Date: 1/2/25 11:04 am From: Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...> Subject: [ia-bird] Eurasian Tree Sparrow in Ogden
We finally had the first Eurasian Tree Sparrow appear at our feeders, after 4" of snow this morning. This is a new yard bird for us, and also the first for my Boone County life list.
Date: 1/2/25 8:02 am From: John Cecil <jcecil01...> Subject: [ia-bird] Des Moines CBC
The Des Moines Christmas Bird Count was held on 12/21. 19 birders in 13 field parties contributed to the count.
We tallied a total of 78 species which is the third highest count total in the history of the count. Waterfowl were abundant compared to many other years with a total of 25 species found. 25 species of waterfowl is a count high.
Birds of note: Ross's Goose Long-eared Owl Fox Sparrow a flock of 40 Meadowlark. Peregrine Falcon
Historical count highs: American Wigeon was recorded at a count history high with 16 total birds Pileated Woodpecker was also a count high with 16 There were 5 Winter Wren which ties the count high Northern Flicker were abundant for an all time high of 107
I was able to get some nice photos of a Red-shouldered Hawk near the Iowa Arboretum in Boone Co. The photos were taken a week ago. The Hawk was last seen this past Saturday on the CBC. Photos attached.Larry Dau- Boone Co.Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Ringgold County CBC was held today and despite the fog and muddy roads we managed to get 84 species, including 15 species waterfowl, 6 owl species, and a possible Indigo Bunting.
Date: 12/28/24 10:13 pm From: Roy Adolphson <roydjoy47...> Subject: [ia-bird] 4 Merlins at Glendale Cemetery
Saturday evening (12/28) I went to Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines at sunset (4:52 pm). There were four Merlins posted up in treetops between 4:52 and 5:02 pm. There was one each in the following blocks: Blk. 20 in the spruce with the forked top; Blk. 33D in the lone oak tree; Blk. 36 in the multi-stemmed black cherry; Blk. 50, Section 5 in one of the tall, skinny locust trees on the western edge of the grounds.
Date: 12/27/24 6:26 pm From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 12-27-24
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, December 21, to Friday, December 27, 2024:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL
**BARROWS GOLDENEYE**
Additional Species Mentioned
Surf Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Snowy Owl
Golden Eagle
Red Crossbill
White-winged Crossbill
***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 email report.
NORTH CENTRAL
HAMILTON COUNTY
A SNOWY OWL was seen along Highway 20 near Williams on the 27th.
EAST
JOHNSON COUNTY
A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen at Frytown Conservation Area on the 21st.
NORTHEAST
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen along Red Oak Road on the 22nd.
SOUTHEAST
LEE COUNTY
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at the Ft Madison Riverfront on the 21st.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen at Saylorville on the 26th.
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Maffitt Reservoir on the 22nd
A BARROWS GOLDENEYE was seen at Saylorville on the 26th.
SOUTH CENTRAL
DECATUR COUNTY
A SURF SCOTER was seen at Little River Lake on the 21st.
NORTHWEST
OBRIEN COUNTY
24 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen at Sheldon Cemetery on the 22nd.
2 RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Sheldon Cemetery on the 22nd.
BUENA VISTA COUNTY
2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen at WWTP West Gravel on the 24th.
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, January 3, 2024 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
The Snowy Owl was found on the roadside shoulder. Photos were taken, and the owl was studied. Though alert, able to hop and extend both wings, the bird did not seem capable of flight. A raptor rehabilitator was summoned, then met us at the site. After a short chase, the bird was collected for forwarding to a veterinarian and S.O.A.R. With the bird in hand, and in evidence in the 3rd photo, we could see ruffled feathers around the bird's left eye and some cloudiness on the cornea. Hopefully, a full recovery is ahead.
Jerry Probst, South Sioux City, NE Bill Huser, South Sioux City, NE
Date: 12/25/24 7:44 pm From: Roy Adolphson <roydjoy47...> Subject: [ia-bird] 4 Merlins tonight at Glendale Cemetery
Tonight (12/25) I went to Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines at 4:30 p.m. (sunset @ 4:50). From 4:30 to 4:40 there were 4 Merlins visible simultaneously----one each in Blocks 20, B, H, and 33D. Then there was a fly-by involving 3 Merlins in Block H, as all but the one in the big oak in 33D took to the air. Two came back to H and perched in the bur oak next to the big cottonwood and in the broken locust halfway up the hill. The one in 33D continued until about 4:50, while the ones in H remained until about 5:05. The sky was heavily overcast and a bit foggy, with temps in the mid-30s and a light northeasterly wind.
