-RBA
*Iowa
*Iowa Statewide
*17 April 2006
*IAST0604.17
-Transcript
-RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL:
**GARGANEY** (3rd state record)
**FISH CROW** (potential 4th state record)
CASUAL:
**BLACK-HEADED GULL** (potential 17th state record)
-Additional Species Mentioned
Ross's Goose
*Cackling Goose
*Cinnamon Teal
*Greater Scaup
*Surf Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Ruffed Grouse
Greater Prairie-Chicken
Northern Bobwhite
*Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe
American Bittern
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
*White-faced Ibis (2nd earliest tie)
Osprey
Swainson's Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
*Yellow Rail
Sora
Sandhill Crane
SHOREBIRDS
American Golden-Plover
Semipalmated Plover (3rd earliest record)
American Avocet (3rd earliest tie)
Greater Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Willet
Upland Sandpiper (3rd earliest record)
*Hudsonian Godwit
*Marbled Godwit
Least Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Dunlin
*Stilt Sandpiper (record early)
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Phalarope
Franklin's Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Forster's Tern (3rd earliest tie)
Caspian Tern (2nd earliest record)
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Whip-poor-will (record early tie)
Chimney Swift
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
*Acadian Flycatcher (record early)
Loggerhead Shrike
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow (2nd earliest tie)
Barn Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Winter Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
**GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH** (record early)
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
American Pipit
WARBLERS
Orange-crowned Warbler (2nd earliest tie)
Nashville Warbler (record early)
Northern Parula (3rd earilest tie)
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler (record early)
Louisiana Waterthrush
SPARROWS
Eastern Towhee
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Le Conte's Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Smith's Longspur
Yellow-headed Blackbird (3rd earliest tie)
Rusty Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Coverage: Iowa Statewide
Date: 17 April 2006
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 Monday, April 17th, 2006:
Eighty-nine (89) species are mentioned in the report. Two ACCIDENTAL species
were reported. A male GARGANEY was photographed on the 7th in Woodbury
County. This will be the 3rd state record for Garganey in Iowa. Two FISH
CROWS were observed in Louisa County on the 3rd. If accepted, this would be
the 4th state record and the first since 1995. One Casual species was
reported, a BLACK-HEADED GULL. This bird, in breeding plumage was observed
in Allamakee County on the 1st. If accepted, this would be the 17th state
record overall; the first away from Dickinson County since 1994, and the
first spring record (second overall) since 1998. Spring migration is indeed
underway in Iowa. The shorebird tally is up to 20 species. The warbler tally
has begun in this report and has tallied 7 species. Many species have set
early dates already this spring and include WHITE-FACED IBIS, SEMIPALMATED
PLOVER, AMERICAN AVOCET, UPLAND SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, FORSTER'S TERN,
CASPIAN TERN, WHIP-POOR-WILL, ACADIAN FLYCATCHER, CLIFF SWALLOW,
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, NORTHERN
PARULA, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. Other interesting
sightings in April thus far include CACKLING GOOSE, 2 CINNAMON TEAL, GREATER
SCAUP, SURF SCOTER, RED-THROATED LOON, YELLOW RAIL, and HUDSONIAN and
MARBLED GODWITS. This is the largest Rare Bird Alert to date, so begin!
-Here is the Iowa Rare Bird Alert from Saturday, April 1st to Monday, April
17th, 2006:
SOUTHWEST:
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY: Near the Hitchcock Nature Center on the 2nd, was a
female RUSTY BLACKBIRD and an early male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
FREMONT COUNTY: At the Riverton Area on the 9th were at least 288 AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVERS, a SOLITARY SANDPIPER, 48 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, a BROWN
THRASHER, and a GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY: A LOGGHERHEAD SHRIKE was found in rural Montgomery County
on the 9th.
ADAMS COUNTY: Two LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were found in rural parts of Adams
County on the 9th. An EARED GREBE was at Lake Icaria as well.
WEST CENTRAL:
WOODBURY COUNTY: A male CINNAMON TEAL was found on a pond north of New Lake
on the 4th.
The CINNAMON TEAL was relocated near New Lake on the 7th. A male GARGANEY
was photographed at New Lake as well. This will be the 3rd record for Iowa.
A flock of 200+ AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS was seen at the Owego Wetlands on
the 8th. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (3rd earliest) and 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS were also
highlights here. An extensive search for the GARGANEY was unsuccessful.
Southeast of Sioux City on the 15th was a SWAINSON'S HAWK and a LOGGERHEAD
SHRIKE.
