Date: 7/19/17 9:39 pm From: Douglas Harr <dnharr...> Subject: [ia-bird] Santa Anna NWR being destroyed by border wall
President Trump is planning to make good on his campaign promise to beef up our border with Mexico, and his Administration plans to break ground at the Santa Ana NWR in Texas. Apparently work already has been ongoing on the refuge, but nothing was said to the public, until information leaked late last week. The Administration* has been working in secret*, keeping the public in the dark about the plan to use taxpayer dollars to irreparably damage our public lands.
Last week, the Texas Observer broke the story that the Trump Administration has been working for the past six months to prep construction for a three-mile border wall section that would slice through the Santa Ana NWR in Texas.
It is appalling that the Administration would begin a major construction project on public lands that *uses American taxpayer dollars without informing the public.*
The Santa Ana NWR is famous for its endangered ocelots, yet it is also home to more than 400 species of birds and 450 species of plants. Refuge wildlife and habitat would be irreversibly affected by construction of this wall, and it is imperative that the Administration does not sacrifice the Santa Ana NWR and its wildlife.
To sign a letter to our senators and representatives, go to the following website:
Date: 7/19/17 11:08 am From: Ric Zarwell <birdingricz...> Subject: [ia-bird] BIRD FRIENDLY IOWA: Introducing a New Bird-focused Initiative for Iowans
Dear IA-BIRDERS:
Bird Friendly Iowa has now been launched as a new statewide initiative offered to birders and a wide variety of others who appreciate and enjoy nature-oriented pursuits. There is no cost for the helpful information provided to benefit birds, pollinators and many other forms of biodiversity that add value to our lives and the overall economy. Special kinds of recognition are provided when specified criteria are addressed by towns and cities, and those communities will become known as Iowa Bird Friendly Communities. Please read more about basic program components toward the end of this page.
Development of the Bird Friendly Iowa initiative has been a team effort, underway for well over 2-years. Dedicated and enthusiastic members of a Steering Committee, many of whom are well-known across the Iowa birding and conservation community, met regularly over this period of time to fine-tune the initiative to meet the needs and challenges of Iowa and Iowa communities.
First and foremost, the following individuals and the partnering organizations and agencies they represent, making up the Steering Committee for Bird Friendly Iowa, deserve full credit, recognition and praise for their achievement, as well as for their ongoing work and support. Bird Friendly Iowa would not exist without this Steering Committee! So when you next meet these leaders, do express your personal appreciation. A big “Thank You” to:
Most especially Carole Teator initially, and recently Patty Reisinger, plus the office team, at Trees Forever, our fiduciary agent
Doug Harr, and the board of directors of Iowa Audubon
Bruce Ehresman, Wildlife Diversity Program, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Marlene Ehresman, Iowa Wildlife Center
Lisa Hein, Mary Runkel and Carole Teator again, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Dan Cohen, Iowa Association of County Conservation Boards
Ann Johnson, Iowa Ornithologists’ Union
Judy Martinson, and initially Marty Adkins, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Julia Clymer, who held several important positions over the past two years
Liz Christiansen, Sustainability Program - University of Iowa
Clare Lindahl, Conservation Districts of Iowa
While under development for months, this initiative has just three straight-forward and thoughtfully refined components. Bird Friendly Iowa looks forward to working with Iowa town and city organizations and agencies of every kind, who wish to:
1.) Create, restore, enhance or manage natural habitats;
2.) Initiate or strengthen nature education activities focusing on the importance of birds and healthy local ecosystems; and for towns and cities which meet the basic criteria in # 1 and # 2, those communities will, 3.) Be recognized as official Iowa Bird Friendly Communities, and will receive street signs, flags, a plaque, banners, being highlighted on the website, and being promoted at a number of appropriate media outlets.
These criteria are meant to be a learning tool that facilitates stronger nature conscious actions, community-by-community. How many criteria does your town or city already meet? Reviewing criteria now (perhaps as a group activity) can facilitate bird-friendly and other nature-oriented actions at the community level over the coming weeks and months. This can also speed-up an application for for official recognition.
With statewide geographic reach, and the high number of towns and cities found in our state, the Steering Committee will begin evaluating applications for Iowa Bird Friendly Community status on an as yet undetermined date in September, 2017.
A Resource Library which provides further ideas for local conservation and eduction activities can be accessed here: http://www.birdfriendlyiowa.org/Pages/Library.aspx . Of course other background information is available by beginning at the home page: www.birdfriendlyiowa.org .
The concept behind this approach to achieving important grass-roots, community-by-community conservation and education gains, together with recognition and awards for achieving basic criteria, was invented in Wisconsin. Bird City Wisconsin has officially recognized a total of 101 communities in the 6-years of that initiative. Leaders of BCW graciously provided training and guidance to aid Bird Friendly Iowa, and the Steering Committee is very appreciative. Indiana, Pennsylvania and Minnesota have started similar initiatives based on the success in Wisconsin.
I have known the inventors and leaders of the Bird City Wisconsin initiative personally, and watched that program become highly successful over a number of years. Therefore, my role might best be described as a catalyst, encouraging BCW to migrate across the Mississippi River to Iowa. As indicated above, I sincerely “tip my hat” in appreciation to members of the Iowa Steering Committee. When I asked these leaders to join the cause by planning our program, every single one of the people I asked said yes; or, they understood what the initiative could mean for Iowans, and joined the effort out of their own sense of commitment. It has been my honor and privilege to facilitate our meetings.
Ann Johnson, being an Iowa natural resource in her own right, created our website and webpages. AJ has provided services we badly needed, and she is the only person who has received any payment. Everyone else is as a volunteer, including most of AJ’s efforts. I recommend the services AJ for anything having to do with information technology.
If you have questions regarding Bird Friendly Iowa, you can find answers on our website, or by talking to Steering Committee members.
Of course we would like very much to hire a program Director/Coordinator as soon as possible. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to advance our initiative, please send a check to: Trees Forever, 770 Seventh Avenue, Marion, IA 52302. And be sure to write-in that the donation is for Bird Friendly Iowa. Trees Forever is an incorporated 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization.
In the meantime, the Steering Committee looks forward to working with Iowa’s communities of varying sizes, as well as receiving applications in September and long after.
Date: 7/18/17 6:27 am From: Osness <ravenbuddhanow...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Story County - Yellow-crowned Night-Heron.
Saw Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Ada Hayden, pond J, this morning. Also present was a Solitary Sandpiper. Link to map of ponds at Ada Hayden: https://www.iowabirds.org/Places/Documents/AHHP.pdf Nick Osness Ames, IA
On Sunday, July 16, 2017 at 1:31:15 PM UTC-5, dnharr wrote: > > Just found & photographed the YC Night Heron at Ada Hayden. Also--on way > back to my car, a Eurasian Tree Sparrow was on the sidewalk by the Y in the > trail. Tried to get a picture but it flew off into the brush. Tried playing > a call bit it did not show up again. --Doug Harr. > > On Jul 16, 2017 12:13 PM, "Eric Ollie" <upha......> <javascript:>> > wrote: > > Birders, > > Wolf Oesterreich has found an immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Ada > Hayden Heritage Park in Ames. It is currently in easy viewing range with > binoculars. It is in Pool J, which is right near the south west parking > area off Harrison Road. It is the wet area on the west side of the path > that is on the west side of the South lake. > > Eric Ollie > Ames > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "IA-BIRD" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to ia-bird+<u......> <javascript:>. > To post to this group, send email to <ia-......> <javascript:> > . > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/ia-bird. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CABD_q6x5sGXaFVF8_uK8su%2B71iwTq-FwBY%3D_qGjTMW6WmcO%<3DQw...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CABD_q6x5sGXaFVF8_uK8su%2B71iwTq-FwBY%3D_qGjTMW6WmcO%<3DQw...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > >
Date: 7/17/17 5:08 pm From: Seth Dudley <sethdudley84...> Subject: [ia-bird] Birding Jackson County
I was planning on heading over to Jackson County to check out the Green Island area. I have only ever driven past, so if anyone could point me in the right direction as to where the best areas are to check out it would be greatly appreciated. I was also thinking about hitting up Clinton County if anyone has ideas for that area as well. Any help would be useful. Thank you.
Date: 7/17/17 2:49 pm From: Danny Akers <birdmandan1231...> Subject: [ia-bird] Eurasian Tree Sparrow - Ames
Hi All,
I just had a EURASIAN TREE SPARROW show up at my feeders in Ames, Story Co. at about 430 PM. I haven't seen it since that first encounter but the feeder activity has been pretty quiet anyway. Will keep everyone posted. The expansion continues.
Date: 7/17/17 8:50 am From: Rita Goranson <ritag...> Subject: [ia-bird] interesting birds in Iowa
Two weeks ago a Virginia Rail and two small totally black chicks were seen at Zirbel Slough. Last week a Virginia Rail and three chicks, two totally black and one getting feathers of an adult were seen in Floyd county.
Last year at the Fossil Park near Rockford, Iowa there were many Grasshopper and Henslow Sparrows in the prairie at this time. This year only a couple of Henslow's were heard.
The last two years there were six areas up here with Blue Grosbeaks. Four in Cerro Gordo county and one in Floyd and one in Worth county. This year Blue Grosbeaks have been found in all but one area of Cerro Gordo county, and the Blue Grosbeak is probably there as the area is very large, and mostly inaccessible to the public.
While attending the International Juggling Association convention in Cedar Rapids (no I don't juggle), we went to Strawn Road, Pleasant Creek area and heard and saw two White-eyed Vireos at the traditional site, which is near the DNR parking area.
Date: 7/16/17 12:19 pm From: Linda Rudolph <lgrudolph...> Subject: [ia-bird] Blue Grosbeak- Johnson County
I saw the male Blue Grosbeak while I was checking the Bluebird nest boxes at Waterworks Prairie Park this morning. He was chipping quite loudly in the willows on the West side of the largest pond, fairly close to the South end. Linda Rudolph Coralville Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10
Date: 7/16/17 11:31 am From: Douglas Harr <dnharr...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Story County - Yellow-crowned Night-Heron.
Just found & photographed the YC Night Heron at Ada Hayden. Also--on way back to my car, a Eurasian Tree Sparrow was on the sidewalk by the Y in the trail. Tried to get a picture but it flew off into the brush. Tried playing a call bit it did not show up again. --Doug Harr.
On Jul 16, 2017 12:13 PM, "Eric Ollie" <uphawkeye...> wrote:
Birders,
Wolf Oesterreich has found an immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames. It is currently in easy viewing range with binoculars. It is in Pool J, which is right near the south west parking area off Harrison Road. It is the wet area on the west side of the path that is on the west side of the South lake.
Date: 7/16/17 10:13 am From: Eric Ollie <uphawkeye...> Subject: [ia-bird] Story County - Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Birders,
Wolf Oesterreich has found an immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames. It is currently in easy viewing range with binoculars. It is in Pool J, which is right near the south west parking area off Harrison Road. It is the wet area on the west side of the path that is on the west side of the South lake.
Date: 7/16/17 9:21 am From: JANE KAUZLARICH <indigo3239...> Subject: [ia-bird] Hummingbird skirmish
Yesterday I watched a hummingbird attack a female oriole who was sitting near her nest. The hummer was actually poking her breast with his pointy beak. She made a few feeble defensive moves. Finally the male oriole arrived and escorted her to safety. Is this common behavior for hummers?
Date: 7/16/17 8:14 am From: Sharon Bauer <sharon.bauer519...> Subject: [ia-bird] Yellow-throated Warbler- Polk County, Saylorville- Cottonwood Rec Area
Stuart Sparkman was indeed correct- with his excellent directions I was able to locate his Yellow-throated Warbler- almost to the tree- at Cottonwood Recreation Area yesterday morning. I was not able to see this tiny, little bird, but looked for him :) and listened to him for over 1/2 an hour, before calling it a day. Also present, Northern Parula and many other wonderful birds.
3 adult caspian terns were at the north shore of Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson county this afternoon. This is the area known as "the grade." Good Birdin', Ed Thelen Spirit Lake
Date: 7/15/17 7:35 pm From: Pip Fisher <pip...> Subject: [ia-bird] Wood stork continues in Greene County
Hey Folks-
The wood stork was in his typical location at Dunbar Slough this afternoon at 2:30. Didn't get to see him eat a bullhead (that was my hope) but he did walk a bit and did some preening in the 10 minutes we watched him. Even Lincoln and Carol (reluctant borders at best) were excited to see this special visitor.
Date: 7/15/17 6:58 pm From: David Griffin <birdingnm...> Subject: [ia-bird] Cone Marsh, Louisa County - Habitat update
Hello All
I spent a couple of hours at Cone Marsh yesterday afternoon. It was pretty
quiet overall but I wanted to note that there is some decent shorebird
habitat just north of the central dike (and apparently decent tick habitat
too!).
