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IOWA BIRD LIFE 

IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION 



Spring 2008 


Volume 78 


Number 2 





V IOWA BIRD LIFE 


The Iowa Ornithologists’ Union, founded in 1923, encourages interest in the identification, 
study, and protection of birds in Iowa and seeks to unite those who have these interests in 
common. Iowa Bird Life and lOU News are quarterly publications of the Union. 


OFFICERS OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION (Dates indicate end of current term ): 
President: John Rutenbeck (2009), 2912 Lawn Ave., Burlington, lA 52601 
(j aUenbeck@rachsi .com) 

Vice President: Paul Roisen (2009), 4420 3rd Ave., Sioux City, lA 51106 (roisenpl950@yahoo.com) 
Secretary: Cathy Konrad, 18219 241st Avenue, Bettendorf, lA 52722 (konradc@trinityqc.com) 
Treasurer: Doug Hunt, 1201 High Avenue West, Oskaloosa, lA 52577 (iou@mahaska.org) 

DIRECTORS: John Bissell (2010), James L. Fuller (2009), Ken Lowder (2010), Bill Scheible (2009), Tom 
Schilke (2010) 

JOURNAL STAFF: 

Editor: KaykenA. Niyo, 25100 Sunset Lane, Evergreen, CO 80439 (Kay@KayNiyo.com) 

Bird Identification Editor: Stephen J. Dinsmore, Dept, of Natural Resource Ecology and 
Management, 339 Science II, Iowa State University, Ames, lA 5001 1 (cootjr@iastaie.edu) 

Birding Area Editor: Reid Allen, 7955 Wistful Vista Dr., #20, West Des Moines, lA 50266 
(2birders@hickorytech.net) 

Book Editor: James J. Dinsmore, 646 Mallory Hill Drive, The Villages, EL 32162 
(oldcoot@iastate.edu) 

Christmas Bird Count Editor: Christopher J. Caster, 4 South Ridge Ct., Coralville, lA 52241 
( cj caster@eart hlink.net) 

Field Reports Editors (Enter seasonal data at <www.iowabirds.org>.): 

Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb; deadline 3 March): Robert I. Cecil, 1315 41st Street, Des Moines, lA 
50311 (wewarb@aol.com) 

Spring (Mar, Apr, May; deadhne 3 June): Matthew C. Kenne, 709 N. Phillips, Algona, lA 50511 
(mkenne@netamumail.com) 

Summer Qtm, Jul; deadline 3 August): Janies J. Dinsmore, 646 Mallory Hill Drive, The Villages, 

EL 32162 (oldcoot@iastate.edu) 

Fall (Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov; deadline 3 December): Paul Hertzel, 1432 East State Street, Mason 
City, lA 50401 (phertzel@rconnect.com) 

History Editor: Thomas H. Kent, 624 Larch Lane, Iowa City, lA 52245 (thkent@gmail.com) 

Iowa Birder Editor: Robert I. Cecil, 1315 41st Street, Des Moines, lA 50311 (wewarb@aol.com) 

STANDING COMMITTEES AND CHAIRPERSONS: 

Library/Historical: Hank Zaletel (2011), 1928 6th Street, Nevada, lA 50201 (madowl@midiowa. 
net); Barb Edson (2010); Sue Spieker (2009); Rick Trieff (2012) 

Membership: Karen Disbrow, 621 1/2 Brown Street, Iowa City, lA 52245 (kdisbrow@mcleodusa.net); 
Danny Akers; Barb Edson; Clyde Edson; Shane Patterson 

Projects: Chris Caster, 4 South Ridge Ct., Coralville, lA 52241 (cjcaster@earthlink.net); Marlene Ehres- 
rnan; Mary Beth Hunt 

Publications: Ann M. Johnson, 5362 120th Avenue, Norwalk, lA 50211 (aj@hologrambirds.com); 
James J. Dinsmore; Kayleen A. Niyo; William Scheible; Harley Winfrey 

Records: Ann M. Johnson (secretar}', appointed by the committee), 5362 120th Avenue, Norwalk, 
lA 50211 (aj@hologrambirds.com); Aaron Brees (2008); Stephen J. Dinsmore (2011); Rita Goranson 
(2012); Paul Hertzel (2010); Matthew C. Kenne (2009); W Ross Silcock (2013) 


Copyright 2008 Iowa Ornithologists’ Union (ISSN 0021-0455), All rights reserved. 



