Beth Brown, Naturalist
The residential property of Jim and Beth Brown at 1005 Harkin Road in Osceola has more bird feeders than any other lot in Osceola. Their scenic home, which is built in a timbered ravine, contains a half a dozen bird refuge structures to protect injured birds while they are being rehabilitated.
Beth Brown has state and federal permits which allow her to band wild birds, rehabilitate injured wild birds, and keep a limited number of handicapped birds that cannot be returned to the wild within their life time. The latter are called educational birds because they can be exhibited for teaching purposes.
Beth Brown has had a long-time interest in wild birds. She grew up on Jersey dairy farm in Dickinson County near Lake Okoboji. Her mother, Lottie Taylor, loved song birds and her father, Erle Taylor, encouraged the presence of Raptor birds which feed on rodents. Beth’s interest in wild birds grew from her association with Gladys Black, former Clarke County Public Health Nurse. Gladys Black was recognized as the top “birder” in Iowa, an honor that probably now belongs to Beth Brown. Gladys and Beth spent a lot of time walking fence rows looking for bird nests.
John Klein, former Clarke County Conservation Board Director, encouraged Beth Brown with her naturalist studies. John and Beth developed and presented wild life study programs at our schools. The programs continue today under the direction of Anita Foland, present Conservation Board Director. Anita said, “Beth Brown is a great asset to our conservation program and other programs in south central Iowa. She helps our county and other counties with bird banding, bird rehabilitation, and education programs.” Beth has guided many bird watching hikes locally and state wide. The Owl Prowl in Warren County is highly recognized among “birders.” Beth complimented our area Conservation Officer, Craig Roberg, for his interest and cooperation.
Beth cares for many injured birds in her outside bird care structures. These birds have been injured by electrical high lines, vehicles, gun shot wounds, and from eating poisoned rodents. First, she provides liquids to dehydrated birds, ascertains their problem such as a broken wing or leg, etc., and gives them antibiotics. One of her worst bird injuries was a Barred Owl that had been snagged by a triple hook fishing lure that was caught in a tree.
Many of the birds she rehabilitates are Raptors, varied species of Owls, Hawks, and Vultures, as well as song birds that have been injured when their bird homes are blown down by storms. Beth Brown is recognized nationally for her work with Turkey Vultures. She has received many awards and recognition for her work. These include the Governor’s Service Award, and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Award that was established by Laurence and Eula Hagie, former Osceola citizens. The Iowan Magazine recently published an article featuring Beth Brown.
Beth’s husband is James Brown, retired District Judge of Iowa. Beth said, “Jim has been my biggest booster. He holds the birds when I treat them and takes care of them when I am away. His devotion is amazing, considering my bird passion has made me a mess most of our lives. How many housewives have 300 dead mice in their freezer?” Beth added, “My bird passion has been an incredible ride as I searched for rare birds all over this country, Venezuela, and Costa Rica, and met so many famous naturalists.
Nonetheless, my greatest pleasure has been the accomplishments of our four children; Susan Pritchard of Houston, Texas, Julia Kemp, who lives in Conway, Arkansas, Mary Brown, Des Moines, and Jeff Brown who is now at Dubai, United Arab Emirates.”