Date: 5/14/25 3:58 am From: Clayton Will <willcfish...> Subject: [ia-bird] Stephens State Forest - Lucas Unit
A banner day for me at Stephens State Forest a few miles SW of Lucas, Iowa. 65 species including these Warblers 2 -3 at a time - Kentucky-Blue-winged and Gold-winged. Several White-eyed Vireo, many Scarlet and Summer Tanager, a Yellow-breasted Chat, Ovenbirds and Wood Thrush everywhere, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, several Carolina Wrens, and more. Take the North entry road 137 Trail South over the old steel wood deck bridge to 485 LN and turn left toward Mine Camp Pond. Before you get to the pond there's a road Y's off to the left. That's where most of the birds were located. It's a large clear cut with old forest around it. Next good area is: The mowed Middle Campground along 137 Trail held over a dozen Swainson's Thrush, Scarlet and Summer Tanager along with Great-crested Flycatchers. Whip-poor-wills were calling after sunset just South of the forest in the rolling hills/pond area as usual but no Chuck-wills-widows.