Meet an Iowa Birder — John Rutenbeck 


Chuck Fuller 


For the past four lOU meetings, John Ruten- 
beck has been the person staffing the registration 
table and welcoming all the attendees. John finished 
his two-year stint as vice president in May 2007, and 
now is the lOU president until May 2009. As vice 
president it was his responsibility to plan programs 
and secure speakers. He needed to make sure that 
there were plenty of accommodations available and 
arrange for the meals. For those who have attended 
recent meetings, you will undoubtedly agree that 
John did a fantastic job. In addition, he has served 
on the Membership Committee. Although he ad- 
mits to enjoying his time in office, he would like to 
come to a meeting and just be one of the gang. That 
might even mean going birding during the business 
meeting. 

John was born in Davenport in October 1946 
because his hometown of DeWitt didn’t have a hos- 
pital behtting a future lOU president. He is the oldest of three boys and says neither of his 
brothers has any interest in birds whatsoever. He graduated from DeWitt High School and 
from the University of Iowa in 1969 with a teaching certihcate and a degree in political sci- 
ence. He received his Master’s degree from Western Illinois University in political science 
and education. He taught at Horace Mann Middle School in Burlington from 1969-1988, 
and then he worked for Great River Area Education Agency until his retirement in 2005. 
His specialty was developing curricula in social studies. He has participated in many com- 
munity activities and projects and is very active within the Unitarian Fellowship. 

Before his interest in birding blossomed, he met Carol Chenoweth while both were 
students at Iowa. They were married in July 1969 in Florida as Carol was a Navy “brat” liv- 
ing there at the time. They have a married daughter, Lindsay, and a granddaughter born in 
2007 living in Colorado, which gives John the opportunity to bird the area when visiting. 
Two birds that he hopes to add to his list while supposedly visiting his granddaughter are 
the Gunnison Sage-Grouse and White-tailed Ptarmigan. Carol, also a retired teacher, has 
artistic talent and is active in Burlington’s Players Workshop. Besides acting, she loves to 
design the sets used in the productions. She is also an avid reader. This provides John with 
time to expand his birding horizons. 

John has always been interested in the outdoors and says as a youth he had quite a 
butterfly collection. He confesses he used the “Audubon” method for collecting which was 
to gas and mount. As an adult, his hobby choices progressed from an interest in photogra- 



lowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 61 


phy, to keeping and maintaining aquaria, to being a backyard birder, and then becoming 
a serious birder. Never before hearing the word “birder,” John said he was the ultimate 
backyard birdwatcher. His birdwatching endeavors needed some expansion and so one 
of his fellow teachers, John McCormick, who had recently opened a wild bird store, sug- 
gested he call and acquaint himself with a local birding nut. He did and as they say, “the 
rest is histoiqt” 

From these beginnings, John has traveled all over the state and in all 99 counties in 
his quest for birds. At last count his state total was 354 with the Black-tailed Gull being his 
last entry. Being from southeast Iowa, he loves Starrs Cave Preserve just outside Burling- 
ton because this is a prime warbler area in May. Lacey Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren 
County and Shimek Forest just west of Argyle in Lee County are high on his list of places 
to bird. Also, the proximity to the Mississippi River makes it easy to find a good birding 
spot. When asked what individual trips in Iowa he remembered most, he thought for a 
moment and came up with several. In the days before the Iowa bird listserv on the inter- 
net, the Iowa bird telephone hotline was the means to communicate information regarding 
great birds. This is how he found that a Long- tailed Jaeger and Sabine’s Gull were both at 
Black Hawk Lake in Sac County and he scored a “twofer” as both were life birds as well as 
life Iowa birds. 

