Iowa Birds

[ia-bird] should add...

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:41:01 -0500

...the ground there was reported as "soft" yesterday. THis morning, after the rain, it was closer to spongy.

Christopher A. Brochu
Associate Professor
Department of Geoscience
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
phone 319-353-1808
fax 319-335-1821
email (email address filtered)
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[ia-bird] peep question

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:37:47 -0500

This morning, I went to the ponds where the curlew sandpiper was reported yesterday. No luck on that, but there were plenty of shorebirds, including an American avocet.

There were lots of peeps. For those who've been out there - they looked like semipalmated sandpipers to me, but I'm

[ia-bird] Snowy egret

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:12:50 -0500

A single Snowy egret was with a few Great egrets in a barrow pit along US Hwy 61 north of the town of Wever this morning.

John Rutenbeck
Burlington

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[ia-bird] Curlew Sandpiper update?

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:05:16 -0500

I'm setting out in the direction of Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area from
Kansas City in hopes of seeing the Curlew Sandpiper. I don't have a
smartphone so would appreciate an "old-fashioned" call from anyone with
information from today (pro or con) at 785-550-8883. Thanks in advance!

David Seibel

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[ia-bird] RE: Parker's Woods-Acadian

Fri, 25 May 2012 09:44:48 -0500

I, too, went to the park yesterday and this morning with the winds down.
There were a number of Swainson's, Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos,
Flycatchers including the chebek of the Least, the pips of the
Yellow-bellied and surprisingly a single bird calling pizzup (the Acadian).
I could see it move around along the edge

[ia-bird] curlew sandpiper update

Fri, 25 May 2012 05:27:11 -0500

I didn't see any further posts about the female Curlew Sandpiper from last night so will add that it was still there around 7 p.m., when the rain came through. A number of us were watching it and stayed until we heard the first rumblings of thunder.

This is at Hawkeye

[ia-bird] Eastern Iowa (Long version)

Fri, 25 May 2012 00:10:28 -0500

Apologize for the late post but 1000 miles in last 3 days, too much birding (I don't think there is any such thing), wind, heat, family, lack of internet access, have all combined to delay.

May 22
AM--Birded Wildcat Den (Muscatine Co) with Mary Lou Petersen. Absolutely awesome place to go even

[ia-bird] Re: Curlew Sandpiper in Johnson Co.

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:02:32 -0500

Jim,
What a great find! Very nice photos especially in the wind we had. Awesome job all around!

God Bless,

Paul Roisen
Sioux City, IA
Woodbury County
712-276-0371(H)
712-301-2817(C)

________________________________
From: "(email address filtered)" <(email address filtered)>
To: IA-BIRD <(email address filtered)>
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 11:19 AM
Subject: [ia-bird] Curlew Sandpiper in Johnson Co.

This morning at

[ia-bird] a sprinkling of warblers

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:46:41 -0500

The wind died down after the 5-6 AM thunderstorms, so a few migrants
were found grounded in Riverview Cemetery. A number of Swainson's, and
single Gray-cheeked and Veery, Red-eyed Vireos, Empid flycatchers, and
Yellow Warblers and Redstarts were spread all around. A crowd of birds
in large spruce trees included

[ia-bird] Humboldt Co. Tennessee warbler and cedar waxwings today

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:32:45 -0500

Waxwings over the river catching bugs today. Tennessee warbler spotted
several days ago but not a good look. Today was able to positively ID.

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[ia-bird] RE: Curlew Sandpiper in Johnson Co.

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:33:11 -0500

Jim sent me a couple of photos which are now at http://iowabirds.org/Birds/RareBirdPhotos.aspx.
Ann Johnson

-----Original Message-----
From: (email address filtered) [mailto:(email address filtered)] On Behalf Of (email address filtered)
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 11:20 AM
To: IA-BIRD
Subject: [ia-bird] Curlew Sandpiper in Johnson Co.

This morning at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area I found what

[ia-bird] 3 Cranes near HWA, Johnson Co.

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:21:35 -0500

Jim Fuller and I came across three Sandhill Cranes today east of
Greencastle Ave and north of Swan Lake Rd. Going north on
Greencastle toward the watery dead end at the Iowa River look for the
first opening in the willows on the east side. If you

[ia-bird] Mississippi Kites -- Des Moines

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:01:58 -0500

Over the lunch hour today, I saw at least two Mississippi Kites soaring over the Art Center/Ashworth Park/Greenwood Park area. They were most easily seen from the Ashworth pond.

Aaron Brees

Saylorville, IA

http://www.flickr.com/photos/abrees/

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[ia-bird] Avocets at Swan Lake S.P. - Carroll Co.

