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CONGRATULATIONS BAN MEMBERS, OVER 10,000 BLUEBIRDS FLEDGED Congratulations are due to every member of Bluebirds Across Nebraska. In 1999 we recorded over 10,000 bluebirds fledged in the state! This is quite an increase from the inception of the organization only six years ago when there were only 1,606 bluebirds reported fledging. Not only is BAN making a difference in Nebraska but also in Iowa. Our membership is growing in western Iowa and so too is the number of bluebirds. In 1998, eight BAN members from Iowa reported 280 fledglings and in 1999 we received reports from 13 members who reported 350 birds fledging. The increase in bluebirds has been possible only because of all of the volunteers of this wonderful organization. Whether you monitored boxes, built boxes, put on workshops, helped establish a trail, worked at a booth and/or monetary contributed with your membership, YOU have made a difference. According to the reports received, house wrens and house sparrows continue to be bluebirds' arch rivals when it comes to nesting. In the extreme eastern part of Nebraska, many bluebirds were off to a late nesting start because of the cold spring. Across the state, many of you experienced abandoned nests or infertile eggs early in the season. The wet spring also brought many ants seeking shelter in bluebird boxes. On the brighter side, the number of reported raccoon problems seems to be down, presumably because of the advocated use of poles rather than wooden posts. The comments and stories many of you took the time to write on the back of the form continue to be very important to the organization. Only by hearing from you, our members, can BAN address the problems being confronted by bluebirders across the state. Many of your comments, concerns and success stories will be shared in this and future newsletters. Thanks to all of you who returned the directory form so that this data could be compiled. The directory and the information gleaned from it are important for a number of reasons and can prove very valuable to each of us in the future. If you encounter a problem on your trail, pull out the directory and you have over 350 experienced people to call on for advice. Going on vacation? You have a listing of fellow bluebirders in your area that would be happy to "bluebird sit" for you while you are gone. When you receive the directory in the mail, please take the time to study it and then file it with your other bluebird information so that it's close at hand when you need it. At this rate, BLUEBIRDS ACROSS NEBRASKA will meet the BANjo Challenge! [The challenge issued by Minnesota Bluebirder Steve Gilbertson that if BAN fledged 12,000 bluebirds by the end of the 2000 bluebird season, he would not only write a song about bluebirds, but he would learn to play the banjo and perform at BAN's 2001 conference]. Steve G.: You better start practicing your banjo picking!
-- Bill Seibert The increase in the number of boxes monitored, bluebirds fledged, and the growth in the BAN membership this year is truly impressive. This is a direct reflection of a lot of hard work by the members of this organization. The county coordinator program has been instrumental in directing the efforts of this growth. Recently, the director of the program, Dwane Zimmerman, passed away unexpectedly. Dwane spent untold hours on this project and diligently built it from scratch. Dwane will certainly be missed but what he accomplished for BAN will affect us for years to come. There are 93 counties in Nebraska but only 33 counties have coordinators. This leaves us room for a lot of growth. I urge those of you who live in a county that is not represented to seriously consider becoming the coordinator for your county. It is a job that has many rewards. As a coordinator, you will visit with the people in your community and share with them something that you love. The county coordinators have become the heart of the organization by recruiting, educating and spreading the word about bluebirds. Please consider joining this team to further our cause. Chuck Finley has taken over the job of director of county coordinators and is currently getting established in his new position. Any of the current county coordinators or other interested parties should contact Chuck with any questions or interests in this program. All of us should congratulate and support Chuck on his new position. As the time approaches for BAN's 6th Annual Conference, the kick-off of bluebird season, I hope you are all making plans to attend. Elva and Leland Osten have planned a wonderful day for us with great speakers, tasty food, and good fellowship. Don't forget we need raffle and auction items and, the goodies everyone looks forward to. See you on April 8th.
IT'S CONFERENCE TIME ! MARK YOUR CALENDARS -- INVITE A FRIEND BLUEBIRDS ACROSS NEBRASKA willl hold its SIXTH Annual Bluebird Conference on Saturday, April 8, 2000, at the new Waverly high school located on the south edge of Waverly, Nebraska at 13401 Amberly Road -- one block south of the John Deere store and 3 blocks east of Highway 6. [Take exit 409 off Interstate 80.] The high school has ample close-up parking and is handicapped accessible and the speaker presentations will be held in the school auditorium with comfortable theater seating. The conference will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:00 a.m. A $10 registration fee is payable at the door and a catered lunch will be available. 6th Annual BAN Bluebird Conference Registration Form (188K PDF) Added Fun This Year A block of rooms has been reserved at The Inn At Lincoln, 5250 Cornhusker Hwy/Highway 6 in Lincoln, just 7 miles from the conference. On Friday evening, there will be a dinner at The Inn for organizers, speakers, everyone who helps set up the conference, and all others wanting to join in. BAN's adopted Minnesota bluebirder, Steve Gilbertson, will be on hand and may divulge one of his hidden talents (karaoke). Phone The Inn direct at (402) 464-3171 to reserve a room. Reservations must be made before March 20. Mention the BAN conference for a special rate.