The northern areas are fairly dry with limited open water or mud flats and
I did not observe anything of note over the marsh from the boat launch
(though the oak woodlands and entrance road were lively with passerines).
Shorebirds observed from the dike included Killdeer, Least Sandpiper,
Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, and Lesser Yellowlegs.
Walcott Iowa east side of Y40 near Walcott Junior High. Near small wetland area North of fertilizer depot. Snow Goose hanging out with half dozen Canada Geese. 7:15 PM
Date: 7/14/17 4:28 pm From: Douglas Harr <dnharr...> Subject: [ia-bird] Senior citizen federal lands pass to increase inprice
Karen Disbrow suggested I should supply "senior birders" with the news that senior lifetime passes to national parks & monuments, wildlife refuges, Corps of Engineers lands, etc. will be soaring from a cost of $10 to $80 on August 28. For complete information, check out this website:
Nina and I have had our senior lifetime passes since 2009, at a cost of only $20 for the two of us. If we were to buy them after this August 28th, those would cost us $160. If you are a senior citizen without a lifetime pass but plan to visit national parks, refuges, etc., it is advised that you go to a federal office (or an online site noted via the above website) and purchase lifetime passes *before Aug. 28.*
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, July 8, through Friday, July 14, 2017:
-RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL:
**WOOD STORK**
-Additional Species Mentioned
American Avocet
Blue Grosbeak (Central and East)
***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. ************************
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.
*EAST*:
LINN COUNTY:
2 families of COMMON GALLINULES are being seen at the Center Point marsh on the 12th.
A BLUE GROSBEAK was seen at Chain O Lakes on the 12th.
JOHNSON COUNTY:
2 AMERICAN AVOCETS were seen from the DNR parking lot at Hawkeye WA on the 13th.
A BLUEGROSBEAK was seen at Sand Point on the 13th.
*SOUTHEAST*:
DES MOINES COUNTY:
10 AMERICAN AVOCETS were seen on a sand bar on the Mississippi River across from Dallas City, Illinois on the 13th.
*CENTRAL:*
*GREENE COUNTY:*
*A WOOD STORK continues to be seen at Dunbar Slough along 250th St on the 9th. It was last seen on the 14th.*
*A BLUE GROSBEAK continues at Lincoln Access at Saylorville on the 9th.*
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, July 21, 2017 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
The Wood Stork continues, and was observed at it's primary foraging location (the ditch with the rock). I would like to say that the bird is exceptionally close to the road, making all attempts to walk around the foraging site (or any site near the bird), or exiting one's car to get closer, or even linger for a long duration of time at the site *profoundly unnecessary*. Unfortunately such actions were observed this morning, which is why I am bringing it up, once again (doubt that it was IOU members but I just want to reiterate previous calls for extreme restraint to any non-members who use this board). I was able to achieve very decent pictures with a simple 'Super Zoom' camera in an interval of under 5 minutes and from the driver's side seat of my car, shooting through my passenger side window. I cannot fathom how the need for 'incrementally better pictures' could possibly overrule concern for the health and safety of this federally threatened species while we are hosting it in our state.
The wood stork is still present as of 1 this afternoon. It is sitting in a pool 5 feet off the north side of 250th st just east of the main parking lot for the marsh.
Happy Connecting. Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S® 5 Sport
If you visit a cemetery regularly, you can tell the various territorial Chipping Sparrows by their songs. Some are higher or lower in pitch, faster or slower in delivery, harder or softer in tone, but they all sound like CHSP, so you can monitor them individually throughout the season if you like. This year, I've got one that's entertaining because he's different from any I've ever heard. Instead of delivering his song in a single trill, he learned as a youngster to deliver his in a series of bursts, like a Clay-colored Sparrow. I've heard as few as 2 trills in a song, and as many as 8, but he usually went 5 or 6 most of the season. I haven't taken the time to determine what kind of mate-pairing luck he had, but I'm wondering how the funky song affected his mojo.
There were 10 Avocets on a sand bar in the Mississippi River across from Dallas City Illinois which would be Des Moines County, Iowa. They were all still in breeding plumage. Chuck Fuller Burlington
Date: 7/13/17 1:00 pm From: Jim Forde <jimforde...> Subject: [ia-bird] Avocets Top Hawkeye Wildlife Area Birds
This morning I took inventory of Hawkeye's shorebirds, finding 10 species plus a couple passerines of note.
2 American Avocets (scoped distant S.W. from the DNR parking lot). 1 American Golden-Plover (Sand Point's east shoreline) 1 Stilt Sandpiper (Greencastle Ave.) 2 Black-billed Cuckoos (heard along and at the end of James Ave.). 1 1st Summer Blue Grosbeak (in willows along Sand Point's access road).
Date: 7/13/17 7:49 am From: Eric Ollie <uphawkeye...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: BBAS South Texas Birding Adventure (not a sighting)
UPDATE: We are down to only two definte openings for our Texas trip, with the potential of up to four spots, so if you are interested in birding Texas with us time is running out! Act fast!
Eric Ollie Ames
On Jul 11, 2017 3:44 PM, "Eric Ollie" <uphawkeye...> wrote:
> Greetings! > > If you are interested in joining Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames) on > our November trip to the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the Texas Gulf Coast, > there is exactly one month remaining until the registration deadline > (August 11th). There is definitely still room left for you to join our > merry band of birders, but space is filling up quickly! We may very well > meet our maximum number of participants well before the registration > deadline arrives, so act fast! > > For more information, or to grab your spot, send an email to Eric Ollie at > <uphawkeye...> > > Thanks and Good Birding! > > Eric Ollie - BBAS President and Field Trip Chair > Ames, IA >
Date: 7/13/17 7:08 am From: Matt Wetrich <go_tweeting...> Subject: [ia-bird] Thank you - Wood Stork
Birders,
Thank you to those of you who have responded to me letting me know you've been to see the Wood Stork! If you haven't yet, or are still coming, I'm still collecting data and would love to hear from you. (A simple reply of how many of you in your party, where you came from, and if you made more than one trip.) This morning it was perched up on an antenna atop an old windmill at the house up the hill to the east near the T-intersection. (Pics attached) Today marks two weeks that we've known about its presence at Dunbar. Thanks!
Date: 7/12/17 8:04 pm From: JANE KAUZLARICH <indigo3239...> Subject: [ia-bird] Linda Scarth
I was fortunate to meet Linda and Bob at several bird outings at the Iowa Great Lakes. It is a sad loss for her family and for all of us. Sent from my iPad
I was very sorry to hear this news. I did not know Linda, but I recognized
her from a segment on Iowa Outdoors on IPTV. I have attached a link to the
episode for anyone that would like to see it. Her segment starts at
18:25. This segment is a wonderful tribute to her and her husband's
beautiful work. They also have an inspiring message to share.
On Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 9:14:31 AM UTC-5, Ann Johnson wrote:
> I don’t believe anyone has posted this to the birding community yet, but
> for those who haven’t heard we lost a long-time member of the IOU last
> week. Linda and her husband Bob have been active participants in writing
> and photographing a lot of our natural world.
>
>
> http://www.thegazette.com/obituaries/lindaloos-scarth-20170712-0000068451-01 >
>
>
> Ann Johnson
>
> Norwalk, IA
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 7/12/17 2:41 pm From: Richard Hollis <xiboia...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Linda Scarth
This January through May, Bob and Linda will be having an exhibit at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401. I am not sure of the exact date of the beginning. This will have many of their images. Linda was able to complete printing them before she died. I invite anyone in the area to attend.
Rick Hollis
3524 Cumberland Ridge Rd NE
52317
665-3141
<xiboia...>
Friends of Johnson County Conservation
<Friends.jccb...>
Date: 7/12/17 1:33 pm From: Ann Johnson <aj...> Subject: [ia-bird] RE: Linda Scarth
An addendum to the on-line obituary:
"Donations in her honor may be made to the groups that she was most active in: the Iowa Native Plant Society, Cedar Rapids Audubon Society, Iowa City Bird Club, Althea R. Sherman Chimney Swifts' Tower Project, and Prairie States Mushroom Club."
From: Ann Johnson [mailto:<aj...>] Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 9:14 AM To: <ia-bird...> Subject: Linda Scarth
I don't believe anyone has posted this to the birding community yet, but for those who haven't heard we lost a long-time member of the IOU last week. Linda and her husband Bob have been active participants in writing and photographing a lot of our natural world.
Date: 7/12/17 10:07 am From: Jim Forde <jimforde...> Subject: [ia-bird] Linn County Least Bittern, Blue Grosbeak etc.
Center Point's marsh is heating up and this morning I added a LEAST BITTERN to the list of its birds. I caught sight of it when it flew towards the road and again with a return flight when I approached the spot. The small mass of cattails next to the road and the expanse of cattails on the opposite shore seemed to be its area at the marsh.
Also at that north end were COMMON GALLINULES and to date my high count is 4 adults and 16 young. The Gallinules seem to be divide to two groups at opposite ends of the marsh.
Additionally, a lone SANDHILL CRANE was present this morning but in June I've seen a pair with one young, which hopefully survives. Other nesters were two families of Pied-billed Grebes of 4 each. The marsh is private land but the road and hill gives one good viewing.
SANDHILL CRANES (a pair) were also present at Chain-O-Lakes as was a brown 1st summer BLUE GROSBEAK, singing and tree hopping. The Grosbeak was along the north side of the gated road (straight west) which begins at Wickiup's entrance and Chain-O-Lakes parking. The first trees on the north side, half way down the road, was the location.
Also, I stopped at Pleasant Creek SRA and a Common Loon was near the dam. The lake is getting higher with every visit.
Date: 7/12/17 8:30 am From: R Bodeke <roosterfaye...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Linda Scarth
Oh my goodness, thank you for sharing. Iowa has truly lost one of its great voices for conservation with her passing. My deepest condolences to her husband and family.
Ruby Bodeker
Benton Co.
> On Jul 12, 2017, at 9:14 AM, Ann Johnson <aj...> wrote:
>
> I don’t believe anyone has posted this to the birding community yet, but for those who haven’t heard we lost a long-time member of the IOU last week. Linda and her husband Bob have been active participants in writing and photographing a lot of our natural world.
> http://www.thegazette.com/obituaries/lindaloos-scarth-20170712-0000068451-01 >
> Ann Johnson
> Norwalk, IA
>
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <ia-bird...>
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> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/001701d2fb19%241e882a00%245b987e00%<24...> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Date: 7/12/17 7:14 am From: Ann Johnson <aj...> Subject: [ia-bird] Linda Scarth
I don't believe anyone has posted this to the birding community yet, but for those who haven't heard we lost a long-time member of the IOU last week. Linda and her husband Bob have been active participants in writing and photographing a lot of our natural world.
This evening a pair of Northern Mockingbirds were seen in a pastured woodlot 0.3 miles east of Hwy 21 on 520th Ave. They watched me as much as I watched them, and scolded me once. I believe they may have a nest in a young osage orange just beyond the cattle fence into which they would periodically disappear. Gray Catbird and Brown Thrasher were also present.
I just had what I believe was a Rufous Hummingbird. I was walking past a tree that stands at the edge of my wildflower prairie when a hummingbird flew giving the metallic chips of a Rufous Hummingbird. I have been checking multiple sources trying to rule out Ruby-throated Hummingbird and didn't find any similar but found a similar chip sound on every one for Rufous Hummingbird. I had taken down all of my hummingbird feeders so I put 3 back out and will let you know if I see it again.
Date: 7/11/17 1:44 pm From: Eric Ollie <uphawkeye...> Subject: [ia-bird] BBAS South Texas Birding Adventure (not a sighting)
Greetings!
If you are interested in joining Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames) on our November trip to the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the Texas Gulf Coast, there is exactly one month remaining until the registration deadline (August 11th). There is definitely still room left for you to join our merry band of birders, but space is filling up quickly! We may very well meet our maximum number of participants well before the registration deadline arrives, so act fast!
For more information, or to grab your spot, send an email to Eric Ollie at <uphawkeye...>
Thanks and Good Birding!
Eric Ollie - BBAS President and Field Trip Chair Ames, IA
Date: 7/11/17 6:51 am From: Stuart Sparkman <jacamar29...> Subject: [ia-bird] Pileated at Saylorville
Hey I-Birders,
I was walking at Cottonwood Recreation Area (Polk Co, just below Saylorville dam) this morning and had two PILEATED WOODPECKERS. I had heard them two or three times in the last month in the same area (southern half of Cottonwood) as I saw them several times last summer. Today I had a visual- I saw one of them fly across the river. I hope they are successfully raising a new brood. An OSPREY over the river was noteworthy as well.
I also spent about 10 minutes watching a RACCOON foraging along the far side of the pond. He would submerge his body with only his head and his bouyant tail visible, then hunt by feeling along the bottom of the pond with his little paws. It was too far away to see what he was finding- I presume some frogs or invertebrates- but he was definitely munching on something. There were scores of small frogs on the trail, seemingly delighted by the early morning storm.