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:38:48 -0500

QmlyZGVycywNCg0KVGhlcmUgYXJlIDIgc2hvdy1zdG9wcGluZyBBTUVSSUNBTiBBVk9DRVRTIGF0
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b20gbXkgVS5TLiBDZWxsdWxhciBCbGFja0JlcnJ5riBzbWFydHBob25l

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[ia-bird] Curlew Sandpiper in Johnson Co.

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:19:56 -0500

This morning at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area I found what appears
to be a female or transitional CURLEW SANDPIPER. At first glance
I thought it was a Short-billed Dowitcher but the bill was too
short and decurved. Like a lot of rare birds, it flew before I got
a second look so I

[ia-bird] Yellow-breasted Chat

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:20:39 -0500

The previously reported YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at Neal Smith NWR is still in
the area of trees and shrubs at the east end of the Tallgrass Trail. It was
not as vocal today as it was a couple weeks ago, so I didn't hear it until
I was in the area about 20 minutes.

[ia-bird] grassland birds Osceola county

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:14:18 -0500

Sorrel Ave just S of hwy 9
3 bobolinks, many dicksissels, meadowlark
B. oriole in cottonwoods around old borrow pit

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[ia-bird] Short message from Lost Island

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:12:48 -0500

As I went by Lost Island on my way home this afternoon, I noticed a small
chunk of about a dozen-dozen and a half shorebirds. I slowed, mostly
Pectorals with maybe a Stilt Sandpiper in the mix, although there were a
pair of Marbled Godwits hanging out separate from the rest of

[ia-bird] Lonesome Snow Goose

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:13:03 -0500

A single snow goose appeared on and around Grade Lake on the south
edge of Osceola, Clarke County about a week ago and continues to
hang out there.
The lake often homes several broods of Canadas, but I've never seen
a Snow there even during migration.

Steve Harvey
Clarke County

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[ia-bird] Bird sightings at Chichaqua Bottoms area

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:42:08 -0500

I saw many Dickcissels singing beautifully yesterday at Chichaqua Bottoms wildlife area.
Jill Armentrout
Des Moines
On May 22, 2012, at 8:05 AM, Hank Zaletel wrote:

> Go to:
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/22/science/relics-with-much-to-tell-about-bird-diets-may-be-lost.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc

[ia-bird] Copper Canyon trip discounted for IOU

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:24:46 -0500

I just recently learned of a discount on a trip
to Copper Canyon that applies to IOU members.
My wife and I have had two wonderful trips to
Mexico with David and Jennifer MacKay. As past
guests we were extended a $350 per person
discount on an upcoming

[ia-bird] Sandhill Crane colts

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:23:09 -0500

The pair of cranes that we suspected were nesting somewhere at Thorpe Park apparently were! Yesterday, we observed the adult pair along the edge of the marsh with two colts that appeared to be about a week old. They were just down the hill from the office, very close to

[ia-bird] HWA shorebirds Tuesday

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:24:04 -0500

Shorebird numbers have increased on the south side of Hawkeye Wildlife Area (Johnson County) from this weekend, although it's basically the same mix of birds, just more of them. New additions were 2 RUDDY TURNSTONES on the west side of Greencastle.

Round Pond had a number of shorebirds for very close viewing, but

[ia-bird] NY Times article: Relics With Much to Tell About Bird Diets May Be Lost to Time

Tue, 22 May 2012 08:05:52 -0500

Go to:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/22/science/relics-with-much-to-tell-about-bird-diets-may-be-lost.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc

[ia-bird] Chuck-will's widow Fremont County and Lucas Co

Tue, 22 May 2012 07:27:54 -0500

Hi,
I had a great time at the Spring meeting. Thanks to all the committee members for their help.
On my way to the Spring meeting I spent the night at the Lucas Unit of Stephens St. Forest. I found 2 Chuck-will-widow.
One bird was found just south of 47337 137th (This is

[ia-bird] very low TPM ratio

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:47:54 -0500

I walked the mile back and forth from the store today at 7, noon, and 5.
Warbler detection conditions were ideal, and it was painfully obvious
that migration has clunked to a halt. My TPM ratio (Tennessees per mile)
was a big, fat zero for the day. Your mileage may

[ia-bird] Bay's Branch shorebirds

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:18:55 -0500

I stopped at Bay's Branch (Guthrie County) on my way home from work and
observed 12 species of shorebird. The highlights included an American
avocet, Hudsonian godwits, Dunlin, and a Wilson's phalarope.

My brother and I also observed several Upland sandpipers and an American
golden-plover at Walch Wildlife Area (Cerro Gordo County) on Saturday.

