Last IOU Meeting

The Iowa Ornithologist’s Union’s (IOU) spring meeting was held in Oskaloosa May 9-11th.  Birders from five state--Arizona, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Iowa.  Despite having to compete with Mother’s Day--there were lots of Moms there--the number attendees still tallied a respectable eighty-two.  Hosts Mary Beth and Doug Hunt provided a well organized event with good eats, plenty of room, numerous field trip opportunities and great fellowship.

The weekend started off Friday evening with registration and a social gathering at Bradbury Hall on the Nelson Pioneer Farm from 6:00 to 9:00PM.  Snack and drinks were served as participants renewed friendships and also made new acquaintances.

Saturday and Sunday both began with a superb breakfast--those of us who ate at the motel were envious--followed by the departure field trips at 7:00AM.  Locations such as Ever-Tru Wildlife Area, Millgrove Access Wildlife Area, Diamond Lake, Maskunky Marsh and Lake Keomah State Park as well as  Eveland Access WA, Peter’s Wildlife Area and White Oak made choosing a field trip for the day a difficult one.  As it turned out none were disappointed by their choices.  If anything some of us wished for one more day to “hit” one more place before leaving.

Saturday’s field trips included an old-fashioned “box lunch” which allowed us to stay out a little longer before returning for the afternoon meetings.

The IOU General Meeting included a number of presentations:  1)  The records committee gave a lesson on note-taking techniques,  2)  Nicki Nagl, Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA) coordinator, did an outstanding job providing general information on BBA #2 as well as specific “how to” helps on participation and data entry,  3)  Linda Donelson made us envious with a photo review of the IOU California birding trip, and 4) General business was attended to.

The highlight of the afternoon honored Ann Johnson for her tireless efforts on the part of the IOU in many areas but mostly for the website which she has turned into the envy of other states.  For those of you who use this website you know it is truly an incredible tool and information site for Iowa birders.  Ann received a certificate and was honored with a lifetime membership to the IOU.  Truly she deserves even more.  THANKS AJ!!

IOU members, Torre Hovick and Marlene Nehrer, first time attendees at one of our meeting were recognized and provided with a copy of “Birds In Iowa” by T. Kent and J. Dinsmore as a welcoming gift.

The IOU Board met briefly after the conclusion of the General Meeting

Dr. David Lambeth of Grand Forks, North Dakota provide the Saturday night banquet entertainment.  His photos of North Dakota birds and habitat along with his knowledgeable commentary were certainly worth the price of admission.  The presentation was of particular interest so some as a June IOU birding trip is scheduled for North Dakota where they will join up with Dr. Lambeth to visit some of the North Dakota birding hotspots.

Sunday’s trips were shortened back to noon so final compilation could be made by 1:00PM.  Severe weather predictions threatened Sunday’s field trips however Mary Beth Hunt stayed up all night doing a reverse rain dance so that the weekend would end on a positive note.  Her efforts were rewarded and thirty-one species were added Sunday.

Interesting birds seen included Prothonotary Warbler, Pine Warbler, Semipalmated Plover, Veery, Short-billed Dowitcher, White-winged Dove, Common Nighthawk, and still present Red-breasted Nuthatches.  Despite a lack of shorebirds, gulls, and waterfowl the weekend still yielded a total of  one hundred and fifty-three species.

 Birding the Oskaloosa area was a  “first” for an number of the participants and it did not disappoint.