Date: 7/10/17 6:43 pm From: Dan Dorrance <d2dorrance...> Subject: [ia-bird] Wood Stork still present Greene county
Wood Stork there at waterhole along 250th St. east of parking lot for Dunbar slough on north side of road. The youngster lifted its right leg and then set it back down. 530 pm
It's taken me quite some time to get these photos out, but I guess now is better than never! Photos of the Wood Stork, Brown Pelican, Prairie Warbler, etc. Enjoy! It's amazing what lengths many of us go through to get these things!
Birding friends, in the interest of promoting and preserving bird habitat, would you be so kind as to comment here if you traveled to see the Wood Stork at Dunbar Slough in Greene County? (Or if you're planning a trip) I'm hoping to provide some statistics to folks at the county and municipal levels in the county regarding visitors in our area.
If you would simply reply (to just me, not the entire list) with where you came from and how many were in your party (and if you made more than one trip), I would be so very grateful! Thank you in advance.
As Eric and others have noted, the road from the boat ramp area that ran downstream allowing scoping of the mudflats has been closed. This is intended to be a permanent closure. Back when the temporary barricade was still up and people were accessing the parking lot at the end by the shoreline two track, I had a long conversation with Park Ranger David Weidt. He informed me that he intended to permanently close the road and I explained how birders use that area and told him I objected to it being closed. His response was that they had the bird blind for us to use. I then asked who the decision maker was, if the decision was already a done deal, and if there would be an opportunity for public input. I provided my email address and he said he would provide me an answer to those questions. He did get back to me, stating that the decision was already final and that he and his supervisors had determined that birders would still have sufficient access. As far as I know, there was no notice to anyone that the road was going to be closed or opportunity for park users to comment before the decision was already made.
As Eric described, large boulders have now been placed to block both the road and the shoreline two track. I'm disappointed that birders continue to have access reduced to certain areas around the lake at a time when costly new infrastructure is being built to accommodate other users (i.e. a new nature center, a new horse trail [right through a now former Long-eared Owl roost]). David suggested I provide his contact info to anyone who might have questions or concerns. His email is <david.weidt...>
I have provided David with my thoughts on the closure and if any of you would like to express yours, I encourage you to do so.
Date: 7/9/17 1:37 pm From: Brandon Caswell <brandon.caswell83...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Polk County - Jester Park
There are plenty of "drive up" windows at Saylorville! Heaven forbid anyone
would actually have to carry a scope more than 10 yards to see a shorebird!
Cough...two mile round trip hike to Sand Point in Johnson County! 😂😂😂😂😂
Brandon Caswell
Marion
On Sun, Jul 9, 2017 at 2:37 PM Eric Ollie <uphawkeye...> wrote:
> Birders,
>
> At Jester Park (North of Des Moines on Saylorville Reservoir) there are a
> good number of shorebirds on the mud flats. Because of distance and heat
> shimmer, I could only specify Least and Pectoral Sandpipers, but there
> certainly could be others present. There are also a few gulls (too far
> away), a Caspian Tern and a Forster's/Common Tern.
>
> Having not been to Jester in a while, I was surprised to see that it is no
> longer possible to drive south of the boat ramp area. The powers that be
> have placed large rocks across the the roads which makes this change seem
> like it might be permanent. There is a gap with a barricade that gives hope
> that they may possibly open it up, but It looks like it will require a bit
> of a walk with your scope on your shoulder to survey the south end of the
> Jester mud flats, at least for the time being.
>
> Had it not been 90° and had I not already hiked quite a few miles today I
> would've made the trek to get a better look at the shorebirds on the south
> end, but I figured that it is early in the shorebirding season and I can
> leave that for a cooler time.
>
> Earlier (~1:45 PM) I did relocate the Lincoln Access Blue Grosbeak.
>
> Eric Ollie
> Ames
>
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Date: 7/9/17 12:37 pm From: Eric Ollie <uphawkeye...> Subject: [ia-bird] Polk County - Jester Park
Birders,
At Jester Park (North of Des Moines on Saylorville Reservoir) there are a
good number of shorebirds on the mud flats. Because of distance and heat
shimmer, I could only specify Least and Pectoral Sandpipers, but there
certainly could be others present. There are also a few gulls (too far
away), a Caspian Tern and a Forster's/Common Tern.
Having not been to Jester in a while, I was surprised to see that it is no
longer possible to drive south of the boat ramp area. The powers that be
have placed large rocks across the the roads which makes this change seem
like it might be permanent. There is a gap with a barricade that gives hope
that they may possibly open it up, but It looks like it will require a bit
of a walk with your scope on your shoulder to survey the south end of the
Jester mud flats, at least for the time being.
Had it not been 90° and had I not already hiked quite a few miles today I
would've made the trek to get a better look at the shorebirds on the south
end, but I figured that it is early in the shorebirding season and I can
leave that for a cooler time.
Earlier (~1:45 PM) I did relocate the Lincoln Access Blue Grosbeak.
At sunset tonight the Dunbar Wood Stork was actively feeding in its favorite spot in the small pool by the rock along the roadside of 250th St. in western Greene Co.
Date: 7/8/17 7:48 pm From: Douglas Harr <dnharr...> Subject: [ia-bird] Greene & Guthrie counties--abundant birds
Today I drove a loop from Ogden to Dunbar Slough in Green County, then to the Whiterock Conservancy & Bays Branch WMA in Guthrie County, and returned. Although I could not relocate the Wood Stork this morning I did manage to tally 65 species for the loop--not bad for a mid-summer day in central Iowa's open & farmed landscape. Some of the best things observed or heard were the following 8 different sparrow species:
*Eastern Towhee* *Chipping Sparrow* *Vesper Sparrow* *Lark Sparrow* *Savanna Sparrow* *Grasshopper Sparrow* (posing for photos on a fence post) *Song Sparrow* *Swamp Sparrow*
There were also at least 8 *Great-tailed Grackles* at Dunbar Slough, including one sitting on a roadside utility line and posing for a close-up photo.
All-in-all, it was a very good birding day, with nearly perfect weather.
Birders
The US Fish & Wildlife Service has just released the newest Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp). For a mere $25.00,this is one of the easiest ways to help provide quality habitat for North America's birds.
The stamps are available at your neighborhood US Post Office or through the American Birding Association (aba.org).
Our birds are imperiled. Please help them.
Thank you.
Bill Scheible Cedar Rapids
Ely Chat seen again at 7pm today
Thanks Randall
Don Robinson, Scott
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------From: Randall Scheiner <randall.scheiner...> Date: 7/6/17 11:25 PM (GMT-06:00) To: Iowa Birds <ia-bird...> Subject: [ia-bird] Yellow-breasted Chat, Johnson Co.
Birders,
This evening, as I was collecting a plant specimen to send to the Ada Hayden Herbarium, I heard the familiar sounds of a sassy little bird nearby. A few minutes later I spotted a yellow-breasted chat scolding me atop some bushes.
To find him drive south of Ely on W6E and turn left at 120th St. NE. Within a few feet after the turn, you'll see an old railroad berm. (On google maps it shows up as the Hoover Nature Trail, but it hasn't been developed yet.) The bird was vocalizing in the shrubby habitat along the berm 0.3 miles southeast.
Good Birding,Randall ScheinerEly, IA
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Date: 7/7/17 2:24 pm From: Osness <ravenbuddhanow...> Subject: [ia-bird] Neal Smith yesterday, July
On an early morning field trip to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge I found 8 Henslow's Sparrows, just two Bobolinks, 1 Bell's Vireo, 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, more than 15 Dickcissels (very abundant), a Horned Lark feeding a Cowbird, and heard one Bobwhite. These were primarily along the Tallgrass Prairie Trail (some of the Henslow's were heard driving along refuge roads). I did NOT find Yellow-breasted Chat, Harrier, Sedge Wren(surprising), nor any Upland Sandpipers. The refuge is a beautiful place. Amazing to think there used to be millions of acres like this. Nick Osness Ames
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, July 1, through Friday, July 7, 2017:
-RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL:
**WOOD STORK**
-Additional Species Mentioned
Western Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Common Gallinule
Chuck-Wills-Widow
Blue Grosbeak (Central)
***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. ************************
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.
*SOUTH CENTRAL*:
LUCAS COUNTY:
CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOWS were observed in the Lucas Unit of Stephens SF on the 4th .
*CENTRAL:*
*GREENE COUNTY:*
*A WOOD STORK continues to be seen at Dunbar Slough along County Highway E-53 as recently as the 1st. This bird was last seen on the 7th .*
*POLK COUNTY:*
*A BLUE GROSBEAK continues to be seen at Lincoln Access at Saylorville on the 1st.*
*NORTHWEST:*
*CLAY COUNTY:*
*Highlights from Trumbull Lake on the 1st included both WESTERN and RED-NECKED GREBES with young, and a COMMON GALLINULE.*
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, July 14, 2017 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
Date: 7/7/17 11:24 am From: Ross Silcock <silcock...> Subject: RE: [ia-bird] Wood Stork
Maybe at the top of a spruce??
Ross
Ross Silcock
Tabor, IA
From: <ia-bird...> [mailto:<ia-bird...>] On Behalf Of Paul Roisen
Sent: Friday, July 7, 2017 1:06 PM
To: T J <stsparrow47...>
Cc: IOU Listserve <ia-bird...>; Tom Johnson <tjbjjohn...>
Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Wood Stork
Wood Storm or Wood Shirk or Wood Stork all would be interesting in there own way. Maybe all three will appear at the same time?
This evening, as I was collecting a plant specimen to send to the Ada Hayden Herbarium, I heard the familiar sounds of a sassy little bird nearby. A few minutes later I spotted a yellow-breasted chat scolding me atop some bushes.
To find him drive south of Ely on W6E and turn left at 120th St. NE. Within a few feet after the turn, you'll see an old railroad berm. (On google maps it shows up as the Hoover Nature Trail, but it hasn't been developed yet.) The bird was vocalizing in the shrubby habitat along the berm 0.3 miles southeast.
As Aaron posted (thanks Aaron), I located the Wood Stork around 10.30 am today at roost in a spruce at a farmstead southwest of the junction of 250th and C just east of Dunbar Slough in Greene County. The stork stuck out like a sore thumb. If one drives south on Road C one can get a little closer, but seeing the bird was no problem with a scope.
On my way back to Tabor I checked the lake at Littlefield County Park, Audubon County, and re-found the Mute Swans previously reported by Danny Akers. They were easily visible looking east from Quail Ave. There were two adults foraging in the water with 3 small cygnets, possible 2-3 weeks old. The very large nest was visible also, jutting out a bit from the south shore.
Date: 7/5/17 12:58 pm From: Tyler Grant <tgrant77...> Subject: [ia-bird] Stephens State Forest
For July 4th I decided to make the pilgrimage to Stephens State Forest to get my Chuck-wills-widow lifer and I had a small list of birds I haven't seen this year.
On the way down from Ames, I stopped first at Banner Flats WMA in Warren County. I'd never been there but there were a lot of reports of Least Bitterns there in eBird, and I can see why. There are lots of road ditches with water and thick vegetation. I would think if you drove out there on a quiet morning you would flush quite a few marsh birds. But it was relatively busy on July 4th, with some people tubing the river. I flushed a Green Heron, but no Least Bitterns. I did, however, find a Bell's Vireo (first one I've found myself) and Willow Flycatcher family about mid-way along Dubuque place Road.
A thunderstorm encourage me to get moving, so I made it down to 505 Ave near the 1,000 acre unit of Stephens State Forest, where the Prairie Warbler was previously seen, in Monroe County. I quickly picked up Carolina Wren, which I didn't have for this year. I was looking for Blue-winged Warblers and White-eyed Vireos when it started to rain again. I knew that clayey soil on 505 would get slippery fast, so I decided to get out. Sure enough it was very slippery after a few minutes, but I got out without any serious trouble and decided to move on to the Lucas Unit.
I'd never been to the Lucas Unit of Stephens State Forest, in Lucas County, so I explored it for awhile and looked at the Chuck-will's-widow road in the daytime so I knew what was what. I was hoping for Louisiania Waterthrush. The stream below Mine Pond was dry, so for some reason my initial thought was there would be no Waterthrushes, so I didn't try any audio. Later I thought they might still be there, and I should have tried some audio. I walked around the woods for awhile, and found most of the usual deep forest and canopy birds. Walking back to my car, I was startled when a Red-shouldered hawk started scolding me from a few feet away. I couldn't see it in the canopy, but got a recording of its last drawn out call. Blue Jays and titmice came over to harass it.
At sunset I was at the Chuck-wills-widow site. As it got dark, I heard nothing and worried if it was too late in the season, but soon I heard one calling softly. I still needed whip-poor-will so drove back all through the Lucas Unit listening for whip-poor-wills. For some reason I thought they were a deep forest bird. So I checked iBird Pro which said they were birds of open woodland, so I drove back to the chuck-will's-widow site, and sure enough there were about 3 chuck-will's-widows singing vigorously and at least 1 whip-poor-will.
