Date: 7/1/25 4:29 am From: Clayton Will <willcfish...> Subject: [ia-bird] Boone County Eastern Whip-poor-will
I went to Luther Bridge, Boone County, last evening and there were at least 5 Eastern Whip-poor-will calling from both sides of the Des Moines river. Also North and South on the West side where I was parked. Plenty of shoulder to park on. Wouldn't you know a truck had to come by right when the close Whip was calling best but still good audio. They called about 5 times between 9:20 and 9:40 which is pretty typical. A Great-blue Heron must have been roosted close and gave me some harsh calls I recorded. Also a Green Heron. Every kind of swallow plus Chimney Swifts. A fun evening.
Date: 6/28/25 6:08 pm From: Weldon Bell <dubnellen...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Digest for - 1 update in 1 topic
Today we had a surprising yard bird. A male spotted towhee has visited
the sunflower seed tray several times.
This is a first summer visit. A number of years ago a spotted towhee
wintered at the edge of our yard here on the north side of Cardinal
Marsh in Winneshiek county.
Ellen Bell
>
>
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While road-birding around Boone County this morning, I happened to see a pair of Northern Bobwhites running down Magnolia Road (about 1 mi. NW of Co. Hwy. E57) ahead of me. The female dashed off into roadside grass and disappeared, but the male flew up into a tree about 25 ft. from me. After hiding behind some leaves he started strolling out onto an open brunch and then stopped there for about 3 minutes, allowing me to get a bunch of good telephoto portraits, including the one I'm attaching here (cropped somewhat, but not much).
Date: 6/27/25 12:41 pm From: Don Poggensee <donpoggensee...> Subject: [ia-bird] Red-Breasted nuthatch young
Hello, Some of you may not believe, but for many years I have had the great pleasure of having Red-breasted nuthatches at my feeders all year. Today the first two young Red-breasted nuthatches came to eat at my suet feeder. Yes, the new little ones, still did not have all their colors, but indeed they were hatched here.
Don
Don Poggensee 174 Lakeview Drive Ida Grove, Iowa 51445 Cell 712-369-3454
Date: 6/27/25 5:19 am From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 6-27-25
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, June 21, to Friday, June 27, 2025:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
NONE
Additional Species Mentioned
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Western Grebe
White-faced Ibis
Marbled Godwit
Laughing Gull
Mississippi Kite
Pine Warbler
***NEW!**************** For more up to date information on rarities in the state of Iowa, visit the Iowa Birds and Birding website at www.Iowabirds.org <http://www.iowabirds.org>
***********************
Species in ALL CAPS can be classified into three categories in the state of Iowa: 1) UNRECORDED, ACCIDENTAL or Casual; 2) A RARE but regular species; or 3) record early or late date or unusual for time of year. Any species with three asterisks (***species***) would represent a first record for Iowa (UNRECORDED) and should be observed and documented very carefully. Species with two asterisks (**species**) are species that are either ACCIDENTAL, CASUAL, or a rare regular species, and should also be documented. Species with one asterisk (*species) should have some details of the observation provided.
Please note this is an UNOFFICIAL compilation of rare bird sightings from both eBird and the IOU listserve. Data for field reports and early/late dates should not be taken from this weekly report.
NORTHEAST
DUBUQUE COUNTY
2 LAUGHING GULLS were seen at Lock and Dam 11 on the 24th.
EAST
JOHNSON COUNTY
2 MARBLED GODWITS were seen from James Ave at Hawkeye WA on the 23rd.
LINN COUNTY
A LAUGHING GULL was seen at Pleasant Creek SRA on the 24th.
SOUTHEAST
VAN BUREN COUNTY
A PINE WARBLER was seen at the Farmington Unit of Shimek SF on the 21st.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen over Urbandale on the 22nd.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was seen at the Big Creek Spillway on the 24th.
A WESTERN GREBE was seen at Big Creek SP on the 25th.
STORY COUNTY
3 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were seen along 600th Ave near Roland on the 25th.
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, July 4, 2025 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
I just relocated the Northern Mockingbird found by Andrew Dettro this morning at Brenton Arboretum, Dallas Center, Dallas County. It was singing at the top of a pine tree near NW corner of arboretum on south side of road on slope.
Date: 6/25/25 12:57 pm From: Clayton Will <willcfish...> Subject: [ia-bird] Bank Swallows and Cliff Swallows at Ledges State Park, Boone Co.
This morning after the 2" rain the Cliff Swallows from the canyon wall at Ledges State Park Boone Co. must have been rebuilding nest entrances and were gathering clay from the West side of the Des Moines River NW of the Lower Ledges boat ramp. Mixed in were a few Bank Swallows resting on roots outside the nest holes or feeding young directly above the Cliff Swallows. Last week there wasn't any activity and bank swallows had made more nests. The creek where I've seen the Cliff Swallows gather nest material is a torrent of water. At the high water pole there was a Northern Parula, Yellow Throated Warbler, Redstarts, Yellow Warblers and a calling Pileated Woodpecker. Clayton Will, Madrid [image: iabird Swallows Ledges June 25, 2025 047 - frame at 0m13s.jpg] [image: Ledges June 25, 2025 036.JPG]
Date: 6/23/25 8:41 am From: jimforde via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> Subject: [ia-bird] Marbled Godwits at Hawkeye Wildlife Area
This morning, I scoped a distant pair of MARBLED GODWITS across from the James Ave. shoreline. They took to the air making their cinnamon underwings quite visible, so I was able to make a positive identification. Hawkeye's water levels were just high enough to cover all the mud flats, so the long-legged godwits were the only shorebirds around.
Date: 6/22/25 2:22 pm From: Clayton Will <willcfish...> Subject: [ia-bird] Not a sighting: Photos of birders at Brushy Creek Lake looking at the Yellow-billed Loon
Organizing some pictures on this hot day and I ran across these that I liked from Brushy Creek dam August 13, 2019. Enjoy, I'll send two more on a reply because of the size.
Clayton Will Madrid. [image: Yellow billed Loon viewing Brushy Creek Lake August 13 2019 DSCN1750 (2)_LI.jpg]
Date: 6/20/25 9:23 am From: Karen Fieg <karenlfieg...> Subject: [ia-bird] Blue Grosbeak
I just had a Blue Grosbeak at the far north end of Jester Park on the wood pile gravel road near North entrance. It popped out briefly, sang, then disappeared in the woodpile. This is the second BG I've seen at Jester. The other one is below the campground on south end. I saw both male and female at that location.
Date: 6/20/25 8:00 am From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 6-20-25
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, June 14, to Friday, June 20, 2025:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
NONE
Additional Species Mentioned
Chuck-wills-Widow
Common Gallinule
White-faced Ibis
Least Tern
Mississippi Kite
***NEW!**************** For more up to date information on rarities in the state of Iowa, visit the Iowa Birds and Birding website at www.Iowabirds.org <http://www.iowabirds.org>
***********************
Species in ALL CAPS can be classified into three categories in the state of Iowa: 1) UNRECORDED, ACCIDENTAL or Casual; 2) A RARE but regular species; or 3) record early or late date or unusual for time of year. Any species with three asterisks (***species***) would represent a first record for Iowa (UNRECORDED) and should be observed and documented very carefully. Species with two asterisks (**species**) are species that are either ACCIDENTAL, CASUAL, or a rare regular species, and should also be documented. Species with one asterisk (*species) should have some details of the observation provided.
Please note this is an UNOFFICIAL compilation of rare bird sightings from both eBird and the IOU listserve. Data for field reports and early/late dates should not be taken from this weekly report.
NORTH CENTRAL
CERRO GORDO COUNTY
A COMMON GALLINULE was seen at Ventura Marsh on the 14th.
SOUTHEAST
WAPELLO
A CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOW was seen at Pioneer Ridge NA on the 16th.
MAHASKA COUNTY
2 WHITE-FACED IBIS were seen at Maskunky Marsh on the 19th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
2 LEAST TERNS were seen from Big Creek Spillway on the 17th.
NORTHWEST
KOSSUTH COUNTY
2 MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen over Algona on the 14th.
CLAY COUNTY
2 WHITE-FACED IBIS were seen at Trumbull Lake on the 18th.
A COMMON GALLINULE was seen at Trumbull Lake on the 18th.
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, June 27, 2025 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
Date: 6/19/25 8:26 pm From: Merle and Marsha Hall <mghall...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Bohemian Waxwings...
Okay. The experts out there probably already knew these were Cedar
Waxwings. Oh, well. So much for our bird ID skills. 😳 I think they
just looked so dark compared to what we've seen before. Maybe it's the
time of year or the lighting.
They were still pretty fun to watch for a half hour or so.
I found two White-faced Ibis at Maskunky Marsh, Mahaska County, Iowa this
morning (6-19-2025). Both were feeding for about an hour. They flew off
to the north - northeast.
Sure be fun if they are nesting. It’s a long shot.
Date: 6/18/25 7:01 pm From: Clayton Will <willcfish...> Subject: [ia-bird] Quality birds at Bob Shetler below Saylorville Dam, Polk County today.
It was a great middle of the day after I had the oil changed on the SUV this morning. All in the same spot below Saylorville Dam, Polk County. I parked in the South pond pull off North of the boat ramp. Prothonotary Warbler Yellow-throated Vireo at least 6 Yellow-billed Cuckoos calling all around and across the river. 2 seen and possibly 3 Pileated Woodpeckers. One came right in and I took video of it feeding on insects about 20 yards away. Interesting to see it using its tongue to lick insects off the tree branch. Then it flew a short distance into a Mulberry and started eating fruit. I'd not seen that before. A juvenile Northern Parula I thought was going to come in the car with me ended up sitting on my mirror after using the call for 10 seconds. I had the same thing happen in the same spot (trailhead parking lot) 6-7 years ago. All in all a great day with many other (38) birds at that location. Earlier I had stopped by the Great Blue Heron rookery and videod an adult regurgitating fish to feed the two young in her nest. There are over 60 nests in this rookery that is on Camp Dodge, federal land but can be viewed from North 86th st.. Here's a link to my ebird checklist if you'd like to see the videos. https://ebird.org/checklist/S251786951
Date: 6/18/25 8:03 am From: Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...> Subject: [ia-bird] Chats near Woodward
Two Yellow-breasted chats calling & seen along the low portion of 145th Lane, a few miles SE of Woodward, on Saylorville WMA in NE corner of Dallas Co.
Date: 6/18/25 7:40 am From: Ryan Shackleton <shack357...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Bobolink question
I saw one east of Colwell this season, that's it so far. They definitely seem to be down
-----Original Message-----
From: Russell <BenedictR...>
To: ia-bird <ia-bird...>
Date: Tuesday, 17 June 2025 10:11 AM CDT
Subject: [ia-bird] Bobolink question
Good morning,
I have not seen or heard a single Bobolink this year. Probably just a wrong place - wrong time thing. Have other people been seeing good numbers this spring? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
Russ Benedict
Professor of Biology
Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
Department of Biology, Central College
812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
Office: 641-628-5173
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 10:06 AM
To: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Interesting oriole behavior
Caution: The e-mail below is from an external source to Central College. Please do not open attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious origin. Report suspected phishing emails using the “Phishing Alert Report” button.
Iowa bird lovers,
Sitting on my porch this morning, I saw a female Baltimore Oriole fly across my yard carrying something large and dark in her bill. She dropped it on my sidewalk, reminding me of when birds drop fecal sacs from their young. I investigated and found that she had dropped a dead oriole nestling. I have always wondered what happens to young that die in the nest. Has anyone else seen similar behaviors? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
Russ Benedict
Professor of Biology
Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
Department of Biology, Central College
812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
Date: 6/18/25 5:55 am From: Bruce Morrison <crazcoot...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Bobolink question
We have nesting Bobolinks adjacent to our two small pastures this year…was
having a couple different males flying and calling yesterday afternoon,
just before a heavy rain. I’ve only seen two males at the same time - each
in different pastures.
We had three pairs last year here that were drowned out by our late June
flood…the pastures were under about 6 feet of water and flowing.
SE O’Brien County - Grant township
On Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 10:11:16 AM UTC-5 benedictr wrote:
> Good morning,
>
> I have not seen or heard a single Bobolink this year. Probably just
> a wrong place - wrong time thing. Have other people been seeing good
> numbers this spring? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
>
>
>
> Russ Benedict
>
> Professor of Biology
>
> Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
>
> Department of Biology, Central College
>
> 812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
>
> Office: 641-628-5173 <(641)%20628-5173>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <ia-......> <ia-......> on behalf of
> Russell Benedict <Bene......>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 17, 2025 10:06 AM
> *To:* <ia-......> <ia-......>
> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Interesting oriole behavior
>
> Caution: The e-mail below is from an external source to Central College.
> Please do not open attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious
> origin. Report suspected phishing emails using the “Phishing Alert Report”
> button.
>
> Iowa bird lovers,
>
> Sitting on my porch this morning, I saw a female Baltimore Oriole
> fly across my yard carrying something large and dark in her bill. She
> dropped it on my sidewalk, reminding me of when birds drop fecal sacs from
> their young. I investigated and found that she had dropped a dead oriole
> nestling. I have always wondered what happens to young that die in the
> nest. Has anyone else seen similar behaviors? Russ between Pella and
> Knoxville.
>
>
> Russ Benedict
>
> Professor of Biology
>
> Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
>
> Department of Biology, Central College
>
> 812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
>
> Office: 641-628-5173 <(641)%20628-5173>
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-......>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<u......>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB102066F69B905E61B8AFBD012A773A...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB102066F69B905E61B8AFBD012A773A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 6/18/25 3:52 am From: Clayton Will <willcfish...> Subject: [ia-bird] West side of Big Creek Lake, Polk Co.
There are a lot of good birds on the West side of Big Creek Lake, Polk Co.. I was very pleased with the 40+ birds I found at Big Creek State Park yesterday 6/17/2025. Close to a grand slam on Vireos having photographed three types: Bell's, Red-eyed, Warbling with visual/audio files of Yellow-throated Vireos. I tried for a Blue-headed but couldn't find one. On Jolly Boat Lane between "West Boat ln." and "Inland Cat ln". were many species. All viewed and heard from the roads. Highlights were: Yellow-breasted Chat calling from the South near the holding pond. I was able to take a couple of audio files. Many Wood Thrush calling from all directions. Probable nesting. Two Yellow-throated Vireo chasing and calling in the dip on Inland Cat. Likely relating to or nesting in the large cottonwoods West of the road. One Eastern Towhee, many Warbling and Red-eyed Vireo.
North on 100th st. boat ramp access the young Osprey on the communication tower are taking short flights while an adult still arranges the nest which I found interesting. A Northern Bobwhilte was calling from the West prairie. A Bell's Vireo was in the prairie grass just before the cable parking lot going to the boat ramp where the trees start. Also a Pileated Woodpecker calling at that location. It's been a few years since I've heard one there. Willow Flycatchers were just before the Y to the fishing Jetty. Another highlight was a healthy pair of Whitetail Deer fawns that followed Mom into the woods. [image: Deer fawns 01 BC June 17 2025 YBch YTvi 225 - frame at 0m5s.jpg] .
1. It doesn't seem to be real uncommon. These three were in Iowa in the
last month.
2. I wasn't as surprised to see the two on Spirit Lake as I was the
one at Big Creek.
Common Loon 24 May 2025 #2 Spirit Lake (Iowa) | US-IA
Common Loon 20 May 2025 #1 Big Creek SP Marina | US-IA
Last year there were one to three Common Loons on Storm Lake from July 2 to
July 22.