On Monday, Dec 16, the Keokuk CBC was held. It was the second time in 25 years I was not able to attend. So, I give an even greater thanks to the birders that participated. I have had the fortune of having a number of people who have contributed to this count for what seems to be going on 40+ years now.
88 species were observed which is slightly above the average of 86 over the last 33 years.
There were a number of notable observations.
24 Turkey Vulture (recorded by two parties) this bird has become more frequent. It has been seen 6 times in the last 10 years on the count.
There was also an observation of a single *Female Barrow's Goldeneye* viewed from Montrose. (photo taken)
Canvasback numbers were below average at 17,423 (recently at 30K+) 1049 Common Merganser 5131 Common Goldeneye 10 Red-breasted Merganser 338 Greater Scaup
We did well on puddle ducks 1 American Wigeon 1 Northern Shoveler 1 Northern Pintail 2 Green-winged Teal
Notable misses: Eastern Screech Owl has become very regular on this count. Greater White-fronted Goose Cackling Goose
I also have been noting every year the battle for supremacy between House Sparrow and Eurasian Tree-sparrow, the totals of which have been neck and neck for years now. This year the House Sparrow won out with 200 total birds vs 179 Eurasian Tree-sparrow.
Thanks again to all of the birders that were able to help.
A special thanks to Francis Moore, Steven Dinsmore, Chuck Fuller and Angella Moorehouse who have each been participating in this count for several decades now.
Humboldt Co. CBC was held on Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. We had three people help, two field people and a feederwatcher. We encountered 34 species on the count day, and additional 2 (for right now...will update if necessary) during the count week bringing us up to 36 (as of now). This shifted the mean number of species encountered yearly on the count by 0.17 from 32.3 to 32.47. We saw 2800 individual birds. Notable finds include Purple Finch, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, the largest number of Meadowlarks observed on the count, possibly the largest flock of Trumpeter Swans seen in Humboldt County since the 19th century coming in at 61 birds, a count week Red-shouldered Hawk (completely unexpected), and Red-headed Woodpecker, oh yes...and an Emu (I'm aware, this is in jest sort of). Sparrows had poor showings, only two native species and their numbers either slightly or significantly below norms. Waterfowl diversity and numbers were way down (outside the astonishing swan flock) just Canada Geese and Mallards this year, and numbers low (I suspect the river being increasingly open in inaccessible spots is contributing to this effect). Raptors did poorly throughout the day but rallied in the afternoon once the wind started to calm, but we saw no Rough-legged (but this seems on brand for this year). No thrushes, were seen which I felt was unexpected and owls had bad showing as we only logged Barred. Another notable miss, though this is a long time coming, is Eurasian Collared-doves which is ironic considering that when the count started; Rutland was the focal point of their activity in the county, but now they are very unreliably found almost anywhere in the circle and when found only in singles or pairs. A curious case study for someone interested in the mechanics of boom-bust exotic species demography I suppose.
I want to thank Russel Rice and Kevin Murphy, who assisted me on this count. I have done this count solo in the past, and it is...too much. Many may look at out count totals and see a count below their position to do, but Humboldt County holds secrets and surprises for those willing to dig for it, and I think this count and county is a testament to birding in places that are aggressively under-birded and undervalued by birders.
Jacob Newton Ottosen, Sec 3, Wacousta Township, Humboldt County, IA, 50570, USA
Date: 12/23/24 1:43 pm From: Amy Buckendahl <amy.buckendahl...> Subject: [ia-bird] Update Henry has been recovered: Request for help, Grundy county, Iowa area missing falconry bird.
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Date: 12/23/24 9:37 am From: Neil Bernstein <tornataornata...> Subject: [ia-bird] Bird photographers
Hi folks. If you want your photos or artwork included in the first issue of Iowa Bird Life in 2025, please upload them to the IBL website by 5 January.
Thanks for everyone who has submitted reflections, essays, and poems. Please keep the submissions coming.
I saw 5 swans heading you way from Story City earlier this week.
Kevin Holm
Story County
On Sun, Dec 22, 2024 at 12:22 PM 'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <
<ia-bird...> wrote:
> My dad and I found 12 trumpeter swans in the field 1 mile west of Nevada
> on the southside of Lincoln Highway!