Another Iowa experience was a trip to Hawkeye Wildlife Area at Sandpoint in early 
May. It was shorebird heaven as the water level, mud Hats, and lighting were ideal. John 
commented that there were at least 20 species of shorebirds, many up close, and all in 
beautiful breeding plumage. “A Wilson’s Phalarope was so close I felt that I could reach out 
and touch it,” John recalled. These are the days that a birder dreams about. 

A Halloween treat showed up in Iowa on 31 October 1993, as the telephone hotline 
reported a Ross’s Gull below the dam at Red Rock Reservoir. The drive from Burlington to 
Red Rock usually takes two and a half hours except for that Sunday afternoon when it took 
just over two hours. As John put it, “We were fl)4ng low through Oskaloosa and all the 
traffic lights were green” (which was very fortunate). 

John has not been limited to Iowa for his birding experiences. He fondly remembers 
his Wings birding trip to Southeast Arizona and the trek into French Joe Canyon. At that 
time the Rufous-capped Warbler was the canyon’s specialty, which was found a short dis- 
tance up the canyon eliminating the need for a long hot climb in the August sun. Since 
then, Southeast Arizona holds special memories. The second trip he recalls was his trip 
in 1997 to Gambell, Alaska, although he wasn’t keen on walking the gravel to the famous 
Gambell point or in Johns words, the “Gambell (Bataan) Death March.” He recalls on one 
of the trips to the point finding a dead Ivory Gull on the gravel shore, probably shot by a 
Gambell native — a definite low point in anyone’s birding career. In contrast, on a Califor- 
nia VENT tour, a definite high-point was achieved. The tour included a pelagic trip out 
of Monterrey with Debbie Sheanvater. As the boat approached an active feeding area, the 
leader, Jeri Langham, almost fell out of the boat as he yelled, “Keep your eye on that bird,” 
which was flying just off the bow of the boat. That bird turned out to be a Short-tailed 
Albatross that cooperated by sitting calmly on the water not 20 yards from the boat. For 
good measure, it chose to sit beside a Black-tailed Albatross for a great comparison. John is 
willing to bird in all kinds of weather and conditions, but he still shivers when he describes 


62 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 


Number 2 



his winter trip to Duluth with Jim Fuller and Jim Scheib. On the positive side he also re- 
members the Gyrfalcon, Pine Grosbeak, Boreal Ghickadee, Great Gray Owl, and other life 
birds that were found in the cold North. 

John has not set number goals for the future. He can recall, however, milestone num- 
bers. Number 400 was a colony of Rose-throated Becards at Sonoita Greek across from the 
famed Patagonia rest stop. Number 500 was the Green Kinghsher at Salineno along the Rio 
Grande in Texas and number 600 was an Allen’s Hummingbird just outside Muir Woods. 
His enthusiasm for birding is evident as he related the above experiences. In fact over the 
years John has gained enthusiasm, if that is possible. There are too many places and too 
little time. But now that he has retired he has more time to explore those many places. 
As with many of us, he also has to balance his birding life with every-day obligations and 
responsibilities. He does this quite well. John plans to stay active in the lOU and keep in 
touch with the fine people and birders who come to the registration table. When you see 
John at the next lOU meeting or out in the field, ask him what bird has the same genus 
and species name. 


420 S. Garfield Avenue, Burlington, lA 52601 (cfuller989@aol.com) 


Field Reports — ^Winter 2007-2008 

Robert I. Cecil 


WEATHER 

I guess you could say it was the polar oppo- 
site of recent winters, with emphasis on the polar. 
Recently, we’ve gotten by with a couple of good 
months or a couple of bad ones, but this year it 
was pretty much continuous December to Feb- 
ruary misery which actually bled over into No- 
vember and March. And, unfortunately, the cold, 
snowy, and icy winter brought all of the drudgery 
that accompanies such a season, but, at least as far 
as birding, few of its pleasures 

Following an arid November, December 
stormed in with near record precipitation and 
temperatures just right to turn much of it into ice 
storms, especially in the southeastern half of the 