IDA COUNTY: A EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was observed at Courier Square in Ida
Grove on the 5th.
GREENE COUNTY: A high count of 445 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS was at Dunbar
Slough on the 12th. A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was also present.
GUTHRIE COUNTY: A NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was at the Whiterock
Conservancy on the 12th.
NORTHWEST:
CLAY COUNTY: Highlights on the 13th included 80 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, 3
HUDSONIAN and 5 MARBLED GODWITS, a FORSTER'S TERN, and a BARN SWALLOW.
NORTH CENTRAL:
WRIGHT COUNTY: At Big Wall Lake on the 1st was a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 91
PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, and a BONAPARTE'S GULL. Three ROSS'S GEESE were at
Anderson Lake and eight were at Big Wall Lake.
A molting DUNLIN was observed on the 10th at the Lower Morse Lake complex.
WORTH COUNTY: A male CINNAMON TEAL was found at Hanlontown Slough on the
9th. The bird was observed off Grouse Avenue.
KOSSUTH COUNTY: Six SMITH'S LONGSPURS were observed in mowed grassy "set
aside" acres near Smith Lake, north of Algona, on the 11th. This was on
private property.
HANCOCK COUNTY: A RED-NECKED GREBE was at East Twin Lake on the 12th. Four
AMERICAN AVOCETS and three FORSTER'S TERNS were at Eagle Lake.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY: A CATTLE EGRET was seen on the north side of Forest City
on the 15th. The bird was the intersection of Hwy 69 and and 165th st.
Another CATTLE EGRET was observed on the 16th approx. 2 miles east of the
Hospital on Hwy 9. Two EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES were here as well. At Harmon
Lake on the 15th were 2 RED-NECKED GREBES.
NORTHEAST:
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY: An adult BLACK-HEADED GULL was found off Red Oak Road,
northeast of Harper's Ferry, on the 1st. It was in the presence of 6
BONAPARTE'S GULLS. A RUFFED GROUSE was heard drumming in the county as well.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was observed landing into Pool Slough off Army Road at
daybreak on the 16th. Other highlights included several calling SORAS,
several SANDHILL CRANES, SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, and a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
BLACK HAWK COUNTY: At least 80 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were seen in a field
near Crane Creek on the 8th. The bird were in a field 1 mile west of the
intersection of Cedar-Wapsi and N Raymond roads, then 1/2 mile North. Other
highlights in the area included 2 WILLETS and 3 UPLAND SANDPIPERS.
DUBUQUE COUNTY: A BARN SWALLOW was observed in Dubuque on the 7th. An
easterly FRANKLIN'S GULL was found along the river and an EASTERN TOWHEE was
at the E.B. Lyons Nature Center at Mines of Spain State Park.
CLAYTON COUNTY: A SORA was observed near Guttenberg on the 12th.
EAST CENTRAL:
LINN COUNTY: A female SURF SCOTER was found at Pleasant Creek State Park on
the 2nd. Three COMMON LOONS were here as well.
A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was observed in Cedar Rapids on the 8th.
A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was at Cedar Lake on the 11th.
SCOTT COUNTY: Two LONG-TAILED DUCKS and several GREATER SCAUP were observed
near Lock and Dam 14 on the 2nd.
JOHNSON COUNTY: At the Lake Macbride Recreational Area on the 2nd was a
single COMMON LOON, a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and a singing WINTER WREN.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was flushed from the northwest end of Sycamore Bottoms
in Iowa City on the 4th. The bird settled down towards the south end.
At Hickory Hill Park, in Iowa City, on the 6th was a CAROLINA WREN, a
singing WINTER WREN, and 3 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.
A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was observed northwest of Lone Tree on the 8th. The
bird was seen on a large wood/debris pile on the east side of Taft RD south
of 540th (near the residence #5530-as seen from a mailbox).
A ROSS'S GOOSE was at the sandpit south of Iowa City on the 9th. Two each of
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE and NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD were along Atwood
Ave./Johnson-Muscatine Ave. in extreme southeast Johnson Co. as well.
At Hickory Hill Park on the 12th was the CAROLINA WREN. At Oakland Cemetary,
was a CAROLINA WREN and a singing HOUSE WREN. The YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
has returned to its usual location of tall pines and woods at the end of
Cottage Reserve Rd., in Lake Macbride State Park.
At Hickory Hill Park on the 14th were 2 CAROLINA WRENS and a NASHVILLE
WARBLER. A flock of SMITH'S LONGSPURS was observed about 3 miles southeast
of Hills. They were in a stubble field
on the east side of Sioux Ave., .2 mile north of the 560 St. intersection.