Austin

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[ia-bird] Spring Meeting Thanks

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:30:42 -0500

Thanks very much to the Iowa City Bird Club for hosting the Spring Meeting. I had a great time.
I saw things that I have never seen before. Like a dozen Turkey eggs and two Red Tailed hawk "eaglets" at Indian Hills Grassland and then most amazing were people dressed up Saturday.

Dan

[ia-bird] Re: Carroll/Calhoun Countries (Lake City/Carroll)

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:24:12 -0500

Jacob,
Swan Lake State Park has been absolutely stunning during the first part of May. Keep and eye on the IA-Bird list (there was a posting from Matt Wetrich this morning.

Of course each day is different but that is the place I would hit.

BTW where are you from, Jacob?

God

[ia-bird] Swan Lake continues to impress...

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:11:23 -0500

QmlyZGVycywNCg0KSW4gYWRkaXRpb24gdG8gdGhpcyBtb3JuaW5nJ3MgbWVudGlvbmVkIGJpcmRz
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b3duIGJlZ2FuIGEgZmV3IHdlZWtzIGFnbyBoYXMgYmVlbiBub3RoaW5nIHNob3J0IG9mIEFXRVNP
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biBDYXJyb2xsIENvdW50eS4gDQoNCkJpcmQgb24uLi4NCk1hdHQNCg0KTWF0dGhldyBULiBXZXRy
aWNoDQpKZWZmZXJzb24gLSBHcmVlbmUgQ28uDQpOYXR1cmFsaXN0LCBDYXJyb2xsIENvLiBDb25z
ZXJ2YXRpb24NCg0KDQpTZW50IGZyb20gbXkgVS5TLiBDZWxsdWxhciBCbGFja0JlcnJ5riBzbWFy
dHBob25l

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[ia-bird] Hooded warbler still at Hickory Hill

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:08:00 -0500

Today at 10 am, we saw the HOODED WARBLER again. He had moved a little,
from the triangle trail down the hill to the South Canyon trail, but he
was there singing loudly and making his presence known.

Kyle Belcher,
Iowa City, IA

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[ia-bird] Re: Shorebirds in north Iowa

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:57:22 -0500

Several thousand shorebirds continue at Ventura Marsh in w Cerro
Gordo County. Most are extremely far away, but 7 Hudsonian Godwits
were identifiable, plus a handful of Black-bellied Plovers and one or
two Golden Plovers. The mix of the nearest individuals of the small
birds seems dominated by Least

[ia-bird] Tama Co. Black-necked Stilts NO

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:45:05 -0500

Hi all,
Reid and I looked for the Black-necked Stilts that Mark P. found yesterday at Otter Creek Marsh but had no success in relocating them. We did see a Black-billed Cuckoo in a small shrub near the parking lot on the east side of the marsh.
Good Birding!
Pam Allen
West Des

[ia-bird] Swan Lake SP

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:52:15 -0500

QmlyZGVycywNCg0KVGhpcyBtb3JuaW5nIGEgbmV3IGFkZGl0aW9uIHRvIHRoZSBjb250aW51aW5n
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aGUgbWFpbiBwYXJraW5nIGxvdCBhdCB0aGUgbWFpbiBlbnRyYW5jZSBvZiB0aGUgcGFyaywgdGhl
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ClNlbnQgZnJvbSBteSBVLlMuIENlbGx1bGFyIEJsYWNrQmVycnmuIHNtYXJ0cGhvbmU

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[ia-bird] I.O.U. Spring Meeting - Appreciation

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:41:58 -0500

I would like to congratulate the Iowa City Bird Club on the fine job they did hosting the spring I.O.U. meeting. The setting, the food, the presentations, the field trips and the guest speaker were all top notch. Thanks agin for a job well done!

Jim Sinclair

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[ia-bird] Group Photo From IOU Meeting

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:23:22 -0500

I have posted the group photo from Saturday evening on the IOU Flickr page.
Everyone can see it at http://www.flickr.com/photos/iowabirds/7242237426/.
If you would like a printable copy, just click on the original and download
it.

Many, many thanks to the Iowa City Bird Club for a fantastic meeting. It
was especially gratifying to have

[ia-bird] Carroll/Calhoun Countries (Lake City/Carroll)

Mon, 21 May 2012 07:45:40 -0500

I'll have a half day to kill while visiting Lake City for a wedding this
weekend. Anyone have good spot suggestions for a beginning birder to
check out in that area?
(I will check out the IBA list, but thought I'd consult people here first)
Much appreciated!