Boh Cecil 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 63 


state. The first storm was on the hrst and created snow or freezing rain statewide: subse- 
quent rounds of sometimes serious ice and snow storms occurred on 4-6 Dec, 8 Dec, 1 1 
Dec, 14-15 Dec (southern Iowa), 22-23 Dec (south and southeast Iowa), 28 Dec, and, in 
southern and southeastern Iowa, New Year’s Eve. Honors for the month went to Lansing 
Allamakee with 27.6 inches of snow, Dubuque with 4.61 inches of precipitation, which 
beat a 1 55-year old record by half an inch, and Mount Ayr Ringgold with 1 .9 inches of freez- 
ing rain on 10 Dec. Overall, the month ended up as the 39th coldest and second wettest 
among 135 years of records. 

January got off to a relatively benign beginning although the state was still dealing 
with the effects of December’s repeated storms. Temperatures even moderated a little in 
south and central Iowa, enabling many to see their hrst ice-free sidewalks and streets in 
weeks. Unfortunately, the respite was short-lived v/hen 4-5 inches of snow fell across 
most of the state on 16-17 Jan and again on 20-21 Jan, and, on 29 Jan, herce winds 
produced white out conditions in west central and northeast Iowa but only 1-3 inches of 
snow. Stanley Buchanan was the cold spot with minus 30 degrees on 24 Jan, Keosauqua 
was the warmest with 67 degrees on 7 Jan, and Pocahontas got the most snow with 17.7 
inches for the month. Overall, it was the 47th coldest and 41st driest among 136 years 
of records. 

February expanded on a theme already too famihar to lowans this winter season. 
As State Climatologist Harry Hillaker put it, “The most noteworthy aspect of February’s 
weather was heavy snowfall,” adding that measurable snowfall fell somewhere in the state 
on all but eight days. Hardest hit was Oskaloosa which tallied 40.7 inches of snow, miss- 
ing the state record by only four inches and making lowans wonder who they had of- 
fended, and Mac[Uoketa which, with the help of 33.6 inches of snow for the month, beat 
their prior seasonal record of 58 inches by six inches. Temperatures were well below nor- 
mal, and it was the first Februaiy since 1979 that temperatures failed to reach 50 degrees 
somewhere in the state. The month’s lowest temperature was minus 23 degrees on 20 Feb 
at Sanborn O’Brien. Overall, February was the 23rd coldest and 13th wettest in 136 years 
of records. 

For the winter season, this one ranked as the 23rd coldest and 8th wettest in 135 
years of records. 

GENERAL TRENDS 

Waterfowl, as might be expected considering the weather, exited the state sooner than 
usual, wintered in very low numbers, and started returning later. Exceptions included, as 
usual, the Mississippi River from Davenport to Keokuk, reservoir tailraces, and the very 
rare areas of continuously open water such as Beemer’s Pond HamiUon and Cedar Lake, Ce- 
dar Rapids. February's few “milder” days were early, enticing a few waterfowl into southern 
Iowa by 9-10 Feb. They didn’t stay long, driven back out by snow and bitter temperatures 
No significant numbers returned by the end of February. 

Raptors were reported in usual numbers except for Bald Eagles, which staged a re- 
markable concentration in Keokuk, Cooper’s Hawks, which handily outnumbered sharp- 
shinneds for the second straight year, and rough-leggeds, which seemed to love the weath- 
er. It was a mixed bag for some of our other winter visitants; for example, there was only 


64 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 



one Snowy Owl but lots of Northern Shrikes. However, for most of them, it was a pretty 
typical winter. 

Lingering birds of note included an unexpected Dunlin on the Keokuk CBC, two East- 
ern Phoebes, several Gray Catbirds on CBCs, more than usual Yellow-rumped Warblers 
(usually from northern Iowa), and a late Field Sparrow in Scott. The others wisely left or 
remained in smaller than usual numbers and didn’t return in any numbers by the end of 
February — even the extra day didn’t help. A remarkable exception was the 500 Great-tailed 
Crackles wintering in Des Moines. 