Last seen moving south. Also, about a half dozen CLIFF SWALLOWS have
returned to the Burlington St. bridge in Iowa City, just east of Riverside
Dr.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was flushed on the 14th at the Redbird farm. The bird
was flushed from the north side of the first dam (where there are two large
ponds). Redbird Farm is on Black Diamond Road, a few miles south of Iowa
City, and a few miles west off Hwy 1.
The SMITH'S LONGSPURS near Hills on the 14th were relocated at the same
location on the 15th.
Shorebirds at Hawkeye Wildlife Area on the 16th included AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER, LEAST SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER.
Several small flocks of SMITH'S LONGSPURS were seen and heard flying
overhead at the previously described location along Sioux Avenue, north of
560th St. in southeastern Johnson County on the 16th. UPLAND SANDPIPER and
NORTHERN BOBWHITE were also heard from this location. In a field northwest
of the intersections of Taft Ave. and 540th St. were 11 AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVERS. Two LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were at a nest in a field northwest
of the intersection of 500th St. and Atwood Ave. (the Johnson-Muscatine Co.
line). The nest is about 4' up in a spindly, thorny 8' tall tree, almost
straight east of the windmill, perhaps 40 yards west of Atwood Ave. At the
Twinview Heights area of the Coralville Reservoir was an AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER, 3 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, a WILSON'S
PHALAROPE, 3 CASPIAN TERNS, and a MARSH WREN.
Shorebirds at Hawkeye Wildlife Area on the 17th included AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, PECTORAL SANDPIPERS as highlights. Other
highlights included 3 GREATER SCAUP, a BARN and 2 CLIFF SWALLOWS, and an
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.
IOWA COUNTY: A WHITE-FACED IBIS was observed at the Amana Lily Lake on the
17th. The bird was on a small wooded island along the south edge of the
lake. It had no white on the face, but had a red eye, reddish facial skin,
and reddish legs. Directions: park along the shoulder of Highway 151 at the
south edge of Main Amana, where the bike trail crosses the highway. Walk
west along the bike trail to the lake, then along the south side of the
lake. About halfway across the south side, you'll come to a small wooded
island very close to shore. The bird was foraging along the north side of
the island and was sometimes hidden from view. An UPLAND SANDPIPER was on a
fencepost on the east side of W Avenue, 0.3 miles south of Homestead. A pair
of LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES was along 180th Street, just west of Y Avenue, SE of
Homestead.
SOUTHEAST:
VAN BUREN COUNTY: Two EASTERN TOWHEES were seen at Lacey Keosauqua State
Park on the 1st.
The YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH were viewed at the
Mormon crossing area of Lacey Keosauqua State Park on the 7th. At least 2
HENSLOW'S SPARROWS were singing in a nearby location.
A PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was observed at the Ely Ford area of Lacey Keosauqua
State park on the 16th.
LEE COUNTY: A flock of about 35 BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS were found in a field
about 2 miles west of Argyle on the 1st. Twelve BONAPARTE'S GULLS and a
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were at Heron Bend Conservation Area. Two GREAT EGRETS
were at the Dial Pond near Heron Bend.
A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was observed at the Donnellson Unit of Shimek State
Forest on the 5th.
LOUISA COUNTY: A pair of FISH CROWS were observed on the 3rd. The birds were
not vocalizing and were not observed with other comparable species, however.
The location was along County road 99 (formerly state highway 99) approx. 2
miles west of Oakville in the Iowa River bottoms. If accepted, this would be
the 4th state record and the first since 1995.
A CACKLING GOOSE was observed near the caboose at Cone Marsh on the 8th.
Three AMERICAN BITTERNS were flushed along the west end of the main
east-west dike at Cone Marsh on the 15th.
JEFFERSON COUNTY: A BROWN THRASHER was observed at a residence near
Fairfield on the 8th.
A LE CONTE'S SPARROW was observed in Jefferson County on the 11th. The bird
was seen in tall grass in what is soon to be the new bypass right of way
next to Cedar Creek pond. A GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH was reported from the area
as well. If accepted, this would be the earliest date for this species in
Iowa by 9 days.
DES MOINES COUNTY: At Starr's Cave Park and Preserve off of Irish Ridge Road
north of Burlington on the 12th were three species of warblers, including
YELLOW-RUMPED, YELLOW-THROATED, and NORTHERN PARULA. At the Burlington
Waterworks along Hwy 99, shorebirds GREATER YELLOWLEGS, SOLITARY SANDPIPER,
and PECTORAL SANDPIPER.
