustment, but the learning curve will be worth it. Moving online, at least for the time being, allows us to reach a broader audience and to record our meetings. Meeting virtually allows viewers to tune in from anywhere, and, if watching a recorded meeting, at any time.

The bird seed sale was a huge success! In large part because of the coronavirus, bird seed orders will be picked up at the NEW Audubon Society of Omaha office and warehouse at 4339 S. 90th St. Subscribe to our newsletter or check back on the website for information regarding our Winter Seed Sale!

While many sources report seeing more birds this year than ever, birding in large groups is problematic. Because of this, Audubon Society of Omaha has been following guidance from the National Audubon Society restricting birding to small groups. This limits our ability to get together for field birding trips. While gathering to bird as a large group remains restricted, birding in small groups with masks is something we should all do on a regular basis during this trying time.

Many birders and non-birders alike are familiar with the annual spring migration that occurs as colorful neotropical migrants make their way from South and Central America to their breeding grounds in the Canadian Boreal Forest. Less commonly appreciated is the southward fall migration of adult and, often, first-year babies.

The Audubon Society of Omaha has a new headquarters, and is searching for a part-time administrator who can provide support for our programming.

On Wednesday, May 20, the Audubon Society of Omaha will participate in the Omaha Gives! online fundraiser, a 24-hour, community-wide event to raise money for nonprofits in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties.

More than 480 creative entries this year made judging the student artwork a challenge. Although we had to cancel the Art Show and Awards Ceremony, we are still awarding prizes and ribbons, which will be distributed to the winners when we get a chance to return the artwork. For a little taste, here are the Best in Show winners for 2020. Thanks to students, teachers and volunteers!

Many recent and upcoming ASO events have been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the March Member Meeting with photographer Mike Benkis was postponed.

Now is the time to proclaim, “YIMBY, or ‘Yes, in my backyard!’” Your guide to setting up backyard feeding stations.

Together, Audubon Society of Omaha’s fall and winter birdseed sales netted $8,000, which will enable ASO to continue to sponsor education and conservation programs over the coming year.

And what is so rare as a day in June? A Northern Parula Warbler in Western Nebraska, for one thing (with apologies to James Russell Lowell). The species you’ll spot in late spring vary by location and month.

Across our region, spring is often viewed as the burning season, as crews draft burn plans, prepare equipment, train new workers and create firebreaks.

Help inform, influence and shape how local officials impact the environment with a letter, phone call, Facebook post or, of course, Tweet that advocates for birds and other wild creatures in our unique ecosystem. 

A bequest to Audubon Society of Omaha is a gift to those who will succeed us and secure our natural heritage.

May Member Meeting and Banquet is canceled. Field trips are canceled.

March and April member meetings have been canceled

But don’t fret. The artwork has already been judged

Our May banquet has been canceled

Avid birders know that seasonal birding requires using resources that describe where birds are being seen.  The last 10 years have seen a proliferation of smartphone apps that enable users to search near and far to see where bird species are being reported. 

Audubon Society of Omaha will hold its annual election of officers and directors at the April Board of Directors’ meeting. Last September, the board approved a nominating committee formed by Second Vice President Virginia Stauffer, in accordance with our bylaws. Helen Bartee, Shannon Engberg, Jackie Scholar and Kathy Schwery served on the Nominating Commitee.

March and April often mark the beginning of the spring migration for a variety of bird species.

A weather-related change of date brought out fewer counters this year.  See a few highlights from the intrepid band that braved the cold for our 2019 count.

See what happened at our January and February Members' meetings.

Recently, I saw my first sign of spring - a seed catalog! And that reminded me that somewhere under our frigid, snowy blanket, prairie flowers are resting patiently.

February 12 was the last day to order for our Winter Bird Seed Sale.

From December 14 through January 5 every year, tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in the effort. Audubon and other organizations use data collected to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.

Audubon Society proudly invites student artists to submit entries for our annual Student Art Contest. Also, would you like to volunteer to help with this event?

A summary of recent activities.

This time of year, birds follow the bird feeders, wherever they are — in yards, parks, nature centers and wildlife refuges.

Field notes from Bob Wells, President, Audubon Society of Omaha

The numbers are staggering. Somewhere between 100 million and 1 billion birds die every year flying into windows. There are steps each of us can take to make it easier for birds to navigate what have become increasingly unfriendly skies.

Ways you can combat climate change in 2020

Are you enraptured with raptors? Then don’t miss our January members meeting on Thursday, January 9, at 7 p.m., featuring Bethany Thornton.

Data just released show two-thirds of North American birds are at risk of extinction from climate change.

It's that time of year to start thinking about gift giving. Check out some great gift ideas for the bird-lover in your life!