While snow cover makes finding field birds a lot easier, our heavy doses this year also 
produced a mixed bag. For example, Gray Partridge were slightly down compared to recent 
winters, Lapland Longspurs were t)7pical, and Snow Buntings were ever}'where. And fi- 
nally always of interest are the winter finches, for which we were virtually promised a good 
year by scholars to the north. What we got was another mixed bag, with good numbers 
of Purple Finches, only a few Red Crossbills and just one white-winged, low numbers of 
Common Redpolls, and good numbers of Pine Siskins. 

UNUSUAL SIGHTINGS 

Accidental species reported included Brown Pelican, and the Black-tailed Gull con- 
tinuing from last season. Casual species reported included Mew Gull also continuing from 
the fall season, Great Black-backed Gull, and Black-legged Kittiwake. In the unusual for 
winter category were Virginia Rail, Dunlin, and two Eastern Phoebes. 

COMMENT 

This will be my last year of doing the winter field reports. My tenure has been challeng- 
ing and rewarding. I cringe at some of the errors I have made, especially during my earlier 
years, and appreciate the patience of those who endured them. I cringe also at the almost 
endless task during my first six or seven years, and that of my predecessors, in manually 
compiling all of the field reports from information mailed in by observers. The on-line data 
entry program developed by Ann Johnson has reduced our workloads by magnitudes, and 
has greatly increased the accuracy of the information we summarize. Others who made my 
efforts as field reports editor more successful include (in alphabetical order) Chris Caster, 
Jim and Steve Dinsmore, Tom Kent, and Kay Niyo, as well as those who have helped in 
smaller ways or whom I have inadvertently left out. Thanks, too, to son John for carefully 
checking my entries. I also look forward to reading next winter’s report by Aaron Brees. 

Of course, the real credit goes to those who submit their field observations. Their 
ongoing commitment enables us to continue to add to our century old body of knowledge 
about Iowa birds I am always heartened to see eager new observers, often giving us infor- 
mation from little birded parts of the state, and I am always a bit nostalgic when old friends 
move away, get side-tracked by family demands, or just don’t get around as well And then 
there is that third group — those 1 don’t think I have ever met but whose name and birding 
baunts are familiar encounters each winter. As I do these field reports, I often want to stop 
everything and send off e-mails (or a few years ago, letters), but I have to keep going with 
the report and never get around to it. Well, in lieu of all those never-sent notes, I couldn’t 
do it without you. Keep up the good work. It’s great having you out there. 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 65 



SPECIES DATA 

All CAPS = Casual or Accidental spe- 
cies. * = documented, ph = photo. County 
names are in italics. Pull names of contribu- 
tors are at the end of the article, Abbrevia- 
tions used: A = area, CBC = Christmas Bird 
Count, L&D = lock and dam, L = lake, 
m.ob. = many observers, NA = nature area, 
P = park, R = river. Res = reservoir, SF = 
state forest, SP = state park, WA = wildlife 
area. 

Greater White-fronted Goose: There 
were very few December reports, with 8 on 
7 Dec in Page the most (DKy). Pive birds on 
11 Jan in Van Buren QWR) and 250 on 12 
Jan at Pool 19 Lee were checking out condi- 
tions for returning (SJD, JG). There were 83 
on 29 Peb in Page (DKy). 

Snow Goose: As expected, the biggest 
counts were from western Iowa, e.g., 5,000 
on 1 Dec at Rapp P Page (DKy). Pate birds 
included 1 on 17 Dec-7 Jan at Keokuk and 
Pool 19 (SJD, JPP) and there were 2 on 3 
Jan at Johnston Polh (DK). 

Ross’s Goose: All: 1 on 4 Dec in Polk 
(AB), 1 on 11-14 Dec in Poweshiek (MPR), 
and 1 on 17 Dec in Johnson (CJC). 

Cackling Goose: High December 

counts included 800 on 1-12 Dec in Page 
(DKy), 540 on 4 Dec in Polk (AB), and 100 
on 4 Dec at Ada Hayden P Stoiy (WO). 
There were six January reports; the most 
northerly was 1 on 31 Jan in Poweshiek 
(DK). Returning were 4 on 9 Peb at Ottum- 
wa (SJD) and 6 on 16 Peb at Heron Bend 
A Lee (RPC). 

