-RBA
*Iowa
*Iowa Statewide
*24 April 2006
*IAST0604.24
-Transcript
-RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
UNRECORDED
***WHITE-TAILED KITE*** (potential 1st state record)
ACCIDENTAL
**SPRAGUE'S PIPIT** (potential 3rd state record)
-Additional Species Mentioned
*Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
*Long-tailed Duck
Red-necked Grebe
American Bittern
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
*White-faced Ibis
Swainson's Hawk
Golden Eagle
Virginia Rail
SHOREBIRDS
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
American Avocet (#)
Willet
Spotted Sandpiper
Hudsonian Godwit
*Marbled Godwit
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Dunlin
Wilson's Phalarope
Forster's Tern
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (record early)
Eastern Kingbird
Loggerhead Shrike
Yellow-throated Vireo
Warbling Vireo (second earliest)
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Northern Mockingbird
WARBLERS
Orange-crowned Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow-throated Warbler
*Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Hooded Warbler
*Summer Tanager (second earliest)
SPARROWS
Lark Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Le Conte's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
*Smith's Longspur
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Coverage: Iowa Statewide
Date: 24 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 24th, 2006:
Fifty-three (53) species are mentioned in the report this week. Probably the
biggest news of the week was of an immature WHITE-TAILED KITE viewed by two
observers about as far northeast as you can get in this state: New Albin in
Allamakee County. If accepted, this would be the first record for Iowa.
Adding to the excitement this week was an Accidental SPRAGUE'S PIPIT on the
complete opposite side of the state in Fremont County. This bird was
observed by several birders and if accepted, would be the 3rd state record.
A few species were added to the Shorebird tally this week, bringing the
season total up to 23 species. Warblers are also beginning to trickle into
the state, with the Warbler Tally up to 10 species. Some highlights this
week include MUTE SWAN in Iowa County, LONG-TAILED DUCK in Union County,
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON in Louisa and Allamakee Counties, a record early
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD in Carroll County, second earliest WARBLING VIREO
in Jefferson County, PINE WARBLERS in Jackson and Allamakee Counties, and a
second earliest SUMMER TANAGER in Marion County.
-Here is the Iowa Rare Bird Alert from Tuesday, April 18th to Monday, April
24th, 2006:
SOUTHWEST:
FREMONT COUNTY: A SPRAGUE'S PIPIT was found on private property in Fremont
County on the 22nd and was observed by several birders. If accepted, this
would be the 3rd state record and the first since 2004. At the Riverton
Wildlife Area were 3 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 5 SWAINSON'S HAWKS, 1 HUDSONIAN
GODWIT, 9 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, and a WARBLING VIREO. A LE CONTE'S SPARROW
was also observed here. Eleven SWAINSON'S HAWKS were observed kettling over
a farmer's field at the intersection of Highway 2 and I-29.
MILLS COUNTY: A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was singing at Hacklebarney Woods on
the 22nd. One WILLET and 2 HUDSONIAN GODWITS were at Willow Slough as well.
WEST CENTRAL:
WOODBURY COUNTY: Two HOUSE WRENS were found in Bacon Creek Park in Sioux
City on the 19th.
MONONA COUNTY: At Blue Lake on the 20th was a SNOWY EGRET and 5 WILLETS. A
SWAINSON'S HAWK was observed above a farmer tilling a field at Cherry Ave.
and Highway 175.
GREENE COUNTY: A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was a highlight at Dunbar Slough on the
22nd.
CARROLL COUNTY: An early RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was reported from Glidden
on the 22nd.
NORTH CENTRAL:
KOSSUTH COUNTY: Four TRUMPETER SWANS were observed at Union Slough N.W.R. on
the 18th.
SMITH'S LONGSPURS were found at three locations in Kossuth County on the
23rd. Only 2 birds were present north of Algona where there were several
dozens on Wed and Fri of last week. However, at Welp WPA, along Hwy 169
north of Bancroft, 20 were seen- the first flock of 10 spotted from the
north gravel coming in from the corn stubble to the east. Lastly, at a new
WPA southeast of Bancroft towards Union Slough NWR (north of B14, between
140th and 145th Aves.?), at least 100 SMLO were around. A dozen of these
birds were first seen overhead from the gravel on the east side. This area
is only marked with signs along the gravel on the west side. Be cautious
when searching for this species in this area.
WRIGHT COUNTY: Twenty-four SMITH'S LONGSPURS were flushed at the Lower Morse
Lake W.P.A. on the 19th. Directions: About 1 mile south of Belmond along
rt.69, take 160th Street west for ~2.75 miles to the WPA. There are several
parking areas, but the best spot in this case is in front of a roped-off
path just before the road bends south (don't block the path entrance). The
Smith's Longspurs were out beyond there.