A CHIMNEY SWIFT was observed above Burlington on the 15th.
HENRY COUNTY: A breeding plumage LITTLE BLUE HERON was observed at the very
North end of Lake Geode on the 15th.
SOUTH CENTRAL:
RINGGOLD COUNTY: At least nine GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS were on the leks at
the Kellerton Nature Area on the 2nd.
A GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN was calling pre-dawn at the Kellerton Area on the
9th.
APPANOOSE COUNTY: Twenty AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS and 2
SHORT-EARED OWLS were highlights at the Buckshot Lake area of Sedan wetlands
on the 8th.
In southeastern Appanoose County on the 15th highlights included a
SHORT-EARED OWL, a NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, 10 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS,
12 NORTHERN PARULAS, 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 2 LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHES,
and 6 HENSLOW'S SPARROWS.
UNION COUNTY: Three SWAINSON'S HAWKS were seen east of Creston on the 9th.
WARREN COUNTY: Fourteen AMERICAN AVOCETS were observed at the Diehl Ponds on
the 12th.
Two SWAINSON'S HAWKS were near Hartford on the 15th. At Diehl Lake was a
DUNLIN and a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER.
DECATUR COUNTY: At the DeKalb WMA on the 12th highlights included BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHER and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH.
MARION COUNTY: Two LARK SPARROWS were near Swan on the 15th.
CENTRAL:
BOONE COUNTY: A RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was a notable bird at Ledges State Park
on the 1st.
At Ledges State Park on the 12th was YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, LOUISIANA
WATERTHRUSH, and record early ACADIAN FLYCATCHERS.
POLK COUNTY: Several notable species were found off Jester Park on the 1st
and included a ROSS'S GOOSE, 2 GREAT EGRETS, an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER,
GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 1 LEAST SANDPIPER, 5 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, at least 143
PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, a record early STILT SANDPIPER, 1 LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHER, 12 FRANKLIN'S GULLS, and a few AMERICAN PIPITS.
At the Chichaqua area on the 9th was a LONG-EARED OWL. The bird was along
the Skunk River.
At Sandpiper Beach on Saylorville Lake, two FORSTER'S TERNS observed.
Twenty-one AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were in a wet field northeast of
Errington Marsh.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was found along Highway 141 on the 15th. The bird was in
the field to the east of the Polk City exit off Highway 141. Take Highway
141 east or north from Interstate 80/35, and exit at the Polk
City/Saylorville exit, if you look off to the right/east there is a water
area in a grassy field. The bird was working its way around the far east
side.
At Sycamore Access on the 15th was a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER. At Jester Park
were 2 OSPREY.
The WHITE-FACED IBIS was still in the same general area on the 16th as it
was on the 15th.
A CATTLE EGRET was seen near Cottonwood Rec. Area on the 16th, a LARK
SPARROW was at Sycamore Access, a NORTHERN PARULA was singing near the
Saylorville Dam, and several HENSLOW'S SPARROWS were singing at Red Feather
Prairie. At the Chichaqua Wildlife Area on the 16th were 2 MARSH WRENS and a
singing GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was observed at Walnut Woods on the 17th. The bird
was seen at the west end of the park; across the road from where a big
hackberry was blown down and has been cut up.
TAMA COUNTY: Four SANDHILL CRANES were at Otter Creek Marsh on the 1st.
At Otter Creek Marsh on the 5th was an AMERICAN BITTERN and at least 13
SANDHILL CRANES.
STORY COUNTY: An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen in Ames on the 3rd. The bird was
seen just off South 16th Street and was located near a little waterway on
the north side of South 16th Street, about a tenth of a mile west of the
entrance to the Coldwater Golf Links.
A WHIP-POOR-WILL was calling at a residence near Nevada on the 11th.
HAMILTON COUNTY:Two COMMON LOONS were at Little Wall Lake on the 1st. A
GREAT EGRET was at Anderson Lake. Three VESPER SPARROWS were found just
across the border from Wright Co. as well.
A RED-THROATED LOON was observed at Little Wall Lake on the 14th. A SNOWY
EGRET was seen late in the afternoon.
A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was a notable highlight in the Little Wall Lake area on
the 15th.
DALLAS COUNTY: A BARN SWALLOW was seen in Dallas County on the 10th.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was flushed at the Brenton Arboretum on the 14th.
MARSHALL COUNTY: A YELLOW RAIL was flushed out of a weedy, upland prairie
near St. Anthony on the 17th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Monday,
April 24th for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL
species be reported, an update will be posted.