Clayton Will
Madrid
On Tue, Jun 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM Michael Meetz <mcmeetz1...> wrote:
Date: 6/17/25 7:30 pm From: Michael May <2y2m2u...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Bobolink question
Sightings seem to go like that for me, too - no visuals/audibles for 2 or
more years, then *a* sighting.
I have never seen so many bob-o-links in my life as I have this year!! -
both visual and audible 'sightings,' mostly in NW IA.
- 1 male, pasture 1 mile east of the intersection of IA 140 & C-38 (north
side of the road) - have seen them there occasionally over the last 11
years. Plymouth Co.
- 2 males, pasture (possible CRP) at the intersection of 320th St & Quorn
Road - this is west of Kingsley, just north of the west branch Little Sioux
River bridge.
- audibles @ the big marshy pasture, northeast corner of C-38 and Otter
Avenue (SE of Le Mars) last Sunday.
- audible @Grimes Farm, Marshall County today.
- And on May 11, I trolled my favorite piece of gravel-travel: Ridge Rd
southeast of C-38 (just east of Westfield IA). Omagosh, *at least 9 male
bob-o-links* - I had trouble keeping track of them as they flew all
around!! Never have I ever come across so many!
~ Kristy, SE Plymouth Co.
On Tue, Jun 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
wrote:
> Good morning,
>
> I have not seen or heard a single Bobolink this year. Probably just
> a wrong place - wrong time thing. Have other people been seeing good
> numbers this spring? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
>
>
>
> Russ Benedict
>
> Professor of Biology
>
> Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
>
> Department of Biology, Central College
>
> 812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
>
> Office: 641-628-5173
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of
> Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 17, 2025 10:06 AM
> *To:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Interesting oriole behavior
>
> Caution: The e-mail below is from an external source to Central College.
> Please do not open attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious
> origin. Report suspected phishing emails using the “Phishing Alert Report”
> button.
>
> Iowa bird lovers,
>
> Sitting on my porch this morning, I saw a female Baltimore Oriole
> fly across my yard carrying something large and dark in her bill. She
> dropped it on my sidewalk, reminding me of when birds drop fecal sacs from
> their young. I investigated and found that she had dropped a dead oriole
> nestling. I have always wondered what happens to young that die in the
> nest. Has anyone else seen similar behaviors? Russ between Pella and
> Knoxville.
>
>
> Russ Benedict
>
> Professor of Biology
>
> Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
>
> Department of Biology, Central College
>
> 812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
>
> Office: 641-628-5173
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB102066F69B905E61B8AFBD012A773A...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB102066F69B905E61B8AFBD012A773A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB1020624E3FC34782B22DB8BDBA773A...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB1020624E3FC34782B22DB8BDBA773A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
I have not seen it but my hunch is that It may be a (non-breeding) juvenile 2-3 yr bird. Occasionally these return to the northern lakes to "hang out” sometimes with other non-breeders
Date: 6/17/25 4:05 pm From: Merle and Marsha Hall <mghall...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Bobolink question
We just checked the field south of Granger
<https://maps.app.goo.gl/s9Q1GStTw2KzMzDY7> where we usually see them
and saw several Bobolinks. So they are back there at least.
Also, saw Cedar Waxwings, Baltimore Orioles and Goldfinches at the
Beaver Creek bridge between Granger and that field.
Merle
On 6/17/25 2:04 PM, Doug & Nina Harr wrote:
>
> I have been seeing Bobolinks in several places in Boone County. They
> include Harrier Marsh WMA (just not as many as usual) near where I
> live at Ogden, at Bjorkboda Marsh and McHugh Marsh grasslands up on
> the Boone/Hamilton County nines, and actually several on a roughly
> 250-acre lightly grazed/rotational pasture area about 3 mi. south of
> the tiny town of Beaver. Bobolinks numbers certainly are known to be
> in serious decline, but at least we still seem to find quite a few up
> here.
>
> Doug Harr
> Ogden, IA
>
> On Tue, Jun 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM Russell Benedict
> <BenedictR...> wrote:
>
> Good morning,
>
> I have not seen or heard a single Bobolink this year.
> Probably just a wrong place - wrong time thing. Have other people
> been seeing good numbers this spring? Russ between Pella and
> Knoxville.
>
>
>
> Russ Benedict
>
> Professor of Biology
>
> Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
>
> Department of Biology, Central College
>
> 812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
>
> Office: 641-628-5173
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on
> behalf of Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 17, 2025 10:06 AM
> *To:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Interesting oriole behavior
>
>
> Caution: The e-mail below is from an external source to Central
> College. Please do not open attachments or click links from an
> unknown or suspicious origin. Report suspected phishing emails
> using the “Phishing Alert Report” button.
>
>
> Iowa bird lovers,
>
> Sitting on my porch this morning, I saw a female Baltimore Oriole
> fly across my yard carrying something large and dark in her bill.
> She dropped it on my sidewalk, reminding me of when birds drop
> fecal sacs from their young. I investigated and found that she had
> dropped a dead oriole nestling. I have always wondered what
> happens to young that die in the nest. Has anyone else seen
> similar behaviors? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
>
>
> Russ Benedict
>
> Professor of Biology
>
> Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
>
> Department of Biology, Central College
>
> 812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
>
> Office: 641-628-5173
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people
> interested in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
> https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it,
> send an email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB102066F69B905E61B8AFBD012A773A...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB102066F69B905E61B8AFBD012A773A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people
> interested in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
> https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
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>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested
> in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
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I have not seen or heard a single Bobolink this year. Probably just a wrong place - wrong time thing. Have other people been seeing good numbers this spring? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
Russ
Benedict
Professor of Biology
Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
Department of Biology, Central College
812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
Office: 641-628-5173
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 10:06 AM
To: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Interesting oriole behavior
Caution: The e-mail below is from an external source to Central College. Please do not open attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious origin. Report
suspected phishing emails using the “Phishing Alert Report” button.
Iowa bird lovers,
Sitting on my porch this morning, I saw a female Baltimore Oriole fly across my yard carrying something large and dark in her bill. She dropped it on my sidewalk, reminding me of when birds drop fecal sacs
from their young. I investigated and found that she had dropped a dead oriole nestling. I have always wondered what happens to young that die in the nest. Has anyone else seen similar behaviors? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
Russ
Benedict
Professor of Biology
Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
Department of Biology, Central College
812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
For the past 3 days (and maybe before that) I have what I think is a Common Loon on a borrow pit 1+ miles east of the junction of Cty 99 and H22, just south of Oakville in Louisa County. This is on Louisa County H22. It appears to be in somewhat basic plumage. It has a large blue-gray bill. This is the first Loon I have seen in June. Chuck Fuller Burlington
I have not seen or heard a single Bobolink this year. Probably just a wrong place - wrong time thing. Have other people been seeing good numbers this spring? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
Russ
Benedict
Professor of Biology
Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
Department of Biology, Central College
812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
Office: 641-628-5173
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 10:06 AM
To: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Interesting oriole behavior
Caution: The e-mail below is from an external source to Central College. Please do not open attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious origin. Report
suspected phishing emails using the “Phishing Alert Report” button.
Iowa bird lovers,
Sitting on my porch this morning, I saw a female Baltimore Oriole fly across my yard carrying something large and dark in her bill. She dropped it on my sidewalk, reminding me of when birds drop fecal sacs
from their young. I investigated and found that she had dropped a dead oriole nestling. I have always wondered what happens to young that die in the nest. Has anyone else seen similar behaviors? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
Russ
Benedict
Professor of Biology
Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
Department of Biology, Central College
812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
I have been seeing Bobolinks in several places in Boone County. They
include Harrier Marsh WMA (just not as many as usual) near where I live at
Ogden, at Bjorkboda Marsh and McHugh Marsh grasslands up on the
Boone/Hamilton County nines, and actually several on a roughly 250-acre
lightly grazed/rotational pasture area about 3 mi. south of the tiny town
of Beaver. Bobolinks numbers certainly are known to be in serious decline,
but at least we still seem to find quite a few up here.
Doug Harr
Ogden, IA
On Tue, Jun 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
wrote:
> Good morning,
>
> I have not seen or heard a single Bobolink this year. Probably just
> a wrong place - wrong time thing. Have other people been seeing good
> numbers this spring? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
>
>
>
> Russ Benedict
>
> Professor of Biology
>
> Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
>
> Department of Biology, Central College
>
> 812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
>
> Office: 641-628-5173
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of
> Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 17, 2025 10:06 AM
> *To:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Interesting oriole behavior
>
> Caution: The e-mail below is from an external source to Central College.
> Please do not open attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious
> origin. Report suspected phishing emails using the “Phishing Alert Report”
> button.
>
> Iowa bird lovers,
>
> Sitting on my porch this morning, I saw a female Baltimore Oriole
> fly across my yard carrying something large and dark in her bill. She
> dropped it on my sidewalk, reminding me of when birds drop fecal sacs from
> their young. I investigated and found that she had dropped a dead oriole
> nestling. I have always wondered what happens to young that die in the
> nest. Has anyone else seen similar behaviors? Russ between Pella and
> Knoxville.
>
>
> Russ Benedict
>
> Professor of Biology
>
> Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
>
> Department of Biology, Central College
>
> 812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
>
> Office: 641-628-5173
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB102066F69B905E61B8AFBD012A773A...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB102066F69B905E61B8AFBD012A773A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
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> To view this discussion visit
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>
Date: 6/17/25 11:29 am From: Clayton Will <willcfish...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Bobolink question
1.
<https://ebird.org/checklist/S250253287> 2.
<https://ebird.org/checklist/S250253287> 3. Here are my entries for this year. Spread out over a large area of
the state from Keosaqua to Estherville. Not the large number of 400 I had
near Storm Lake last year. They get very secretive during nesting as do
many birds. I discussed the lack of Warblers in central Iowa the other day
and it's my thought many birds were killed by large hail in Missouri and
Arkansas after seeing a map of the damage. There was more red on those maps
than not. Just a theory. <https://ebird.org/species/boboli/>
Date: 6/17/25 11:15 am From: Steve Harvey <saharv23...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Bobolink question
Although normally rare here, their reduced number this year is notable.
I did see a pair yesterday on a fence along CRP ground
in south central Clarke county.
They were around last year but have not seen nor heard any this year...intensive land use is on the rise if that were even possible. Certainly around me. I suspect that is part of the reason why?
Date: 6/17/25 8:36 am From: Chad Gatlin <chadvgatlin...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Bobolink question
I saw one and few miles south of Centerville on Friday and a pair just
across the Missouri line this morning.
They are a rare sight anymore.
Chad
On Tue, Jun 17, 2025, 10:11 AM Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
wrote:
> Good morning,
>
> I have not seen or heard a single Bobolink this year. Probably just
> a wrong place - wrong time thing. Have other people been seeing good
> numbers this spring? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
>
>
>
> Russ Benedict
>
> Professor of Biology
>
> Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
>
> Department of Biology, Central College
>
> 812 University Street
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/812+University+Street?entry=gmail&source=g> |
> Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
>
> Office: 641-628-5173
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of
> Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 17, 2025 10:06 AM
> *To:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Interesting oriole behavior
>
> Caution: The e-mail below is from an external source to Central College.
> Please do not open attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious
> origin. Report suspected phishing emails using the “Phishing Alert Report”
> button.
>
> Iowa bird lovers,
>
> Sitting on my porch this morning, I saw a female Baltimore Oriole
> fly across my yard carrying something large and dark in her bill. She
> dropped it on my sidewalk, reminding me of when birds drop fecal sacs from
> their young. I investigated and found that she had dropped a dead oriole
> nestling. I have always wondered what happens to young that die in the
> nest. Has anyone else seen similar behaviors? Russ between Pella and
> Knoxville.
>
>
> Russ Benedict
>
> Professor of Biology
>
> Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
>
> Department of Biology, Central College
>
> 812 University Street
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/812+University+Street?entry=gmail&source=g> |
> Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
>
> Office: 641-628-5173
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB102066F69B905E61B8AFBD012A773A...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB102066F69B905E61B8AFBD012A773A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB1020624E3FC34782B22DB8BDBA773A...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CH3PR05MB1020624E3FC34782B22DB8BDBA773A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 6/17/25 8:11 am From: Russell Benedict <BenedictR...> Subject: [ia-bird] Bobolink question
Good morning,
I have not seen or heard a single Bobolink this year. Probably just a wrong place - wrong time thing. Have other people been seeing good numbers this spring? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
Russ Benedict
Professor of Biology
Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
Department of Biology, Central College
812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
Office: 641-628-5173
[http://departments.central.edu/centralcommunications/files/2012/09/centralCollegeEmailLogo.png]
________________________________
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 10:06 AM
To: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Interesting oriole behavior
Caution: The e-mail below is from an external source to Central College. Please do not open attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious origin. Report suspected phishing emails using the “Phishing Alert Report” button.
Iowa bird lovers,
Sitting on my porch this morning, I saw a female Baltimore Oriole fly across my yard carrying something large and dark in her bill. She dropped it on my sidewalk, reminding me of when birds drop fecal sacs from their young. I investigated and found that she had dropped a dead oriole nestling. I have always wondered what happens to young that die in the nest. Has anyone else seen similar behaviors? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
Russ Benedict
Professor of Biology
Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
Department of Biology, Central College
812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
Date: 6/17/25 8:06 am From: Russell Benedict <BenedictR...> Subject: [ia-bird] Interesting oriole behavior
Iowa bird lovers,
Sitting on my porch this morning, I saw a female Baltimore Oriole fly across my yard carrying something large and dark in her bill. She dropped it on my sidewalk, reminding me of when birds drop fecal sacs from their young. I investigated and found that she had dropped a dead oriole nestling. I have always wondered what happens to young that die in the nest. Has anyone else seen similar behaviors? Russ between Pella and Knoxville.
Date: 6/15/25 2:55 pm From: 'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> Subject: [ia-bird] West Nile?
Have there been more reports of West Nile virus this early summary? I found two dead Blue Jays in my yard in the past week which is concerning. Art Check Nevada Sent from my iPhone
Out plucking some yard weeds after supper this evening, I noted two Mississippi Kites swirling around together just above the treetops of my neighborhood, heading northwards. I didn't get a good ageing-type look at them without binocs before they disappeared, but it was easily my most surprising bird encounter of the year so far.
Given the notable lack of flying insects in my area this year, I wonder if similar conditions elsewhere forced this wandering pair my way.
Date: 6/13/25 7:45 am From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 6-13-25
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, June 7, to Friday, June 13, 2025:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL
**CRESTED CARACARA**
Additional Species Mentioned
Black-necked Stilt
Least Tern
Mississippi Kite
Fish Crow
***NEW!**************** For more up to date information on rarities in the state of Iowa, visit the Iowa Birds and Birding website at www.Iowabirds.org <http://www.iowabirds.org>
***********************
Species in ALL CAPS can be classified into three categories in the state of Iowa: 1) UNRECORDED, ACCIDENTAL or Casual; 2) A RARE but regular species; or 3) record early or late date or unusual for time of year. Any species with three asterisks (***species***) would represent a first record for Iowa (UNRECORDED) and should be observed and documented very carefully. Species with two asterisks (**species**) are species that are either ACCIDENTAL, CASUAL, or a rare regular species, and should also be documented. Species with one asterisk (*species) should have some details of the observation provided.
Please note this is an UNOFFICIAL compilation of rare bird sightings from both eBird and the IOU listserve. Data for field reports and early/late dates should not be taken from this weekly report.
SOUTHEAST
WAPELLO COUNTY
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen at Memorial Park on the 8th.