Saturday promises to be a very enjoyable and informative day. There will be something for everyone! From educational and entertaining speakers, to the raffles and auction, plus a few surprises, the day will be one to remember. Here is just a little about this year's speakers: Vince Yannone is a Montana wildlife biologist, educator, and Discovery Channel consultant. When a group of BAN members heard Vince speak at the North American Bluebird Society's annual meeting in Montana this past summer, they all agreed to try to bring him to Nebraska to share with other BAN members. BAN is very happy to have Vince here to share some of his exciting experiences and reflections about our environment. Once you hear him, you'll understand why those that heard him are excited to have him here. Keith Radel who spoke at the 1998 conference in Nebraska City, is back by popular demand. This Minnesota bluebirder has so much information on bluebird basics that even long-time bluebirders will pick up some valuable tips. Terry Anne Suchma of Illinois is the founder of The Purple Martin Society and a nationally known Purple Martin authority. If you're already a Purple Martin landlord or if you've always wanted Purple Martins but haven't had any luck, Terry will share her knowledge about the colony- dwelling Purple Martins and answer questions. Dean Sheldon, active Ohio bluebirder, regular colum nist in BAN's newsletter, and an advisor to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Birdhouse Network, will talk about the bluebirds' adaptability to a variety of nest box circumstances. Chris Geiger of Eagle Optics out of Wisconsin, will unravel the mysteries of selecting spotting scopes and binoculars. Eagle Optics is nationally known for their low prices on quality products and will have a variety of binoculars and scopes available at the conference. Highlights and updates on the Dwane Zimmerman TransNebraska Bluebird Trail will also be featured at the conference.
A raffle featuring a large variety of donated items will be held throughout the day and the afternoon will conclude with BAN's annual auction. Anyone that has attended a conference in the past can attest to the fact that the auction is a fun way to end the afternoon. BAN's own Colonel Ted Rethmeier will once again put the emphasis on FUN in this yearly fundraiser auction. And it couldn't happen without the generous donations of our members. Donated items can be anything you think someone attending the conference would like to win or buy – something you make, buy, or get a business to donate would make a fine contribution. There have been many unique and hand-crafted items offered in the past. What better place to pick up something for yourself, a friend, or family member knowing that the profits go to the birds -- BLUEBIRDS that is.
There are several breaks scheduled throughout the day which will give you a chance to visit with old and new friends, look over auction and raffle items, and buy raffle tickets. This year we can once again bring cookies into the conference facility. So if you would like to share a dozen or so of your cookies at morning or afternoon breaks, cookie donations will be gladly accepted! Register Today!
Another Great Year for Omaha Audubon Bluebirders. The following ASO bluebirders worked last spring and summer with their usual results of many new fledged bluebirds: Dick Rasmussen, George Allen, Laurine Blankenau, Father Adrian Laible, Don Maas, Gary Norris, Bill and Sandy Seibert, Gary Shore, Patty Bahl, and Jim McLochlin. Altogether they have help provide safe nest boxes for bluebirds and other cavity nesters. The total number of bluebirds fledged in 1999 is 314 (this number does not include those birds fledged from Don Maas's nest boxes). Additionally many more tree swallows, chickadees, and house wrens were fledged from their nest boxes. Bluebirders traditionally start monitoring their trail in March and continue through August. It can be hard work in hot, cold, wet, and dry weather. All of that is forgotten when the first eggs are laid and the from that point on one becomes a committed bluebirder. If you would like to discover the joys of be in a bluebirder please contact Jim McLochlin at 933-4638 or by email at jimmcl@aol.com. Jim also has a web site for Bluebirds and the ASO at http://users.aol.com/jimmcl/
Christmas [Blue]Bird Count The results of the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Counts are in. Out of a total 20,974 birds and 84 different species reported in the Branched Oak - Seward CBC, 54 Eastern Bluebirds were sited. The Lake McConaughy CBC which reported 49,602 individual birds and 101 species, included 9 Eastern Bluebirds and 2 Mountain Bluebirds.
Mountain Bluebirds Reported in EASTERN Nebraska. From Leland Osten: Two pairs of Mountain Bluebirds were seen for several days the last week in December. One pair was found in the Lake McConaughy area and another pair in the eastern part of the state seven miles east of Seward, Nebraska. A nice find by some good birders. According to the birders field guide they can be found occasionally in western Nebraska. But nevertheless a flash of blue is always a welcome sight anywhere in the state. It was later reported that the pair spotted near Seward had stayed around and were again seen on January 25th, when three Mountain Bluebirds were seen. The birds were seen around the home of Lloyd & Kathryn Kaufman about 7 miles east of Seward and 7/10 miles south of Hwy 34.
Bluebirds – Then and Now Jim & Marla McCabe of Lincoln reported seeing at least 20 bluebirds at their cabin near South Bend, NE this winter. The McCabes have had the cabin for 41 years and had never seen bluebirds there until just three years ago. Their cabin is located not too far from Mahoney State Park and Quarry Oaks Golf Course -- two areas where BAN has set up successful bluebird trails. The McCabes called Steve Eno to let him know about their unexpected winter guests who were hanging out in a berry-filled cedar tree in the front yard of their cabin. And as anyone who has called Steve on a bluebird-related subject knows, more bluebird talk ensued and Marla told Steve about her childhood interest in bluebirds. Marla saw her first bluebird in 1935 when she was a kindergartner at Radolph School in Lincoln. Her teacher, Lucille Langley, had a true love of nature and took the class on outings to a large field at what is now 37th and Randolph Streets. Marla remembers seeing bluebirds nesting in a natural cavity, and each year, from kindergarten through 3rd grade, Mrs. Langley took the class out to see the bluebirds. Mrs. Langley also gave her class a 1931 series of books on birds called "The Red, Blue, and Green Books" which Marla still has today. At 92, Lucille Langley lives in Lincoln where her love of nature and birds continues. *** Until three years ago, Marla had not seen a bluebird since her outings with Mrs. Langley in the 1930's.
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