*Iowa
*Iowa Statewide
*17 April 2006
*IAST0604.17
-Transcript
-RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL:
**GARGANEY** (3rd state record)
**FISH CROW** (potential 4th state record)
CASUAL:
**BLACK-HEADED GULL** (potential 17th state record)
-Additional Species Mentioned
Ross's Goose
*Cackling Goose
*Cinnamon Teal
*Greater Scaup
*Surf Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Ruffed Grouse
Greater Prairie-Chicken
Northern Bobwhite
*Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe
American Bittern
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
*White-faced Ibis (2nd earliest tie)
Osprey
Swainson's Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
*Yellow Rail
Sora
Sandhill Crane
SHOREBIRDS
American Golden-Plover
Semipalmated Plover (3rd earliest record)
American Avocet (3rd earliest tie)
Greater Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Willet
Upland Sandpiper (3rd earliest record)
*Hudsonian Godwit
*Marbled Godwit
Least Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Dunlin
*Stilt Sandpiper (record early)
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Phalarope
Franklin's Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Forster's Tern (3rd earliest tie)
Caspian Tern (2nd earliest record)
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Whip-poor-will (record early tie)
Chimney Swift
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
*Acadian Flycatcher (record early)
Loggerhead Shrike
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow (2nd earliest tie)
Barn Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Winter Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
**GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH** (record early)
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
American Pipit
WARBLERS
Orange-crowned Warbler (2nd earliest tie)
Nashville Warbler (record early)
Northern Parula (3rd earilest tie)
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler (record early)
Louisiana Waterthrush
SPARROWS
Eastern Towhee
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Le Conte's Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Smith's Longspur
Yellow-headed Blackbird (3rd earliest tie)
Rusty Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Coverage: Iowa Statewide
Date: 17 April 2006
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 Monday, April 17th, 2006:
Eighty-nine (89) species are mentioned in the report. Two ACCIDENTAL species
were reported. A male GARGANEY was photographed on the 7th in Woodbury
County. This will be the 3rd state record for Garganey in Iowa. Two FISH
CROWS were observed in Louisa County on the 3rd. If accepted, this would be
the 4th state record and the first since 1995. One Casual species was
reported, a BLACK-HEADED GULL. This bird, in breeding plumage was observed
in Allamakee County on the 1st. If accepted, this would be the 17th state
record overall; the first away from Dickinson County since 1994, and the
first spring record (second overall) since 1998. Spring migration is indeed
underway in Iowa. The shorebird tally is up to 20 species. The warbler tally
has begun in this report and has tallied 7 species. Many species have set
early dates already this spring and include WHITE-FACED IBIS, SEMIPALMATED
PLOVER, AMERICAN AVOCET, UPLAND SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, FORSTER'S TERN,
CASPIAN TERN, WHIP-POOR-WILL, ACADIAN FLYCATCHER, CLIFF SWALLOW,
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, NORTHERN
PARULA, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. Other interesting
sightings in April thus far include CACKLING GOOSE, 2 CINNAMON TEAL, GREATER
SCAUP, SURF SCOTER, RED-THROATED LOON, YELLOW RAIL, and HUDSONIAN and
MARBLED GODWITS. This is the largest Rare Bird Alert to date, so begin!
-Here is the Iowa Rare Bird Alert from Saturday, April 1st to Monday, April
17th, 2006:
SOUTHWEST:
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY: Near the Hitchcock Nature Center on the 2nd, was a
female RUSTY BLACKBIRD and an early male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
FREMONT COUNTY: At the Riverton Area on the 9th were at least 288 AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVERS, a SOLITARY SANDPIPER, 48 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, a BROWN
THRASHER, and a GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY: A LOGGHERHEAD SHRIKE was found in rural Montgomery County
on the 9th.
ADAMS COUNTY: Two LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were found in rural parts of Adams
County on the 9th. An EARED GREBE was at Lake Icaria as well.
WEST CENTRAL:
WOODBURY COUNTY: A male CINNAMON TEAL was found on a pond north of New Lake
on the 4th.
The CINNAMON TEAL was relocated near New Lake on the 7th. A male GARGANEY
was photographed at New Lake as well. This will be the 3rd record for Iowa.
A flock of 200+ AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS was seen at the Owego Wetlands on
the 8th. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (3rd earliest) and 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS were also
highlights here. An extensive search for the GARGANEY was unsuccessful.
Southeast of Sioux City on the 15th was a SWAINSON'S HAWK and a LOGGERHEAD
SHRIKE.
IDA COUNTY: A EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was observed at Courier Square in Ida
Grove on the 5th.