>
> Tanner and Art Check
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
> 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.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6 > ---
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>
Date: 12/22/24 3:35 pm From: Don Poggensee <donpoggensee...> Subject: [ia-bird] Ida County Christmas Bird Count
Hello,
We conducted our Christmas Bird Count today. The weather was nice and we still had small area of some running water. We had a total of 55 species and total Birds was 3,696 birds. Owl species were three Great Horn, one Screech, and one Saw-whet. Other best birds were one Red -headed woodpecker three Brown Creeper. One Spotted Towhee, 16 Bald Eagles, and two Merlin.
Don Poggensee
Ida Grove, Iowa 51445
Cell 712-369-3454
Date: 12/22/24 4:25 am From: <ritag...> Subject: [ia-bird] Mason City CBC
Considering that our water is mostly frozen up, we had a good count and good weather for doing the CBC. We tallied 53 species and two count week species. Notable were Tundra Swans, f. C. Goldeneye tucked in among Mallards in a small open area on a creek, Golden Eagle, A. Goshawk, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Eurasian Tree Sparrow( a first for the count).
The Lamoni CBC was held today. We broke the count record for species with 86. We had 26 species above average, including Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch and Eastern Bluebird. Four species were record high, Northern Flicker, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco and Savannah Sparrow, which recorded 89 birds. Surf Scoter was new to the count. We had 6 new young birders under 12 years old participate. Thanks to all that helped.
Date: 12/21/24 7:38 am From: Ellen Fuller <cfuller989...> Subject: [ia-bird] Long-tailed Duck
There was a Long-tailed Duck at the Ft. Madison riverfront along with many Goldeneye. It was near the old casino boat dock. Also, there was a Lesser black-backed Gull at the far end of the riverfront pavement. It was sitting with many Ring-bills and a few Herring. The river is frozen at Montrose with all the ducks far over on the Illinois side. Chuck Fuller Burlington
Date: 12/21/24 7:31 am From: Ellen Fuller <cfuller989...> Subject: [ia-bird] Long-tailed Duck
At the Ft. Madison riverfront there was a Long-tailed Duck. It was near the old casino boat dock. Also, at the far south end of the riverfront there was a Lesser Black-backed Gull with many Ring-bills and a few Herring. THh river is iced over at Montrose and all the ducks are far over on the Illinois side.
Date: 12/20/24 9:53 am From: John T <crowlover49...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Re: Island Gull
I'm pretty sure he means Iceland Gull since that's been seen around
Saylorville recently (though I don't know how to differentiate Iceland
Gulls specifically either). No idea what's meant by Gray Gull, though, the
ones I'm thinking of by that name are on the pacific coast of South America
On Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 11:44 AM Fawn Bowden <fawnda10...> wrote:
> What is an Island Gull? Why isn't this a more common gull like a first
> year Herring Gull? I'm not very good at id'ing gulls either, but first
> eliminate the commonly occurring species for your area before considering
> more exotic species.
>
> Fawn in Riverside
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 3:52:47 PM UTC-6 <rodge......>
> wrote:
>
>> I spotted this bird just below the Saylorville spillway about a week ago.
>> It has been identified as an Island Gull. I thought it might be a Grey gull
>> but Im not a bird id specialist for sure.
>> They are a rare bird in Iowa.
>> rodger routh
>>
> --
> 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: 12/20/24 9:44 am From: Fawn Bowden <fawnda10...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Island Gull
What is an Island Gull? Why isn't this a more common gull like a first
year Herring Gull? I'm not very good at id'ing gulls either, but first
eliminate the commonly occurring species for your area before considering
more exotic species.
Fawn in Riverside
On Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 3:52:47 PM UTC-6 <rodge......>
wrote:
> I spotted this bird just below the Saylorville spillway about a week ago.
> It has been identified as an Island Gull. I thought it might be a Grey gull
> but Im not a bird id specialist for sure.
> They are a rare bird in Iowa.
> rodger routh
>
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Date: 12/20/24 7:33 am From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 12-20-24
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, December 14, to Friday, December
20, 2024:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
NONE
Additional Species Mentioned
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Iceland Gull
Varied Thrush
Spotted Towhee
***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 email report.
EAST
SCOTT COUNTY
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Pool 15 on the 15th.
A SURF SCOTER was seen at Pool 15 on the 15th.
2 ICELAND GULLS were seen at Lock and Dam 14 on the 16th.
NORTHEAST
CHICKASAW COUNTY
A VARIED THRUSH was seen in a yard on the 19th. To see this bird, please
contact Harlan Zimmerman via text or Messenger at 641-229-5309. Please stay
in your car, do not post onto eBird with home address and use the “Airport
Park” location.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Saylorville on the 19th.