So I got a lifer and 4 new birds for the year, but I'm still missing Blue-winged Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, and Louisiana Waterthrush. I also didn't come across any Vesper Sparrows, which is probably the most common bird I'm missing. If anyone knows any good spots for Vesper Sparrows, let me know.
Ross Silcock reports that the Wood Stork is still present today. It is perched in a spruce to the east of the usual spot, near the junction of the county highway and "C". -- Aaron Brees Polk City, Iowa www.flickr.com/photos/abrees
Karen and I walked a loop around Cottonwood Recreation Area this morning (below Saylorville Dam, Polk County) with our new birding buddy Harney. The expected birds were encountered, but noteworthy was a very cooperative YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO who perched in the open for a nice look. We noticed that it had a tidbit in its bill which turned out to be a tiny frog. He/she made as if to gulp it down a few times, but ultimately dove deeper into the woods still carrying its snack.
On another note related to Cottonwood, one of the picnic areas there is a reliable site for YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (decidedly uncommon in this area, but with great site fidelity) and he was singing away there today. I walk here often and, with a little patience, he can be reliably heard and seen by a determined birder. If anyone has a particular interest in visiting this guy, contact me individually and I can give you directions (down to a specific tree) for finding him. NORTHERN PARULAS are also heard often in this area, though seeing them is rather more difficult than with the Yellow-throated.
Echoing your report, I conducted by Breeding Bird Survey yesterday in northern Story and Boone Counties with similar habitat. I had eight Upland Sandpipers, six at one location and two at another. An improvement over the twenty years I have done this route.
Hank Zaletel
Nevada
From: Tyler M. Harms
Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2017 8:00 PM
To: IA-BIRD
Subject: [ia-bird] North-central Iowa birds
Hi Birders,
I apologize for the delayed post. Yesterday, I conducted my Breeding Bird Survey route which starts near Kanawha in Hancock county and traverses both Hancock and Kossuth counties. Although mostly agricultural habitat, I tend to observe a nice variety of breeding birds. Most surprising yesterday was the number of Upland Sandpipers. Typically, I observe a single Upland Sandpiper on less than 6 of the 50 points along the route. Yesterday, I observed them on 12 points with nearly half of those points having more than one bird. I'm hopeful this is indicative of an increasing trend in this species statewide. I guess I'll see what next year brings!
Afterwards, I put my canoe on Eagle Lake in Hancock county for some exploring. Exciting birds at this location included 2 Black-crowned Night-Herons along with 2 Forster's Terns and 5 Black Terns. Also present in a dry area of the lake with exposed mud was 5 species of shorebirds.
I apologize for the delayed post. Yesterday, I conducted my Breeding Bird Survey route which starts near Kanawha in Hancock county and traverses both Hancock and Kossuth counties. Although mostly agricultural habitat, I tend to observe a nice variety of breeding birds. Most surprising yesterday was the number of Upland Sandpipers. Typically, I observe a single Upland Sandpiper on less than 6 of the 50 points along the route. Yesterday, I observed them on 12 points with nearly half of those points having more than one bird. I'm hopeful this is indicative of an increasing trend in this species statewide. I guess I'll see what next year brings!
Afterwards, I put my canoe on Eagle Lake in Hancock county for some exploring. Exciting birds at this location included 2 Black-crowned Night-Herons along with 2 Forster's Terns and 5 Black Terns. Also present in a dry area of the lake with exposed mud was 5 species of shorebirds.
During a paddling trip with kayaks deep into the backwaters of the Green Island Wetlands we found many of the usual summer residents, but a Prothonotary Warbler and a family of Great Crested Flycatchers were the highlights of the tour. If you like to read more about it and see some photos please feel free to click the links to my blog about nature and photography below.
Also interested in seeing the stork. Has anyone seen it since the morning of the 3rd? -Dean Hester
On Monday, July 3, 2017 at 5:13:18 PM UTC-5, cfuller989 wrote: > > What is the status of the Wood Stork at Dunbar Slough? I saw the one at > Jester Park some years ago but I would like to see it again. I know how to > get to Dunbar Slough, but exactly where? > Chuck Fuller > Burlington >
What is the status of the Wood Stork at Dunbar Slough? I saw the one at Jester Park some years ago but I would like to see it again. I know how to get to Dunbar Slough, but exactly where? Chuck Fuller Burlington
Date: 7/3/17 11:39 am From: Dick Stilwell <dickstilwell...> Subject: [ia-bird] woodstork
Looking at Doug Harrs’ woodstork photos I would say that this is a first year bird. Note all the head feathers and very light beak and legs. In Florida they nest in mid winter and fledge early spring (Florida spring). There are small nesting colonies further north so hard to tell where this one came from. Attached is a photo of a second or third year woodstork, still has some head feathers but note the beak and leg colors as well as feet.
Dick Stilwell
W Des Moines
Date: 7/3/17 6:51 am From: d5169 via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> Subject: [ia-bird] Blue gray gnatcatchers
Pleasure watching Blue Gray gnatcatcher family feeding! While Kit and I are drinking coffee and eating oatmeal on the deck! 23 species over coffee and oatmeal! Iowa garden nice! Dick Sayles Buffalo Iowa
Date: 7/2/17 9:36 am From: Obrecht, Joshua D [DSN] <jobrecht...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Greene County Wood Stork Update
Currently being seen feeding on a catfish. 11:30
Josh Obrecht
Ames
Sent from my Verizon LG Smartphone
------ Original message------
From: Kevin Murphy
Date: Sat, Jul 1, 2017 9:15 PM
To: <ia-bird...>;
Cc:
Subject:[ia-bird] Greene County Wood Stork Update
I went to see the Greene County Wood Stork at 4 PM today and am grateful for the all the updates that people have posted to facilitate LOTS of birders getting to see a pretty exciting vagrant for the state
With that said, when I arrived in addition to the Wood Stork there was also a group of observers already present that were standing together outside of their vehicles with cameras/tripods set up and the bird 20-30 feet away. It’s prudent to remind anyone that may go to see the stork during the rest of its stay here that in the initial report of this bird Doug Harr requested that observers stay in their vehicle to minimize disturbance. From my point of view there are two important considerations on why this is important:
1) The bird is EXTREMELY close to the road and even though storks are generally tolerant a disturbance that sends it off into the depths of Dunbar is very poor form for others that may come after you to look for the bird.
2) Wood Storks are listed as a threatened species federally and any disturbance that disrupts this birds foraging/resting could potentially imperil its ability to return to its breeding range. Does one person standing outside a vehicle disrupting 10 minutes of foraging tip the scales? Probably not. What about 10 separate visits by different parties that sum up to a couple hours of disrupted foraging/resting?
Standing out of a vehicle is both ill-advised and unnecessary to get incredible views of this bird. To ensure that sightings of rare birds are able to be shared with the birding community in the future we need to be self-policing about following good birding ethics at all times and even more so with high-profile rarities. If this isn’t possible then sightings of rare birds won’t be (and shouldn’t be) shared publicly, which would be a shame for all of us.
If you haven’t gone to see this bird yet I’d strongly encourage you to check reports and try for it, if the stork is still there you won’t have many chases that are easier and it’s a great bird for the state…just stay in your car and speak quietly to minimize any potential disturbance.
Date: 7/2/17 2:52 am From: 'Diana Pesek' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Greene County Wood Stork Update
Thank you for this post, Kevin. Well said.
Diana Pesek
Cedar Rapids
> On Jul 1, 2017, at 9:15 PM, Kevin Murphy <kevin.murphy39...> wrote:
>
> I went to see the Greene County Wood Stork at 4 PM today and am grateful for the all the updates that people have posted to facilitate LOTS of birders getting to see a pretty exciting vagrant for the state
>
> With that said, when I arrived in addition to the Wood Stork there was also a group of observers already present that were standing together outside of their vehicles with cameras/tripods set up and the bird 20-30 feet away. It’s prudent to remind anyone that may go to see the stork during the rest of its stay here that in the initial report of this bird Doug Harr requested that observers stay in their vehicle to minimize disturbance. From my point of view there are two important considerations on why this is important:
>
> 1) The bird is EXTREMELY close to the road and even though storks are generally tolerant a disturbance that sends it off into the depths of Dunbar is very poor form for others that may come after you to look for the bird.
>
> 2) Wood Storks are listed as a threatened species federally and any disturbance that disrupts this birds foraging/resting could potentially imperil its ability to return to its breeding range. Does one person standing outside a vehicle disrupting 10 minutes of foraging tip the scales? Probably not. What about 10 separate visits by different parties that sum up to a couple hours of disrupted foraging/resting?
>
> Standing out of a vehicle is both ill-advised and unnecessary to get incredible views of this bird. To ensure that sightings of rare birds are able to be shared with the birding community in the future we need to be self-policing about following good birding ethics at all times and even more so with high-profile rarities. If this isn’t possible then sightings of rare birds won’t be (and shouldn’t be) shared publicly, which would be a shame for all of us.
>
>
> If you haven’t gone to see this bird yet I’d strongly encourage you to check reports and try for it, if the stork is still there you won’t have many chases that are easier and it’s a great bird for the state…just stay in your car and speak quietly to minimize any potential disturbance.
>
>
> Cheers and good birding!
>
>
> Kevin Murphy, Ames
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Date: 7/1/17 7:15 pm From: Kevin Murphy <kevin.murphy39...> Subject: [ia-bird] Greene County Wood Stork Update
I went to see the Greene County Wood Stork at 4 PM today and am grateful
for the all the updates that people have posted to facilitate LOTS of
birders getting to see a pretty exciting vagrant for the state
With that said, when I arrived in addition to the Wood Stork there was also
a group of observers already present that were standing together outside of
their vehicles with cameras/tripods set up and the bird 20-30 feet away.
It’s prudent to remind anyone that may go to see the stork during the rest
of its stay here that in the initial report of this bird Doug Harr
requested that observers stay in their vehicle to minimize disturbance.
From my point of view there are two important considerations on why this is
important:
1) The bird is EXTREMELY close to the road and even though storks are
generally tolerant a disturbance that sends it off into the depths of
Dunbar is very poor form for others that may come after you to look for the
bird.
2) Wood Storks are listed as a threatened species federally and any
disturbance that disrupts this birds foraging/resting could potentially
imperil its ability to return to its breeding range. Does one person
standing outside a vehicle disrupting 10 minutes of foraging tip the
scales? Probably not. What about 10 separate visits by different parties
that sum up to a couple hours of disrupted foraging/resting?
Standing out of a vehicle is both ill-advised and unnecessary to get
incredible views of this bird. To ensure that sightings of rare birds are
able to be shared with the birding community in the future we need to be
self-policing about following good birding ethics at all times and even
more so with high-profile rarities. If this isn’t possible then sightings
of rare birds won’t be (and shouldn’t be) shared publicly, which would be a
shame for all of us.
If you haven’t gone to see this bird yet I’d strongly encourage you to
check reports and try for it, if the stork is still there you won’t have
many chases that are easier and it’s a great bird for the state…just stay
in your car and speak quietly to minimize any potential disturbance.
Date: 7/1/17 3:06 pm From: Tyler Grant <tgrant77...> Subject: [ia-bird] Blue Grosbeak - Lincoln Access, Saylorville
This morning I went looking for the Cerulean Warbler reported in Ames at Applied Science Woods/Reactor Woods/Peggy's Trail, the Blue Grosbeak reported at Lincoln Access, and Vesper Sparrow at Errington Marsh, since I haven't seen one this year.
I've birded Applied Science Woods the last 3 Saturdays and haven't been able to turn up a Cerulean Warbler. I've heard Acadian Flycatchers at 5 different places, so I think there may be at least 5 territories in there. I also saw a Yellow-Throated Vireo feeding nestlings.
I wasn't familiar with the Lincoln Access trail. I walked north almost half a mile and saw a Blue Grosbeak, with the giant beak and rusty wings, at a spot where the trail passes between 2 willow stands (or goes through a willow stand). Maybe the same spot it was previously reported. I got a good look at it but couldn't relocate it when it flew east. I didn't happen on the Yellow-breasted Chat.
I haven't seen a Vesper Sparrow this year, so looked around Errington Marsh where one was recently reported in eBird, but had no luck, and saw nothing else unusual there either.
Date: 7/1/17 2:11 pm From: Karen Viste-Sparkman <vistesparrow...> Subject: [ia-bird] Northern Bobwhites at Neal Smith NWR
Last year marked the first year in recent history that NORTHERN BOBWHITES
have been confirmed nesting at Neal Smith NWR. Apparently some of them
survived, as there have been numerous sightings of them this year. I have
heard at least 2 males singing simultaneously from the bison enclosure, saw
a pair in there one day, and today for the second time this week I flushed
a female outside of the bison enclosure. I also had a report of a brood
crossing the entry road a couple weeks ago, which I was skeptical of
earlier, but now it seems credible. Keep your eyes and ears open and I'd
appreciate hearing of any additional sightings at the refuge!