GREENE COUNTY: A high count of 445 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS was at Dunbar
Slough on the 12th. A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was also present.
GUTHRIE COUNTY: A NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was at the Whiterock
Conservancy on the 12th.
NORTHWEST:
CLAY COUNTY: Highlights on the 13th included 80 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, 3
HUDSONIAN and 5 MARBLED GODWITS, a FORSTER'S TERN, and a BARN SWALLOW.
NORTH CENTRAL:
WRIGHT COUNTY: At Big Wall Lake on the 1st was a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 91
PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, and a BONAPARTE'S GULL. Three ROSS'S GEESE were at
Anderson Lake and eight were at Big Wall Lake.
A molting DUNLIN was observed on the 10th at the Lower Morse Lake complex.
WORTH COUNTY: A male CINNAMON TEAL was found at Hanlontown Slough on the
9th. The bird was observed off Grouse Avenue.
KOSSUTH COUNTY: Six SMITH'S LONGSPURS were observed in mowed grassy "set
aside" acres near Smith Lake, north of Algona, on the 11th. This was on
private property.
HANCOCK COUNTY: A RED-NECKED GREBE was at East Twin Lake on the 12th. Four
AMERICAN AVOCETS and three FORSTER'S TERNS were at Eagle Lake.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY: A CATTLE EGRET was seen on the north side of Forest City
on the 15th. The bird was the intersection of Hwy 69 and and 165th st.
Another CATTLE EGRET was observed on the 16th approx. 2 miles east of the
Hospital on Hwy 9. Two EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES were here as well. At Harmon
Lake on the 15th were 2 RED-NECKED GREBES.
NORTHEAST:
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY: An adult BLACK-HEADED GULL was found off Red Oak Road,
northeast of Harper's Ferry, on the 1st. It was in the presence of 6
BONAPARTE'S GULLS. A RUFFED GROUSE was heard drumming in the county as well.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was observed landing into Pool Slough off Army Road at
daybreak on the 16th. Other highlights included several calling SORAS,
several SANDHILL CRANES, SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, and a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
BLACK HAWK COUNTY: At least 80 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were seen in a field
near Crane Creek on the 8th. The bird were in a field 1 mile west of the
intersection of Cedar-Wapsi and N Raymond roads, then 1/2 mile North. Other
highlights in the area included 2 WILLETS and 3 UPLAND SANDPIPERS.
DUBUQUE COUNTY: A BARN SWALLOW was observed in Dubuque on the 7th. An
easterly FRANKLIN'S GULL was found along the river and an EASTERN TOWHEE was
at the E.B. Lyons Nature Center at Mines of Spain State Park.
CLAYTON COUNTY: A SORA was observed near Guttenberg on the 12th.
EAST CENTRAL:
LINN COUNTY: A female SURF SCOTER was found at Pleasant Creek State Park on
the 2nd. Three COMMON LOONS were here as well.
A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was observed in Cedar Rapids on the 8th.
A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was at Cedar Lake on the 11th.
SCOTT COUNTY: Two LONG-TAILED DUCKS and several GREATER SCAUP were observed
near Lock and Dam 14 on the 2nd.
JOHNSON COUNTY: At the Lake Macbride Recreational Area on the 2nd was a
single COMMON LOON, a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and a singing WINTER WREN.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was flushed from the northwest end of Sycamore Bottoms
in Iowa City on the 4th. The bird settled down towards the south end.
At Hickory Hill Park, in Iowa City, on the 6th was a CAROLINA WREN, a
singing WINTER WREN, and 3 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.
A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was observed northwest of Lone Tree on the 8th. The
bird was seen on a large wood/debris pile on the east side of Taft RD south
of 540th (near the residence #5530-as seen from a mailbox).
A ROSS'S GOOSE was at the sandpit south of Iowa City on the 9th. Two each of
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE and NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD were along Atwood
Ave./Johnson-Muscatine Ave. in extreme southeast Johnson Co. as well.
At Hickory Hill Park on the 12th was the CAROLINA WREN. At Oakland Cemetary,
was a CAROLINA WREN and a singing HOUSE WREN. The YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
has returned to its usual location of tall pines and woods at the end of
Cottage Reserve Rd., in Lake Macbride State Park.
At Hickory Hill Park on the 14th were 2 CAROLINA WRENS and a NASHVILLE
WARBLER. A flock of SMITH'S LONGSPURS was observed about 3 miles southeast
of Hills. They were in a stubble field
on the east side of Sioux Ave., .2 mile north of the 560 St. intersection.