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[ia-bird] Late Reports (UNCLASSIFIED)

Mon, 21 May 2012 07:34:26 -0500

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Visited Swamp White Oak Preserve in Muscatine County on Saturday. Bugs were atrocious, but the Orchard Orioles didn't care. Also, at Red Cedar Wildlife Area in Muscatine County, there was a Yellow Breasted Chat singing away.

Al Frohlich
Bettendorf, Iowa

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

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[ia-bird] Roland backyard-Waxwings & Red-headed Woodpecker

Mon, 21 May 2012 01:21:42 -0500

This morning while cleaning the birdbath I heard a woodpecker call from
high above me...after looking at the spot of the sound for what seemed
like forever..movement high in the Sycamore tree revieled my FOY
Red-Headed Woodpecker. It didn't stay long and never saw it again the
remainder of the day. Later in the

[ia-bird] Maybe duplicate message

Sun, 20 May 2012 22:18:56 -0500

Hi all,
Reid tried to send a message to the listserve that Mark Proescholdt called to say he saw 2 Black-necked Stilts viewed by walking a short ways out on the dike from the new viewing platform at Otter Creek Marsh. We have not seen this message appear yet and

[ia-bird] Tama County Black-Necked Stilts

Sun, 20 May 2012 21:24:01 -0500

Mark Proescholdt just called to report finding 2 Black-necked Stilts at
Otter Creek Marsh from the dike below the new viewing platform and 11
Sandhill Cranes from the platform.

Reid Allen
West Des Moines

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[ia-bird] Re: Hot weather Siskin

Sun, 20 May 2012 20:08:29 -0500

On 5/20/2012 7:08 PM, (email address filtered) wrote:
> My siskins just left this week...or...maybe they are nesting somewhere? We have had summer siskins for about 3 years. Right now, other than the starlings and grackles we have baby mourning doves, downy woodpeckers, robins, cardinals and a whole troop

[ia-bird] Re: Hot weather Siskin

Sun, 20 May 2012 19:08:47 -0500

My siskins just left this week...or...maybe they are nesting somewhere? We have had summer siskins for about 3 years. Right now, other than the starlings and grackles we have baby mourning doves, downy woodpeckers, robins, cardinals and a whole troop of chickadees.

Maridel Jackson
Ankeny, IA
----- Original Message

[ia-bird] IOU Meeting in Iowa City

Sun, 20 May 2012 19:07:49 -0500

We had a great time hosting everyone this weekend. The talks were great, Alvaro was thought provoking and funny. Lunch today at Kent P was fun and we saw the beginning of a display on Fred Kent.

Bird were okay. We saw some nice birds, missed some and ended

[ia-bird] Shorebirds Hancock County

Sun, 20 May 2012 16:52:22 -0500

At Crystal Hills Wildlife Area, in Hancock County, there were hundreds of
shorebirds today.
With a narrow mud flat completely around the pond making it an ideal place
for the shorebirds to
feed. High winds made it difficult for viewing the peeps, but all others
were in fairly close

[ia-bird] so this is where I eat my words...

Sun, 20 May 2012 14:31:40 -0500

Folks,

I don't recall who among you at the IOU meeting recommended a recent blog entry by David Sibley on distinguishing the calls of eastern trilling birds, but I would like to thank that person. Sort of.

I stand by my initial comment that what I heard on the UI campus

[ia-bird] Call SP Cerulean

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:49:01 -0500

There were very few warblers at Call SP near Algona this AM, but a male
Cerulean singing only 30 ft up really stood out.

Remaining floodwaters around Maynard Reece WPA nw of Union Slough NWR
held a dozen species of shorebirds, including Short-billed Dow, Semipalm
Plover, Black-bellied Pl, and Dunlin; while

[ia-bird] Brewer's Blackbirds south of Homestead

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:33:39 -0500

Hope this counts for the compilation. Found a flock of 8-10 female
Brewer'd Blackbirds one mile south of Homestead.

--
J Pat Valentik
Huntsville, AR 72740

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[ia-bird] Ames Tribune aeticle on Linda Zaletel, IOU Board Member & Newsletter Editor.

Sun, 20 May 2012 09:44:41 -0500

I am partial to this article since Linda is my wife. She and her mother
got me interested in birds many years ago. She is retiring at the end of
May. This article summarizes some of what she has done. She was co-editor
of the IOU News from 1985-2000, board member, and co-authored

[ia-bird] Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson Co.

Sat, 19 May 2012 21:17:08 -0500

Scoping wasn't the best today and most shorebirds distant. After
careful scoping at the DNR parking lot (Amana Rd.) I managed;

2 Hudsonian Godwits
1 American Avocet
6 Black-bellied Plovers
1 Ross's Goose

Also saw a Great Egret and Sandhill Crane on the south side.