An ICELAND GULL was seen at Saylorville on the 19th.
A SPOTTED TOWHEE was seen at Polk City WA on the 15th.
SOUTH CENTRAL
DECATUR COUNTY
A SURF SCOTER was seen at the east side of the dam at Little River on the
18th.
NORTHWEST
DICKINSON COUNTY
A BLACK SCOTER was seen at Gull Point SP on the 15th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday,
December 27, 2024 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or
ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
Hi all, please bear with me--if you belong to the Iowa and Nebraska bird
listservs you may get this email more than once.
The DeSoto NWR Christmas Bird Count this year was held on December 15. We
had great coverage with 35 participants in 20 traveling parties and 1
feeder watcher! We had very mixed weather conditions for birding, with
thick fog challenging our viewing conditions in the morning before things
cleared up in the afternoon. In spite of that, over 51,000 birds were
counted and 79 species were represented. This is one more species, and 6k
more birds, than last year!
Notable or missed sightings within our circle:
-
A Loggerhead Shrike was documented for the first time in our circle
during the CBC since 2010, and for only the second time ever (our data goes
back to 1997 for our circle)!
-
Brewer's Blackbirds were spotted for the first time since 2014!
-
Mallards were spotted in record numbers (36k+!)
-
Pileated Woodpeckers, Winter Wrens, American Coots, Ross' Goose, and
White-throated Sparrows are also at a record highs
-
Golden-crowned Kinglets are at their highest count since 2004
-
Bald Eagles this year were at a near-record high, beat out only by 99
sightings in 2018 and 98 sightings in 2017
-
We didn't count any Eurasian Collared Doves, which is an interesting
development given their expansion in recent years
-
We documented no Red-breasted Nuthatches again this year, potentially
beginning an unfortunate trend of this species being absent on our count
for the past 2 years (I hope I'm proven wrong next year!)
-
While not completely absent, Blue Jays were noticeably lower this year
with the lowest count for the species since 2017
-
Black-capped Chickadee sightings were almost halved this year compared
to last year's count of 297
-
Eastern Bluebird numbers tumbled back down from our recent high of 129
last year to only 26 this year
-
American Robin count is also noticeably low with only 70 individuals,
though based on our data their numbers vary widely from one year to the next
Thank you to our volunteers for their participation! This effort really
couldn’t be done without their continued involvement. I included our list
below for those interested.
I spotted this bird just below the Saylorville spillway about a week ago. It has been identified as an Island Gull. I thought it might be a Grey gull but Im not a bird id specialist for sure. They are a rare bird in Iowa. rodger routh
Date: 12/18/24 11:36 am From: Rick Hollis <xiboia...> Subject: [ia-bird] Sad article in the Gazette
This was discussed in Iowa-native -plants. If it was discussed here, I missed it. This is another article to read and think about.
I am including Connie Mutel’s introductory email from INP.
This article - featuring Pauline Drobney and Dennis Schlicht as well as me - was recently on the front page of the CR Gazette. I am so pleased that these feelings of loss, and of our need to address the losses, are being brought out in the open. I think that many many others share them, even though they may not notice the losses as strongly as we plant lovers might - and as many of you do, as I'm share.
Cheers, Connie
Assuming this is the same Winter Wren I found on November 7, it's still present at the pedestrian bridge at Chichaqua Bottoms, Polk County. 12/17/24. Also had a Northern Shrike on the entrance road on the wire, but flew off into fields.
Despite being delayed by several hours because of freezing rain, just plain rain and temperatures between 34-37 degrees, we had a great species count. We managed 82 species. Highlights: Tundra Swan, Greater Scaup, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe, Double-crested Cormorant, Am. White Pelican (525), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Merlin, Peregrine, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Lapland Longspur, Fox sparrow, Savannah Sparrow. Chuck Fuller Burlington
Date: 12/13/24 12:00 pm From: Kellie H <xxkhaydenxx...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Christmas Bird Count Season
Hi all, related to CBCs: If there are any high level intermediate-expert
level birders who are not participating in a CBC already on Sunday, the
DeSoto CBC could use one or two additional volunteers. We have several
beginning level volunteers that are excited to learn from someone who could
lead a party. Our circle is split in half by the Missouri river and is half
in Nebraska, half in Iowa. Please contact me if you are interested and have
availability this coming Sunday!