Karen Viste-Sparkman
Des Moines
--
“Remember that all through history, there have been tyrants and murderers,
and for a time, they seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall.
Always."--Mahatma Gandhi
Date: 7/1/17 1:18 pm From: Joe Jungers <lotusjungers...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Wood Stork in Greene County
Still present as of 3:08pm close to the road East of the parking lot.
Joe Jungers
Sioux County
> On Jul 1, 2017, at 9:32 AM, Mark Brown <markb249...> wrote:
>
> Still present at the same location, very close to the road, as of 6:40 am this morning, July.
>
> Mark Brown
> North Liberty
>
>> On Jun 30, 2017 9:11 PM, "Tyler M. Harms" <tyharms...> wrote:
>> Birders,
>>
>> I tucked the Wood Stork in at the previously described location with a beautiful sunset over Dunbar Slough. It was still present at 9:05 PM and showing no signs of leaving tonight.
>>
>> Take care,
>>
>> Tyler Harms
>> Ames, Story Co.
>>
>>
>>> On Fri, Jun 30, 2017 at 8:07 AM Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote:
>>> Greene County Cons. Bd. Director Dan Towers reports that the Wood Stork is still at the same Dunbar Slough site at 7:30 this morning.
>>>
>>> Doug Harr
>>>
>>>> On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 9:40 PM, Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote:
>>>> I'll make a slight correction to my description of the Wood Stork at Dunbar Slough. I should have called it "immature", rather than "juvenile". Juveniles are young birds that recently hatched, while immatures are older but haven't reached adulthood. Storks take a few years to reach adulthood, and based upon plumage, this bird appears to be about a 1-yr.old, because they lose most of that scruffy head and neck plumage by the time they reach a couple of years.
>>>>
>>>> The immature plumage makes this one appear somewhat bedraggled, but if you check out other available online or field guide photos of immature Wood Storks, they all look pretty similar. This bird also flew a short distance while I watched it and did not seem you have any obvious problems. If it did happen to be blown in by a storm, it could just be a bit weary.
>>>>
>>>> Doug Harr
>>>>
>>>>> On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 7:27 PM, Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote:
>>>>> There is a juvenile Wood Stork at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, about 2 mi. south and 3 mi. west of Scranton, right along Co.Hwy. E-53. Greene County Conservation Board Director Dan Towers phoned me and Matt Wetrich this afternoon to have us come and confirm his ID of the bird. I rushed over and met Dan at the site, where I was able to get several good photos of it (2 attached). This juvenile bird (scruffy-feathered back of head and neck) was in the road ditch by the most easterly restored wetland, on the north side of E-53. It was standing between a water control structure and highway, perhaps only 20-30 feet from the road edge.
>>>>>
>>>>> Before posting this observation, I visited by phone with Denny Thompson, Bruce Ehresman and Ann Johnson, to discuss any possible risks to this bird if I posted it on the listserve. All seemed to be OK with reporting this to you. However, at least a couple of us would advise that if you go to view the stork and it is still so close to the road, please stay in your car to watch it (my photos were taken out my car window). Storks are relatively undisturbed by humans--if you've ever watched them in Florida--but in order to keep the bird from flying off and disappearing deeper into Dunbar Sloughs large wetland complex, where it might be more difficult to observe, we advise using caution to prevent frightening the stork.
>>>>>
>>>>> According to Ann, this will be only the third verifiable Wood Stork sighting reported to the IOU. The last was at Saylorville in 2007, and the previous in Louisa County in 1977. Two others reported were not accepted for IOU records.
>>>>>
>>>>> A special thanks is due to Dan Towers for alerting us to this rare Iowa find.
>>>>>
>>>>> Doug Harr
>>>>> Ogden
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
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>>
>> --
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>
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Date: 7/1/17 12:02 pm From: IA Ann <shannonfound...> Subject: Fwd: [ia-bird] Wood Stork in Greene County
>
> From: douglas chapman <dougchapman3...>
> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Re: Wood Stork in Greene County
> Date: July 1, 2017 at 12:07:21 PM CDT
> To: Danny Akers <birdmandan1231...>
> Cc: Douglas Harr <dnharr...>, IA-Bird ListServe <ia-bird...>
>
> Hate to say this Danny, but Wood Stork are proof positive of beauty being inner beauty. They NEVER look "good ".
>
> Doug Chapman
> Sioux Falls SD
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> On Jun 29, 2017, at 8:36 PM, Danny Akers <birdmandan1231...> <mailto:<birdmandan1231...>> wrote:
>
>> Matt Wetrich and I just observed the Wood Stork likely in the same spot as reported earlier Gotta say, this bird isn't looking too hot. Curious if this might be a tropical storm assisted vagrant?
>>
>> Danny Akers
>>
>> From: <ia-bird...> <mailto:<ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> <mailto:<ia-bird...>> on behalf of Douglas Harr <dnharr...> <mailto:<dnharr...>> >> Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2017 7:27:47 PM
>> To: IA-Bird ListServe
>> Subject: [ia-bird] Wood Stork in Greene County
>>
>> There is a juvenile Wood Stork at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, about 2 mi. south and 3 mi. west of Scranton, right along Co.Hwy. E-53. Greene County Conservation Board Director Dan Towers phoned me and Matt Wetrich this afternoon to have us come and confirm his ID of the bird. I rushed over and met Dan at the site, where I was able to get several good photos of it (2 attached). This juvenile bird (scruffy-feathered back of head and neck) was in the road ditch by the most easterly restored wetland, on the north side of E-53. It was standing between a water control structure and highway, perhaps only 20-30 feet from the road edge.
>>
>> Before posting this observation, I visited by phone with Denny Thompson, Bruce Ehresman and Ann Johnson, to discuss any possible risks to this bird if I posted it on the listserve. All seemed to be OK with reporting this to you. However, at least a couple of us would advise that if you go to view the stork and it is still so close to the road, please stay in your car to watch it (my photos were taken out my car window). Storks are relatively undisturbed by humans--if you've ever watched them in Florida--but in order to keep the bird from flying off and disappearing deeper into Dunbar Sloughs large wetland complex, where it might be more difficult to observe, we advise using caution to prevent frightening the stork.
>>
>> According to Ann, this will be only the third verifiable Wood Stork sighting reported to the IOU. The last was at Saylorville in 2007, and the previous in Louisa County in 1977. Two others reported were not accepted for IOU records.
>>
>> A special thanks is due to Dan Towers for alerting us to this rare Iowa find.
>>
>> Doug Harr
>> Ogden
>>
>> --
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Date: 7/1/17 9:00 am From: Lee Schoenewe <lschoe...> Subject: [ia-bird] Grebebabies @ Trumbull Lake
This morning a pair of Western Grebes was out in the middle of Trumbull Lake in Clay County with two babies riding on Mom's back and Dad working hard to catch minnows and keep everyone well fed. Two other adults were also seen. A pair of Red-necked Grebes was toward the south end of the lake and taking turns feeding a single young one swimming nearby while they were diving. Another adult was also seen. Young Redheads confirmed nesting success for that species and six Ring-necked Ducks included a pair off by themselves. Forster's Terns and Black Terns were seen carrying food but feeding of young was not confirmed for them. Ruddy Ducks were still demonstrating courtship behavior and a total of 143 were counted. Several Least Bittern flew past while we watched and both Common Gallinule and Yellow-billed Cuckoo were heard only. A male N. Harrier was hard to ID at a distance since all of his tail feathers were missing. In a couple of hours we totaled 63 species at that productive site. A good start for July!
Date: 7/1/17 7:32 am From: Mark Brown <markb249...> Subject: [ia-bird] Wood Stork in Greene County
Still present at the same location, very close to the road, as of 6:40 am this morning, July.
Mark Brown North Liberty
On Jun 30, 2017 9:11 PM, "Tyler M. Harms" <tyharms...> wrote:
> Birders, > > I tucked the Wood Stork in at the previously described location with a > beautiful sunset over Dunbar Slough. It was still present at 9:05 PM and > showing no signs of leaving tonight. > > Take care, > > Tyler Harms > Ames, Story Co. > > > On Fri, Jun 30, 2017 at 8:07 AM Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote: > >> Greene County Cons. Bd. Director Dan Towers reports that the Wood Stork >> is still at the same Dunbar Slough site at 7:30 this morning. >> >> Doug Harr >> >> On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 9:40 PM, Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote: >> >>> I'll make a slight correction to my description of the Wood Stork at >>> Dunbar Slough. I should have called it "immature", rather than >>> "juvenile". Juveniles are young birds that recently hatched, while >>> immatures are older but haven't reached adulthood. Storks take a few years >>> to reach adulthood, and based upon plumage, this bird appears to be about a >>> 1-yr.old, because they lose most of that scruffy head and neck plumage by >>> the time they reach a couple of years. >>> >>> The immature plumage makes this one appear somewhat bedraggled, but if >>> you check out other available online or field guide photos of immature Wood >>> Storks, they all look pretty similar. This bird also flew a short distance >>> while I watched it and did not seem you have any obvious problems. If it >>> did happen to be blown in by a storm, it could just be a bit weary. >>> >>> Doug Harr >>> >>> On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 7:27 PM, Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote: >>> >>>> There is a juvenile *Wood Stork* at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, >>>> about 2 mi. south and 3 mi. west of Scranton, right along Co.Hwy. E-53. >>>> Greene County Conservation Board Director Dan Towers phoned me and Matt >>>> Wetrich this afternoon to have us come and confirm his ID of the bird. I >>>> rushed over and met Dan at the site, where I was able to get several good >>>> photos of it (2 attached). This juvenile bird (scruffy-feathered back of >>>> head and neck) was in the road ditch by the most easterly restored wetland, >>>> on the north side of E-53. It was standing between a water control >>>> structure and highway, perhaps only 20-30 feet from the road edge. >>>> >>>> Before posting this observation, I visited by phone with Denny >>>> Thompson, Bruce Ehresman and Ann Johnson, to discuss any possible risks to >>>> this bird if I posted it on the listserve. All seemed to be OK with >>>> reporting this to you. However, at least a couple of us would advise that >>>> if you go to view the stork and it is still so close to the road, please >>>> stay in your car to watch it (my photos were taken out my car window). >>>> Storks are relatively undisturbed by humans--if you've ever watched them in >>>> Florida--but in order to keep the bird from flying off and disappearing >>>> deeper into Dunbar Sloughs large wetland complex, where it might be more >>>> difficult to observe, we advise using caution to prevent frightening the >>>> stork. >>>> >>>> According to Ann, this will be only the third verifiable Wood Stork >>>> sighting reported to the IOU. The last was at Saylorville in 2007, and the >>>> previous in Louisa County in 1977. Two others reported were not accepted >>>> for IOU records. >>>> >>>> A special thanks is due to Dan Towers for alerting us to this rare Iowa >>>> find. >>>> >>>> Doug Harr >>>> Ogden >>>> >>> >>> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "IA-BIRD" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...> >> To post to this group, send email to <ia-bird...> >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/ia-bird. >> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/ >> msgid/ia-bird/CAO6%3DGQcPn71iBmjpzAwH4_y1Y5cB%3DmYEzGie2tmm0SJBychzYA% >> 40mail.gmail.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAO6%3DGQcPn71iBmjpzAwH4_y1Y5cB%<3DmYEzGie2tmm0SJBychzYA...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "IA-BIRD" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...> > To post to this group, send email to <ia-bird...> > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/ia-bird. > To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/ > msgid/ia-bird/CAPMjp30AOaASacfxG48uKj0ONApRDWhHuTS6gUzLjJYic_sRnA%40mail. > gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CAPMjp30AOaASacfxG48uKj0ONApRDWhHuTS6gUzLjJYic_sRnA...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >
Date: 7/1/17 5:46 am From: Matt Wetrich <go_tweeting...> Subject: [ia-bird] Saturday Storm Continues
Birders,
Apparently the Wood Storm has moved on (thank you for all the emails ribbing me on that autocorrect ;-P ) but the Wood Stork continues this Saturday morning, via word from Wolf O. of Ames.
Date: 6/30/17 7:11 pm From: Tyler M. Harms <tyharms...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Re: Wood Stork in Greene County
Birders,
I tucked the Wood Stork in at the previously described location with a beautiful sunset over Dunbar Slough. It was still present at 9:05 PM and showing no signs of leaving tonight.
Take care,
Tyler Harms Ames, Story Co.