At the Morse Lake W.P.A. on the 22nd were 2 AMERICAN BITTERN, a BAIRD'S
SANDPIPER, 1 AMERICAN PIPIT, and 1 GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. A little later on in
the day, a WILLET and 2 SMITH'S LONGSPURS were here.
WORTH COUNTY: At Hanlontown Slough on the 22nd were VIRGINIA RAIL, PALM
WARBLERS, and HENSLOW'S SPARROWS. Also observed here was a BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON.
CERRO GORDO COUNTY: At Union Hills W.M.A. on the 22nd, SMITH'S LONGSPURS
were found.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY: At Myre Slough on the 22nd was a RED-NECKED GREBE and
VIRGINIA RAIL.
NORTHEAST:
BLACK HAWK COUNTY: MARSH WREN was reported from Prairie Lakes in Cedar Falls
on the 19th.
BREMER COUNTY: Four CATTLE EGRETS were in a pasture just east of Sweet Marsh
on the 21st.
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY: A SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER were
observed at Poole Slough, east of New Albin on the 22nd. Four PINE WARBLERS
were at Mt. Hosmer City Park in Lansing.
An immature WHITE-TAILED KITE was observed near New Albin on the 22nd, and
was observed for over 30 minues. If accepted, this would be the first record
for Iowa. Also observed near New Albin, in Poole Slough, was a
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON and a DUNLIN.
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was seen in Lansing on the 24th.
EAST CENTRAL:
JACKSON COUNTY: A PINE WARBLER was seen at Maquoketa Caves State Park on the
18th.
JOHNSON COUNTY: An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was a flyover at the Twin View Heights
area of Coralville Reservoir on the 19th. Also, a SNOWY EGRET was seen on
the north arm of Lake Macbride. It was on the fishing jetty at the end of
Opie Ave. and near the footbridge just east of there. Among an estimated
5,000 shorebirds off Sand Point at Hawkeye W.A. was a WILLET. Also in the
area were two GREEN HERONS, and LARK and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS.
One of the largest numbers I have ever heard of for this species, thirty
breeding plumaged AMERICAN AVOCETS were at the Sandy Beach Recreation Area
of the Coralville Reservoir on the 20th. The SNOWY EGRET was directly south
across the north arm of the lake from where it was reported on the 19th, and
was sitting high in a tree just west of the boat launch area on the south
side of the north arm. Two YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS and a NORTHERN PARULA
were singing at Lake Macbride S.P.
A HENSLOW'S SPARROW was singing at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City on the
21st. The bird was in the "East new growth area"
(http://www.hickoryhillpark.org/map_full_size.htm) between
the two footpaths (green dashes on map above the "10"). A WHITE-FACED IBIS
was present for a short time at Twin View Heights and 6 AMERICAN AVOCETS and
a WILLET were present off Sand Point.
HENSLOW'S and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were osberved at the Iowa City Water
Works Prairie Park on the 23rd. An AMERICAN BITTERN was flushed from the
South Sycamore Bottoms in Iowa City, and a WARBLING VIREO was also nearby.
A YELLOW RAIL was flushed at the Water Works Prairie Park in iowa City on
the 24th. The HENSLOW'S SPARROW from the 23rd was also present. The YELLOW
RAIL was flushed later in the evening as well. Directions (for YELLOW RAIL):
Park in the lower parking lot. Walk the trail, keeping
to your left. You'll come to a weedy field that has 6 crabapple trees on the
right as you're looking into the field, and a fenceline on the left, with a
grassy hill on the other side of the fence. The rail was found in the
general area that would be bordered by the crabapple trees on the right and
the fence on the left, and between the sidewalk and the crabapple trees
looking into the field. I'm not positive of directions here but I think this
would be W or NW part of field.
IOWA COUNTY: At the Amana Lily Lake on the 20th was a MUTE SWAN, a
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON in a tree and 3 FORSTER'S TERNS.
SOUTHEAST:
JEFFERSON COUNTY: An early WARBLING VIREO was singing in Fairfield on the
19th.
At least four ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS were heard singing near Fairfield on
the 24th.
LOUISA COUNTY: An adult YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, in breeding plumage, was
located at the entrance to Horseshoe Bend Wildlife Area on the 21st. The
bird was in the flooded wooded area at the Junction of 55th St. and F Ave.