Date: 12/13/24 9:38 am From: <aj...> Subject: [ia-bird] Christmas Bird Count Season
It starts tomorrow! This is no doubt the longest traditional opportunity to get out there and see some birds while engaging with other like-minded individuals. The IOU has been summarizing the data from these counts since 1937, so we have a very long history of reporting trends in our state. We've grown tremendously since 1937 when there were only 10 counts completed. All 57 Iowa counts are listed on our website - https://iowabirds.org/Connections/CBC.aspx. Check the map and find one near you and go have some fun.
Date: 12/13/24 7:09 am From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 12-13-24
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, December 7, to Friday, December 13, 2024:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
NONE
Additional Species Mentioned
Long-tailed Duck
Iceland Gull
Snowy Owl
Golden Eagle
Spotted Towhee
White-winged Crossbill
***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 email report.
NORTH CENTRAL
CERRO GORDO COUNTY
2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen at One Vision Disc Golf on the 7th.
2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen at Lester Milligan on the 11th.
EAST
DELAWARE COUNTY
A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen at Indian Hills Park on the 7th.
JOHNSON COUNTY
A SNOWY OWL was seen along 260th St NW between Half Moon Ave and Ireland Ave on the 13th.
SOUTHEAST
LEE COUNTY
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Pool 19 on the 9th.
NORTHEAST
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
3 GOLDEN EAGLES were seen north of the intersection of Waters Rd on the 8th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Maffitt Reservoir on the 7th.
2 SPOTTED TOWHEES were seen at Big Creek WMA Northwest on the 8th.
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Saylorville on the 12th.
An ICELAND GULL was seen below the dam at Saylorville on the 12th.
SOUTH CENTRAL
DECATUR COUNTY
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Little River Lake on the 10th.
SOUTHWEST
UNION COUNTY
A SNOWY OWL was seen along Highway 34 near Thayer on the 8th.
NORTHWEST
PLYMOUTH COUNTY
A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen at Broken Kettle Grasslands on the 10th.
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, December 20, 2024 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
Date: 12/13/24 7:00 am From: Jesse Ellis <calocitta8...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Snowy Owl Johnson Co
Correction:
The bird was found by Jim Kettelcamp, and is being reported on eBird. It
was seen again this morning on Half Moon between 260th and 250th by Deb
Youngblut.
Jesse
On Fri, Dec 13, 2024 at 8:24 AM Jesse Ellis <calocitta8...> wrote:
> A Snowy Owl was seen yesterday in Johnson Co by Kathryn Deetz on 260th
> street near Coralville between Half Moon ave and Ireland Ave just south of
> the road. It was seen again yesterday afternoon by a different observer.
>
> I'll be checking later this morning.
>
> --
> Jesse Ellis
>
Date: 12/13/24 6:25 am From: Jesse Ellis <calocitta8...> Subject: [ia-bird] Snowy Owl Johnson Co
A Snowy Owl was seen yesterday in Johnson Co by Kathryn Deetz on 260th street near Coralville between Half Moon ave and Ireland Ave just south of the road. It was seen again yesterday afternoon by a different observer.
Date: 12/9/24 6:31 pm From: Neil Bernstein <tornataornata...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Publication of Iowa Bird Life 2024 94-4
P.S. Doug Harr's book review also emphasizes the role of citizen-science
and activism....Neil
On Monday, December 9, 2024 at 6:41:06 PM UTC-6 Neil Bernstein wrote:
> Announcing the publication of Iowa Bird Life 2024, 94-4
>
> Dear birders.
>
> You can now read and download the web-version of Issue 94-4 on the IOU
> website. This is my first issue as editor, and a large part of getting this
> issue to you is thanks to Ann Johnson, Steve Dinsmore, Paul Hertzel, Doreen
> VanRyswyk (our layout contractor).
>
> Along with the Spring Field Reports by Connor Langan and the meeting
> minutes, there are several interesting articles to peruse. I think you will
> like learning that citizen-scientists like Jerry Toll, Kellie Hayden, and
> Kevin Powers can add new knowledge about biodiversity, and, in Jerry and
> Kellie’s case, actually enhance biodiversity through volunteerism.
>
> Clayton Will, who frequently contributes lovely bird photos, also has a
> poetic side, and his “Ode to a Mosquito” is a delight. The bird photos by
> other contributors are also spectacular, and the front cover photo is a
> preview of things to come in 95-1.
>
> Paul Hertzel succinctly summarizes some name changes of birds as well as
> the latest taxonomic changes, and you should take a look at all those
> Limpkin sightings.