DES MOINES COUNTY
A FISH CROW was seen at Sullivan Slough Road on the 8th.
KEOKUK COUNTY
A CRESTED CARACARA was seen 1 mile west of Hedrick along Highway 149 on the 10th.
NORTHEAST
DUBUQUE COUNTY
A BLACK-NECKED STILT was seen at Deere Dike Park and Riverside Road on the 7th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
A LEAST TERN was seen at the Big Creek Spillway on the 12th.
SOUTHWEST
MILLS COUNTY
2 LEAST TERNS were seen at Keg Creek WMA on the 7th.
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, June 20, 2025 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
Date: 6/12/25 9:22 am From: Neil Bernstein <tornataornata...> Subject: [ia-bird] New issue of Iowa Bird Life
The 95-2 issue of Iowa Bird Life has been posted to the IOU
website, and subscribers of paper copies should receive their issue in a
few weeks. Along with spectacular photographs, there are several
interesting articles including a reflection from President Tyler Harms on
the successful spring Tri-State meeting and a sobering look to the future
of wildlife. A graduate from the University of Iowa, Mari Wharff, reflects
on her growth from an undergraduate to beginning her graduate research in
ornithology, and we have the first published haiku for IBL by Steve Harvey.
Linda Petersen demonstrates how beginning birders can provide important
data with her sighting of a Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Steve Dinsmore
highlights interesting trends among the autumn migrants. If you have not
read Amy Tan’s book on her development as a bird artist and nature
journalist, check out the book review by Cat Fribley. As always, Jim
Dinsmore provides reflection on IOU fifty years ago. Which brings me to a
final point, the work of the IOU officers. There are several meeting
minutes as well as changes to the IOU Constitution published. The Board and
other volunteer members went through an extensive and time-consuming
strategic planning to help plot the course for IOU into the future. Many
hours are reflected in the notes that are published and worthy of your
attention.
Date: 6/11/25 10:59 am From: weatherbird58 <weatherbird58...> Subject: [ia-bird] Blue Grosbeak - Boone County
On Stop 50 of the McCallsburg BBS, about 6 miles north of Jordan, we heard a Blue Grosbeak singing repeatedly in appropriate small tree/pasture habitat. This was about 9:50 am and the coordinates of the observation location were 42.137464, -93.785931, or one half mile east of Hwy 17 on 510th St.
8 Upland Sandpipers were detected on 6 stops, several less than last year.
On Tue, Jun 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...><mailto:<john.annabissell...>> wrote:
I just received a call from Andy Schmitz who just photographed a Crested Caracara one mile west of Hedrick on Highway 149. It was in a cornfield on the north side of the road.
Good birding
John Bissell
Grimes
[cid:ii_1975c073c887244bde71]
Date: 6/10/25 3:48 pm From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Crested Caracara - Keokuk County
I just received a call from Andy Schmitz who just photographed a Crested Caracara one mile west of Hedrick on Highway 149. It was in a cornfield on the north side of the road.
Yes eBird is downed. It has been targeted by an unusually large amount of
bot traffic and cannot handle juggling that plus the real users.
Noah
On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, <wybortsjr...> wrote:
> Thanks. I’m getting the same error again after it worked briefly.
>
> At least it’s not just me. Hopefully it will resolve soon.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> *From:* Wendy VanDeWalle <wtvandewalle...>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 10, 2025 15:58
> *To:* <wybortsjr...>
> *Cc:* IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
> *Subject:* Re: [ia-bird] eBird crashed?
>
>
>
> I’m getting that too. I do know the app updated yesterday, so maybe they
> are doing some maintenance.
>
>
>
> Wendy VanDeWalle
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM <wybortsjr...> wrote:
>
> Just wanted to know if it’s just me or if anyone else is experiencing
> this. The website is giving me an all-black screen with tiny white words in
> the upper left-hand corner that say, “service unavailable” sometimes and
> “bad gateway” other times I try to refresh. Then I’m trying the app, and it
> will open but it’s completely frozen and I can’t do anything and it says
> “can’t update”. So is eBird down?
>
> Was going to send them a help request but can’t even do that.
>
> I’ve never seen this happen before.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Wyman Borts
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to https://iowabirds.org/Places/ > FindLocation.aspx
> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/ > msgid/ia-bird/004401dbda49%24c6e64890%2454b2d9b0%<24...>
> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/004401dbda49%24c6e64890%2454b2d9b0%<24...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to https://iowabirds.org/Places/ > FindLocation.aspx
> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/ > msgid/ia-bird/005f01dbda4b%241e5a5340%245b0ef9c0%<24...>
> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/005f01dbda4b%241e5a5340%245b0ef9c0%<24...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Just wanted to know if it’s just me or if anyone else is experiencing this. The website is giving me an all-black screen with tiny white words in the upper left-hand corner that say, “service unavailable” sometimes and “bad gateway” other times I try to refresh. Then I’m trying the app, and it will open but it’s completely frozen and I can’t do anything and it says “can’t update”. So is eBird down?
Was going to send them a help request but can’t even do that.
I’m getting that too. I do know the app updated yesterday, so maybe they
are doing some maintenance.
Wendy VanDeWalle
On Tue, Jun 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM <wybortsjr...> wrote:
> Just wanted to know if it’s just me or if anyone else is experiencing
> this. The website is giving me an all-black screen with tiny white words in
> the upper left-hand corner that say, “service unavailable” sometimes and
> “bad gateway” other times I try to refresh. Then I’m trying the app, and it
> will open but it’s completely frozen and I can’t do anything and it says
> “can’t update”. So is eBird down?
>
> Was going to send them a help request but can’t even do that.
>
> I’ve never seen this happen before.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Wyman Borts
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/004401dbda49%24c6e64890%2454b2d9b0%<24...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/004401dbda49%24c6e64890%2454b2d9b0%<24...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Never mind, now it works. Guess I should have waited a bit. I'm seeing that today eBird surpassed 2 Billion observations, so maybe it didn't know what to do with that, LOL.
From: <wybortsjr...> <wybortsjr...> Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 15:54 To: 'IA-BIRD' <ia-bird...> Subject: eBird crashed?
Just wanted to know if it's just me or if anyone else is experiencing this. The website is giving me an all-black screen with tiny white words in the upper left-hand corner that say, "service unavailable" sometimes and "bad gateway" other times I try to refresh. Then I'm trying the app, and it will open but it's completely frozen and I can't do anything and it says "can't update". So is eBird down?
Was going to send them a help request but can't even do that.
Just wanted to know if it's just me or if anyone else is experiencing this. The website is giving me an all-black screen with tiny white words in the upper left-hand corner that say, "service unavailable" sometimes and "bad gateway" other times I try to refresh. Then I'm trying the app, and it will open but it's completely frozen and I can't do anything and it says "can't update". So is eBird down?
Was going to send them a help request but can't even do that.
Date: 6/9/25 4:35 pm From: <clan......> <clangan16...> Subject: [ia-bird] 2025 Spring Field Report Submissions
Iowa Birders,
Now that we are well into the summer season, I want to remind everyone to submit their spring (March through May) observations. Please submit your spring observations to either eBird or the Iowa Ornithologists' Union website by *June 15th* for inclusion in the Spring 2025 Field Report.
Observations of rare birds, early or late migrants, or high species counts are valuable reports. Resources about early/late migrant dates and review list bird species can be found under the "Iowa Birds" tab on the IOU website. Any sightings of review list bird species from this past spring season should be submitted to the Iowa Records Committee for review.
Thank you for submitting your spring 2025 observations - they are crucial to documenting Iowa's changing bird community.
Date: 6/8/25 7:48 pm From: Ryan Shackleton <shack357...> Subject: [ia-bird] Alta Vista owls
Walking the dog Thursday night I stumbled onto a nest of barred owls in my neighbor's tree. Haven't seen the adults yet but they're definitely in the area, the youngsters have been out on the branches quite a bit. Neighbor said the owls have been there for several months, it's a multi-trunk tree with a big hollow in the middle.
Interesting part is he said he remembered climbing up into that hollow when he was a kid(lifelong resident), and he doesn't remember ever having owls in the tree.
We have barred and great horneds in town all the time, a nest right down the block is neat to see.
Ryan Shackleton
Alta Vista, IA
Chickasaw County
That’s awesome! The data file that the field editors get only contains
reports from eBird or Iowabirds.org.
Can you submit your sighting to one of those?
Wendy
On Sun, Jun 8, 2025 at 7:44 PM <wxqisu...> wrote:
> Including one I saw at Ada Hayden, Ames on May 25, and one observed by
> Aaron Webb at Chichaqua Bottoms, there are three Black-billed Cuckoo
> reported through facebook and email.
>
> Xiaoqing Wu
> Ames
>
> [image: image2.jpeg]
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jun 8, 2025, at 6:10 PM, Britt Vickstrom <brittvickstrom...>
> wrote:
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> Should I submit to someone that I had a black billed cuckoo in Davenport,
> Scott Co May 25? I don't sumbit regularly to EBird. I probably should be
> better about that. I often let Merlin record at my window to see what it
> says might be around. Lately, it has repeatedly said there is a northern
> mockingbird. I thought I finally saw one, but when I got a photo of the
> bird, I was thrilled to get this lifer black billed cuckoo, especially
> since I know they're in steep decline. I live on the 4th floor and I have
> 100+ year old oak trees outside my windows. Usually, they are a great lure
> for warblers during migration, but this year was a bit of a dud. Perhaps
> because the storms knocked down the oak catkins early in the season?
>
> The next week after I saw this lovely, I had a yellow-billed cuckoo across
> the river in Moline.
>
> Britt Vickstrom
> Davenport
>
>
> <1000020931.jpg>
>
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
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>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
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>
I will sumbit it. I also had a summer tanager a few hours earlier that day.
I am very grateful for these oak trees.
Britt
On Sun, Jun 8, 2025, 6:46 PM Wendy VanDeWalle <wtvandewalle...>
wrote:
> Yes! You can still do an eBird report after the fact. Just change the date
> and time. Make sure it’s the same as your picture and attach that too. You
> can do it as an incidental report if you don’t have a list of the other
> birds you saw at the time.
> You can also report it on the IOU website. Please do it as soon as you
> can, because June 15th is the cutoff for spring reports. ( Connor will be
> sending a reminder email soon).
> Awesome sighting!
>
> Wendy VanDeWalle
> Buchanan Co.
>
>
> On Sun, Jun 8, 2025 at 6:10 PM Britt Vickstrom <brittvickstrom...>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> Should I submit to someone that I had a black billed cuckoo in Davenport,
>> Scott Co May 25? I don't sumbit regularly to EBird. I probably should be
>> better about that. I often let Merlin record at my window to see what it
>> says might be around. Lately, it has repeatedly said there is a northern
>> mockingbird. I thought I finally saw one, but when I got a photo of the
>> bird, I was thrilled to get this lifer black billed cuckoo, especially
>> since I know they're in steep decline. I live on the 4th floor and I have
>> 100+ year old oak trees outside my windows. Usually, they are a great lure
>> for warblers during migration, but this year was a bit of a dud. Perhaps
>> because the storms knocked down the oak catkins early in the season?
>>
>> The next week after I saw this lovely, I had a yellow-billed cuckoo
>> across the river in Moline.
>>
>> Britt Vickstrom
>> Davenport
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
>> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
>> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx >> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
>> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested
>> in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
>> https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 >> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "IA-BIRD" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CABkC4OJKM%3DuRf6CPgRVFn-tPeni-2a6fzXiCtOpBo3K%<3DhtNQww...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CABkC4OJKM%3DuRf6CPgRVFn-tPeni-2a6fzXiCtOpBo3K%<3DhtNQww...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
>
Yes! You can still do an eBird report after the fact. Just change the date
and time. Make sure it’s the same as your picture and attach that too. You
can do it as an incidental report if you don’t have a list of the other
birds you saw at the time.
You can also report it on the IOU website. Please do it as soon as you can,
because June 15th is the cutoff for spring reports. ( Connor will be
sending a reminder email soon).
Awesome sighting!
Wendy VanDeWalle
Buchanan Co.
On Sun, Jun 8, 2025 at 6:10 PM Britt Vickstrom <brittvickstrom...>
wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Should I submit to someone that I had a black billed cuckoo in Davenport,
> Scott Co May 25? I don't sumbit regularly to EBird. I probably should be
> better about that. I often let Merlin record at my window to see what it
> says might be around. Lately, it has repeatedly said there is a northern
> mockingbird. I thought I finally saw one, but when I got a photo of the
> bird, I was thrilled to get this lifer black billed cuckoo, especially
> since I know they're in steep decline. I live on the 4th floor and I have
> 100+ year old oak trees outside my windows. Usually, they are a great lure
> for warblers during migration, but this year was a bit of a dud. Perhaps
> because the storms knocked down the oak catkins early in the season?
>
> The next week after I saw this lovely, I had a yellow-billed cuckoo across
> the river in Moline.
>
> Britt Vickstrom
> Davenport
>
>
>
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CABkC4OJKM%3DuRf6CPgRVFn-tPeni-2a6fzXiCtOpBo3K%<3DhtNQww...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CABkC4OJKM%3DuRf6CPgRVFn-tPeni-2a6fzXiCtOpBo3K%<3DhtNQww...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Should I submit to someone that I had a black billed cuckoo in Davenport, Scott Co May 25? I don't sumbit regularly to EBird. I probably should be better about that. I often let Merlin record at my window to see what it says might be around. Lately, it has repeatedly said there is a northern mockingbird. I thought I finally saw one, but when I got a photo of the bird, I was thrilled to get this lifer black billed cuckoo, especially since I know they're in steep decline. I live on the 4th floor and I have 100+ year old oak trees outside my windows. Usually, they are a great lure for warblers during migration, but this year was a bit of a dud. Perhaps because the storms knocked down the oak catkins early in the season?
The next week after I saw this lovely, I had a yellow-billed cuckoo across the river in Moline.
Date: 6/8/25 12:08 pm From: Wendy VanDeWalle <wtvandewalle...> Subject: [ia-bird] To new eBird users, old eBird users & Merlin users
Hi all!
The Summer field season is upon us and I just wanted to encourage all eBird
users to input the breeding code for your reported species. No promises,
but we are toying with the idea of adding some nesting info for a few
species to the Summer Field report. Even if we don’t do it, its still great
citizen science for eBird.
You don’t really need to learn the codes because you can click on each of
them until you get to the one you want. Also putting lots of notes in the
comment section is very helpful especially the number of young seen. You
can go back and add that particular info from the website as well, but I’ll
admit even I’m not great at doing that extra step. But if you can that’s
awesome .
I also wanted to comment on using Merlin.
As a field report editor, I most likely won’t accept a report of a rare or
even uncommon bird if the only comment is “Merlin ID”. Merlin can get
numerous species wrong, so please verify by sight and put that in your
comments if you did. Also put in a detailed description of what the bird
looks like. If you did get a recording please add that. If you need help
with doing that, you are welcome to contact me. And of course pictures are
awesome! You don’t have to be a professional photographer to put your
pictures on. I’m certainly not. It just needs to be good enough for ID.
So I encourage you to brave the bugs and get out there and document those
breeding birds, as long as you can be respectful without disturbing them.
I’m not finding that many Cuckoos this year are you? Maybe I’m just not
getting out there early enough anymore. Haha! But seriously, there has been
a decline in the number of reports for both species, so go check on your
local birds.
