Walking With Penguins

by Clem Klaphake

How many of you know your geography well enough to point out on a map where the Falkland Islands are located? How many of you remember your history from 1982 and the Falkland Islands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina? Well, on Thursday March 10th you will see and hear about the bird life on the Falkland Islands from Linda and Robert Scarth of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The following is taken from the Scarths' web site. "Photographers are careful observers by inclination and training. Linda and Bob Scarth come from academic backgrounds where these. . . skills were honed. Linda has degrees in child development, education and library and information science. Bob's degrees are in animal breeding, genetics, and statistics. Linda grew up in a family of amateur folk artists who enjoyed photography. Bob discovered his eye for detail. . . as a young college teacher. Their interest and skill. . . evolved to emphasize natural history photography. .."

The Scarths traveled to the Falkland Islands, off the tip of South America, where they photographed five species of penguins, four of which had chicks. They visited six islands and enjoyed the hospitality of the islanders. They learned about the Falkland War from the locals' perspective and met history buffs, birders and photographers from Europe and North America. Among the rarities they photographed were the endemic Falklands Fritillary Butterfly and Cobb's Wren. You also will enjoy seeing their photos of numerous other birds, such as the Kelp Geese, `Johnny Rooks', Black-necked Swans, Falkland Skuas, Silvery grebes and other fascinating South Atlantic species.

When traveling for work in a place with good nature and landscape opportunities, the Scarths often added vacation days for photography. Living in Australia for several years, they spent time in the Outback. Their travel also includes Ecuador, Kenya, Tanzania, Costa Rica, Southeast Alaska, and the Monarch Butterfly Preserves in Mexico. With excellent photographic programs for each of these locations, they do presentations for nature centers, conservation organizations, civic clubs and schools.

Their book, Deep Nature: Photographs From Iowa, came out in 2009, accompanied by an essay by John Pearson entitled `Small Places, Unbounded Spaces'. It includes 80 of the Scarth's images of small members of Iowa's natural world - such as wasps, spiders, butterflies, leafhoppers, beetles, dragonflies as well as birds, forbs, grasses, and fungi.

This is a program you will not want to miss! So join us for the meeting and program Thursday March 10th at 7:00 p.m. at the Hanscom Park Methodist Church, 4444 Frances St. (1 block south of 45th and Center). A short business meeting will follow the program. Cookies and conversation will close the evening. Visitors are welcome.

Wehrspann Waterfowl Trip March 19

By Justin Rink

The next Omaha Audubon field trip will be held Saturday, March 19, at Wehrspann Lake in Sarpy County.

It could be chilly, so be sure to bring warm clothes. A scope would be helpful.

We will meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot near the main building.

We welcome all levels of birding skills; non-members are welcome.

February 19 Field Trip Results

Justin Rink led a trip to Forest Lawn Cemetery where 12 birders found 24 species. He reports:

"Highlights were one Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse, a handful of Pine Siskins and a couple of Red-breasted Nuthatches. Skeins of Canada and Cackling Geese were on the move during the duration of the trip. One participant also had a flock of Wild Turkeys upon his early arrival."

Justin and another birder went on to Dodge Park. No Pileated (their quarry) but more geese and around 15 Northern Pintail following the river.

Audubon Capacity Grows

By Kevin Poague

The National Audubon Society announces the promotion of Marian Langan to the position of Executive Director, Audubon Nebraska; and Vice-President, National Audubon Society. A leader in conservation in Nebraska, Langan previously served as Director for Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center.

Langan will directly oversee Audubon programs and facilities in Nebraska. She will be responsible for developing and implementing projects across the state. She will also be focusing on Nebraska's key role in conservation for the central flyway, a major bird migration corridor through the center of North America.

"Audubon Nebraska is committed to increasing its capacity for the important conservation work it does in the state. Nebraska has outstanding natural areas that need continued attention if they are to survive for the next generations," said Lynn Tennefoss, Vice-President of Chapters and State Programs.