>
> If you like watching jewels of the bird world, Connor Langan notes the
> sightings of Cinnamon Teal, Long-tailed Duck, American Golden-Plovers, and
> other of your favorites.
>
> Enjoy…………………Neil Bernstein
>
Date: 12/9/24 4:41 pm From: Neil Bernstein <tornataornata...> Subject: [ia-bird] Publication of Iowa Bird Life 2024 94-4
Announcing the publication of Iowa Bird Life 2024, 94-4
Dear birders.
You can now read and download the web-version of Issue 94-4 on the IOU
website. This is my first issue as editor, and a large part of getting this
issue to you is thanks to Ann Johnson, Steve Dinsmore, Paul Hertzel, Doreen
VanRyswyk (our layout contractor).
Along with the Spring Field Reports by Connor Langan and the meeting
minutes, there are several interesting articles to peruse. I think you will
like learning that citizen-scientists like Jerry Toll, Kellie Hayden, and
Kevin Powers can add new knowledge about biodiversity, and, in Jerry and
Kellie’s case, actually enhance biodiversity through volunteerism.
Clayton Will, who frequently contributes lovely bird photos, also has a
poetic side, and his “Ode to a Mosquito” is a delight. The bird photos by
other contributors are also spectacular, and the front cover photo is a
preview of things to come in 95-1.
Paul Hertzel succinctly summarizes some name changes of birds as well as
the latest taxonomic changes, and you should take a look at all those
Limpkin sightings.
If you like watching jewels of the bird world, Connor Langan notes the
sightings of Cinnamon Teal, Long-tailed Duck, American Golden-Plovers, and
other of your favorites.
Date: 12/8/24 3:56 pm From: 'Diana Pesek' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> Subject: [ia-bird] Sunday birding in NE Iowa
It's been a few years since I've made the trip to NE Iowa for a Golden Eagle search, so today Gerry Denning, James Huntington and I decided to enjoy the warm weather and go north to bird. We had much success, finding 4 GOLDEN EAGLES -- 3 of them (2 adults and 1 sub-adult) just north of the intersection of A26 and Waters Rd., and a different sub-adult along A26 west of Waters Rd.
Also in that area, just west of the intersection of Highway 26 and A26, were ~65 SANDHILL CRANES and ~40 TRUMPETER SWANS in a farm field.
The Red Oak area south of Lansing was iced over.
A short walk along the Fish Farm Mounds Trail on highway 26 had a few passerines, including a BROWN CREEPER.
We checked out the Pool Slough WMA east of New Albin before heading home. It is mostly iced over as well but we did find 1 AMERICAN WIGEON, 1 GADWALL, MALLARDS and CANADA GEESE there.
Good birding, all!
Diana PesekCedar Rapids
Date: 12/8/24 3:40 am From: <ritag...> Subject: [ia-bird] Mottled duck hybrid and Long tail duck
On Friday, December 6, a hybrid Mottled/Mallard duck and a Black Duck were seen at Big Blue in Mason City. A male and female Long-tailed Duck were seen at a private pond in Mason City. On December 7 only the Mottled/Mallard Duck hybrid and Black Duck were seen at Big Blue.
Date: 12/6/24 10:23 am From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 12-6-24
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, November 30, to Friday, December 6, 2024:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
NONE
Additional Species Mentioned
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Pacific Loon
Glaucous Gull
Iceland Gull
Golden Eagle
Snowy Owl
***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 email report.
EAST
JOHNSON COUNTY
A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen near Lake McBride on the 1st.
NORTHEAST
DUBUQUE COUNTY
An ICELAND GULL was seen at AY McDonald Park on the 1st.
A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was seen at Lock and Dam 11 on the 4th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
A PACIFIC LOON continues at Saylorville on the 30th.
An ICELAND GULL was seen at Saylorville on the 5th.
3 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen on Big Creek on the 4th.
SOUTH CENTRAL
MARION COUNTY
An ICELAND GULL was seen at Red Rock on the 1st.
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Red Rock on the 1st.
DECATUR COUNTY
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Little River Lake on the 2nd.
CLARKE COUNTY
A SNOWY OWL was seen near Murray on County Rd R15 on the 6th.
NORTHWEST
DICKINSON COUNTY
A GLAUCOUS GULL was seen at the Dickinson County landfill on the 30th.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY
A GOLDEN EAGLE continues at Broken Kettle Grassland on the 4th.
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, December 13, 2024 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