Date: 6/7/25 6:02 am From: 'McMullen, Catherine M [NREM]' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> Subject: Re: FW: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
One factor that can make a discussion about invasives difficult and/or confusing is that people use the term invasive in different ways. I don’t think anyone would argue that the introduced honeysuckles are not invasive … they can displace nearly everything.
Where it can get confusing is for species like white mulberry. It grows along woodland edges, in fence lines and in other disturbed areas, but I have never seen it in the woods (this may change if successful hybrids between red and white mulberry become widespread), and I don’t consider it invasive. It also has positive value for wildlife https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/moralb/all.html. However, in her book “Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest (The University of Wisconsin Press 2005) Elizabeth Czarapata considers white mulberry invasive.
A few years back the city of Des Moines spent a lot of time and effort removing white mulberry from the edge of some west side bike trails. Water Works did the same, removing white mulberry from the edges of the woods. It was frustrating to see what I consider the waste of time and money to remove a tree that is not invading woodlands and has wildlife value (in addition to being a delicious edible for us), and I wonder if other trail users were distressed by this “invasive” control and would come away with a negative view of the practice.
Research from many different fields consistently show that more information is generally not effective in changing minds, while having on the ground conversations, being a good listener, and developing relationships is effective. To help people understand vegetation management practices and just what we do in general may require conversations outside of our comfort zone, as in this example:
Nalani M. Nadkarni, “Ecological Outreach to Faith-Based Communities,” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, no. 5 (2007):332–333.
Cathy McMullen
Department of Natural Resource Ecology
and Management
Iowa State University
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of John T <crowlover49...>
Date: Friday, June 6, 2025 at 1:07 PM
To: Clayton Will <willcfish...>
Cc: Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...>, IA-Bird ListServe <ia-bird...>
Subject: Re: FW: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
I guess I read the article more as "the standard methods used for invasive species control that are more effective at scale tend to not be As accepted socially by Americans" which you would need for something like this. As far as what was the best method and cost, that seemed to be tied more to needing to gather more evidence on specific levels of effectiveness because of, well, see your comments on aquatic plants. And then it would be a question from there of "how socially acceptable would a perhaps more effective way of doing it be." As for the Ring-necked Pheasants, well, that's down to whether there's evidence of if their presence is negative for other native species that we'd want to have and that's another evidence thing.
On Fri, Jun 6, 2025 at 12:26 PM Clayton Will <willcfish...><mailto:<willcfish...>> wrote:
Thank you for posting the article Doug. From what I read they are saying they don't know the right method, cause or effect. It reads they are looking for the method the public will accept. Also whether these efforts are worth the money spent. It asks many questions about what is being done but without answers.
This is just part of failed invasive policies. Millions of wasted dollars have been spent not only on vegetative invasives but also as referred to in the article about aquatic invasives. The DNR spent a lot of money to stop aquatic invasives by putting up signs at boat ramps, billboards, rinse stations and hiring staff to hand out stickers to put on our boat trailers so we could be charged if vegetaion was on a boat trailer with a sticker. There was never any way that would work without removing the boat from the trailer because of vegetation trapped between the boat and wooden bunks on the trailer. With folks coming in for tournamets it was just a matter of time and impacted by what brings in money. The birds we so much enjoy carry invasive seeds pond by pond, lake by lake. Now bird flu which is causing the poisoning of birds around CAFOs. There are now huge areas without Red-tailed Hawks. Should we eraticate the Ring-necked Pheasant too? Back to aquatic the much feared Zebra Mussel (produce millions of offspring "villagers") has turned out to have grown more and larger fish in Iowa supercharging the beginning of the food chain with minimal impact to water supplies.
Iowa counties were brought up in a post and Boone County has now taken out so much road vegetation they have taken out ads in newspapers offering to remove trees for free on private property and some wonder why I'm concerned. Counties do this to keep the men busy regardless of the effect. I stopped three Boone County trucks and eight men who had started to cut down a known Long-eared Owl habitat leading to Sugar Valley boat ramp a few years back. The foreman said he takes his family there and didn't like it either but the county engineer looks at a map without coming to look and gives them their work order. I calked the engineer and he came out and called them off. They were going to dig deep ditches on a B-level road to Sugar Valley boat ramp destroying prime habitat. It's all in the eye of the beholder. I'm glad we had this coversation and give nor take any personal offence toward Steve, IOU or the DNR where I have many good friends doing policy or what their told
Sincerely,
Clayton Will
Madrid
On Fri, Jun 6, 2025, 10:28 Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...><mailto:<dnharr...>> wrote:
I must agree with Steve Dinsmore's message about the importance of removing invasive vegetation to many species of birds. And most interestingly, just today The Wildlife Society (a nationwide professional organization) happened to include a quite related article in its weekly newsletter. I would suggest that many of you might want to read the article, using the following link:
https://wildlife.org/qa-the-public-opinion-on-invasive-species-management/.
Doug Harr
TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist®
& Audubon Upper Miss. River Regional Office Advisory Board member
On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 10:21 PM <aj...><mailto:<aj...>> wrote:
Posting for Steve Dinsmore who for some reason cannot access this group.
I continue to be surprised by comments like Clayton’s. As I said here a couple of years ago, these kinds of negative reactions to habitat management for birds (and other wildlife) are common, sometimes unfortunate, and demonstrate a short-sighted view of a very complex situation. Clayton’s email references two main issues, (1) oak savannah restoration, and (2) non-native honeysuckle removal. Here are some perspectives to consider on these issues:
* I strongly disagree with the notion of “destruction of bird habitat” as used more than once in Clayton’s email. Such comments demonstrate an ignorance of what habitat management is all about and promote the notion that management equals destruction. Alteration is a more appropriate term. Restoring to its native state is even better. And while these alterations are bad for some species they are also good for others.
* The site at Cherry Glen that Clayton references is being restored to native oak savannah. Personally I am thrilled at all the oak savannah restoration efforts at Saylorville and elsewhere. This is great for birds. This particular restoration site is full of Red-headed Woodpeckers and Great Crested Flycatchers, is great for migrant warblers (and I can see them better now that the forest is more open), hosts breeding Summer and Scarlet tanagers, etc. We need more of these efforts to restore native forests in Iowa.
* Clayton’s comments about Big Creek State Park seem to reference efforts to combat invasive honeysuckle. For lots of reasons the spread of honeysuckle is bad for native wildlife. True, there are some examples of benefits, but on balance there are far more costs. Keeping it contained through aggressive removal is the best tool we have right now. Surely we can agree that removing non-natives like honeysuckle is a good thing?
* Contrary to Clayton’s comments, management is not all about oak savannah and prairies. Wetland restoration and management (the Shallow Lakes effort is a great example), restoring river oxbows, restoring sandbars on the Missouri River, and managing flood control reservoirs for waterbirds are a few that come to mind. I’ll note that some of Clayton’s favorite birding locales benefit from these management efforts.
* Clayton’s comment about the lack of edges is baffling. Edge habitat is everywhere and in a highly fragmented landscape like Iowa it will always be that way.
* I applaud ALL efforts by management agencies to restore native habitats for wildlife. This includes the tree removal at Bays Branch, honeysuckle removal EVERYWHERE, oak savannah restoration, and similar efforts. We need more of these efforts.
* The IOU does not need to get involved. At the 2025 spring meeting in Sioux City the membership approved a new mission statement as follows: “The purpose of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union (hereafter I.O.U.) shall be to develop birders to encourage bird observation, identification, and reporting and share a consistent, historical snapshot of birds in Iowa.” Nothing about habitat management. I heartily agree with what others have said about the need to help, and we can all do this in our own way. But IOU involvement is unnecessary.
* Lastly, I am disturbed by Clayton’s seemingly selfish attitude towards public lands where he has always seen birds and seems to feel this should never change. Public lands are for everyone, not single birders. And the lands to which Clayton refers are at least in part intended to help preserve our natural resources, including birds. Comments suggesting that an individual’s access to see birds is more important than conserving native birds is therefore offensive to me. Enough said.
As always, thank you for reading this email.
Steve
**********
Stephen J. Dinsmore
Professor and Chair
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Interim Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Iowa State University
209 Science II
Ames, IA 50011
Phone: 515-294-1348
E-mail: <cootjr...><mailto:<cootjr...> Web: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/cootjr/
From: <ia-bird...><mailto:<ia-bird...> <ia-bird...><mailto:<ia-bird...>> On Behalf Of Clayton Will
Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10:33 AM
To: IA-BIRD <ia-bird...><mailto:<ia-bird...>> Subject: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
Hi everyone,
I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted by some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie.
When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges" had on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing else.
I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was cleared of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges are gone. The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges which was a go to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring. This year they were few and far between after a group that thought they were doing the right thing cleared all the forest floor.
I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but when I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that".
Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and Oak Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are observing negative changes in our parks with these methods.
I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't see the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there for years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow suit at DNR directive.
When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have funds for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy habitat. When asked if they were going to replant with native species to replace as they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds for that". There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a problem with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I don't understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the prairie. The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very large woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there. Now it's nothing but stumps and very few birds.
IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for birds.
Date: 6/6/25 12:16 pm From: Clayton Will <willcfish...> Subject: Re: FW: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
Hi Ann,
My last post was going to be my last but since you question my evidence
I'll tell you.
My brother-in-law worked for 30+ years for a county. I've heard many play
by play events from someone who lived it. They used to let them play cards
in the maintenace shed between seasons of snow or hauling sand or grading.
Now they cut trees. Card playing stopped when someone complained to the
supervisors. So what happened in one case they took out trees near a
Y-intersection that cost the county $10K when the property owner filed a
lawsuit. I try not to say things that I don't have first hand information.
But they never plant trees. The Boone Co. burn pile is on the dead end road
to Sugar Valley where I bird a lot and see the trucks coming and going
during Fall and Spring loaded with cut trees they burn every couple weeks
while one or two men watch it until burned down some. The fact they are
advertising to cut on private property says it all. Thank goodness for
private property owners who care.
On Fri, Jun 6, 2025, 13:05 <aj...> wrote:
> I too enjoyed reading the article but perhaps with a bit different lens
> than Clayton did. I didn’t read that the scientists didn’t know the right
> method, or probably more precisely the combination of methods, to be most
> effective but more that the feedback loop of empirical evidence to inform
> the public perception and get better buy in was missing. Perception is a
> personal thing influenced by interests and experiences. And then there is
> always the matter of competing interests and resources. Roadside management
> is a simple one I can relate to. I love good birding along a roadside, but
> when the vegetation encroaches to block visibility at an intersection, it
> becomes a safety concern. Have you ever watched the succession that takes
> place when a road is closed? I was just out at Lake Ahquabi SP yesterday
> where a couple of years ago they removed the park road through the prairie
> and woodland. Unless you know what you are looking for, you won’t even know
> there used to be a road there. I certainly don’t want my only way out to
> become like that.
>
> The other cautionary comment I would make is to be careful about assigning
> motives to actions without more discussion. “Counties do this to keep the
> men busy regardless of the effect.” This begs the same question as in the
> article. As evidenced by???
>
>
>
> Ann Johnson
>
> Norwalk
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> *On Behalf Of
> *Clayton Will
> *Sent:* Friday, June 6, 2025 12:26 PM
> *To:* Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...>
> *Cc:* IA-Bird ListServe <ia-bird...>
> *Subject:* Re: FW: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name
> Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
>
>
>
> Thank you for posting the article Doug. From what I read they are saying
> they don't know the right method, cause or effect. It reads they are
> looking for the method the public will accept. Also whether these efforts
> are worth the money spent. It asks many questions about what is being done
> but without answers.
>
> This is just part of failed invasive policies. Millions of wasted dollars
> have been spent not only on vegetative invasives but also as referred to in
> the article about aquatic invasives. The DNR spent a lot of money to stop
> aquatic invasives by putting up signs at boat ramps, billboards, rinse
> stations and hiring staff to hand out stickers to put on our boat trailers
> so we could be charged if vegetaion was on a boat trailer with a sticker.
> There was never any way that would work without removing the boat from the
> trailer because of vegetation trapped between the boat and wooden bunks on
> the trailer. With folks coming in for tournamets it was just a matter of
> time and impacted by what brings in money. The birds we so much enjoy carry
> invasive seeds pond by pond, lake by lake. Now bird flu which is causing
> the poisoning of birds around CAFOs. There are now huge areas without
> Red-tailed Hawks. Should we eraticate the Ring-necked Pheasant too? Back to
> aquatic the much feared Zebra Mussel (produce millions of offspring
> "villagers") has turned out to have grown more and larger fish in Iowa
> supercharging the beginning of the food chain with minimal impact to water
> supplies.
>
> Iowa counties were brought up in a post and Boone County has now taken out
> so much road vegetation they have taken out ads in newspapers offering to
> remove trees for free on private property and some wonder why I'm
> concerned. Counties do this to keep the men busy regardless of the effect.
> I stopped three Boone County trucks and eight men who had started to cut
> down a known Long-eared Owl habitat leading to Sugar Valley boat ramp a few
> years back. The foreman said he takes his family there and didn't like it
> either but the county engineer looks at a map without coming to look and
> gives them their work order. I calked the engineer and he came out and
> called them off. They were going to dig deep ditches on a B-level road to
> Sugar Valley boat ramp destroying prime habitat. It's all in the eye of the
> beholder. I'm glad we had this coversation and give nor take any personal
> offence toward Steve, IOU or the DNR where I have many good friends doing
> policy or what their told
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Clayton Will
>
> Madrid
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 6, 2025, 10:28 Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...> wrote:
>
> I must agree with Steve Dinsmore's message about the importance
> of removing invasive vegetation to many species of birds. And most
> interestingly, just today The Wildlife Society (a nationwide professional
> organization) happened to include a quite related article in its
> weekly newsletter. I would suggest that many of you might want to read the
> article, using the following link:
>
> https://wildlife.org/qa-the-public-opinion-on-invasive-species-management/ > .
>
>
>
> Doug Harr
>
> TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist®
>
> & Audubon Upper Miss. River Regional Office Advisory Board member
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 10:21 PM <aj...> wrote:
>
> Posting for Steve Dinsmore who for some reason cannot access this group.
>
>
>
> I continue to be surprised by comments like Clayton’s. As I said here a
> couple of years ago, these kinds of negative reactions to habitat
> management for birds (and other wildlife) are common, sometimes
> unfortunate, and demonstrate a short-sighted view of a very complex
> situation. Clayton’s email references two main issues, (1) oak savannah
> restoration, and (2) non-native honeysuckle removal. Here are some
> perspectives to consider on these issues:
>
>
>
> - I strongly disagree with the notion of “destruction of bird habitat”
> as used more than once in Clayton’s email. Such comments demonstrate an
> ignorance of what habitat management is all about and promote the notion
> that management equals destruction. Alteration is a more appropriate term.
> Restoring to its native state is even better. And while these alterations
> are bad for some species they are also good for others.
> - The site at Cherry Glen that Clayton references is being restored to
> native oak savannah. Personally I am thrilled at all the oak savannah
> restoration efforts at Saylorville and elsewhere. This is great for birds.
> This particular restoration site is full of Red-headed Woodpeckers and
> Great Crested Flycatchers, is great for migrant warblers (and I can see
> them better now that the forest is more open), hosts breeding Summer and
> Scarlet tanagers, etc. We need more of these efforts to restore native
> forests in Iowa.
> - Clayton’s comments about Big Creek State Park seem to reference
> efforts to combat invasive honeysuckle. For lots of reasons the spread of
> honeysuckle is bad for native wildlife. True, there are some examples of
> benefits, but on balance there are far more costs. Keeping it contained
> through aggressive removal is the best tool we have right now. Surely we
> can agree that removing non-natives like honeysuckle is a good thing?