Canada Goose: Peak counts included 
5,275 on 7 Dec in Story (SJD) and 6,300 on 
30 Dec in Monona (SJD). There were five 
January and February reports of more than 
1,000 birds, all from western or southern 
Iowa. 

Mute Swan: All: 1 on 9-12 Dec at Ada 
Hayden P (WO). 


Trumpeter Swan: Beemer’s Pond had 
a peak count of 89 on 20 Jan (SJD). There 
were about 17 other reports of 1-9 birds 
throughout the season and the state, As ex- 
pected, an increasing number of these birds 
are unbanded. 

Tundra Swan: One showed up with 
the Trumpeters on 20 Jan and 3 Feb at 
Beemers Pond Hamilton (SJD, JG) and 5 
were reported on 16 Dec in Decatur ORL)- 
The other reports were from along the Mis- 
sissippi R: from 3-6 during the season in 
Scott (SMF), 5 on 20 Jan in PeClaire (DR), 
and 1 on 16 Feb in Lee (RPC). 

Wood Duck: All; 1 on 3-7 Dec at Ada 
Hayden P (WO, SJD), up to 3 on 16 Dec-4 
Jan in Scott (WMZ), and 1 on 9 Feb in Lee 
(SJD). 

GadwalP Pate season reports included 
16 on 5 Jan at artificially warmed Cedar P in 
Cedar Rapids (BSc), 15 on 15 Jan in Allama- 
kee (DK), and 13 on 27 Jan at Big Creek SP 
Polk (SJD). Very small numbers appeared in 
the southern half of Iowa on 9-10 Feb. 

American Wigeon: The only report 
following the CBC period was 1 on 11 Jan 
and 24 Feb at Blue P Monona (GPV, SJD). 

American Black Duck; The most 
northerly wintering birds were 1 at Mason 
City (RGo), 2 in Cedar Rapids on 2-13 
Jan (BSc, DP), 1 on 20 Jan and 16 Feb at 
Beemer’s Pond Hamilton (SJD) and 4 on 20 
Jan in Scott (DR). There were about 7 other 
reports of 1-4 birds. Three on 16 Feb in 
Floyd (PH) were probably returning. 

Mallard: The peak mid-winter count 
was 305 on 20 Jan at Beemer’s Pond (SJD). 
Wintering or early migrants included 310 
on 9 Feb in Ottumwa (SJD) and 100 on 10 
Feb at the MiclAmerica Ponds in Pottawat- 
tamie (DKy). 

Northern Shoveler; The peak count 
was 68 on 22 Dec in Des Moines (SJD). Re- 
ports following the CBC period included 1 1 


66 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 , Number 2 



on 9 Feb in Ottumwa (SJD), 13 in 10 Feb 
in Des Moines (JG), and 1 on 24 Feb at the 
MidAmerican Ponds (SJD). 

Northern Pintail: The only mid- win- 
ter reports were of 1 on 1 Jan in Union (SJD) 
and 1 on 13 Jan in Des Moines (BE) that 
had lingered from the CBC. Eager migrants 
included 1 on 23-25 Feb at Cedar L (BSc) 
and 2 on 24 Feb at Blue L Monona (SJD). 

Green-winged Teal: There were a 
very few reports through the early part of 
the CBC period. Early birds appeared on 
24 Feb with 2 in Woodbuiy (TLu) and 12 in 
Adams (SJD). 

Canvasback: The usual thousands 
were reported periodically from Pool 19 
throughout the season where their numbers 
respond quickly to the presence of open 
water. The most elsewhere was a peak of 12 
on 27 Jan in Scoll (WMZ); other reports in- 
cluded 2 on 2 Jan at Red Rock Res (AB) and 
1 on 27 Jan-2 Feb in Iowa City OPB). 