On Fri, Jun 30, 2017 at 8:07 AM Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote:
> Greene County Cons. Bd. Director Dan Towers reports that the Wood Stork is > still at the same Dunbar Slough site at 7:30 this morning. > > Doug Harr > > On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 9:40 PM, Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote: > >> I'll make a slight correction to my description of the Wood Stork at >> Dunbar Slough. I should have called it "immature", rather than >> "juvenile". Juveniles are young birds that recently hatched, while >> immatures are older but haven't reached adulthood. Storks take a few years >> to reach adulthood, and based upon plumage, this bird appears to be about a >> 1-yr.old, because they lose most of that scruffy head and neck plumage by >> the time they reach a couple of years. >> >> The immature plumage makes this one appear somewhat bedraggled, but if >> you check out other available online or field guide photos of immature Wood >> Storks, they all look pretty similar. This bird also flew a short distance >> while I watched it and did not seem you have any obvious problems. If it >> did happen to be blown in by a storm, it could just be a bit weary. >> >> Doug Harr >> >> On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 7:27 PM, Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote: >> >>> There is a juvenile *Wood Stork* at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, >>> about 2 mi. south and 3 mi. west of Scranton, right along Co.Hwy. E-53. >>> Greene County Conservation Board Director Dan Towers phoned me and Matt >>> Wetrich this afternoon to have us come and confirm his ID of the bird. I >>> rushed over and met Dan at the site, where I was able to get several good >>> photos of it (2 attached). This juvenile bird (scruffy-feathered back of >>> head and neck) was in the road ditch by the most easterly restored wetland, >>> on the north side of E-53. It was standing between a water control >>> structure and highway, perhaps only 20-30 feet from the road edge. >>> >>> Before posting this observation, I visited by phone with Denny Thompson, >>> Bruce Ehresman and Ann Johnson, to discuss any possible risks to this bird >>> if I posted it on the listserve. All seemed to be OK with reporting this >>> to you. However, at least a couple of us would advise that if you go to >>> view the stork and it is still so close to the road, please stay in your >>> car to watch it (my photos were taken out my car window). Storks are >>> relatively undisturbed by humans--if you've ever watched them in >>> Florida--but in order to keep the bird from flying off and disappearing >>> deeper into Dunbar Sloughs large wetland complex, where it might be more >>> difficult to observe, we advise using caution to prevent frightening the >>> stork. >>> >>> According to Ann, this will be only the third verifiable Wood Stork >>> sighting reported to the IOU. The last was at Saylorville in 2007, and the >>> previous in Louisa County in 1977. Two others reported were not accepted >>> for IOU records. >>> >>> A special thanks is due to Dan Towers for alerting us to this rare Iowa >>> find. >>> >>> Doug Harr >>> Ogden >>> >> >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "IA-BIRD" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...> > To post to this group, send email to <ia-bird...> > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/ia-bird. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAO6%3DGQcPn71iBmjpzAwH4_y1Y5cB%<3DmYEzGie2tmm0SJBychzYA...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAO6%3DGQcPn71iBmjpzAwH4_y1Y5cB%<3DmYEzGie2tmm0SJBychzYA...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >
On Fri, Jun 30, 2017 at 4:17 PM, Matt Wetrich <go_tweeting...> wrote:
> Just got word from Eric Ollie that the Wood Storm was still present at > 4:00pm. > > Bird on! > > Matt Wetrich > Jefferson, Greene Co > > > > -------- Original message -------- > From: Reid Allen <2birders...> > Date: 6/30/17 1:59 PM (GMT-06:00) > To: IA-BIRD Iowa Birds <ia-bird...> > Subject: [ia-bird] Wood Stork Yes > > Still at previously described location at 1:55PM. > > iPhone Mail > Pam & Reid Allen > West Des Moines, Iowa > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "IA-BIRD" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...> > To post to this group, send email to <ia-bird...> > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/ia-bird. > To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/ > msgid/ia-bird/<A7DE082D-5138-45AF-9604-AAACE35E1832...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<A7DE082D-5138-45AF-9604-AAACE35E1832...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "IA-BIRD" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...> > To post to this group, send email to <ia-bird...> > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/ia-bird. > To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/ > msgid/ia-bird/DM3PR16MB061934365581F77537227A2C8FD30%40DM3PR16MB0619. > namprd16.prod.outlook.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<DM3PR16MB061934365581F77537227A2C8FD30...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >
Stork still present in the original location as of 5 p.m. today.
Steve
********** Stephen J. Dinsmore Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management Iowa State University 203 Science II Ames, IA 50011 Phone: 515-294-1348 E-mail: <cootjr...><mailto:<cootjr...> Web: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~cootjr/
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, June 24, through Friday, June 30, 2017:
-RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL:
**WOOD STORK**
-Additional Species Mentioned
Snowy Egret
Least Tern
Hooded Warbler
Blue Grosbeak (Central and east)
***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. ************************
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.
*EAST*:
JOHNSON COUNTY:
A BLUE GROSBEAK was seen between James Ave and the Sand Point access at Hawkeye WMA on the 28th.
*NORTHEAST:*
BLACK HAWK COUNTY:
A BLUE GROSBEAK is still being seen along Little Rd SE of Gilbertville on the 25th. Specifically, its about an 1/8th of a mile from the dead end and on the north side of road. It was singing approximately a 100+ yards away,from the hedgerows bording the field.
*SOUTHEAST*:
VAN BUREN COUNTY:
A HOODED WARBLER was seen at the Donnellson Unit of Shimek SF on the 27th.
*CENTRAL:*
*POLK COUNTY:*
*A BLUE GROSBEAK was seen at Lincoln Access at Saylorville on the 25th.*
*GREENE COUNTY:*
*A WOOD STORK was seen at Dunbar Slough on the 29th. Specifically, the bird was seen* in the road ditch by the most easterly restored wetland, on the north side of E-53.
*SOUTHWEST:*
*FREMONT COUNTY:*
*A SNOWY EGRET was seen *3.1 miles west of the jct. of Hiways 2 and US 59 on the south side of the road on the 22nd.
MILLS COUNTY:
A LEAST TERN was seen on the west side of L31, 2 miles north of the Bartlett exit on the 22nd.
*WEST:*
*POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY:*
*3 LEAST TERNS were seen at the Mid American Energy ponds on the 22nd. They were seen on the new north pond.*
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, July 7, 2017 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
Date: 6/30/17 6:07 am From: Douglas Harr <dnharr...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Wood Stork in Greene County
Greene County Cons. Bd. Director Dan Towers reports that the Wood Stork is still at the same Dunbar Slough site at 7:30 this morning.
Doug Harr
On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 9:40 PM, Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote:
> I'll make a slight correction to my description of the Wood Stork at > Dunbar Slough. I should have called it "immature", rather than > "juvenile". Juveniles are young birds that recently hatched, while > immatures are older but haven't reached adulthood. Storks take a few years > to reach adulthood, and based upon plumage, this bird appears to be about a > 1-yr.old, because they lose most of that scruffy head and neck plumage by > the time they reach a couple of years. > > The immature plumage makes this one appear somewhat bedraggled, but if you > check out other available online or field guide photos of immature Wood > Storks, they all look pretty similar. This bird also flew a short distance > while I watched it and did not seem you have any obvious problems. If it > did happen to be blown in by a storm, it could just be a bit weary. > > Doug Harr > > On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 7:27 PM, Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote: > >> There is a juvenile *Wood Stork* at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, >> about 2 mi. south and 3 mi. west of Scranton, right along Co.Hwy. E-53. >> Greene County Conservation Board Director Dan Towers phoned me and Matt >> Wetrich this afternoon to have us come and confirm his ID of the bird. I >> rushed over and met Dan at the site, where I was able to get several good >> photos of it (2 attached). This juvenile bird (scruffy-feathered back of >> head and neck) was in the road ditch by the most easterly restored wetland, >> on the north side of E-53. It was standing between a water control >> structure and highway, perhaps only 20-30 feet from the road edge. >> >> Before posting this observation, I visited by phone with Denny Thompson, >> Bruce Ehresman and Ann Johnson, to discuss any possible risks to this bird >> if I posted it on the listserve. All seemed to be OK with reporting this >> to you. However, at least a couple of us would advise that if you go to >> view the stork and it is still so close to the road, please stay in your >> car to watch it (my photos were taken out my car window). Storks are >> relatively undisturbed by humans--if you've ever watched them in >> Florida--but in order to keep the bird from flying off and disappearing >> deeper into Dunbar Sloughs large wetland complex, where it might be more >> difficult to observe, we advise using caution to prevent frightening the >> stork. >> >> According to Ann, this will be only the third verifiable Wood Stork >> sighting reported to the IOU. The last was at Saylorville in 2007, and the >> previous in Louisa County in 1977. Two others reported were not accepted >> for IOU records. >> >> A special thanks is due to Dan Towers for alerting us to this rare Iowa >> find. >> >> Doug Harr >> Ogden >> > >
Date: 6/29/17 7:40 pm From: Douglas Harr <dnharr...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Wood Stork in Greene County
I'll make a slight correction to my description of the Wood Stork at Dunbar Slough. I should have called it "immature", rather than "juvenile". Juveniles are young birds that recently hatched, while immatures are older but haven't reached adulthood. Storks take a few years to reach adulthood, and based upon plumage, this bird appears to be about a 1-yr.old, because they lose most of that scruffy head and neck plumage by the time they reach a couple of years.
The immature plumage makes this one appear somewhat bedraggled, but if you check out other available online or field guide photos of immature Wood Storks, they all look pretty similar. This bird also flew a short distance while I watched it and did not seem you have any obvious problems. If it did happen to be blown in by a storm, it could just be a bit weary.
Doug Harr
On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 7:27 PM, Douglas Harr <dnharr...> wrote:
> There is a juvenile *Wood Stork* at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, about > 2 mi. south and 3 mi. west of Scranton, right along Co.Hwy. E-53. Greene > County Conservation Board Director Dan Towers phoned me and Matt Wetrich > this afternoon to have us come and confirm his ID of the bird. I rushed > over and met Dan at the site, where I was able to get several good photos > of it (2 attached). This juvenile bird (scruffy-feathered back of head and > neck) was in the road ditch by the most easterly restored wetland, on the > north side of E-53. It was standing between a water control structure and > highway, perhaps only 20-30 feet from the road edge. > > Before posting this observation, I visited by phone with Denny Thompson, > Bruce Ehresman and Ann Johnson, to discuss any possible risks to this bird > if I posted it on the listserve. All seemed to be OK with reporting this > to you. However, at least a couple of us would advise that if you go to > view the stork and it is still so close to the road, please stay in your > car to watch it (my photos were taken out my car window). Storks are > relatively undisturbed by humans--if you've ever watched them in > Florida--but in order to keep the bird from flying off and disappearing > deeper into Dunbar Sloughs large wetland complex, where it might be more > difficult to observe, we advise using caution to prevent frightening the > stork. > > According to Ann, this will be only the third verifiable Wood Stork > sighting reported to the IOU. The last was at Saylorville in 2007, and the > previous in Louisa County in 1977. Two others reported were not accepted > for IOU records. > > A special thanks is due to Dan Towers for alerting us to this rare Iowa > find. > > Doug Harr > Ogden >
Date: 6/29/17 6:36 pm From: Danny Akers <birdmandan1231...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Wood Stork in Greene County
Matt Wetrich and I just observed the Wood Stork likely in the same spot as reported earlier Gotta say, this bird isn't looking too hot. Curious if this might be a tropical storm assisted vagrant?
Danny Akers
________________________________
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of Douglas Harr <dnharr...>
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2017 7:27:47 PM
To: IA-Bird ListServe
Subject: [ia-bird] Wood Stork in Greene County
There is a juvenile Wood Stork at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, about 2 mi. south and 3 mi. west of Scranton, right along Co.Hwy. E-53. Greene County Conservation Board Director Dan Towers phoned me and Matt Wetrich this afternoon to have us come and confirm his ID of the bird. I rushed over and met Dan at the site, where I was able to get several good photos of it (2 attached). This juvenile bird (scruffy-feathered back of head and neck) was in the road ditch by the most easterly restored wetland, on the north side of E-53. It was standing between a water control structure and highway, perhaps only 20-30 feet from the road edge.
Before posting this observation, I visited by phone with Denny Thompson, Bruce Ehresman and Ann Johnson, to discuss any possible risks to this bird if I posted it on the listserve. All seemed to be OK with reporting this to you. However, at least a couple of us would advise that if you go to view the stork and it is still so close to the road, please stay in your car to watch it (my photos were taken out my car window). Storks are relatively undisturbed by humans--if you've ever watched them in Florida--but in order to keep the bird from flying off and disappearing deeper into Dunbar Sloughs large wetland complex, where it might be more difficult to observe, we advise using caution to prevent frightening the stork.
According to Ann, this will be only the third verifiable Wood Stork sighting reported to the IOU. The last was at Saylorville in 2007, and the previous in Louisa County in 1977. Two others reported were not accepted for IOU records.
A special thanks is due to Dan Towers for alerting us to this rare Iowa find.