> - Contrary to Clayton’s comments, management is not all about oak
> savannah and prairies. Wetland restoration and management (the Shallow
> Lakes effort is a great example), restoring river oxbows, restoring
> sandbars on the Missouri River, and managing flood control reservoirs for
> waterbirds are a few that come to mind. I’ll note that some of Clayton’s
> favorite birding locales benefit from these management efforts.
> - Clayton’s comment about the lack of edges is baffling. Edge habitat
> is everywhere and in a highly fragmented landscape like Iowa it will always
> be that way.
> - I applaud ALL efforts by management agencies to restore native
> habitats for wildlife. This includes the tree removal at Bays Branch,
> honeysuckle removal EVERYWHERE, oak savannah restoration, and similar
> efforts. We need more of these efforts.
> - The IOU does not need to get involved. At the 2025 spring meeting in
> Sioux City the membership approved a new mission statement as follows: “The
> purpose of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union (hereafter I.O.U.) shall be to
> develop birders to encourage bird observation, identification, and
> reporting and share a consistent, historical snapshot of birds in Iowa.”
> Nothing about habitat management. I heartily agree with what others have
> said about the need to help, and we can all do this in our own way. But IOU
> involvement is unnecessary.
> - Lastly, I am disturbed by Clayton’s seemingly selfish attitude
> towards public lands where he has always seen birds and seems to feel this
> should never change. Public lands are for everyone, not single birders. And
> the lands to which Clayton refers are at least in part intended to help
> preserve our natural resources, including birds. Comments suggesting that
> an individual’s access to see birds is more important than conserving
> native birds is therefore offensive to me. Enough said.
>
>
>
> As always, thank you for reading this email.
>
>
>
> Steve
>
> **********
>
> Stephen J. Dinsmore
>
> Professor and Chair
>
> Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
>
> Interim Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
>
> Iowa State University
>
> 209 Science II
>
> Ames, IA 50011
>
> Phone: 515-294-1348
>
> E-mail: <cootjr...>
>
> Web: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/cootjr/ >
>
>
> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> *On Behalf Of
> *Clayton Will
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10:33 AM
> *To:* IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive
> species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
>
>
>
> Hi everyone,
>
>
>
> I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted by
> some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the
> Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat
> such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry
> Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point
> of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with
> invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie.
>
> When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges"
> had on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing
> else.
>
> I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of
> birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was
> cleared of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges
> are gone. The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges
> which was a go to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring.
> This year they were few and far between after a group that thought they
> were doing the right thing cleared all the forest floor.
>
> I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but
> when I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that".
>
> Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and
> Oak Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are
> observing negative changes in our parks with these methods.
>
> I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't see
> the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there for
> years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow suit
> at DNR directive.
>
> When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have
> funds for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy
> habitat. When asked if they were going to replant with native species to
> replace as they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds
> for that". There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a
> problem with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I
> don't understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the
> prairie. The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very
> large woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there.
> Now it's nothing but stumps and very few birds.
>
> IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be
> proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for
> birds.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Clayton Will
>
> Madrid
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
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> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
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> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
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>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
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> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
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>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
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> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
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> To view this discussion visit
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>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
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>
Date: 6/6/25 11:05 am From: <aj...> Subject: RE: FW: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
I too enjoyed reading the article but perhaps with a bit different lens than Clayton did. I didn’t read that the scientists didn’t know the right method, or probably more precisely the combination of methods, to be most effective but more that the feedback loop of empirical evidence to inform the public perception and get better buy in was missing. Perception is a personal thing influenced by interests and experiences. And then there is always the matter of competing interests and resources. Roadside management is a simple one I can relate to. I love good birding along a roadside, but when the vegetation encroaches to block visibility at an intersection, it becomes a safety concern. Have you ever watched the succession that takes place when a road is closed? I was just out at Lake Ahquabi SP yesterday where a couple of years ago they removed the park road through the prairie and woodland. Unless you know what you are looking for, you won’t even know there used to be a road there. I certainly don’t want my only way out to become like that.
The other cautionary comment I would make is to be careful about assigning motives to actions without more discussion. “Counties do this to keep the men busy regardless of the effect.” This begs the same question as in the article. As evidenced by???
Ann Johnson
Norwalk
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> On Behalf Of Clayton Will
Sent: Friday, June 6, 2025 12:26 PM
To: Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...>
Cc: IA-Bird ListServe <ia-bird...>
Subject: Re: FW: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
Thank you for posting the article Doug. From what I read they are saying they don't know the right method, cause or effect. It reads they are looking for the method the public will accept. Also whether these efforts are worth the money spent. It asks many questions about what is being done but without answers.
This is just part of failed invasive policies. Millions of wasted dollars have been spent not only on vegetative invasives but also as referred to in the article about aquatic invasives. The DNR spent a lot of money to stop aquatic invasives by putting up signs at boat ramps, billboards, rinse stations and hiring staff to hand out stickers to put on our boat trailers so we could be charged if vegetaion was on a boat trailer with a sticker. There was never any way that would work without removing the boat from the trailer because of vegetation trapped between the boat and wooden bunks on the trailer. With folks coming in for tournamets it was just a matter of time and impacted by what brings in money. The birds we so much enjoy carry invasive seeds pond by pond, lake by lake. Now bird flu which is causing the poisoning of birds around CAFOs. There are now huge areas without Red-tailed Hawks. Should we eraticate the Ring-necked Pheasant too? Back to aquatic the much feared Zebra Mussel (produce millions of offspring "villagers") has turned out to have grown more and larger fish in Iowa supercharging the beginning of the food chain with minimal impact to water supplies.
Iowa counties were brought up in a post and Boone County has now taken out so much road vegetation they have taken out ads in newspapers offering to remove trees for free on private property and some wonder why I'm concerned. Counties do this to keep the men busy regardless of the effect. I stopped three Boone County trucks and eight men who had started to cut down a known Long-eared Owl habitat leading to Sugar Valley boat ramp a few years back. The foreman said he takes his family there and didn't like it either but the county engineer looks at a map without coming to look and gives them their work order. I calked the engineer and he came out and called them off. They were going to dig deep ditches on a B-level road to Sugar Valley boat ramp destroying prime habitat. It's all in the eye of the beholder. I'm glad we had this coversation and give nor take any personal offence toward Steve, IOU or the DNR where I have many good friends doing policy or what their told
Sincerely,
Clayton Will
Madrid
On Fri, Jun 6, 2025, 10:28 Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...> <mailto:<dnharr...> > wrote:
I must agree with Steve Dinsmore's message about the importance of removing invasive vegetation to many species of birds. And most interestingly, just today The Wildlife Society (a nationwide professional organization) happened to include a quite related article in its weekly newsletter. I would suggest that many of you might want to read the article, using the following link:
& Audubon Upper Miss. River Regional Office Advisory Board member
On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 10:21 PM <aj...> <mailto:<aj...> > wrote:
Posting for Steve Dinsmore who for some reason cannot access this group.
I continue to be surprised by comments like Clayton’s. As I said here a couple of years ago, these kinds of negative reactions to habitat management for birds (and other wildlife) are common, sometimes unfortunate, and demonstrate a short-sighted view of a very complex situation. Clayton’s email references two main issues, (1) oak savannah restoration, and (2) non-native honeysuckle removal. Here are some perspectives to consider on these issues:
* I strongly disagree with the notion of “destruction of bird habitat” as used more than once in Clayton’s email. Such comments demonstrate an ignorance of what habitat management is all about and promote the notion that management equals destruction. Alteration is a more appropriate term. Restoring to its native state is even better. And while these alterations are bad for some species they are also good for others.
* The site at Cherry Glen that Clayton references is being restored to native oak savannah. Personally I am thrilled at all the oak savannah restoration efforts at Saylorville and elsewhere. This is great for birds. This particular restoration site is full of Red-headed Woodpeckers and Great Crested Flycatchers, is great for migrant warblers (and I can see them better now that the forest is more open), hosts breeding Summer and Scarlet tanagers, etc. We need more of these efforts to restore native forests in Iowa.
* Clayton’s comments about Big Creek State Park seem to reference efforts to combat invasive honeysuckle. For lots of reasons the spread of honeysuckle is bad for native wildlife. True, there are some examples of benefits, but on balance there are far more costs. Keeping it contained through aggressive removal is the best tool we have right now. Surely we can agree that removing non-natives like honeysuckle is a good thing?
* Contrary to Clayton’s comments, management is not all about oak savannah and prairies. Wetland restoration and management (the Shallow Lakes effort is a great example), restoring river oxbows, restoring sandbars on the Missouri River, and managing flood control reservoirs for waterbirds are a few that come to mind. I’ll note that some of Clayton’s favorite birding locales benefit from these management efforts.
* Clayton’s comment about the lack of edges is baffling. Edge habitat is everywhere and in a highly fragmented landscape like Iowa it will always be that way.
* I applaud ALL efforts by management agencies to restore native habitats for wildlife. This includes the tree removal at Bays Branch, honeysuckle removal EVERYWHERE, oak savannah restoration, and similar efforts. We need more of these efforts.
* The IOU does not need to get involved. At the 2025 spring meeting in Sioux City the membership approved a new mission statement as follows: “The purpose of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union (hereafter I.O.U.) shall be to develop birders to encourage bird observation, identification, and reporting and share a consistent, historical snapshot of birds in Iowa.” Nothing about habitat management. I heartily agree with what others have said about the need to help, and we can all do this in our own way. But IOU involvement is unnecessary.
* Lastly, I am disturbed by Clayton’s seemingly selfish attitude towards public lands where he has always seen birds and seems to feel this should never change. Public lands are for everyone, not single birders. And the lands to which Clayton refers are at least in part intended to help preserve our natural resources, including birds. Comments suggesting that an individual’s access to see birds is more important than conserving native birds is therefore offensive to me. Enough said.
As always, thank you for reading this email.
Steve
**********
Stephen J. Dinsmore
Professor and Chair
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Interim Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
From: <ia-bird...> <mailto:<ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> <mailto:<ia-bird...> > On Behalf Of Clayton Will
Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10:33 AM
To: IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> <mailto:<ia-bird...> >
Subject: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
Hi everyone,
I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted by some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie.
When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges" had on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing else.
I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was cleared of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges are gone. The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges which was a go to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring. This year they were few and far between after a group that thought they were doing the right thing cleared all the forest floor.
I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but when I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that".
Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and Oak Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are observing negative changes in our parks with these methods.
I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't see the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there for years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow suit at DNR directive.
When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have funds for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy habitat. When asked if they were going to replant with native species to replace as they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds for that". There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a problem with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I don't understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the prairie. The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very large woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there. Now it's nothing but stumps and very few birds.
IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for birds.
Date: 6/6/25 11:03 am From: John T <crowlover49...> Subject: Re: FW: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
I guess I read the article more as "the standard methods used for invasive
species control that are more effective at scale tend to not be As accepted
socially by Americans" which you would need for something like this. As far
as what was the best method and cost, that seemed to be tied more to
needing to gather more evidence on specific levels of effectiveness because
of, well, see your comments on aquatic plants. And then it would be a
question from there of "how socially acceptable would a perhaps more
effective way of doing it be." As for the Ring-necked Pheasants, well,
that's down to whether there's evidence of if their presence is negative
for other native species that we'd want to have and that's another evidence
thing.
On Fri, Jun 6, 2025 at 12:26 PM Clayton Will <willcfish...> wrote:
> Thank you for posting the article Doug. From what I read they are saying
> they don't know the right method, cause or effect. It reads they are
> looking for the method the public will accept. Also whether these efforts
> are worth the money spent. It asks many questions about what is being done
> but without answers.
> This is just part of failed invasive policies. Millions of wasted dollars
> have been spent not only on vegetative invasives but also as referred to in
> the article about aquatic invasives. The DNR spent a lot of money to stop
> aquatic invasives by putting up signs at boat ramps, billboards, rinse
> stations and hiring staff to hand out stickers to put on our boat trailers
> so we could be charged if vegetaion was on a boat trailer with a sticker.
> There was never any way that would work without removing the boat from the
> trailer because of vegetation trapped between the boat and wooden bunks on
> the trailer. With folks coming in for tournamets it was just a matter of
> time and impacted by what brings in money. The birds we so much enjoy carry
> invasive seeds pond by pond, lake by lake. Now bird flu which is causing
> the poisoning of birds around CAFOs. There are now huge areas without
> Red-tailed Hawks. Should we eraticate the Ring-necked Pheasant too? Back to
> aquatic the much feared Zebra Mussel (produce millions of offspring
> "villagers") has turned out to have grown more and larger fish in Iowa
> supercharging the beginning of the food chain with minimal impact to water
> supplies.
> Iowa counties were brought up in a post and Boone County has now taken out
> so much road vegetation they have taken out ads in newspapers offering to
> remove trees for free on private property and some wonder why I'm
> concerned. Counties do this to keep the men busy regardless of the effect.
> I stopped three Boone County trucks and eight men who had started to cut
> down a known Long-eared Owl habitat leading to Sugar Valley boat ramp a few
> years back. The foreman said he takes his family there and didn't like it
> either but the county engineer looks at a map without coming to look and
> gives them their work order. I calked the engineer and he came out and
> called them off. They were going to dig deep ditches on a B-level road to
> Sugar Valley boat ramp destroying prime habitat. It's all in the eye of the
> beholder. I'm glad we had this coversation and give nor take any personal
> offence toward Steve, IOU or the DNR where I have many good friends doing
> policy or what their told
>
> Sincerely,
> Clayton Will
> Madrid
>
> On Fri, Jun 6, 2025, 10:28 Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...> wrote:
>
>> I must agree with Steve Dinsmore's message about the importance
>> of removing invasive vegetation to many species of birds. And most
>> interestingly, just today The Wildlife Society (a nationwide professional
>> organization) happened to include a quite related article in its
>> weekly newsletter. I would suggest that many of you might want to read the
>> article, using the following link:
>> https://wildlife.org/qa-the-public-opinion-on-invasive-species-management/ >> .
>>
>> Doug Harr
>> TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist®
>> & Audubon Upper Miss. River Regional Office Advisory Board member
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 10:21 PM <aj...> wrote:
>>
>>> Posting for Steve Dinsmore who for some reason cannot access this group.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I continue to be surprised by comments like Clayton’s. As I said here a
>>> couple of years ago, these kinds of negative reactions to habitat
>>> management for birds (and other wildlife) are common, sometimes
>>> unfortunate, and demonstrate a short-sighted view of a very complex
>>> situation. Clayton’s email references two main issues, (1) oak savannah
>>> restoration, and (2) non-native honeysuckle removal. Here are some
>>> perspectives to consider on these issues:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> - I strongly disagree with the notion of “destruction of bird
>>> habitat” as used more than once in Clayton’s email. Such comments
>>> demonstrate an ignorance of what habitat management is all about and
>>> promote the notion that management equals destruction. Alteration is a more
>>> appropriate term. Restoring to its native state is even better. And while
>>> these alterations are bad for some species they are also good for others.
>>> - The site at Cherry Glen that Clayton references is being restored
>>> to native oak savannah. Personally I am thrilled at all the oak savannah
>>> restoration efforts at Saylorville and elsewhere. This is great for birds.
