Date: 11/11/26 2:40 pm From: 'Conrads, David J' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> Subject: [ia-bird] Update on Northern Saw-whet Owls and Long-eared Owl(s?)...
Good afternoon, all.
After starting the season with a tied state record early saw-whet on 10/5, we’ve now netted 72 so far at our Raptor Migration Station at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area (Johnson County, along the Iowa River/Coralville Lake).
On Friday night, as part of a class on Raptor Research Techniques with Marshalltown Community College, we netted 15 more at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area (Marshall County, also along the Iowa River) between 5:30-9 pm. That makes 87 total along the Iowa River so far.
Last night our team banded three more at MNRA, along with a hatching year (hatched in 2026) Long-eared Owl (photo attached). I saw a long-eared on one of our mist net poles on Saturday night and it could be the same bird. Whooo knows?
This fall, we've recaptured banded owls from Duluth (MN), Superior (WI), and Bragg Creek, Alberta (1500 miles away as the car drives!).
Keep your eyes out for saw-whets! It appears that there are more out there than normal (in this part of the state, at least!)…and for Long-eared Owls, as well.
Go Hawks (and Owls)!
Dave
David J. Conrads
Director, Iowa Raptor Project
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
N468 Lindquist Center, Iowa City, IA 52242
Office: 319-335-5976, Mobile: 319-541-6155
wild.education.uiowa.edu<http://wild.education.uiowa.edu> [cid3431164450*<image001.png...>]
