-RBA
*Iowa
*Iowa Statewide
*6 December 2005
*IAST0512.06
-Transcript
-RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL:
**BARROW'S GOLDENEYE** (potential 11th state record)
**BROWN PELICAN** (11th state record)
CASUAL:
**CLARK'S GREBE** (potential 14th state record)
**CALIFORNIA GULL** (potential 16th state record)
**FERRUGINOUS HAWK** (potential 19th state record)
**GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (potential 31st state record)
**BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE** (44th state record)
-Additional Species Mentioned
*Ross's Goose
*Mute Swan
*Trumpeter Swan
*Greater Scaup
*Surf Scoter
*White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
**PACIFIC LOON**
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
American White Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret (2nd latest tie)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (wintering loc.)
Red-shouldered Hawk
Golden Eagle
Merlin
**PRAIRIE FALCON**
Killdeer
Wilson's Snipe
*Franklin's Gull
*Thayer's Gull
**LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL**
Glaucous Gull
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Snowy Owl
Short-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
*Loggerhead Shrike
*Northern Shrike
Tufted Titmouse (range)
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Pipit
Rusty Blackbird
Snow Bunting
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Coverage: Iowa Statewide
Date: 6 December 2005
Compiler and Transcriber: Danny Akers
Email: BirdManDan1231@hotmail.com
For more information on Iowa birds and birding, visit 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. Occasionally, these asterisks may only apply to certain regularly
occuring species at certain times of the year. Species in the ACCIDENTAL and
CASUAL categories are listed in order of accepted occurance in the state,
with the rarest species at the top. Species in the ACCIDENTAL category will
also have the accepted or potential state record number next to the species
name.
-Weekly Summary for Tuesday, December 6th, 2005:
Forty-five (45) species are mentioned in the report. Two Accidentals were
reported, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE in Plymouth County and the BROWN PELICAN in
Marion County. Five Casuals were reported, including CLARK'S GREBE in
Dickinson County, CALIFORNIA GULL in Lee County, FERRUGINOUS HAWK in
Pottawattamie County, GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL in Lee County, and
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE in Polk County. Other good birds over the past two
weeks included PACIFIC LOON in Polk County, several PRAIRIE FALCONS, and a
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL in Scott County. This certantly was a time for good
gulls in Iowa, with FRANKLIN'S, THAYER'S, and GLAUCOUS GULLS being reported,
as well as those mentioned above. Owls also made a good notice throughout
the state, especially SNOWY OWLS.
-Here is the Iowa Rare Bird Alert from Monday, November 21st, to Tuesday,
December 6th, 2005:
SOUTHWEST:
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY: A PRAIRIE FALCON and 2 GOLDEN EAGLES were the
highlight from the Hitchcock Hawkwatch on the 21st.
An immature dark morph FERRUGINOUS HAWK was seen on the Hitchcock Hawkwatch
on the 23rd.
A lone PRAIRIE FALCON and a GOLDEN EAGLE were the highlights from the
Hitchcock Hawkwatch on the 24th.
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was the highlight from Lake Manawa on the 27th.
A single GOLDEN EAGLE was the highlight from the Hitchcock Hawkwatch on the
28th.
A late MERLIN was notable from Hitchcock on the 29th.
At Lake Manawa on the 30th was a SURF SCOTER, a LONG-TAILED DUCK, and a
GLAUCOUS GULL. All three birds were in 1st winter plumage.
The SURF SCOTER and GLAUCOUS GULL were relocated at Lake Manawa on the 1st.
At Hitchcock, a PRAIRIE FALCON was the highlight. A RUSTY BLACKBIRD was
noted by hawkwatchers as well.
A CAROLINA WREN was seen at a residence in Oakland on the 2nd and a HARRIS'S
SPARROW was seen at this residence on the 3rd.
FREMONT COUNTY: Two (2) EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were found in the town of
Randolph in late November. A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was also seen just east of
Randolph.
WEST CENTRAL:
IDA COUNTY: A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was seen near Ida Grove on the 3rd.
NORTHWEST:
CHEROKEE COUNTY: A TUFTED TITMOUSE visited a residence in Cherokee on the
24th. Somewhat northwesterly of this species' range in Iowa.
DICKINSON COUNTY: On the west side of Spirit Lake, at Tamplar Park, on the
26th was a CLARK'S GREBE. The bright yellow bill was noted. Also of mention
were 7 SNOW BUNTINGS at the Grade.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY: A female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was seen at Higman's Quarry in
Akron on the 27th. The large pond can be viewed from a public road on the
southside of the quarry, but much better from interior roads which can be
accessed with permission from the occupants (Higmans) of the house at the NE
corner of the quarry.
EMMET COUNTY: A SNOWY OWL has been seen north of Armstrong. Take County Rd.
P12 2 miles north (out of Armstrong) to County Rd. A21 and turn east
(right). In that first mile, especially on the north (left) side of the
road, are hay fields. The bird has been frequenting these fields.
OSCEOLA COUNTY: A SNOWY OWL was seen on the 6th at the Swalve Wildlife Area;
about a mile west of the town of Ocheyedan.
NORTHEAST:
BLACK HAWK COUNTY: A ROSS'S GOOSE was seen at Prairie Lakes in Cedar Falls
on the 25th.