Last seen moving south. Also, about a half dozen CLIFF SWALLOWS have
returned to the Burlington St. bridge in Iowa City, just east of Riverside
Dr.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was flushed on the 14th at the Redbird farm. The bird
was flushed from the north side of the first dam (where there are two large
ponds). Redbird Farm is on Black Diamond Road, a few miles south of Iowa
City, and a few miles west off Hwy 1.
The SMITH'S LONGSPURS near Hills on the 14th were relocated at the same
location on the 15th.
Shorebirds at Hawkeye Wildlife Area on the 16th included AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER, LEAST SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER.
Several small flocks of SMITH'S LONGSPURS were seen and heard flying
overhead at the previously described location along Sioux Avenue, north of
560th St. in southeastern Johnson County on the 16th. UPLAND SANDPIPER and
NORTHERN BOBWHITE were also heard from this location. In a field northwest
of the intersections of Taft Ave. and 540th St. were 11 AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVERS. Two LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were at a nest in a field northwest
of the intersection of 500th St. and Atwood Ave. (the Johnson-Muscatine Co.
line). The nest is about 4' up in a spindly, thorny 8' tall tree, almost
straight east of the windmill, perhaps 40 yards west of Atwood Ave. At the
Twinview Heights area of the Coralville Reservoir was an AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER, 3 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, a WILSON'S
PHALAROPE, 3 CASPIAN TERNS, and a MARSH WREN.
Shorebirds at Hawkeye Wildlife Area on the 17th included AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, PECTORAL SANDPIPERS as highlights. Other
highlights included 3 GREATER SCAUP, a BARN and 2 CLIFF SWALLOWS, and an
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.
IOWA COUNTY: A WHITE-FACED IBIS was observed at the Amana Lily Lake on the
17th. The bird was on a small wooded island along the south edge of the
lake. It had no white on the face, but had a red eye, reddish facial skin,
and reddish legs. Directions: park along the shoulder of Highway 151 at the
south edge of Main Amana, where the bike trail crosses the highway. Walk
west along the bike trail to the lake, then along the south side of the
lake. About halfway across the south side, you'll come to a small wooded
island very close to shore. The bird was foraging along the north side of
the island and was sometimes hidden from view. An UPLAND SANDPIPER was on a
fencepost on the east side of W Avenue, 0.3 miles south of Homestead. A pair
of LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES was along 180th Street, just west of Y Avenue, SE of
Homestead.
SOUTHEAST:
VAN BUREN COUNTY: Two EASTERN TOWHEES were seen at Lacey Keosauqua State
Park on the 1st.
The YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH were viewed at the
Mormon crossing area of Lacey Keosauqua State Park on the 7th. At least 2
HENSLOW'S SPARROWS were singing in a nearby location.
A PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was observed at the Ely Ford area of Lacey Keosauqua
State park on the 16th.
LEE COUNTY: A flock of about 35 BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS were found in a field
about 2 miles west of Argyle on the 1st. Twelve BONAPARTE'S GULLS and a
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were at Heron Bend Conservation Area. Two GREAT EGRETS
were at the Dial Pond near Heron Bend.
A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was observed at the Donnellson Unit of Shimek State
Forest on the 5th.
LOUISA COUNTY: A pair of FISH CROWS were observed on the 3rd. The birds were
not vocalizing and were not observed with other comparable species, however.
The location was along County road 99 (formerly state highway 99) approx. 2
miles west of Oakville in the Iowa River bottoms. If accepted, this would be
the 4th state record and the first since 1995.
A CACKLING GOOSE was observed near the caboose at Cone Marsh on the 8th.
Three AMERICAN BITTERNS were flushed along the west end of the main
east-west dike at Cone Marsh on the 15th.
JEFFERSON COUNTY: A BROWN THRASHER was observed at a residence near
Fairfield on the 8th.
A LE CONTE'S SPARROW was observed in Jefferson County on the 11th. The bird
was seen in tall grass in what is soon to be the new bypass right of way
next to Cedar Creek pond. A GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH was reported from the area
as well. If accepted, this would be the earliest date for this species in
Iowa by 9 days.
DES MOINES COUNTY: At Starr's Cave Park and Preserve off of Irish Ridge Road
north of Burlington on the 12th were three species of warblers, including
YELLOW-RUMPED, YELLOW-THROATED, and NORTHERN PARULA. At the Burlington
Waterworks along Hwy 99, shorebirds GREATER YELLOWLEGS, SOLITARY SANDPIPER,
and PECTORAL SANDPIPER.
