Sandhill Cranes and Other Spring Birds

with Dr. Paul A. Johnsgard

Thursday, August 12, 7:00 p.m.
Union College, Dick Administration Building

by Arlys Reitain

There are friends—and then there are friends! Remember the childhood rhyme “Make new friends but keep the old—one is silver and the other is gold”? Our August general meeting speaker is certainly a “gold” friend!

The day the August newsletter was due I suddenly discovered we were without a speaker for the next meeting. What does one do when there is no article for page one? Call Dr. Johnsgard, that’s what I did—only to learn he would be leaving for Alaska for two weeks just a couple of days after this program date. But that didn’t seem to be a problem for Paul. He graciously accepted the invitation, and we decided on the topic and the title during our five-minute phone call. After all, just tell Paul you’d like a bird program and remind him of what he spoke about last time, and he’ll take it from there. We haven’t formally heard a “Paul program” in over two years, so I expect all his fans will show up this month.

You might wonder, “A crane program in August?” This is actually good timing because many times during the year members tell us they want to see the cranes in March but they don’t know where to go to get the best view, what they should expect regarding numbers of birds, their size and characteristics. And how do you explain all that noise? This will give you all the opportunity to ask any question you might have had and then do some reading in anticipation of visiting the cranes next spring. This will be perfect!

Paul is no stranger to Audubon whether on the local, state, or national level. In May 2008, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, and all four Nebraska chapters together nominated Dr. Johnsgard to receive National Audubon’s Charles H. Callison Award, for which he was the chosen recipient. In part, this award stated: “Dr. Johnsgard, Foundation Professor Emeritus of biology at the University of Nebraska, is a world-renowned ornithologist and leader in conservation. The author of over 50 books on ornithology and the natural sciences, he is also a gifted artist and photographer. For decades he has allowed numerous conservation groups free use of his photographs and drawings, allowing them to make the most of limited budgets. The award honors not only his body of scientific and artistic achievement, but his generosity and commitment to conservation.”

We’ll hope to see you on Thursday, August 12, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 03 lower level of Union College’s Dick Administration Building, 3800 South 48th Street in Lincoln. From 48th and Calvert streets, go one block south to Bancroft Avenue and turn east onto campus. Continue for two blocks and park in the lots on the south. The large building to the south and west is the Dick Building. Look for Audubon signs on the doors. The public is invited to this free presentation. Refreshments will be served following the program.