Date: 1/8/26 10:51 am From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 1-8-26
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, January 3, to Thursday, January 8,
2026
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL
**BARROWS GOLDENEYE**
**SLATY-BACKED GULL**
CASUAL
*MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD*
Additional Species Mentioned
Long-tailed Duck
Iceland Gull
Townsend’s Solitaire
Redpoll
***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
A SLATY-BACKED GULL was seen at Lock and Dam 11 on the 8th.
EAST
SCOTT COUNTY
2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen at Lock and Dam 14 on the 7th.
An ICELAND GULL was seen at Lock and Dam 15 on the 4th.
JOHNSON COUNTY
A TOWNSENDS SOLITAIRE was seen along Blain Cemetery Rd near Swisher on the
3rd.
CENTRAL
DALLAS COUNTY
A BARROWS GOLDENEYE was seen at Maffitt Reservoir on the 8th.
POLK COUNTY
A REDPOLL was seen at Saylorville on the 5th.
NORTHWEST
SIOUX COUNTY
A MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD was seen at Oak Grove and Big Sioux Park on the 4th.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY
A TOWNSENDS SOLITAIRE was seen at Broken Kettle Grasslands on the 6th.
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday,
January 16, 2026 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL
species be reported, an update will be posted.