Whether we see many birds and which species we see depends very much on the weather this time of year. Northern waterfowl start showing up … if temperatures don’t drop too low and local lakes don’t freeze over. These northern waterfowl migrants can include Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers, Lesser and Greater Scaup, and Ring-necked Ducks.  Among their numbers also may be less common migrants, such as Black, Surf or White-winged Scoters or Long-tailed Ducks. 

Warm up to the opportunities cooler weather presents for visits to our Audubon and Cuming City Cemetery Prairies.

Within the last two weeks, two important new studies on the status of birds and their habitats have been published, one from the journal Science and one from the National Audubon Society.

Highlights of September Board of Directors Meeting, by Shannon Engberg, Secretary

The annual “fall” migration of birds is actually somewhat of a misnomer. Many species of birds actually begin their trek south long before the date we humans mark as the autumnal equinox, which falls on September 23 this year.

Audubon Society of Omaha’s two prairies buzzed with activity this summer, enhancing the ecosystem and the member experience.

The Xerces Society’s Jennifer Hopwood will discuss relationships among “Plants, Pollinators and People” at September’s ASO General Meeting. Focusing on the conservation of invertebrates critical to bio diversity and ecosystem health, the Xerces Society provides resources and training for pollinators and beneficial insect habitat management, creation and restoration.

I recently had the pleasure of attending the National Audubon Society’s 2019 National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with the delegation from Audubon of Nebraska.

Learn about what the Board has been up to this summer!

I would like to introduce myself to those of you in the Audubon Society who I haven’t had the pleasure to meet. I am the new president for the 2019-20 year. My involvement with ASO has spanned the last four years as a Board of Director and the 1st Vice President.

Per our new Constitution and Bylaws, it is time to start looking for Board Members for the July 2020/June 2021 term, and we need your help! All members of Audubon Society of Omaha are welcomed and encouraged to submit nominations for leadership positions. If you know someone who has leadership qualities and supports ASO’s mission and vision, let us know. Please make sure you have permission from your nominee before submitting his/her name and information.

Each Officer serves one year and can opt for reelection as long as a term limit has not been reached. Officer positions include President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. Each Director serves two years. ASO will have two Directors up for reelection this year. ASO may have Director positions open if any current Directors opt to run for an Officer position or opt not to run for reelection.

Nominations are due by September 30, 2019. Please send your nomination’s name, phone number and email to Virginia Stauffer, 2nd Vice President at vstauffer1@yahoo.com.

During the 2018-2019 fiscal year, ASO bought two properties, launched an environmental education program in schools, had a highly successful student art contest and show, conducted two bird seed sales and approved production of a documentary on the impact of lead in our environment. What a year! During that time, it became evident to the ASO Board of Directors that our existing Constitution and Bylaws, last updated 17 years ago, were no longer adequate to support our growing business endeavors.

As such, in February 2019, the President appointed a Task Force to rewrite ASO’s Constitution and Bylaws to allow for an organizational
infrastructure that better supports current and future business needs. The Task Force completed this work, and the Board approved the resulting rewrite. Additionally, the membership base voted to approve the new Constitution and Bylaws, putting them into effect on July 1, 2019.

The new version of these documents, along with the old version, can be found at audubon-omaha.org/governingdocs.html.

Congratulations to the newly elected Board Officers and Directors!

OFFICERS
President Bob: Wells
1st Vice President: Jackie Scholar
2nd Vice President: Virginia Stauffer
Treasurer: Betty Fullerton
Secretary: Shannon Engberg

DIRECTORS
Elizabeth Chalen
Grace Gaard
Anne Maguire

Did you know that this past summer, Audubon Society of Omaha helped fund the relocation of 233 prairie dogs? After their long-time prairie dog town site was sold and quickly turned into a soybean field, local conservation groups scrambled to save the lives of the remaining prairie dogs and ultimately relocate them to the Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. Hear about this amazing story from Laura Stastny, Executive Director of Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, Inc. and an invaluable leader of the prairie dog rescue team!

This year’s banquet will be held at Anthony’s Steakhouse. Reservations can be made online or through the mail. Reservations are due by Friday, May 10th.

The National Audubon Society and Audubon Nebraska announced the appointment of Kristal Stoner as Executive Director of Audubon Nebraska and Vice President of National Audubon Society. Kristal joins Audubon after a successful tenure at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, where she most recently served as wildlife diversity program manager.

As head of Audubon Nebraska, Kristal will oversee conservation strategies spanning across the state’s prairies, rivers, working lands, and bird-friendly communities. In the coming months, Kristal will meet with partners, donors, funders and chapter members to strengthen community connections and lay the groundwork for Audubon Nebraska to address new conservation challenges including drought, habitat loss and climate change.