>>> This particular restoration site is full of Red-headed Woodpeckers and
>>> Great Crested Flycatchers, is great for migrant warblers (and I can see
>>> them better now that the forest is more open), hosts breeding Summer and
>>> Scarlet tanagers, etc. We need more of these efforts to restore native
>>> forests in Iowa.
>>> - Clayton’s comments about Big Creek State Park seem to reference
>>> efforts to combat invasive honeysuckle. For lots of reasons the spread of
>>> honeysuckle is bad for native wildlife. True, there are some examples of
>>> benefits, but on balance there are far more costs. Keeping it contained
>>> through aggressive removal is the best tool we have right now. Surely we
>>> can agree that removing non-natives like honeysuckle is a good thing?
>>> - Contrary to Clayton’s comments, management is not all about oak
>>> savannah and prairies. Wetland restoration and management (the Shallow
>>> Lakes effort is a great example), restoring river oxbows, restoring
>>> sandbars on the Missouri River, and managing flood control reservoirs for
>>> waterbirds are a few that come to mind. I’ll note that some of Clayton’s
>>> favorite birding locales benefit from these management efforts.
>>> - Clayton’s comment about the lack of edges is baffling. Edge
>>> habitat is everywhere and in a highly fragmented landscape like Iowa it
>>> will always be that way.
>>> - I applaud ALL efforts by management agencies to restore native
>>> habitats for wildlife. This includes the tree removal at Bays Branch,
>>> honeysuckle removal EVERYWHERE, oak savannah restoration, and similar
>>> efforts. We need more of these efforts.
>>> - The IOU does not need to get involved. At the 2025 spring meeting
>>> in Sioux City the membership approved a new mission statement as follows:
>>> “The purpose of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union (hereafter I.O.U.) shall be
>>> to develop birders to encourage bird observation, identification, and
>>> reporting and share a consistent, historical snapshot of birds in Iowa.”
>>> Nothing about habitat management. I heartily agree with what others have
>>> said about the need to help, and we can all do this in our own way. But IOU
>>> involvement is unnecessary.
>>> - Lastly, I am disturbed by Clayton’s seemingly selfish attitude
>>> towards public lands where he has always seen birds and seems to feel this
>>> should never change. Public lands are for everyone, not single birders. And
>>> the lands to which Clayton refers are at least in part intended to help
>>> preserve our natural resources, including birds. Comments suggesting that
>>> an individual’s access to see birds is more important than conserving
>>> native birds is therefore offensive to me. Enough said.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> As always, thank you for reading this email.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Steve
>>>
>>> **********
>>>
>>> Stephen J. Dinsmore
>>>
>>> Professor and Chair
>>>
>>> Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
>>>
>>> Interim Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
>>>
>>> Iowa State University
>>>
>>> 209 Science II
>>>
>>> Ames, IA 50011
>>>
>>> Phone: 515-294-1348
>>>
>>> E-mail: <cootjr...>
>>>
>>> Web: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/cootjr/ >>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> *On Behalf
>>> Of *Clayton Will
>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10:33 AM
>>> *To:* IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
>>> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive
>>> species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi everyone,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted
>>> by some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the
>>> Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat
>>> such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry
>>> Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point
>>> of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with
>>> invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie.
>>>
>>> When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges"
>>> had on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing
>>> else.
>>>
>>> I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of
>>> birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was
>>> cleared of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges
>>> are gone. The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges
>>> which was a go to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring.
>>> This year they were few and far between after a group that thought they
>>> were doing the right thing cleared all the forest floor.
>>>
>>> I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but
>>> when I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that".
>>>
>>> Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and
>>> Oak Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are
>>> observing negative changes in our parks with these methods.
>>>
>>> I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't
>>> see the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there
>>> for years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow
>>> suit at DNR directive.
>>>
>>> When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have
>>> funds for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy
>>> habitat. When asked if they were going to replant with native species to
>>> replace as they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds
>>> for that". There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a
>>> problem with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I
>>> don't understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the
>>> prairie. The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very
>>> large woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there.
>>> Now it's nothing but stumps and very few birds.
>>>
>>> IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be
>>> proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for
>>> birds.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>>
>>> Clayton Will
>>>
>>> Madrid
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
>>> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
>>> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx >>> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
>>> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested
>>> in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
>>> https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>>> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 >>> ---
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "IA-BIRD" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
>>> an email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
>>> To view this discussion visit
>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sirDyRsxJ7uJDMCsDjR915KD%<3DpT5g-HPvL9OyKCsseV6A...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sirDyRsxJ7uJDMCsDjR915KD%<3DpT5g-HPvL9OyKCsseV6A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> .
>>>
>>> --
>>> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
>>> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
>>> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx >>> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
>>> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested
>>> in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
>>> https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>>> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 >>> ---
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "IA-BIRD" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
>>> an email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
>>> To view this discussion visit
>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/0e6d01dbd692%2405956e10%2410c04a30%<24...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/0e6d01dbd692%2405956e10%2410c04a30%<24...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> .
>>>
>> --
>> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
>> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
>> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx >> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
>> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested
>> in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
>> https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 >> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "IA-BIRD" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAO6%3DGQcsWj%3DEgH5x3iZ6A13bh1%<2BZcib8cQRZsztsJdj9RaQuDQ...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAO6%3DGQcsWj%3DEgH5x3iZ6A13bh1%<2BZcib8cQRZsztsJdj9RaQuDQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sg1yztvzRhAHqrzjq%<3D8LrpWv0tsKtJjrruZWd99os8n5g...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sg1yztvzRhAHqrzjq%<3D8LrpWv0tsKtJjrruZWd99os8n5g...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 6/6/25 10:26 am From: Clayton Will <willcfish...> Subject: Re: FW: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
Thank you for posting the article Doug. From what I read they are saying
they don't know the right method, cause or effect. It reads they are
looking for the method the public will accept. Also whether these efforts
are worth the money spent. It asks many questions about what is being done
but without answers.
This is just part of failed invasive policies. Millions of wasted dollars
have been spent not only on vegetative invasives but also as referred to in
the article about aquatic invasives. The DNR spent a lot of money to stop
aquatic invasives by putting up signs at boat ramps, billboards, rinse
stations and hiring staff to hand out stickers to put on our boat trailers
so we could be charged if vegetaion was on a boat trailer with a sticker.
There was never any way that would work without removing the boat from the
trailer because of vegetation trapped between the boat and wooden bunks on
the trailer. With folks coming in for tournamets it was just a matter of
time and impacted by what brings in money. The birds we so much enjoy carry
invasive seeds pond by pond, lake by lake. Now bird flu which is causing
the poisoning of birds around CAFOs. There are now huge areas without
Red-tailed Hawks. Should we eraticate the Ring-necked Pheasant too? Back to
aquatic the much feared Zebra Mussel (produce millions of offspring
"villagers") has turned out to have grown more and larger fish in Iowa
supercharging the beginning of the food chain with minimal impact to water
supplies.
Iowa counties were brought up in a post and Boone County has now taken out
so much road vegetation they have taken out ads in newspapers offering to
remove trees for free on private property and some wonder why I'm
concerned. Counties do this to keep the men busy regardless of the effect.
I stopped three Boone County trucks and eight men who had started to cut
down a known Long-eared Owl habitat leading to Sugar Valley boat ramp a few
years back. The foreman said he takes his family there and didn't like it
either but the county engineer looks at a map without coming to look and
gives them their work order. I calked the engineer and he came out and
called them off. They were going to dig deep ditches on a B-level road to
Sugar Valley boat ramp destroying prime habitat. It's all in the eye of the
beholder. I'm glad we had this coversation and give nor take any personal
offence toward Steve, IOU or the DNR where I have many good friends doing
policy or what their told
Sincerely,
Clayton Will
Madrid
On Fri, Jun 6, 2025, 10:28 Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...> wrote:
> I must agree with Steve Dinsmore's message about the importance
> of removing invasive vegetation to many species of birds. And most
> interestingly, just today The Wildlife Society (a nationwide professional
> organization) happened to include a quite related article in its
> weekly newsletter. I would suggest that many of you might want to read the
> article, using the following link:
> https://wildlife.org/qa-the-public-opinion-on-invasive-species-management/ > .
>
> Doug Harr
> TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist®
> & Audubon Upper Miss. River Regional Office Advisory Board member
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 10:21 PM <aj...> wrote:
>
>> Posting for Steve Dinsmore who for some reason cannot access this group.
>>
>>
>>
>> I continue to be surprised by comments like Clayton’s. As I said here a
>> couple of years ago, these kinds of negative reactions to habitat
>> management for birds (and other wildlife) are common, sometimes
>> unfortunate, and demonstrate a short-sighted view of a very complex
>> situation. Clayton’s email references two main issues, (1) oak savannah
>> restoration, and (2) non-native honeysuckle removal. Here are some
>> perspectives to consider on these issues:
>>
>>
>>
>> - I strongly disagree with the notion of “destruction of bird
>> habitat” as used more than once in Clayton’s email. Such comments
>> demonstrate an ignorance of what habitat management is all about and
>> promote the notion that management equals destruction. Alteration is a more
>> appropriate term. Restoring to its native state is even better. And while
>> these alterations are bad for some species they are also good for others.
>> - The site at Cherry Glen that Clayton references is being restored
>> to native oak savannah. Personally I am thrilled at all the oak savannah
>> restoration efforts at Saylorville and elsewhere. This is great for birds.
>> This particular restoration site is full of Red-headed Woodpeckers and
>> Great Crested Flycatchers, is great for migrant warblers (and I can see
>> them better now that the forest is more open), hosts breeding Summer and
>> Scarlet tanagers, etc. We need more of these efforts to restore native
>> forests in Iowa.
>> - Clayton’s comments about Big Creek State Park seem to reference
>> efforts to combat invasive honeysuckle. For lots of reasons the spread of
>> honeysuckle is bad for native wildlife. True, there are some examples of
>> benefits, but on balance there are far more costs. Keeping it contained
>> through aggressive removal is the best tool we have right now. Surely we
>> can agree that removing non-natives like honeysuckle is a good thing?
>> - Contrary to Clayton’s comments, management is not all about oak
>> savannah and prairies. Wetland restoration and management (the Shallow
>> Lakes effort is a great example), restoring river oxbows, restoring
>> sandbars on the Missouri River, and managing flood control reservoirs for
>> waterbirds are a few that come to mind. I’ll note that some of Clayton’s
>> favorite birding locales benefit from these management efforts.
>> - Clayton’s comment about the lack of edges is baffling. Edge habitat
>> is everywhere and in a highly fragmented landscape like Iowa it will always
>> be that way.
>> - I applaud ALL efforts by management agencies to restore native
>> habitats for wildlife. This includes the tree removal at Bays Branch,
>> honeysuckle removal EVERYWHERE, oak savannah restoration, and similar
>> efforts. We need more of these efforts.
>> - The IOU does not need to get involved. At the 2025 spring meeting
>> in Sioux City the membership approved a new mission statement as follows:
>> “The purpose of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union (hereafter I.O.U.) shall be
>> to develop birders to encourage bird observation, identification, and
>> reporting and share a consistent, historical snapshot of birds in Iowa.”
>> Nothing about habitat management. I heartily agree with what others have
>> said about the need to help, and we can all do this in our own way. But IOU
>> involvement is unnecessary.
>> - Lastly, I am disturbed by Clayton’s seemingly selfish attitude
>> towards public lands where he has always seen birds and seems to feel this
>> should never change. Public lands are for everyone, not single birders. And
>> the lands to which Clayton refers are at least in part intended to help
>> preserve our natural resources, including birds. Comments suggesting that
>> an individual’s access to see birds is more important than conserving
>> native birds is therefore offensive to me. Enough said.
>>
>>
>>
>> As always, thank you for reading this email.
>>
>>
>>
>> Steve
>>
>> **********
>>
>> Stephen J. Dinsmore
>>
>> Professor and Chair
>>
>> Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
>>
>> Interim Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
>>
>> Iowa State University
>>
>> 209 Science II
>>
>> Ames, IA 50011
>>
>> Phone: 515-294-1348
>>
>> E-mail: <cootjr...>
>>
>> Web: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/cootjr/ >>
>>
>>
>> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> *On Behalf
>> Of *Clayton Will
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10:33 AM
>> *To:* IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
>> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive
>> species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>>
>>
>> I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted by
>> some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the
>> Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat
>> such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry
>> Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point
>> of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with
>> invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie.
>>
>> When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges"
>> had on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing
>> else.
>>
>> I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of
>> birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was
>> cleared of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges
>> are gone. The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges
>> which was a go to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring.
>> This year they were few and far between after a group that thought they
>> were doing the right thing cleared all the forest floor.
>>
>> I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but
>> when I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that".
>>
>> Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and
>> Oak Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are
>> observing negative changes in our parks with these methods.
>>
>> I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't
>> see the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there
>> for years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow
>> suit at DNR directive.
>>
>> When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have
>> funds for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy
>> habitat. When asked if they were going to replant with native species to
>> replace as they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds
>> for that". There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a
>> problem with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I
>> don't understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the
>> prairie. The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very
>> large woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there.
>> Now it's nothing but stumps and very few birds.
>>
>> IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be
>> proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for
>> birds.
>>
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Clayton Will
>>
>> Madrid
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
>> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
>> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx >> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
>> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested
>> in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
>> https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 >> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "IA-BIRD" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sirDyRsxJ7uJDMCsDjR915KD%<3DpT5g-HPvL9OyKCsseV6A...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sirDyRsxJ7uJDMCsDjR915KD%<3DpT5g-HPvL9OyKCsseV6A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
>> --
>> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
>> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
>> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx >> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
>> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested
>> in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
>> https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 >> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "IA-BIRD" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/0e6d01dbd692%2405956e10%2410c04a30%<24...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/0e6d01dbd692%2405956e10%2410c04a30%<24...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAO6%3DGQcsWj%3DEgH5x3iZ6A13bh1%<2BZcib8cQRZsztsJdj9RaQuDQ...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAO6%3DGQcsWj%3DEgH5x3iZ6A13bh1%<2BZcib8cQRZsztsJdj9RaQuDQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 6/6/25 10:02 am From: <jrclark...> Subject: RE: [ia-bird] Photography exhibit - Not a Sighting
Thanks, Merle—here is information about Ty’s programs at Jester Park.
Jane Clark
Raptor Force
Join local photographer, Ty Smedes, as he shares stories about capturing images of raptors. The photos will showcase many species of hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls that reside in the Midwest or migrate through it, on their way to wintering grounds each fall.
Jester Park Nature Center
Sunday, Jun 29, 2025
Starts 2:00 PM
Ends 3:00 PM
and
Older, Wiser, Livelier, Seniors - Raptor Force
Jester Park Nature Center
Tuesday, Jul 01, 2025
Starts 11:00 AM
Ends 12:00 PM
REGISTRATION: None
COST: Free
AGES: 12+
Polk County Conservation strives to host welcoming, accessible events and meetings that enables all individuals to participate. If you anticipate needing a modification due to a disability or have questions about accessibility, please contact Jester Park Nature Center
at 515-323-5300 or <pccb_info...>
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> On Behalf Of Merle and Marsha Hall
Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 9:22 PM
To: IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Photography exhibit - Not a Sighting
Happened upon Ty Smedes's exhibit at the Jester Park Nature Center the other day. I'd forgotten it was going up and then there it was.
It's up until August 22nd and he's giving a couple of talks late June and early July.