From Wapello, go east on Hwy. 99 four miles past the Iowa River, which
itself is on the east border of the town. F Ave. will be on your right,
going south. Follow F Ave. south for one mile, including a jog right and
then left. You will come to a T-intersection with 55th St. Turn right here
(west), and the entrance to Horseshoe Bend is about one quarter mile.
A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was observed near Conesville on the 20th. The bird
was near 210 217th St east of Hwy 70 on the south side of the road.
SOUTH CENTRAL:
MARION COUNTY: A first year male SUMMER TANAGER sang a few notes on the
Central college campus in Pella on the 20th.
UNION COUNTY: A juvenile female LONG-TAILED DUCK was observed at Twelve Mile
Lake on the 22nd.
MAHASKA COUNTY: A PIPING PLOVER was observed at Maskunky Marsh near
Oskaloosa on the 22nd.
APPANOOSE COUNTY: Seven MARBLED GODWITS were found at the south fork area of
Lake Rathbun on the 23rd. This was in the same general area as the Royal
Tern last fall.
WARREN COUNTY: Highlights at Woodland Mounds Preserve on the 23rd included
NORTHERN PARULA, OVENBIRD, and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH. An EASTERN KINGBIRD
was at Otter Creek Park. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER,
NORTHERN PARULA, and HOODED WARBLER were all highlights at Lake Ahquabi
State Park.
CENTRAL:
STORY COUNTY: A LITTLE BLUE HERON was seen in Ames on the 19th.
Specifically, the bird was flying west along Squaw Creek from where it
intersects Stange Road north of the Iowa State university campus.
A LINCOLN'S SPARROW was in Ames on the 19th.
A single MARBLED GODWIT was at the Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames on the
22nd. The bird was located along the northwestern-most wetland pool, west of
the north lake.
POLK COUNTY: Off Jester Park on the 19th were 5 MARBLED GODWITS and a
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.
Two MARBLED GODWITS were off Jester Park on the 22nd.
BOONE COUNTY: Three singing YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS were along the creek at
Ledges State Park on the 20th.
TAMA COUNTY: At Otter Creek Marsh on the 24th was AMERICAN BITTERN and
VIRGINIA RAIL (both along the main dike east side), 2 WHITE-FACED IBIS (main
dike west side). A CATTLE EGRET was northwest of Chelsea on County Road E66.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Sunday,
April 30th for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL
species be reported, an update will be posted.
*Iowa
*Iowa Statewide
*24 April 2006
*IAST0604.24
-Transcript
-RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
UNRECORDED
***WHITE-TAILED KITE*** (potential 1st state record)
ACCIDENTAL
**SPRAGUE'S PIPIT** (potential 3rd state record)
-Additional Species Mentioned
*Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
*Long-tailed Duck
Red-necked Grebe
American Bittern
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
*White-faced Ibis
Swainson's Hawk
Golden Eagle
Virginia Rail
SHOREBIRDS
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
American Avocet (#)
Willet
Spotted Sandpiper
Hudsonian Godwit
*Marbled Godwit
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Dunlin
Wilson's Phalarope
Forster's Tern
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (record early)
Eastern Kingbird
Loggerhead Shrike
Yellow-throated Vireo
Warbling Vireo (second earliest)
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Northern Mockingbird
WARBLERS
Orange-crowned Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow-throated Warbler
*Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Hooded Warbler
*Summer Tanager (second earliest)
SPARROWS
Lark Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Le Conte's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
*Smith's Longspur
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Coverage: Iowa Statewide
Date: 24 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 24th, 2006:
Fifty-three (53) species are mentioned in the report this week. Probably the
biggest news of the week was of an immature WHITE-TAILED KITE viewed by two
observers about as far northeast as you can get in this state: New Albin in
Allamakee County. If accepted, this would be the first record for Iowa.
Adding to the excitement this week was an Accidental SPRAGUE'S PIPIT on the
complete opposite side of the state in Fremont County. This bird was
observed by several birders and if accepted, would be the 3rd state record.
A few species were added to the Shorebird tally this week, bringing the
season total up to 23 species. Warblers are also beginning to trickle into
the state, with the Warbler Tally up to 10 species. Some highlights this
week include MUTE SWAN in Iowa County, LONG-TAILED DUCK in Union County,
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON in Louisa and Allamakee Counties, a record early
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD in Carroll County, second earliest WARBLING VIREO
in Jefferson County, PINE WARBLERS in Jackson and Allamakee Counties, and a
second earliest SUMMER TANAGER in Marion County.