The National Audubon Society has named 2018 as the Year of the Bird, stating emphatically that the time is now to save the birds, if they are to be saved. Their survival is at the point of crisis, and the culprit in the bird numbers’ precipitous decline is no secret. It is climate change, the science of which has “careful and thorough.” For this gigantic task and to emphasize the need for immediate action, a $10 million gift was given by the Overlook International Foundation.

The alarming fact is that three quarters of bird species are severely threatened by global warming.

To read more, click the button below and it will take you to ASO's newsletter (article is on page 4).

LBJ (Little Brown Job) is a term often used by bird watchers to describe a little brownish bird that they don’t have the patience to identify. Most birds passed off as LBJs are likely to be sparrows. Don’t let yourself fall into the LBJ cop-out trap.

To read more, click the button below and it will take you to ASO's newsletter (article is on page 4).

In this article I want to talk about forbs, grasses, and interstitial space. I will start with forbs: a forb is a flowering plant that is not a grass. Forbs in all environments are essential in providing important elements such as food, water, and cover for many wildlife species. When it comes to birds, forbs are crucial. Most species in their first couple of weeks of life need the protein-rich insects that are found on or close to flowering plants, helping the young birds to develop and grow quickly.

To read more, click the button below and it will take you to ASO's newsletter (article is on page 2).

The Audubon Society of Omaha is pleased to announce the acquisition on June 22, 2018, of the only known Missouri River Valley Loess Hills prairie in Nebraska. Saved from the plow and other incursions, the 10-acre cemetery prairie remains as it was when Native Americans were its only human inhabitants.

Its present name, due to be changed to reflect ASO's ownership, is the Cuming City Cemetery and Nature Preserve, located about three miles north of Blair, Nebraska, off Hwy 75. Its namesake, the town of Cuming City, disappeared in the 1870's.

This site will be extremely valuable to botanists and others dedicated to preserving remaining native prairies and plants. Glenn Pollock, Natural Areas Management Chair for ASO, arranged the transfer of the 10-acre site from The Nature Conservancy to ASO for the minimum required payment of the transfer ($1.00). Along with ASO President Matt Miller, Glenn will direct the management of the prairie.

Birds around the world eat 400 to 500 million metric tons of beetles, flies, ants, moths, aphids, grasshoppers, crickets and other anthropods per year. The research highlights the important role birds play in keeping plant-eating insect populations under control.

For the first three weeks in May, we (in eastern Nebraska) experience the fascinating phenomenon of warbler migration. Wood warblers are small, colorful perching birds that breed throughout North America and winter anywhere from the southern U.S. to the tropics, depending on the species. In all, about 48 different species of wood war-blers are regularly found in the U.S., and 41 of them can possibly be found somewhere in Nebras-ka. The Missouri River valley adjacent to eastern Nebraska provides a primary migration route for many eastern wood warblers, and about 35 species can be found in this area alone. Click "Read More" to download our May/June edition of The Meadowlark. The rest of the article is on page 2.

The annual election of officers was held at our May 16th banquet. The slate of officers and directors is listed below.

OFFICERS:
President: Matt Miller
1st Vice President: Bob Wells
2nd Vice President: Virginia Stauffer
Treasurer: Betty Fullerton
Recording and Corresponding Secretary: Shannon Engberg

DIRECTORS:
Mark Cave
Ruth Bentzinger
Mike Benkis

For the January field trip the Audubon Society of Omaha did some feeder watching from WARM places at 3 locations:

Fontenelle Forest (Sarpy County)
Bob and Kathleen Rose's backyard (Sarpy County)
Duane and Kathy Schwery's back deck (Cass County)

Birds seen while drinking coffee or cider and eating cookies, cheese and crackers:
Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Blue Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, White-breasted Nuthatch, BROWN CREEPER, CAROLINA WREN (up close), Eastern Bluebird (drinking from the birdbath), E. Starling, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (drinking at the birdbath), Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, House Finch, PINE SISKINS (20-30), American Goldfinch, House Sparrows

Forty-seven people divided into 13 groups and counted birds around Omaha, Plattsmouth and Glenwood as part of the National Audubon Society event in its 118th year. Other counts are held across the state and country. The annual bird census in the Western Hemisphere is done by volunteer birdwatchers from Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. Information is sent to and compiled by the National Audubon Society.