Date: 6/6/25 8:29 am From: Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...> Subject: Re: FW: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
I must agree with Steve Dinsmore's message about the importance of removing
invasive vegetation to many species of birds. And most interestingly, just
today The Wildlife Society (a nationwide professional organization)
happened to include a quite related article in its weekly newsletter. I
would suggest that many of you might want to read the article, using the
following link:
https://wildlife.org/qa-the-public-opinion-on-invasive-species-management/ .
Doug Harr
TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist®
& Audubon Upper Miss. River Regional Office Advisory Board member
On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 10:21 PM <aj...> wrote:
> Posting for Steve Dinsmore who for some reason cannot access this group.
>
>
>
> I continue to be surprised by comments like Clayton’s. As I said here a
> couple of years ago, these kinds of negative reactions to habitat
> management for birds (and other wildlife) are common, sometimes
> unfortunate, and demonstrate a short-sighted view of a very complex
> situation. Clayton’s email references two main issues, (1) oak savannah
> restoration, and (2) non-native honeysuckle removal. Here are some
> perspectives to consider on these issues:
>
>
>
> - I strongly disagree with the notion of “destruction of bird habitat”
> as used more than once in Clayton’s email. Such comments demonstrate an
> ignorance of what habitat management is all about and promote the notion
> that management equals destruction. Alteration is a more appropriate term.
> Restoring to its native state is even better. And while these alterations
> are bad for some species they are also good for others.
> - The site at Cherry Glen that Clayton references is being restored to
> native oak savannah. Personally I am thrilled at all the oak savannah
> restoration efforts at Saylorville and elsewhere. This is great for birds.
> This particular restoration site is full of Red-headed Woodpeckers and
> Great Crested Flycatchers, is great for migrant warblers (and I can see
> them better now that the forest is more open), hosts breeding Summer and
> Scarlet tanagers, etc. We need more of these efforts to restore native
> forests in Iowa.
> - Clayton’s comments about Big Creek State Park seem to reference
> efforts to combat invasive honeysuckle. For lots of reasons the spread of
> honeysuckle is bad for native wildlife. True, there are some examples of
> benefits, but on balance there are far more costs. Keeping it contained
> through aggressive removal is the best tool we have right now. Surely we
> can agree that removing non-natives like honeysuckle is a good thing?
> - Contrary to Clayton’s comments, management is not all about oak
> savannah and prairies. Wetland restoration and management (the Shallow
> Lakes effort is a great example), restoring river oxbows, restoring
> sandbars on the Missouri River, and managing flood control reservoirs for
> waterbirds are a few that come to mind. I’ll note that some of Clayton’s
> favorite birding locales benefit from these management efforts.
> - Clayton’s comment about the lack of edges is baffling. Edge habitat
> is everywhere and in a highly fragmented landscape like Iowa it will always
> be that way.
> - I applaud ALL efforts by management agencies to restore native
> habitats for wildlife. This includes the tree removal at Bays Branch,
> honeysuckle removal EVERYWHERE, oak savannah restoration, and similar
> efforts. We need more of these efforts.
> - The IOU does not need to get involved. At the 2025 spring meeting in
> Sioux City the membership approved a new mission statement as follows: “The
> purpose of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union (hereafter I.O.U.) shall be to
> develop birders to encourage bird observation, identification, and
> reporting and share a consistent, historical snapshot of birds in Iowa.”
> Nothing about habitat management. I heartily agree with what others have
> said about the need to help, and we can all do this in our own way. But IOU
> involvement is unnecessary.
> - Lastly, I am disturbed by Clayton’s seemingly selfish attitude
> towards public lands where he has always seen birds and seems to feel this
> should never change. Public lands are for everyone, not single birders. And
> the lands to which Clayton refers are at least in part intended to help
> preserve our natural resources, including birds. Comments suggesting that
> an individual’s access to see birds is more important than conserving
> native birds is therefore offensive to me. Enough said.
>
>
>
> As always, thank you for reading this email.
>
>
>
> Steve
>
> **********
>
> Stephen J. Dinsmore
>
> Professor and Chair
>
> Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
>
> Interim Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
>
> Iowa State University
>
> 209 Science II
>
> Ames, IA 50011
>
> Phone: 515-294-1348
>
> E-mail: <cootjr...>
>
> Web: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/cootjr/ >
>
>
> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> *On Behalf Of
> *Clayton Will
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10:33 AM
> *To:* IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive
> species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
>
>
>
> Hi everyone,
>
>
>
> I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted by
> some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the
> Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat
> such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry
> Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point
> of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with
> invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie.
>
> When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges"
> had on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing
> else.
>
> I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of
> birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was
> cleared of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges
> are gone. The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges
> which was a go to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring.
> This year they were few and far between after a group that thought they
> were doing the right thing cleared all the forest floor.
>
> I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but
> when I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that".
>
> Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and
> Oak Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are
> observing negative changes in our parks with these methods.
>
> I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't see
> the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there for
> years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow suit
> at DNR directive.
>
> When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have
> funds for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy
> habitat. When asked if they were going to replant with native species to
> replace as they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds
> for that". There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a
> problem with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I
> don't understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the
> prairie. The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very
> large woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there.
> Now it's nothing but stumps and very few birds.
>
> IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be
> proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for
> birds.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Clayton Will
>
> Madrid
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sirDyRsxJ7uJDMCsDjR915KD%<3DpT5g-HPvL9OyKCsseV6A...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sirDyRsxJ7uJDMCsDjR915KD%<3DpT5g-HPvL9OyKCsseV6A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/0e6d01dbd692%2405956e10%2410c04a30%<24...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/0e6d01dbd692%2405956e10%2410c04a30%<24...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 6/6/25 6:17 am From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 6-6-25
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, May 31, to Friday, June 6, 2025:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
Additional Species Mentioned
Mottled Duck
Western Grebe
Chuck-wills-Widow
Snowy Egret
Black-necked Stilt
Ruddy Turnstone
Whimbrel
Least Tern
Mississippi Kite
***NEW!**************** For more up to date information on rarities in the state of Iowa, visit the Iowa Birds and Birding website at www.Iowabirds.org <http://www.iowabirds.org>
***********************
Species in ALL CAPS can be classified into three categories in the state of Iowa: 1) UNRECORDED, ACCIDENTAL or Casual; 2) A RARE but regular species; or 3) record early or late date or unusual for time of year. Any species with three asterisks (***species***) would represent a first record for Iowa (UNRECORDED) and should be observed and documented very carefully. Species with two asterisks (**species**) are species that are either ACCIDENTAL, CASUAL, or a rare regular species, and should also be documented. Species with one asterisk (*species) should have some details of the observation provided.
Please note this is an UNOFFICIAL compilation of rare bird sightings from both eBird and the IOU listserve. Data for field reports and early/late dates should not be taken from this weekly report.
SOUTHEAST
DES MOINES COUNTY
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen at Aspen Grove Cemetery on the 2nd.
WAPELLO COUNTY
A CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOW was seen at the Pioneer Ridge Nature Area on the 31st.
NORTHEAST
DUBUQUE COUNTY
A SNOWY EGRET was seen at Deere Dike Park and Riverside Road on the 31st.
A RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at Deere Dike Park and Riverside Road on the 1st.
A BLACK-NECKED STILT was seen at Deere Dike Park and Riverside Road on the 4th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
8 RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen at the Big Creek Spillway on the 31st.
A RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at Saylorville on the 31st.
3 WHIMBRELS were seen at Big Creek Spillway on the 31st.
A LEAST TERN was seen at Big Creek Spillway on the 1st.
A WESTERN GREBE was seen at Big Creek SP on the 5th.
SOUTH CENTRAL
MARION COUNTY
A MOTTLED DUCK was seen at Whitebreast Cove on the 1st.
A RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at Red Rock on the 31st.
WEST
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen in Council Bluffs on the 4th.
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, June 13, 2025 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
Date: 6/5/25 10:25 pm From: Paul Roisen <roisenp1950...> Subject: Re: FW: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
Steve, I may not disagree with you on a number of the point you stated
rather well. However, the manner in which you belittle people rather than
educate them is rather puzzling to me.
Considering that you are a longtime educator a professor at the
illustrious Iowa State and chair of a department, I am surprised that you
would approach any subject student or otherwise with the kind of rhetoric
that you posted today. I’m not sure why you had Ann Johnson post for you as
I am sure that you are perfectly able to post for yourself. This is the
kind of behavior that lead to the frustration and irritation with you
several years ago. Your recent silence on the Listserve has both been sad
because you have much to offer to the birding community As well as regards
conservation and an understanding of what needs our state faces and the
challenges The DNR and other organizations face in trying to meet these
needs. Unfortunately The manner which you approached the subject leaves
much to be desired In both eloquence intact. I post this myself personally
because this is not how we get people To understand the point of view with
which we intended.. God bless be safe. Stay safe.
*Paul O. Roisen*
*Woodbury County, IA*
*Mobile 712-301-2817*
On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 10:21 PM <aj...> wrote:
> Posting for Steve Dinsmore who for some reason cannot access this group.
>
>
>
> I continue to be surprised by comments like Clayton’s. As I said here a
> couple of years ago, these kinds of negative reactions to habitat
> management for birds (and other wildlife) are common, sometimes
> unfortunate, and demonstrate a short-sighted view of a very complex
> situation. Clayton’s email references two main issues, (1) oak savannah
> restoration, and (2) non-native honeysuckle removal. Here are some
> perspectives to consider on these issues:
>
>
>
> - I strongly disagree with the notion of “destruction of bird habitat”
> as used more than once in Clayton’s email. Such comments demonstrate an
> ignorance of what habitat management is all about and promote the notion
> that management equals destruction. Alteration is a more appropriate term.
> Restoring to its native state is even better. And while these alterations
> are bad for some species they are also good for others.
> - The site at Cherry Glen that Clayton references is being restored to
> native oak savannah. Personally I am thrilled at all the oak savannah
> restoration efforts at Saylorville and elsewhere. This is great for birds.
> This particular restoration site is full of Red-headed Woodpeckers and
> Great Crested Flycatchers, is great for migrant warblers (and I can see
> them better now that the forest is more open), hosts breeding Summer and
> Scarlet tanagers, etc. We need more of these efforts to restore native
> forests in Iowa.
> - Clayton’s comments about Big Creek State Park seem to reference
> efforts to combat invasive honeysuckle. For lots of reasons the spread of
> honeysuckle is bad for native wildlife. True, there are some examples of
> benefits, but on balance there are far more costs. Keeping it contained
> through aggressive removal is the best tool we have right now. Surely we
> can agree that removing non-natives like honeysuckle is a good thing?
> - Contrary to Clayton’s comments, management is not all about oak
> savannah and prairies. Wetland restoration and management (the Shallow
> Lakes effort is a great example), restoring river oxbows, restoring
> sandbars on the Missouri River, and managing flood control reservoirs for
> waterbirds are a few that come to mind. I’ll note that some of Clayton’s
> favorite birding locales benefit from these management efforts.
> - Clayton’s comment about the lack of edges is baffling. Edge habitat
> is everywhere and in a highly fragmented landscape like Iowa it will always
> be that way.
> - I applaud ALL efforts by management agencies to restore native
> habitats for wildlife. This includes the tree removal at Bays Branch,
> honeysuckle removal EVERYWHERE, oak savannah restoration, and similar
> efforts. We need more of these efforts.
> - The IOU does not need to get involved. At the 2025 spring meeting in
> Sioux City the membership approved a new mission statement as follows: “The
> purpose of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union (hereafter I.O.U.) shall be to
> develop birders to encourage bird observation, identification, and
> reporting and share a consistent, historical snapshot of birds in Iowa.”
> Nothing about habitat management. I heartily agree with what others have
> said about the need to help, and we can all do this in our own way. But IOU
> involvement is unnecessary.
> - Lastly, I am disturbed by Clayton’s seemingly selfish attitude
> towards public lands where he has always seen birds and seems to feel this
> should never change. Public lands are for everyone, not single birders. And
> the lands to which Clayton refers are at least in part intended to help
> preserve our natural resources, including birds. Comments suggesting that
> an individual’s access to see birds is more important than conserving
> native birds is therefore offensive to me. Enough said.
>
>
>
> As always, thank you for reading this email.
>
>
>
> Steve
>
> **********
>
> Stephen J. Dinsmore
>
> Professor and Chair
>
> Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
>
> Interim Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
>
> Iowa State University
>
> 209 Science II
>
> Ames, IA 50011
>
> Phone: 515-294-1348
>
> E-mail: <cootjr...>
>
> Web: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/cootjr/ >
>
>
> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> *On Behalf Of
> *Clayton Will
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10:33 AM
> *To:* IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive
> species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
>
>
>
> Hi everyone,
>
>
>
> I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted by
> some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the
> Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat
> such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry
> Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point
> of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with
> invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie.
>
> When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges"
> had on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing
> else.
>
> I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of
> birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was
> cleared of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges
> are gone. The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges
> which was a go to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring.
> This year they were few and far between after a group that thought they
> were doing the right thing cleared all the forest floor.
>
> I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but
> when I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that".
>
> Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and
> Oak Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are
> observing negative changes in our parks with these methods.
>
> I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't see
> the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there for
> years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow suit
> at DNR directive.
>
> When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have
> funds for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy
> habitat. When asked if they were going to replant with native species to
> replace as they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds
> for that". There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a
> problem with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I
> don't understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the
> prairie. The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very
> large woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there.
> Now it's nothing but stumps and very few birds.
>
> IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be
> proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for
> birds.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Clayton Will
>
> Madrid
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sirDyRsxJ7uJDMCsDjR915KD%<3DpT5g-HPvL9OyKCsseV6A...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sirDyRsxJ7uJDMCsDjR915KD%<3DpT5g-HPvL9OyKCsseV6A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/0e6d01dbd692%2405956e10%2410c04a30%<24...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/0e6d01dbd692%2405956e10%2410c04a30%<24...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 6/5/25 8:21 pm From: <aj...> Subject: FW: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
Posting for Steve Dinsmore who for some reason cannot access this group.
I continue to be surprised by comments like Clayton’s. As I said here a couple of years ago, these kinds of negative reactions to habitat management for birds (and other wildlife) are common, sometimes unfortunate, and demonstrate a short-sighted view of a very complex situation. Clayton’s email references two main issues, (1) oak savannah restoration, and (2) non-native honeysuckle removal. Here are some perspectives to consider on these issues:
* I strongly disagree with the notion of “destruction of bird habitat” as used more than once in Clayton’s email. Such comments demonstrate an ignorance of what habitat management is all about and promote the notion that management equals destruction. Alteration is a more appropriate term. Restoring to its native state is even better. And while these alterations are bad for some species they are also good for others.
* The site at Cherry Glen that Clayton references is being restored to native oak savannah. Personally I am thrilled at all the oak savannah restoration efforts at Saylorville and elsewhere. This is great for birds. This particular restoration site is full of Red-headed Woodpeckers and Great Crested Flycatchers, is great for migrant warblers (and I can see them better now that the forest is more open), hosts breeding Summer and Scarlet tanagers, etc. We need more of these efforts to restore native forests in Iowa.
* Clayton’s comments about Big Creek State Park seem to reference efforts to combat invasive honeysuckle. For lots of reasons the spread of honeysuckle is bad for native wildlife. True, there are some examples of benefits, but on balance there are far more costs. Keeping it contained through aggressive removal is the best tool we have right now. Surely we can agree that removing non-natives like honeysuckle is a good thing?