A CHIMNEY SWIFT was observed above Burlington on the 15th.
HENRY COUNTY: A breeding plumage LITTLE BLUE HERON was observed at the very
North end of Lake Geode on the 15th.
SOUTH CENTRAL:
RINGGOLD COUNTY: At least nine GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS were on the leks at
the Kellerton Nature Area on the 2nd.
A GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN was calling pre-dawn at the Kellerton Area on the
9th.
APPANOOSE COUNTY: Twenty AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS and 2
SHORT-EARED OWLS were highlights at the Buckshot Lake area of Sedan wetlands
on the 8th.
In southeastern Appanoose County on the 15th highlights included a
SHORT-EARED OWL, a NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, 10 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS,
12 NORTHERN PARULAS, 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 2 LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHES,
and 6 HENSLOW'S SPARROWS.
UNION COUNTY: Three SWAINSON'S HAWKS were seen east of Creston on the 9th.
WARREN COUNTY: Fourteen AMERICAN AVOCETS were observed at the Diehl Ponds on
the 12th.
Two SWAINSON'S HAWKS were near Hartford on the 15th. At Diehl Lake was a
DUNLIN and a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER.
DECATUR COUNTY: At the DeKalb WMA on the 12th highlights included BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHER and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH.
MARION COUNTY: Two LARK SPARROWS were near Swan on the 15th.
CENTRAL:
BOONE COUNTY: A RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was a notable bird at Ledges State Park
on the 1st.
At Ledges State Park on the 12th was YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, LOUISIANA
WATERTHRUSH, and record early ACADIAN FLYCATCHERS.
POLK COUNTY: Several notable species were found off Jester Park on the 1st
and included a ROSS'S GOOSE, 2 GREAT EGRETS, an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER,
GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 1 LEAST SANDPIPER, 5 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, at least 143
PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, a record early STILT SANDPIPER, 1 LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHER, 12 FRANKLIN'S GULLS, and a few AMERICAN PIPITS.
At the Chichaqua area on the 9th was a LONG-EARED OWL. The bird was along
the Skunk River.
At Sandpiper Beach on Saylorville Lake, two FORSTER'S TERNS observed.
Twenty-one AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were in a wet field northeast of
Errington Marsh.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was found along Highway 141 on the 15th. The bird was in
the field to the east of the Polk City exit off Highway 141. Take Highway
141 east or north from Interstate 80/35, and exit at the Polk
City/Saylorville exit, if you look off to the right/east there is a water
area in a grassy field. The bird was working its way around the far east
side.
At Sycamore Access on the 15th was a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER. At Jester Park
were 2 OSPREY.
The WHITE-FACED IBIS was still in the same general area on the 16th as it
was on the 15th.
A CATTLE EGRET was seen near Cottonwood Rec. Area on the 16th, a LARK
SPARROW was at Sycamore Access, a NORTHERN PARULA was singing near the
Saylorville Dam, and several HENSLOW'S SPARROWS were singing at Red Feather
Prairie. At the Chichaqua Wildlife Area on the 16th were 2 MARSH WRENS and a
singing GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was observed at Walnut Woods on the 17th. The bird
was seen at the west end of the park; across the road from where a big
hackberry was blown down and has been cut up.
TAMA COUNTY: Four SANDHILL CRANES were at Otter Creek Marsh on the 1st.
At Otter Creek Marsh on the 5th was an AMERICAN BITTERN and at least 13
SANDHILL CRANES.
STORY COUNTY: An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen in Ames on the 3rd. The bird was
seen just off South 16th Street and was located near a little waterway on
the north side of South 16th Street, about a tenth of a mile west of the
entrance to the Coldwater Golf Links.
A WHIP-POOR-WILL was calling at a residence near Nevada on the 11th.
HAMILTON COUNTY:Two COMMON LOONS were at Little Wall Lake on the 1st. A
GREAT EGRET was at Anderson Lake. Three VESPER SPARROWS were found just
across the border from Wright Co. as well.
A RED-THROATED LOON was observed at Little Wall Lake on the 14th. A SNOWY
EGRET was seen late in the afternoon.
A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was a notable highlight in the Little Wall Lake area on
the 15th.
DALLAS COUNTY: A BARN SWALLOW was seen in Dallas County on the 10th.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was flushed at the Brenton Arboretum on the 14th.
MARSHALL COUNTY: A YELLOW RAIL was flushed out of a weedy, upland prairie
near St. Anthony on the 17th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Monday,
April 24th for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL
species be reported, an update will be posted.