Here is a list of birds seen on the Audubon Society of Omaha field trip Saturday, November 11 in Sarpy County along the Hwy 370 corridor:

- Bald Eagle - Red-tailed Hawk - Osprey (Saw it at Shadow Lake and saw it catch a fish) - Canada Geese - Mallard - Wood Duck - Redhead - A. Wigeon - Common Loon (Walnut Creek Recreation area) - Hooded Merganser - Common Merganser - Red-breasted Merganser - Ring-necked Duck - Lesser Scaup - Gadwall - Canvasback - Bufflehead - Ruddy Duck - Killdeer - Coot - Horned Grebe - Pied-billed Grebe - White Pelican - Great Blue Heron - Ring-billed Gull - Belted Kingfisher - A. Crow - Blue Jay - DE Junco - A. Tree Sparrow - N. Cardinal - A. Goldfinch

As scientists have now shown, songbirds are minimalists when it comes to learning a new song. The birds' learning strategy resembles the methods used by computer scientists for document comparison.

A British enthusiasm for feeding birds may have caused UK great tits to have evolved longer beaks than their European counterparts, according to new research. The findings identify for the first time the genetic differences between UK and Dutch great tits which researchers were then able to link to longer beaks in UK birds.

October is when some waterfowl start to migrate through as well as a variety of sparrows: such as Harris’s, White-crowned, White-throated, LeConte’s, Clay-colored, Nelson’s, Fox, Lincoln’s, Spotted Towhees and Dark-eyed Juncos.

In both September and October there also are a wide variety of raptors migrating. So if you are out birding don’t forget to look up (raptors are silent when they are migrating). You could see Sharp-shinned, Broad-winged, and Swainson’s Hawks, Mississippi Kites, Northern Harriers to name a few. And remember there is a Hawkwatch at Hitchcock Nature Center counting migrating raptors through both of these months and on until December.

SEPTEMBER – Late summer into fall is a very exciting time of the year to go out looking for birds. It is the time of the year for migration, just as spring is. One difference is that the migrants passing through in the fall aren’t as vocal as the spring migrants are, and a second difference is that a number of the fall migrants may have less colorful plumages.

Late August and through much of September there are many passerine species passing through eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Examples are any number of warblers, vireos, tanagers, and fly catcher species. There also will be waders, some prairie/meadow species such as Bobolinks, herons, bitterns, and hummingbirds passing through. You may be able to spot a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker also during this time period.

Local places to look for migrant passerines are Fontenelle Forest (Sarpy County), Platte River and Mahoney State Parks (Cass County), Two Rivers State Park (Douglas County), Arbor Lodge (Otoe County), Wilderness Park (Lancaster County) and the Memphis SRA (Saunders County).

Fall can also be a good time to observe shorebirds as well. Early in the fall season you will see mostly adults of the various species followed later by the juveniles. Locations to observe shorebirds can vary from year to year. They can usually be found on mudflats where a lake or pond has receded from the shoreline, or in standing water in fields if there has been sufficient precipitation.

Pottawattamie Conservation is having a free 7 part speaker series being offered April-October featuring experts in the field of conservation.

The March Birding Field Trip was a HUGE Success despite the wind and the rain. It was held at Branched Oak Lake on Saturday, March 25. A total of 60+ species were counted. Highlights included Common Loon, Piping Plover, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Bonaparte's Gulls, Eastern Phoebe, Osprey, Horned Grebes, Chipping Sparrow, Barred Owls (2 of them talking to each other), Tree Swallows (lots), Rough-legged Hawk, all 3 Merganser species, and 5 raptor species: Bald Eagle, Osprey, Rough-legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk. Rain or shine birding is fun!

This year’s Christmas Bird Count for the DeSoto NWR took place on December 30th as planned. The weather cooperated with temperatures 22-46(F), winds 5-20mph, and sky clear becoming cloudy in the pm. There were 12 parties with a new record number of counters at 28, half of which were new to the count. Encouragingly, three of the counters were under the age of 20.

Species count was 73 which tied with 2013 for second place behind 2012 (74). Total individuals counted were respectable at 25,359 due in part to a large body of open water near the visitor center at DeSoto NWR.

14 species of waterfowl present contributed to the species count with record high numbers for Trumpeter Swan (135), Gadwall (10), Ringed-necked Duck (76), and Common Goldeneye (202). Other high counts were Northern Harrier (9), and Sharp-shinned Hawk (8), and meadowlark species (459). Noteworthy species were a reliable eld sparrow sighting last seen on the CBC in 2000, a Prairie Falcon only seen twice before on the count, a saw whet owl heard, Common Grackle (4), Brown-headed Cowbird (7), and Purple Finch (4).

Pileated Woodpeckers continue to be present in low numbers that were first seen in 2010. The only species with lowest number recorded was Blue Jay with only 57 individuals although, Horned Larks were difficult to find (6).

Thanks to all who volunteered their time. Special thanks to The DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges and Hitchcock Nature Center. Thank you to the Audubon Society of Omaha for making a contribution to National Audubon Society supporting their 117 years of monitoring bird population trends in North America.