* Contrary to Clayton’s comments, management is not all about oak savannah and prairies. Wetland restoration and management (the Shallow Lakes effort is a great example), restoring river oxbows, restoring sandbars on the Missouri River, and managing flood control reservoirs for waterbirds are a few that come to mind. I’ll note that some of Clayton’s favorite birding locales benefit from these management efforts.
* Clayton’s comment about the lack of edges is baffling. Edge habitat is everywhere and in a highly fragmented landscape like Iowa it will always be that way.
* I applaud ALL efforts by management agencies to restore native habitats for wildlife. This includes the tree removal at Bays Branch, honeysuckle removal EVERYWHERE, oak savannah restoration, and similar efforts. We need more of these efforts.
* The IOU does not need to get involved. At the 2025 spring meeting in Sioux City the membership approved a new mission statement as follows: “The purpose of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union (hereafter I.O.U.) shall be to develop birders to encourage bird observation, identification, and reporting and share a consistent, historical snapshot of birds in Iowa.” Nothing about habitat management. I heartily agree with what others have said about the need to help, and we can all do this in our own way. But IOU involvement is unnecessary.
* Lastly, I am disturbed by Clayton’s seemingly selfish attitude towards public lands where he has always seen birds and seems to feel this should never change. Public lands are for everyone, not single birders. And the lands to which Clayton refers are at least in part intended to help preserve our natural resources, including birds. Comments suggesting that an individual’s access to see birds is more important than conserving native birds is therefore offensive to me. Enough said.
As always, thank you for reading this email.
Steve
**********
Stephen J. Dinsmore
Professor and Chair
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Interim Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
From: <ia-bird...> <mailto:<ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> <mailto:<ia-bird...> > On Behalf Of Clayton Will
Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10:33 AM
To: IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> <mailto:<ia-bird...> >
Subject: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
Hi everyone,
I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted by some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie.
When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges" had on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing else.
I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was cleared of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges are gone. The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges which was a go to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring. This year they were few and far between after a group that thought they were doing the right thing cleared all the forest floor.
I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but when I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that".
Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and Oak Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are observing negative changes in our parks with these methods.
I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't see the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there for years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow suit at DNR directive.
When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have funds for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy habitat. When asked if they were going to replant with native species to replace as they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds for that". There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a problem with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I don't understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the prairie. The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very large woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there. Now it's nothing but stumps and very few birds.
IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for birds.
Date: 6/5/25 3:24 pm From: <dhest......> <dhester1994...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
The issue is that although prairies support lower bird species diversity
than woodlands, they are a much rarer habitat globally. Warblers have lots
of woods to choose from, prairie species do not have many options. There
are around 300 million acres of natural broadleaf woodland in the USA,
there are only about 6 million acres of prairie.
-Dean Hester, North Liberty
On Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 10:33:08 AM UTC-5 <will......> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted by
> some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the
> Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat
> such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry
> Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point
> of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with
> invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie.
> When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges"
> had on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing
> else.
> I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of
> birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was
> cleared of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges
> are gone. The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges
> which was a go to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring.
> This year they were few and far between after a group that thought they
> were doing the right thing cleared all the forest floor.
> I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but
> when I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that".
> Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and
> Oak Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are
> observing negative changes in our parks with these methods.
> I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't see
> the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there for
> years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow suit
> at DNR directive.
> When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have
> funds for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy
> habitat. When asked if they were going to replant with native species to
> replace as they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds
> for that". There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a
> problem with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I
> don't understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the
> prairie. The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very
> large woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there.
> Now it's nothing but stumps and very few birds.
> IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be
> proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for
> birds.
>
> Sincerely,
> Clayton Will
> Madrid
>
>
>
Date: 6/5/25 1:38 pm From: 'Chris Caster' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> Subject: RE: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
I am responding to this message to encourage listserv members to get involved locally. I do think we have a role to play. I have many times seen brush hogged places and wondered "why?" I haven't done anything with that though. I think if I saw it happening I should stop to inquire what the workers are up to. They might have a good explanation. I am not knowledgeable enough to comment on the appropriateness of their methods, but I am curious. I am concerned that the DNR is underfunded and managers could feel forced to prioritize efficiency in their methods. I don't believe that the DNR is an evil organization. I do believe that they would prefer to manage habitat for all Iowa wildlife. But what little I know about invasive species in Iowa, it seems that land managers are really up-against-it. They need our support.
I also love birding edge habitat because you do get more bang for your buck there. However I'm not worried that we are losing it in Iowa. It seems to me that since we have logged, drained and tilled nearly the entire state, almost all we have is edge habitat. Most of our woods, prairies, and wetlands are marginal habitat at best. I do appreciate that there is an effort to expand and better some of these places. But it is certainly a work in progress and those of us who care need to become part of the solution. Myself included.
Thanks.
Chris Caster
Coralville
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> On Behalf Of Clayton Will Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10:33 AM To: IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> Subject: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
Hi everyone,
I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted by some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie.
When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges" had on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing else.
I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was cleared of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges are gone. The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges which was a go to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring. This year they were few and far between after a group that thought they were doing the right thing cleared all the forest floor.
I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but when I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that".
Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and Oak Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are observing negative changes in our parks with these methods.
I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't see the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there for years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow suit at DNR directive.
When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have funds for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy habitat. When asked if they were going to replant with native species to replace as they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds for that". There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a problem with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I don't understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the prairie. The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very large woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there. Now it's nothing but stumps and very few birds.
IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for birds.
Date: 6/5/25 3:17 am From: Tyler M. Harms <tyharms...> Subject: [ia-bird] SAVE THE DATE - IOU Fall Meeting
Good morning Birders,
The Iowa Ornithologists' Union annual Fall Meeting will be held in the Clear Lake area October 10-12, 2025. Our primary target will be wetland birds. We are still working to identify a keynote speaker and will post details as soon as we have them. We hope you can join us this fall!
Take care,
Tyler --------------- Tyler M. Harms President, Iowa Ornithologists' Union Ames, Iowa
Date: 6/4/25 7:54 pm From: Clayton Will <willcfish...> Subject: [ia-bird] Bjorkboda Marsh, Hamilton Co. Trumpeter Swan cygnets have hatched.
At Bjorkboda Marsh, Hamilton Co. there are 6 Trumpeter Swan cygnets today. This pair has had 6 several times as I recall. The nesting pair a mile West at Masterson Marsh, Hamilton Co. (across the road from McHugh Wetland, Boone County) were still rolling eggs today. The Bald Eagles a mile North of Bjorkboda have branched and nearly as large as the adults. There is a medium sized raccoon skin hanging from an electrical wire alongside the road. Apparently Eagles have a sense of humor. (:) I would have liked to have had that release on video.
Clayton Will Madrid [image: cop IOU Trump fam Bjork June 4 2025 026.png]
Date: 6/4/25 7:14 pm From: Merle and Marsha Hall <mghall...> Subject: [ia-bird] American Kestrels...
Just thought I'd let folks know that the American Kestrels that nested
in the Granger COLD water tower last year are back. Well, presumably,
they're the same couple. I'm told that the nest is probably in the top
of the SW leg of the COLD water tower. When I went out this evening,
there was one sitting on the railing of the HOT water tower the entire
time I was there (~1/2 hr.) and another sitting on the antenna of the
COLD tower. They're still pretty far away, no matter how close you get
to the towers. ;)
As directed by the DNR no less. How do you communicate this to insects, reptiles, amphibians and BIRDS! And where is the science that ensures that the time frame between toxic and safe is correct? After 3:30 pm today? Seems arbitrary to say the least.
There are indeed noxious invasive plants in the spray area as seen in the photograph behind the sign but mowing early and before plants flower is a much less toxic way to stop them in so much as I wonder when this area was previously sprayed. Would lay money on the fact that it has been poisoned before...
Once the poisoning becomes evident it also becomes very ugly to look at...pesticide treatment lasts and degrades the visual beauty of landscape for a long time.
ps I reread what I wrote earlier and do apologize for the spelling errors...embarrassing. Guess I was a bit riled up.
In reference to these emails, I just saw this today at Beaver Lake Rec Area
in Dallas County. So much growth has been chopped down here.
Karen Fieg
Grimes
On Wed, Jun 4, 2025, 11:22 AM Angela Battle <argusbee23...> wrote:
> I hear everything you say with saddened heart and have seen similar
> impacts to Stevens State Forest near me. Additionally county practices
> along rock roads to 'bush hog' and apply pesticide is also occurring
> seemingly with some of the same goals in mind and whatever others they may
> have and has increased ten fold over the past four or five years no matter
> what road you travel anywhere in the state and so there goes even more
> crucial edge habitat.
>
> The edges of rock roads used to sustain all kinds of nesting birds and I
> could walk the road and count the nests. There were so many prairie remnant
> plants along these roads too that are now replaced by noxious weeds that
> seem to thrive in poisoned soils, those seeds spread wide and far by the
> bush hog blades.
>
> In the old days before these newer roadside initiatives began in earnest
> these edges supported birds and it might also be said, healthy populations
> of reptiles, amphibians and small mammals not to mention the insect
> diversity so essential to it all. I could walk the road I live on and count
> the nests, name the remnant prairie plants and dodge the bumble bees and
> garter snakes and toads. All of that is nearly gone now - palpably so.
> Heartbreaking.
>
> It matters to know that the increase in noxious weeds along roadways is a
> direct response to all of this over management too as such weeks love
> disturbed ground either by clearing or poisoning so, those areas mentioned
> by Clayton Will are now ripe ground for further disturbance and so will
> require further pesticide and clearing management. All these practices are
> doing is creating a vicious cycle of misguided treatment that only seems to
> reinforce the need for such in the first place. They create the thing they
> attempt to manage over and over again.
>
> I am happy to add my voice and concerns all based on evidentiary
> experience over seventeen years of being an observer in wonder at the wild
> world around me.
>
> Angela Battle
> Rural Clarke County
>
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Date: 6/4/25 9:46 am From: Karen Fieg <karenlfieg...> Subject: [ia-bird] Bell's Vireos/ Madison County
I'm seeing and hearing multiple Bell's Vireos on both sides of Badger Creek State Rec Area n Madison County this morning. Also had a Blue Grosbeak on East side.
I hear everything you say with saddened heart and have seen similar impacts to Stevens State Forest near me. Additionally county practices along rock roads to 'bush hog' and apply pesticide is also occurring seemingly with some of the same goals in mind and whatever others they may have and has increased ten fold over the past four or five years no matter what road you travel anywhere in the state and so there goes even more crucial edge habitat.
The edges of rock roads used to sustain all kinds of nesting birds and I could walk the road and count the nests. There were so many prairie remnant plants along these roads too that are now replaced by noxious weeds that seem to thrive in poisoned soils, those seeds spread wide and far by the bush hog blades.
In the old days before these newer roadside initiatives began in earnest these edges supported birds and it might also be said, healthy populations of reptiles, amphibians and small mammals not to mention the insect diversity so essential to it all. I could walk the road I live on and count the nests, name the remnant prairie plants and dodge the bumble bees and garter snakes and toads. All of that is nearly gone now - palpably so. Heartbreaking.
It matters to know that the increase in noxious weeds along roadways is a direct response to all of this over management too as such weeks love disturbed ground either by clearing or poisoning so, those areas mentioned by Clayton Will are now ripe ground for further disturbance and so will require further pesticide and clearing management. All these practices are doing is creating a vicious cycle of misguided treatment that only seems to reinforce the need for such in the first place. They create the thing they attempt to manage over and over again.
I am happy to add my voice and concerns all based on evidentiary experience over seventeen years of being an observer in wonder at the wild world around me.
Date: 6/4/25 8:33 am From: Clayton Will <willcfish...> Subject: [ia-bird] Bird habitat destruction in the name Invasive species removal for Prairie and Oak Savannahs.
Hi everyone,
I have held off on writing this because I know it will not be accepted by some but have in the past spoke with The Army Corp, Iowa DNR and the Naturalist for Big Creek. All relating to the destruction of bird habitat such as seen most recently at Lost Lake Trail - Ledges State Park at Cherry Glenn a couple years ago. Big Creek State Park every year even to the point of girdling, chemical spraying, then removing mature trees along with invasives on as small as one acre plots to turn into prairie. When I was young the Iowa DNR promoted the positive impact that "edges" had on wildlife. Today it is all about prairie and oak savannah, nothing else. I could go to Cherry Glenn and sit in one spot and see twenty species of birds including Warblers, Tanagers and Cuckoos. After the area was cleared of all undergrowth there has been none of these because the edges are gone. The same way with the walking path at Lost Lake Trail -Ledges which was a go to spot for me and others to see warblers in the Spring. This year they were few and far between after a group that thought they were doing the right thing cleared all the forest floor. I think IOU should get involved with input on what works for birds but when I was on the board told "Oh no, we can't get involved with that". Many of you have been taught in college that it's all about prairie and Oak Savannah but there has to be a reasonable acceptance that we are observing negative changes in our parks with these methods. I recently visited numerous parks such as Lacey-Keosaqua and you don't see the Brush Hog destruction along roadways in the parks that lay there for years as at Big Creek and Army Corp property. I hope they don't follow suit at DNR directive. When asked about large tree planting projects I'm told "We don't have funds for that". Yet there is plenty of money for equipment to destroy habitat. When asked if they were going to replant with native species to replace as they call "low value" berry bearing bushes, "We don't have funds for that". There's plenty of money for burning prairie which I don't have a problem with but there has to be a return to tree planting and "Edges". I don't understand how trees around the edges would negatively impact the prairie. The North end of Bays Branch in Guthrie county once had a very large woods/prairie area that once a Prairie Warbler was reported there. Now it's nothing but stumps and very few birds. IOU could have some input on this if the board would be willing to be proactive and ask these organizations to consider the edges we need for birds.
Date: 6/3/25 9:20 am From: Karen Fieg <karenlfieg...> Subject: [ia-bird] Blue Grosbeak, Jester Park
I just had a Blue Grosbeak near Campground #5 (below Jester Lodge) Jester Park, Polk County.
Earlier, I had a Broad-winged Hawk at Upper Spillway, Polk City. And Clayton Will helped me find the continuing Western Grebe at Big Creek. Also flyover Osprey.
Date: 6/3/25 8:36 am From: T J <stsparrow47...> Subject: [ia-bird] BBS Appanoose and Davis County
Yesterday I completed my BBS that starts in southern Appanoose and finishes in Davis County. Highlights were the first Acadian Flycatcher along with the third Blue Grosbeak.,Also we had a Vesper sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrows, Yellow-breasted Chat, Pileated Woodpecker and Red-Shouldered Hawk. Disappointing was no Mockingbirds and only 3 Quail. I was hoping the Quail numbers would improve. It was a successful count and I had a mother and her 2 daughters came with her father , Larry Piatt a member of our local club. They may take over this count in the future and younger ears and good birding skills will be helpful.. Tom Johnson Mystic, Ia.
Date: 6/2/25 6:59 am From: Ellen Fuller <cfuller989...> Subject: [ia-bird] Mississippi Kite
The Kite was present at 6:53 this AM in the usual dead tree in Aspen Grove Cemetery (Burlington, Iowa---Des Moines County)..It flew away several minutes later and was seen circling the area for approx. 5 minutes. Chuck Fuller Burlington
Date: 6/1/25 1:12 pm From: 'G W' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> Subject: [ia-bird] Eurasian Tree Sparrow X House Sparrow ?
Would this bird qualify as a hybrid with a slightly extended throat patch plus a small bib, looks to be flecks of lighter color in the crown, small area of black on the ear patch and looks to be some gray tones on the breast feathers? Gerald White
