Date: 12/19/25 7:05 am From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 12-19-25
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, December 13, to Friday, December 19, 2025:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL
**BARROWS GOLDENEYE**
CASUAL
*HARLEQUIN DUCK*
Additional Species Mentioned
Long-tailed Duck
Iceland Gull
Snowy Owl
Golden Eagle
***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.
EAST
SCOTT COUNTY
An ICELAND GULL was seen at Lock and Dam 14 on the 14th.
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen along West Canal Shore Dr in Le Clair on the 18th.
NORTHEAST
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen at Iverson Bottoms WMA on the 17th.
HOWARD COUNTY
A SNOWY OWL was seen at the intersection of 70th St and Lilac Avenue on the 17th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen at Mosquito Creek at Saylorville WMA on the 14th.
A BARROWS GOLDENEYE was seen at Maffitt Reservoir on the 19th.
SOUTH CENTRAL
MARION COUNTY
A HARLEQUIN DUCK continues below the dam at Red Rock on the 13th.
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, December 26, 2025 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