Date: 6/29/17 5:27 pm From: Douglas Harr <dnharr...> Subject: [ia-bird] Wood Stork in Greene County
There is a juvenile *Wood Stork* at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, about 2 mi. south and 3 mi. west of Scranton, right along Co.Hwy. E-53. Greene County Conservation Board Director Dan Towers phoned me and Matt Wetrich this afternoon to have us come and confirm his ID of the bird. I rushed over and met Dan at the site, where I was able to get several good photos of it (2 attached). This juvenile bird (scruffy-feathered back of head and neck) was in the road ditch by the most easterly restored wetland, on the north side of E-53. It was standing between a water control structure and highway, perhaps only 20-30 feet from the road edge.
Before posting this observation, I visited by phone with Denny Thompson, Bruce Ehresman and Ann Johnson, to discuss any possible risks to this bird if I posted it on the listserve. All seemed to be OK with reporting this to you. However, at least a couple of us would advise that if you go to view the stork and it is still so close to the road, please stay in your car to watch it (my photos were taken out my car window). Storks are relatively undisturbed by humans--if you've ever watched them in Florida--but in order to keep the bird from flying off and disappearing deeper into Dunbar Sloughs large wetland complex, where it might be more difficult to observe, we advise using caution to prevent frightening the stork.
According to Ann, this will be only the third verifiable Wood Stork sighting reported to the IOU. The last was at Saylorville in 2007, and the previous in Louisa County in 1977. Two others reported were not accepted for IOU records.
A special thanks is due to Dan Towers for alerting us to this rare Iowa find.
A non-breeding male Scarlet Tanager (all green with black wings) stopped in the yard briefly late this afternoon. I see these birds In the yard in the fall usually mixed in with a small flock of migrants. This is the first one I have seen here in June. He was eyeing the bird bath so there is hope for a picture if he returns. So far, he is a no show.
Janet Greer
Pottawattamie County
Council Bluffs, IA
Date: 6/29/17 7:52 am From: Fawn Bowden <fawnda10...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: information needed
At Honey Creek State Park, also in Lucas County, near the shower house/bathrooms of the north campground, we heard many Whip-poor-will's and also a Chuck's-will-widow at the start of May.
Fawn Bowden Riverside, IA
On Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at 3:48:32 PM UTC-5, Tony Moline wrote: > > Stevens State Forest Lucas Unit. > Specifically 137th Trl right outside the forest near the pond. You should > be able to hear one through the rumble of frogs. > Tony Moline > Dubuque >
Date: 6/28/17 5:41 pm From: Jim Forde <jimforde...> Subject: [ia-bird] Blue Grosbeak at Hawkeye Wildlife Area
I believe Blue Grosbeaks visit Hawkeye every year but it's not always easy finding one. This month I've struck out slowly driving
the back roads so decided doing some walking, which proved successful. The area I walked was the refuge boundary between James Ave. and Sand Point Access. Today a 1st summer Blue Grosbeak was near the east end but did range widely, singing and moving frequently. It does take some determination chasing a savannah bird! The Grosbeak was brown overall and not the lovely blue of an adult so it was even more difficult to locate when singing inside a tree's canopy.
The area also has numerous Orchard Orioles, Bell's Vireos, a Black-billed Cuckoo, a Yellow-breasted Chat, and a daytime G. Horned Owl.
Date: 6/28/17 1:48 pm From: Tony Moline <tonymoline...> Subject: [ia-bird] information needed
Stevens State Forest Lucas Unit. Specifically 137th Trl right outside the forest near the pond. You should be able to hear one through the rumble of frogs. Tony Moline Dubuque
Date: 6/28/17 9:56 am From: Douglas Harr <dnharr...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Re: Story County - Yellow-crowned Night-Herons
No Yellow-crowned Night Herons this morning at the Ada Hayden location reported yesterday. I spent over a half hour looking for them with binoculars and a small scope, and another woman was also there searching for them, but neither of us could find anything. On walking back to the parking area I decided to take the gravel trail around the west side of Pool H. Right at that trail turnoff from the main trail, a loud "skow" call came from the large patch of trees on the north side of that junction. I played the call on an app--definitely sounded like a YCNH--but it did not call again and I could not find anything in those trees while searching for another 10 minutes. However, it was a distinctive call, and maybe there's a chance the birds had moved into that timber overnight. But I could not add it to my current year's list without positive ID.
Doug Harr Ogden
On Tue, Jun 27, 2017 at 9:19 PM, Eric Ollie <uphawkeye...> wrote:
> A number of people were able to get good, extended views of the > Yellow-crowned Night-Herons at Ada Hayden this evening. Great thanks go out > to Wolf Oesterreich for spreading the word about this great find! > > Ada Hayden Heritage Park is on the north side of Ames, just on the west > side of US 69/North Grand Ave. Go to the parking area on the southwest > corner of the park, off of Harrison Road. "Pool F" is pretty much in the > middle of the park, right across the bike path from "the bluff" area. I > have attached maps. A spotting scope is highly recommended, but they can be > seen with binoculars alone. > > Eric Ollie > Ames > > On Tue, Jun 27, 2017 at 5:44 PM, Eric Ollie <uphawkeye...> wrote: > >> I just received a phone call from Wolf Oesterreich that he has just found >> an adult and an immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Ada Hayden Heritage >> Park in Ames. He says that they are in "Pool F" near the bluff area. >> >> Eric Ollie >> Ames >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "IA-BIRD" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...> > To post to this group, send email to <ia-bird...> > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/ia-bird. > To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/ > msgid/ia-bird/CABD_q6z3Kx2EfkLTm7_z7dMzcUknev2in8sbi6vwJvJTpYX16 > <g...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<CABD_q6z3Kx2EfkLTm7_z7dMzcUknev2in8sbi6vwJvJTpYX16g...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >
Date: 6/27/17 7:19 pm From: Eric Ollie <uphawkeye...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Story County - Yellow-crowned Night-Herons
A number of people were able to get good, extended views of the Yellow-crowned Night-Herons at Ada Hayden this evening. Great thanks go out to Wolf Oesterreich for spreading the word about this great find!
Ada Hayden Heritage Park is on the north side of Ames, just on the west side of US 69/North Grand Ave. Go to the parking area on the southwest corner of the park, off of Harrison Road. "Pool F" is pretty much in the middle of the park, right across the bike path from "the bluff" area. I have attached maps. A spotting scope is highly recommended, but they can be seen with binoculars alone.
Eric Ollie Ames
On Tue, Jun 27, 2017 at 5:44 PM, Eric Ollie <uphawkeye...> wrote:
> I just received a phone call from Wolf Oesterreich that he has just found > an adult and an immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Ada Hayden Heritage > Park in Ames. He says that they are in "Pool F" near the bluff area. > > Eric Ollie > Ames >
Date: 6/27/17 3:45 pm From: Eric Ollie <uphawkeye...> Subject: [ia-bird] Story County - Yellow-crowned Night-Herons
I just received a phone call from Wolf Oesterreich that he has just found an adult and an immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames. He says that they are in "Pool F" near the bluff area.
Date: 6/27/17 3:36 pm From: Ellen Fuller <cfuller989...> Subject: [ia-bird] information needed
I would like to know a place to hear the Chuck's-wills Widow. Directions would be appreciated. Also, does anyone have any reliable information on the Magpie's near Westfield. Any help you could give would be appreciated. Chuck Fuller Burlington <cfuller989...>
I heard and saw a Hooded Warbler at 10:15 this AM at the Donnellson Unit of Shimek. It was close to the lusual location of previous years. At the old picnic area take the logging road 50 yards or so into the forest. The bird still could heard singing even when I reached the main road coming back. I have been searching for this bird for over a month. Chuck Fuller Burlington
Date: 6/26/17 6:40 pm From: Stuart Sparkman <jacamar29...> Subject: [ia-bird] Neal Smith NWR chats and more
Hey I-birders,
Today I walked the two-mile Tallgrass Trail at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge (Jasper County near Prairie City) and had great luck with the birds, although luck isn't really needed here. I think this refuge is underappreciated/undervisited as a birding site, and a cool morning like we had today was ideal for excellent looks at many prairie species. Neal Smith may literally be the best place in the world to see HENSLOW'S SPARROW during the breeding season. I heard the first one within a minute of entering the refuge at the west end of the bison enclosure and it took all of 45 seconds to locate him. for a visual There were plenty more in the enclosure, and later on the Tallgrass Trail I heard at least ten of them, and a couple of those forced me to have a leisurely look as they sang lustily. The highlight of the trail would be two male YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS who whistled, chattered, and hooted back and forth about 100 meters away from each other. They each posed for observation. Other nice birds on the trail were EASTERN KINGBIRD, BROWN THRASHER, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, BELL'S VIREO (at least 3 singing males), SEDGE WREN (many and conspicuous), and WILLOW FLYCATCHER (at least 4 birds, including a couple of singing males). Of course, DICKCISSELS were ubiquitous, but surprisingly not as abundant as COMMON YELLOWTHROAT which at times were thick as mosquitoes, demanding to be viewed and listened to. At one point I was certain I was within 20 meters of five or more different males. The bison were on display as well, and a great sighting of Sparky the Electric Bison was another highlight of the morning.
If you haven't birded at Neal Smith before, I encourage you to plan a visit. Now is a terrific time for birds, and the prairie plants and flowers are beautiful this time of year as well. Hope you have been having good birding wherever you have been.
Date: 6/26/17 5:06 pm From: Danny Akers <birdmandan1231...> Subject: [ia-bird] Swainson's Hawk - Polk Co.
I just had a pretty ragged adult light morph SWAINSON'S HAWK soaring over a freshly baled hay field in Urbandale in Polk Co. This is just behind the new Hampton Inn / Holiday Inn Express off the 86th street exit along I-80. Several Turkey Vultures and a couple Red-tailed Hawks also roaming the field. Watched the bird soar off to the north and out of sight.
Date: 6/26/17 3:34 pm From: RJ Thompson <thompsonryan309...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Blue Grosbeak- Lincoln Access Saylorville
On Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 12:43:04 PM UTC-7, RJ Thompson wrote:
>
> I spotted a male Blue Grosbeak foraging on the trail in between the willow
> stands just south of the giant burn pile on the hill. It flew off north
> toward the tree line but I was able to relocate it in the prairie just
> north of the first sighting about 45 minutes later. I also lucked into
> spotting the Yellow Breasted Chat…I was trying to get a look at a young
> Orchard Oriole and he showed up on a branch just below for a quick look.
> Also of note a pair of Lark Sparrows were visiting a nest just off the
> trail very near the BG sighting.
>
Date: 6/26/17 2:20 pm From: Douglas Harr <dnharr...> Subject: [ia-bird] Biking & and birds along the High Trestle Trail (S. Boone Co.)
I spent about an hour biking the High Trestle Trail from Woodward to Madrid and back this afternoon. Not too many people out and the birds were singing boisterously on this cooler afternoon. I heard or observed 31 species on that round 11-mi. round trip, mostly common woodland and "parkland" birds--lots of Indigo Buntings, Northern Cardinals, Great-crested Flycatchers, Common Yellowthroats, Brown Thrashers, etc. I also heard a *Wood Thrush* singing about halfway between Madrid and the bridge, then had a *Scarlet Tanager *singing about 1/4 mi. west of the bridge. So it was good exercise & good birds!
Date: 6/25/17 12:43 pm From: RJ Thompson <thompsonryan309...> Subject: [ia-bird] Blue Grosbeak- Lincoln Access Saylorville
I spotted a male Blue Grosbeak foraging on the trail in between the willow
stands just south of the giant burn pile on the hill. It flew off north
toward the tree line but I was able to relocate it in the prairie just
north of the first sighting about 45 minutes later. I also lucked into
spotting the Yellow Breasted Chat…I was trying to get a look at a young
Orchard Oriole and he showed up on a branch just below for a quick look.
Also of note a pair of Lark Sparrows were visiting a nest just off the
trail very near the BG sighting.
Date: 6/25/17 7:55 am From: Tommy Stone <tomtazzstone...> Subject: [ia-bird] Blue Grosbeak
Was heard early this morning at the same location it was on the 17th, along Little rd. It is specifically about an 1/8th of a mile from the dead end and on the north side of road. It was singing approximately a 100+ yards away,from the hedgerows bording the field. This is just sout east of Gilbertville in Blackhawk co.
The Western Kingbird continues on the utility wire in front of the car dealership at at Delaware & Oralabor Road in Ankeny. It was seen this afternoon at 3:30.
Date: 6/24/17 10:32 am From: Brandon Caswell <brandon.caswell83...> Subject: [ia-bird] ICBC Indiangrass Hills IBA trip [Iowa County]
Birders,
The Iowa City Bird Club had its annual trip to Indiangrass Hills. It was a very "lucky" outing with lovely weather for the 13 participants.
Along 250th St, just west of its "T" with J Avenue, pastureland adjacent to the IBA was full of GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, BOBOLINK, a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, and a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE.