A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was seen at Fisher Lake in George Wyth S.P. in
Waterloo as reported on the 28th.
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY: An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was seen on County Rd. A26 west of
New Albin on the 26th. At Yellow River Forest, 2 WINTER WRENS were seen
along the creek at the back of the campground. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were
numerous here.
CLAYTON COUNTY: Around 15 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen between 2 mixed flocks of
birds along Highway 52, 3.5 miles south of Garnavillo on the 1st.
EAST CENTRAL:
LINN COUNTY: An immature female WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was seen on the lake at
Pleasant Creek Recreational Area near Palo on the 21st.
Three (3) BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen at the heated section of
Cedar Lake in Cedar Rapids, as reported on the 26th. If these birds stay, it
will mark the 8th consecutive year that this species has wintered at this
location.
SCOTT COUNTY: A 1st winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was found at Lock and
Dam 14 on the 26th. An adult THAYER'S GULL was found at Lock and Dam 15 and
a tie for 2nd latest GREAT EGRET was seen here as well.
At a residence near Buffalo on the 1st, CAROLINA WREN and EURASIAN TREE
SPARROW were reported.
SOUTHEAST:
LEE COUNTY: Amongst thousands of waterfowl north of Keokuk on Pool 19 on the
25th was a WESTERN GREBE and a few GREATER SCAUP as highlights.
A Big Day, conducted on the 2nd between Des Moines and Lee Counties, yielded
70 species. Highlights included a CALIFORNIA GULL, a GREAT BLACK-BACKED
GULL, a MUTE SWAN, 2 TRUMPETER SWANS, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, 7 EURASIAN
COLLARED-DOVES, and 4 SNOW BUNTINGS.
The CALIFORNIA GULL was a 1st winter bird found at Hall's Towing in Fort
Madison (Lee County). It was possibly a sick bird, seen very close to shore
and not wanting to move far from it. The GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was a 2nd
winter bird at the Keokuk dam (Lee Co.), seen sitting on the breakwater
coming off of the power plant on the Iowa side of the river. The MUTE SWAN
was seen in the river at the end of 53rd Street, which is reached by exiting
US Hwy 61 in the southwestern part of Fort Madison (Lee Co.)and heading
toward the river. The RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was in Crapo Park in Burlington
(Des Moines Co.), along South Main Street, sitting in a persimmon tree. The
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were in the town of Denmark (Lee Co.) along Hwy 16.
The SNOW BUNTINGS were in the Green Bay Bottoms south and east of the town
of Wever (Lee Co.), which is located along US Hwy 61 midway between
Burlington and Fort Madison.
SOUTH CENTRAL:
APPANOOSE COUNTY: A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen along County Rd. T41 west of
Walnut City on the 3rd. Two (2) EARED GREBES were on the north side of the
Rathbun Dam, along with a GREATER SCAUP. Many GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were
around.
MARION COUNTY: At Red Rock Reservoir on the 3rd was an AMERICAN WHITE
PELICAN and 2 WILSON'S SNIPE.
CENTRAL:
POLK COUNTY: The PACIFIC LOON was seen off Cherry Glen Access of Saylorville
Reservoir on the 21st. A GREAT EGRET was seen below the dam as well.
At Saylorville Reservoir on the 26th were 2 WESTERN GREBES and 2
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS. A small flock of SNOW BUNTINGS flew over Cherry
Glen Access as well.
At Saylorville Reservoir on the 27th was a male GREATER SCAUP, 30 AMERICAN
WHITE PELICANS, 39 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, an AMERICAN PIPIT, and 6 SNOW
BUNTINGS.
A PRAIRIE FALCON was seen in Johnston on the 29th.
At Saylorville Reservoir on the 30th were 2 GREATER SCAUP, 2 juvenile female
LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 18 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, 9 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS,
a male MERLIN, and 2 adult THAYER'S GULLS.
Highlights from Saylorville Reservoir on the 1st included a juvenile
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, 4 GREATER SCAUP, 2 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, 12
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, and 2 adult THAYER'S GULLS.
The juvenile BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was relocated at Saylorville Reservoir
on the 2nd. A TRUMPETER SWAN was also present.
At Saylorville Reservoir on the 3rd were 11 GREATER SCAUP, 23 AMERICAN WHITE
PELICANS, 17 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, and an alternate adult FRANKLIN'S
GULL.
Highlights at Saylorville Reservoir on the 4th included 25 GREATER SCAUP, 18
AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, 6 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, an adult THAYER'S
GULL, and the juvenile BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (which appeared for only a
matter of minutes).
The juvenile BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE made a brief appearance at the dam at
Saylorville Reservoir during mid-afternoon of the 5th.
POWESHIEK COUNTY: Two (2) LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen at Diamond Lake on the
22nd. A MUTE SWAN has also been present the past few weeks.
DALLAS COUNTY: A SNOWY OWL was seen along Highway 44, just east of its
intersection with County Rd. P46. The bird was sitting in the ditch on the
south side of Highway 44, on west side of the first driveway west of P46.
STORY COUNTY: Highlights from Ada Hayden Heritage Park on the 1st included a
ROSS'S GOOSE, 9 TRUMPETER SWANS, a KILLDEER, and a SHORT-EARED OWL.
At Ada Hayden Heritage Park on the 3rd were 9 TRUMPETER SWANS.