"The roots of my conservation interests go back to my days of playing in the river and prairies around Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, as I grew up," stated Langan. "There were ample opportunities to be amazed by the meadowlarks singing so beautifully and the herons hunting for fish. I want all of our grandkids and future generations to have those same opportunities. I look forward to bringing more Nebraskans together to focus attention on the needs of our native places."

ASO Offers Local-Only Memberships

A Triple Treat of Birding Events March 9 - 20

Three bird-related conferences will be occurring from March 9 through March 20. Sandhill Cranes, water birds and others will be attractions.

Joint Meeting of the Association of Field Ornithologists, Cooper Ornithological Society and the Wilson Ornithological Society

The ornithological groups named above will meet Mar. 9 - 13, in Kearney. All information can be found at http://snr.unl.edu/kearney2011

Activities include symposia, paper and poster sessions, council and business meetings, plenary lectures, opening and closing receptions and closing banquet. These will be held at the Younes Conference Center, Kearney.

Daily morning and evening trips to the cranes at Rowe Sanctuary, trips to the Rainwater Basin for geese, ducks, shorebirds and eagles, and trips to the Sandhills for lekking grouse and prairie chickens are offered. Day trips to area attractions are also planned.

Early registration is highly recommended for the cost savings and to help planners of the conference. Register online at www.snr.unl.edu/kearney2011/registration.asp

The costs - January 15 (online or postmarked on or before): $245 for professionals; $160 for students. $130 for guests/accompanying persons. Single-day registration fee is $75; it includes admission to daytime scientific sessions.

Water Bird Society Annual Meeting

The Water Bird Society will meet in Grand Island Mar. 13 - 16 (Sunday through Wednesday) jointly with the North American Crane Working Group.

Field trips, presentation of research papers, symposia, workshops and social events are on the program. The meeting's theme is Migration and Migratory Landscapes.

Planned topics are Central Flyway migration, mid-continent wetland habitats, climate change and threatened species, reintroduction strategies, roosting habits and local movements of waterbirds, oil spill impact to waterbirds, and management of large landscapes.

Daily opportunities to view cranes, waterfowl and shorebirds will be available via blinds and field trips.

The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Midtown in Grand Island; room rate for participants is $79 for one to four persons. Lodging is available at other nearby places.

Further information is posted at www.waterbirds.org/annual_meeting and the North American Crane Working Group: www.nacwg.org

The last conference of the month will be the beloved Rivers and Wildlife Festival.

Rivers & Wildlife Celebration March 17-21

Sandhill Cranes and spring are celebrated at the Rivers & Wildlife Celebration March 17-20 in Kearney where you can enjoy field trips to the cranes, to Prairie Chickens, other waterfowl or passerines, plus fine indoor sessions with speakers and other events.

Audubon Nebraska and the Nebraska Bird Partnership have signed on speakers of note, including National Audubon's new President and CEO, David Yarnold, as well as activities for the entire family.

Early registration is recommended; lodging can be located through www.nebraska.audubon.org or 402-797-2301. For crane viewing and migration: 308/468-5282 or www.rowesanctuary.org.

"Ghost Bird" at Film Streams March 15

The critically acclaimed new environmental documentary from Director Scott Crocker will be playing at the Film Streams Film Center in Omaha on Tuesday, March 15, 7:00 p.m. The Film Center is located at 1340 Mike Fahey Street.

"Ghost Bird" features insightful interviews with the following: David Sibley, author and bird illustrator; Dr. Rick Prum, Curator of Ornithology at Yale University; Dr. Jerome Jackson, biologist and the world's foremost expert on Ivory-billeds; and Nancy Tanner, the only living person to closely observe Ivory-billeds.

The New York Times wrote, "Scott Crocker has turned a bird-watching tale into a multilayered story that will fascinate practically everybody in. . ..a witty, wistful documentary." New York Magazine called it "spellbinding. . .a cosmic lament for the forest primeval and man's search for environmental redemption."

The film was produced to provide a unique look at the subject of species extinction and its long-term implications. For more details and to confirm show times, visit www.filmstreams.org/filmstreams_calendar.aspx?ID=675. 

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.