The target prairie area had at least a dozen or more calling HENSLOW'S SPARROWS. Down in the basin area just east of the prairie we tallied off most of the rest of our target birds, including SEDGE WREN and ORCHARD ORIOLE. When I left early we were at 51 species.
Date: 6/24/17 6:28 am From: randall.scheiner <randall.scheiner...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Robin vs baby Bull Snake- Waterworks Prairie Park, Johnson County
I second it being a Brown Snake.
On Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 7:31:36 PM UTC-6, Linda Rudolph wrote:
>
>
>
> I was checking the Bluebird nest boxes this evening when I saw a Robin
> trying to pick up and bash something on the sidewalk. I realized it wasn’t
> a large earthworm and could see through my binoculars that it was a small
> snake. I watched the interaction for a few minutes. As the Robin tried to
> pick up the snake, the snake would lift it’s head up with it’s mouth wide
> open and strike towards the Robin. I’m not sure if the Robin would have
> eventually won the encounter. A bicyclists cycled by and scared the Robin
> off. I took the attached photo with my iPhone as the snake recovered at
> the edge of the sidewalk. I’ve never seen a Robin try to eat a snake
> before.
>
>
>
> Linda Rudolph
>
> Coralville
>
> Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
> Windows 10
>
>
>
Date: 6/23/17 5:01 pm From: Douglas Harr <dnharr...> Subject: [ia-bird] Birding Grand River Grasslands & more
This morning I made a 2-hour drive down to the Grand River Grasslands & Kellerton Bird Conservation Area in Ringgold County. Including what I saw along the way down and back, along with what I found around the Kellerton BCA , I tallied 69 species today, the most I've had on one day in the past couple of weeks. Best of the day were more than 22 *Northern Bobwhites*, about a half-dozen *Bell's Vireos*, and 2 *Northern Mockingbirds*. Another interesting sighting was a *Scarlet Tanager* flying over US Hwy 34, just east of Afton. Not much for larger forest tracts where I saw it.
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, June 17, through Friday, June 23, 2017:
-RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
CASUAL:
*BEWICKS WREN*
-Additional Species Mentioned
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Common Gallinule
Mississippi Kite
Black-bellied Plover (Record late)
Marbled Godwit (2nd earliest)
Least Tern
Hooded Warbler
Blue Grosbeak (East)
Spotted Towhee
Spotted X Eastern Towhee
***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. ************************
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.
*EAST*:
JACKSON COUNTY:
2 COMMON GALLINULES were seen at Green Island WMA on the 19th.
JOHNSON COUNTY:
A HOODED WARBLER was seen at Hickory Hills Park on the 20th. Specifically, it was seen above the south canyon. it was near the 'four way' intersection at the end of the south canyon.
A late BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER was seen at Sand Point on the 20th.
LINN COUNTY:
COMMON GALLINULES continue to be seen at the marsh west of Center Point on the 19th.
*NORTHEAST:*
BLACK HAWK COUNTY:
A BLUE GROSBEAK was seen off Little Rd just SE of Gilbertville on the 17th.
*SOUTHEAST*:
LEE COUNTY:
The BEWICKS WREN continues at the Argyle junkyard as recently as the 19th.
*CENTRAL:*
*POLK COUNTY:*
*MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen in West Des Moines from the church parking lot at 28th and Ashworth on the 17th.*
*TAMA COUNTY:*
*An early MARBLED GODWIT was seen at Otter Creek Marsh on the 19th.*
*WEST:*
*POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY:*
*3 LEAST TERNS were seen at the MidAmerican Ponds on the 18th.*
*NORTHWEST:*
*POCAHONTAS COUNTY:*
*A WESTERN GREBE was seen at Sunken Grove WA on the 17th.*
*CLAY COUNTY:*
*Highlights from Trumbull Lake on the 17th included RED-NECKED GREBE, 3 WESTERN GREBES, and a COMMON GALLINULE.*
*LYON COUNTY:*
*2 SPOTTED x EASTERN TOWHEES were seen at Gitchie Manitou Preserve on the 18th.*
*SIOUX COUNTY:*
*A SPOTTED X EASTRN TOWHEE was seen at Big Sioux WMA on the 18th.*
*A SPOTTED TOWHEE was seen at Oak Grove County Park on the 18th.*
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, June 30, 2017 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
Date: 6/23/17 9:04 am From: randall.scheiner <randall.scheiner...> Subject: [ia-bird] Sandhill Crane, Solon, IA
A very camoflauged stained adult Sandhill crane was seen along Hwy 382, approximately .6 miles east of Polk Ave, in the pasture across the road from a small marsh, among a herd of Brown Swiss.
Date: 6/22/17 7:50 pm From: Fawn Bowden <fawnda10...> Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Robin vs baby Bull Snake- Waterworks Prairie Park, Johnson County
Perhaps it's just bird instinct to either try and kill or flee from a
snake.....I know even my pet parrot still has survival instincts such as
when she sees a hawk in the yard and she gets very scared, even though she
could not possibly know what a hawk does. Horses will stomp a snake to
death out of instinct. Probably just operating out of innate fear.
Fawn Bowden
Riverside, IA
On Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 8:31:36 PM UTC-5, Linda Rudolph wrote:
>
>
>
> I was checking the Bluebird nest boxes this evening when I saw a Robin
> trying to pick up and bash something on the sidewalk. I realized it wasn’t
> a large earthworm and could see through my binoculars that it was a small
> snake. I watched the interaction for a few minutes. As the Robin tried to
> pick up the snake, the snake would lift it’s head up with it’s mouth wide
> open and strike towards the Robin. I’m not sure if the Robin would have
> eventually won the encounter. A bicyclists cycled by and scared the Robin
> off. I took the attached photo with my iPhone as the snake recovered at
> the edge of the sidewalk. I’ve never seen a Robin try to eat a snake
> before.
>
>
>
> Linda Rudolph
>
> Coralville
>
> Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
> Windows 10
>
>
>
Date: 6/22/17 6:48 pm From: Linda Rudolph <lgrudolph...> Subject: [ia-bird] Fw: Robin vs baby Bull Snake- Waterworks Prairie Park, Johnson County
Jim Durbin emailed me that he has a "herp friend" who says this was a small brown snake.
Thanks Jim!
Linda Rudolph
Coralville
________________________________
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> on behalf of Linda Rudolph <lgrudolph...>
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2017 8:31 PM
To: <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Robin vs baby Bull Snake- Waterworks Prairie Park, Johnson County
I was checking the Bluebird nest boxes this evening when I saw a Robin trying to pick up and bash something on the sidewalk. I realized it wasn’t a large earthworm and could see through my binoculars that it was a small snake. I watched the interaction for a few minutes. As the Robin tried to pick up the snake, the snake would lift it’s head up with it’s mouth wide open and strike towards the Robin. I’m not sure if the Robin would have eventually won the encounter. A bicyclists cycled by and scared the Robin off. I took the attached photo with my iPhone as the snake recovered at the edge of the sidewalk. I’ve never seen a Robin try to eat a snake before.
Date: 6/22/17 6:47 pm From: Jill Armentrout <sammiesibemom...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Robin vs baby Bull Snake- Waterworks Prairie Park, Johnson County
That snake actually looks huge. How long do you think it was?
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jun 22, 2017, at 8:42 PM, Jim Durbin <bugmugger187...> wrote:
>
> My herp buddy said it is a Brown Snake.
>
> jim durbin
> marion, ia
>
>> On Jun 22, 2017 8:31 PM, "Linda Rudolph" <lgrudolph...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> I was checking the Bluebird nest boxes this evening when I saw a Robin trying to pick up and bash something on the sidewalk. I realized it wasn’t a large earthworm and could see through my binoculars that it was a small snake. I watched the interaction for a few minutes. As the Robin tried to pick up the snake, the snake would lift it’s head up with it’s mouth wide open and strike towards the Robin. I’m not sure if the Robin would have eventually won the encounter. A bicyclists cycled by and scared the Robin off. I took the attached photo with my iPhone as the snake recovered at the edge of the sidewalk. I’ve never seen a Robin try to eat a snake before.
>>
>>
>>
>> Linda Rudolph
>>
>> Coralville
>>
>> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>>
>>
>>
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Date: 6/22/17 6:42 pm From: Jim Durbin <bugmugger187...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Robin vs baby Bull Snake- Waterworks Prairie Park, Johnson County
My herp buddy said it is a Brown Snake.
jim durbin
marion, ia
On Jun 22, 2017 8:31 PM, "Linda Rudolph" <lgrudolph...> wrote:
>
>
> I was checking the Bluebird nest boxes this evening when I saw a Robin
> trying to pick up and bash something on the sidewalk. I realized it wasn’t
> a large earthworm and could see through my binoculars that it was a small
> snake. I watched the interaction for a few minutes. As the Robin tried to
> pick up the snake, the snake would lift it’s head up with it’s mouth wide
> open and strike towards the Robin. I’m not sure if the Robin would have
> eventually won the encounter. A bicyclists cycled by and scared the Robin
> off. I took the attached photo with my iPhone as the snake recovered at
> the edge of the sidewalk. I’ve never seen a Robin try to eat a snake
> before.
>
>
>
> Linda Rudolph
>
> Coralville
>
> Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
> Windows 10
>
>
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "IA-BIRD" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
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> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/ > msgid/ia-bird/DM5PR13MB1676BF75C223CC00A6A7327BBCD80%40DM5PR13MB1676.
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Date: 6/22/17 6:31 pm From: Linda Rudolph <lgrudolph...> Subject: [ia-bird] Robin vs baby Bull Snake- Waterworks Prairie Park, Johnson County
I was checking the Bluebird nest boxes this evening when I saw a Robin trying to pick up and bash something on the sidewalk. I realized it wasn’t a large earthworm and could see through my binoculars that it was a small snake. I watched the interaction for a few minutes. As the Robin tried to pick up the snake, the snake would lift it’s head up with it’s mouth wide open and strike towards the Robin. I’m not sure if the Robin would have eventually won the encounter. A bicyclists cycled by and scared the Robin off. I took the attached photo with my iPhone as the snake recovered at the edge of the sidewalk. I’ve never seen a Robin try to eat a snake before.
During a quick SW Iowa trip, I saw a Snowy Egret on Wed. It was in Fremont County 3.1 miles west of the jct. of Hiways 2 and US 59 on the south side of the road. I did see 3 Least Terns at the new north pond of the power plant in Pottawattamie Cty. I also saw a singe Least Tern on a mud flat (mostly sand) on the west side of L31, 2 miles north of the Bartlett exit (Mills Cty.) This is north of the golf course. Chuck Fuller Burlington
Date: 6/22/17 3:54 am From: Sharon Bauer <sharon.bauer519...> Subject: [ia-bird] Cerulean Warbler, Madison County
With the first day of summer, and a day off, I headed to Pammel Park for an afternoon of birding. Was a beautiful day to be out! Plenty of birds to make me happy, and than I heard what I thought was a Cerulean Warbler (a recent trip to Allamakee County helped with the id) and was able to get a bad recording. THANKS to Gw Apuffin who cleaned up the recording in ibird to confirm the bird as a Cerulean. Pretty excited! Okay, VERY excited. Also got nice views of a Summer Tanager. A good day all around.
Date: 6/21/17 10:53 am From: John Bissell <John.N.Bissell...> Subject: [ia-bird] Western Kingbird
While walking up to the Science Center this morning, I found what I believe is a Western Kingbird nest in the arch over 4th St next to the Hessen Haus restaurant.
Good birding,
John Bissell
Grimes
John Bissell AIC
Subrogation Supervisor
EMC Insurance Companies
717 Mulberry St | Des Moines, IA 50309
P.O. Box 712 | Des Moines, IA 50306
515-345-7554 | 800-247-4445, ext. 7554 | Fax: 866-504-6467
<John.N.Bissell...><mailto:<John.N.Bissell...> | www.emcins.com<http://www.emcins.com>
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This first morning of summer I hiked the back country of Ledges along Davis and Peas Creeks as far as their confluence along the Canyon Road. 46 species total including Carolina Wren, Summer Tanager, 4 Scarlet Tanagers and LA Waterthrushes in two spots along Davis Creek. Many, many Indigo Buntings.
Warblers included 1 Northern Parula, 1 Am. Redstart, Common Yellowthroats and the waterthrushes. I believe I heard a Red-shouldered Hawk below the campground, but I only heard it once and you never can tell with Blue Jays around. The call had a lot more depth than the Blue Jay mimics in my back yard. Not detected were cuckoos or YT Vireo.
Karl Jungbluth 2 miles south of Boone
P.S. Great-tailed Grackles are nesting on the Cedar Pointe Golf Course in Boone. I saw a pair fly over Hancock Drive Monday with the female carrying food. The nest location would be one of the two ponds north of Hancock Drive between Linn St and S. Jackson St (east of DMACC housing).
