Date: 12/12/25 5:00 am From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 12-12-25
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, December 6, to Friday, December 12, 2025:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL
**SHORT-BILLED GULL**
CASUAL
*PARASITIC JAEGER*
*HARLEQUIN DUCK*
Additional Species Mentioned
Surf Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
SORA (Record late)
Iceland Gull
California Gull
Prairie Falcon
White-winged Dove
***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>
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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.
EAST
BUCHANAN COUNTY
A WHITE-WINGED DOVE continues at a yard in Brandon on the 8th.
SCOTT COUNTY
A SHORT-BILLED GULL was seen at Lock and Dam 14 on the 11th.
NORTHEAST
DUBUQUE COUNTY
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at AY McDonald Park on the 11th.
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Lock and Dam 11 on the 8th.
FAYETTE COUNTY
A late SORA was seen at Fritz Prairie on the 11th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
A PARASITIC JAEGER was seen at Saylorville on the 11th.
An ICELAND GULL was seen at Saylorville on the 6th.
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Big Creek on the 10th.
SOUTH CENTRAL
MARION COUNTY
4 ICELAND GULLS were seen at Red Rock on the 7th.
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Red Rock on the 7th.
A HARLEQUIN DUCK was seen below the dam at Red Rock on the 9th.
A CALIFORNIA GULL was seen at Red Rock on the 9th.
DECATUR COUNTY
A SURF SCOTER was seen at Little River Lake SP on the 11th.
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, December 19, 2025 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