-Here is the Iowa Rare Bird Alert from Tuesday, April 18th to Monday, April
24th, 2006:
SOUTHWEST:
FREMONT COUNTY: A SPRAGUE'S PIPIT was found on private property in Fremont
County on the 22nd and was observed by several birders. If accepted, this
would be the 3rd state record and the first since 2004. At the Riverton
Wildlife Area were 3 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 5 SWAINSON'S HAWKS, 1 HUDSONIAN
GODWIT, 9 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, and a WARBLING VIREO. A LE CONTE'S SPARROW
was also observed here. Eleven SWAINSON'S HAWKS were observed kettling over
a farmer's field at the intersection of Highway 2 and I-29.
MILLS COUNTY: A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was singing at Hacklebarney Woods on
the 22nd. One WILLET and 2 HUDSONIAN GODWITS were at Willow Slough as well.
WEST CENTRAL:
WOODBURY COUNTY: Two HOUSE WRENS were found in Bacon Creek Park in Sioux
City on the 19th.
MONONA COUNTY: At Blue Lake on the 20th was a SNOWY EGRET and 5 WILLETS. A
SWAINSON'S HAWK was observed above a farmer tilling a field at Cherry Ave.
and Highway 175.
GREENE COUNTY: A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was a highlight at Dunbar Slough on the
22nd.
CARROLL COUNTY: An early RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was reported from Glidden
on the 22nd.
NORTH CENTRAL:
KOSSUTH COUNTY: Four TRUMPETER SWANS were observed at Union Slough N.W.R. on
the 18th.
SMITH'S LONGSPURS were found at three locations in Kossuth County on the
23rd. Only 2 birds were present north of Algona where there were several
dozens on Wed and Fri of last week. However, at Welp WPA, along Hwy 169
north of Bancroft, 20 were seen- the first flock of 10 spotted from the
north gravel coming in from the corn stubble to the east. Lastly, at a new
WPA southeast of Bancroft towards Union Slough NWR (north of B14, between
140th and 145th Aves.?), at least 100 SMLO were around. A dozen of these
birds were first seen overhead from the gravel on the east side. This area
is only marked with signs along the gravel on the west side. Be cautious
when searching for this species in this area.
WRIGHT COUNTY: Twenty-four SMITH'S LONGSPURS were flushed at the Lower Morse
Lake W.P.A. on the 19th. Directions: About 1 mile south of Belmond along
rt.69, take 160th Street west for ~2.75 miles to the WPA. There are several
parking areas, but the best spot in this case is in front of a roped-off
path just before the road bends south (don't block the path entrance). The
Smith's Longspurs were out beyond there.
At the Morse Lake W.P.A. on the 22nd were 2 AMERICAN BITTERN, a BAIRD'S
SANDPIPER, 1 AMERICAN PIPIT, and 1 GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. A little later on in
the day, a WILLET and 2 SMITH'S LONGSPURS were here.
WORTH COUNTY: At Hanlontown Slough on the 22nd were VIRGINIA RAIL, PALM
WARBLERS, and HENSLOW'S SPARROWS. Also observed here was a BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON.
CERRO GORDO COUNTY: At Union Hills W.M.A. on the 22nd, SMITH'S LONGSPURS
were found.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY: At Myre Slough on the 22nd was a RED-NECKED GREBE and
VIRGINIA RAIL.
NORTHEAST:
BLACK HAWK COUNTY: MARSH WREN was reported from Prairie Lakes in Cedar Falls
on the 19th.
BREMER COUNTY: Four CATTLE EGRETS were in a pasture just east of Sweet Marsh
on the 21st.
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY: A SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER were
observed at Poole Slough, east of New Albin on the 22nd. Four PINE WARBLERS
were at Mt. Hosmer City Park in Lansing.
An immature WHITE-TAILED KITE was observed near New Albin on the 22nd, and
was observed for over 30 minues. If accepted, this would be the first record
for Iowa. Also observed near New Albin, in Poole Slough, was a
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON and a DUNLIN.
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was seen in Lansing on the 24th.
EAST CENTRAL:
JACKSON COUNTY: A PINE WARBLER was seen at Maquoketa Caves State Park on the
18th.
JOHNSON COUNTY: An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was a flyover at the Twin View Heights
area of Coralville Reservoir on the 19th. Also, a SNOWY EGRET was seen on
the north arm of Lake Macbride. It was on the fishing jetty at the end of
Opie Ave. and near the footbridge just east of there. Among an estimated
5,000 shorebirds off Sand Point at Hawkeye W.A. was a WILLET. Also in the
area were two GREEN HERONS, and LARK and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS.
One of the largest numbers I have ever heard of for this species, thirty
breeding plumaged AMERICAN AVOCETS were at the Sandy Beach Recreation Area
of the Coralville Reservoir on the 20th. The SNOWY EGRET was directly south
across the north arm of the lake from where it was reported on the 19th, and
was sitting high in a tree just west of the boat launch area on the south
side of the north arm. Two YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS and a NORTHERN PARULA
were singing at Lake Macbride S.P.
A HENSLOW'S SPARROW was singing at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City on the
21st. The bird was in the "East new growth area"
(http://www.hickoryhillpark.org/map_full_size.htm) between
the two footpaths (green dashes on map above the "10"). A WHITE-FACED IBIS
was present for a short time at Twin View Heights and 6 AMERICAN AVOCETS and
a WILLET were present off Sand Point.
HENSLOW'S and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were osberved at the Iowa City Water
Works Prairie Park on the 23rd. An AMERICAN BITTERN was flushed from the
South Sycamore Bottoms in Iowa City, and a WARBLING VIREO was also nearby.
A YELLOW RAIL was flushed at the Water Works Prairie Park in iowa City on
the 24th. The HENSLOW'S SPARROW from the 23rd was also present. The YELLOW
RAIL was flushed later in the evening as well. Directions (for YELLOW RAIL):
Park in the lower parking lot. Walk the trail, keeping
to your left. You'll come to a weedy field that has 6 crabapple trees on the
right as you're looking into the field, and a fenceline on the left, with a
grassy hill on the other side of the fence. The rail was found in the
general area that would be bordered by the crabapple trees on the right and
the fence on the left, and between the sidewalk and the crabapple trees
looking into the field. I'm not positive of directions here but I think this
would be W or NW part of field.
IOWA COUNTY: At the Amana Lily Lake on the 20th was a MUTE SWAN, a
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON in a tree and 3 FORSTER'S TERNS.
SOUTHEAST:
JEFFERSON COUNTY: An early WARBLING VIREO was singing in Fairfield on the
19th.
At least four ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS were heard singing near Fairfield on
the 24th.
LOUISA COUNTY: An adult YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, in breeding plumage, was
located at the entrance to Horseshoe Bend Wildlife Area on the 21st. The
bird was in the flooded wooded area at the Junction of 55th St. and F Ave.
From Wapello, go east on Hwy. 99 four miles past the Iowa River, which
itself is on the east border of the town. F Ave. will be on your right,
going south. Follow F Ave. south for one mile, including a jog right and
then left. You will come to a T-intersection with 55th St. Turn right here
(west), and the entrance to Horseshoe Bend is about one quarter mile.
A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was observed near Conesville on the 20th. The bird
was near 210 217th St east of Hwy 70 on the south side of the road.
SOUTH CENTRAL:
MARION COUNTY: A first year male SUMMER TANAGER sang a few notes on the
Central college campus in Pella on the 20th.
UNION COUNTY: A juvenile female LONG-TAILED DUCK was observed at Twelve Mile
Lake on the 22nd.
MAHASKA COUNTY: A PIPING PLOVER was observed at Maskunky Marsh near
Oskaloosa on the 22nd.
APPANOOSE COUNTY: Seven MARBLED GODWITS were found at the south fork area of
Lake Rathbun on the 23rd. This was in the same general area as the Royal
Tern last fall.
WARREN COUNTY: Highlights at Woodland Mounds Preserve on the 23rd included
NORTHERN PARULA, OVENBIRD, and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH. An EASTERN KINGBIRD
was at Otter Creek Park. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER,
NORTHERN PARULA, and HOODED WARBLER were all highlights at Lake Ahquabi
State Park.
CENTRAL:
STORY COUNTY: A LITTLE BLUE HERON was seen in Ames on the 19th.
Specifically, the bird was flying west along Squaw Creek from where it
intersects Stange Road north of the Iowa State university campus.
A LINCOLN'S SPARROW was in Ames on the 19th.
A single MARBLED GODWIT was at the Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames on the
22nd. The bird was located along the northwestern-most wetland pool, west of
the north lake.
POLK COUNTY: Off Jester Park on the 19th were 5 MARBLED GODWITS and a
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.
Two MARBLED GODWITS were off Jester Park on the 22nd.
BOONE COUNTY: Three singing YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS were along the creek at
Ledges State Park on the 20th.
TAMA COUNTY: At Otter Creek Marsh on the 24th was AMERICAN BITTERN and
VIRGINIA RAIL (both along the main dike east side), 2 WHITE-FACED IBIS (main
dike west side). A CATTLE EGRET was northwest of Chelsea on County Road E66.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Sunday,
April 30th for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL
species be reported, an update will be posted.