Redhead: Among mid-winter reports, 
the most reported was 27 on 12 Jan at Pool 
19 (SJD, JG); others were from Monona, 
Scott, Cerro Gordo, and Johnson. Away from 
the Mississippi River, migrants included 2 
on 24 Feb at Blue L Monona (SJD), 1 on 24 
Feb in Union (SJD), and 1 on 28 Feb at Ce- 
dar L (DLF). 

Ring-necked Duck: Among mid-win- 
ter reports, the most reported was 203 on 12 
Jan at Pool 19 (SJD, JG); others were from 
Monona, Scott, and Johnson. Migrants were 
noted on 24 Feb in Union and Monroe. 

Greater Scaup: Post-CBC reports in- 
cluded 10 wintering at Red Rock Res Mari- 
on (AB), a peak of 637 on 12 Jan at Pool 19 
(SJD, JG), and up to 3 in late Jan in LeClaire 
Scott (DR, BSc). Fifty on 16 Feb at Heron 
Bend A Lee (REG) may have been returning 
migrants. 

Lesser Scaup: Numbers were down 
significantly at Pool 19 with a peak of only 

Iowa Bird Life . 


245 on the Keokuk CBC, reflecting a na- 
tional trend. Mid-winter reports included 8 
wintering below the dam at Red Rock Res 
(AB), 1 at Beemer’s Pond Hamilton on 20 
Jan-16 Feb (SJD, JG), and 299 on 9 Feb 
at Pool 19 (SJD). Migrants appeared on 24 
Feb in Monona and Adams (SJD). 

Surf Scoter: All: a fern or imm on 8 
Dec at Red Rock Res (AB). 

White-winged Scoter: One on 27 Dec 
at Red Rock Res (AB) and 1 on 22 Dec-4 
Feb at Pool 14 Scott (DR) were both fern or 
imm. 

Black Scoter: All: 1 on 2 Dec at Say- 
lorville Res (SJD). 

Long-tailed Duck: All: 1 on 10 Dec 
and 1 on 10-19 Feb at Pool 14 (SMF, DR), 
a juv male and a juv male present off and 
on during the season at Pool 19 (SJD, JG), 
1 on 24 Dec at Red Rock Res (SJD), plus 
single birds on the Burlington and Musca- 
tine CBCs. 

Bufflehead: There were very few re- 
ports during the CBC period and the only 
one away from the major reservoirs or the 
Mississippi R was one on the Des Moines 
CBC. Post-CBC reports included 13 on 
12 Jan and 7 on 10 Feb at Pool 19 (SJD, 
JG), and 1 on 26-27 Jan at Pool 14 (DR, 
WMZ). 

Common Goldeneye: As expected, 
the big counts came from the Mississippi R 
and the major reservoirs, e.g., up to 735 on 
6-9 Dec at'Saylorville (SJD, AB) and 3,300 
on 12 Jan at Pool 19 (SJD, JG), with 1,014 
there on 9 Feb (SJD), Post-CBC reports in- 
cluded a single wintering on the Cedar R 
in Cedar Rapids (DP), up to 150 below the 
Saylordle Res dam declining to a few doz- 
en by the end of the season (m.ob.), 10 on 
27 Jan on the Missouri R Woodbury (TLu), 3 
on 10 Feb at the MicLVmerica Ponds (KDy), 
and 1 on 16 Feb at Charles City in north- 
east Iowa (PH). 

Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 67 



Hooded Merganser: The peak count 
for the season was only 27 at the Keokuk 
CBC; noteworthy other reports included 1 
on 29 Dec at Ada Hayden P (WO), 1 on 
6 Jan at the Coralville Res Dam Johnson 
(CRE), 3 on 13 Jan at Cedar L (DP), 1 on 
1 Feb at Mason City (RGo), 1 on 10 Feb at 
Des Moines QG), and 10 on 10 Feb at Pool 
19 (SJD). 

Common Merganser; Peak counts at 
Pool 19 and the reservoirs included 4,800 
on 3 Dec at Saylor\411e Res (AB), 9,300 on 
8 Dec at Red Rock Res (AB), and 3,500 on 
12 Jan at Pool 19 (JG, SJD). There were also 
21 on 27 Jan on the Missouri R Woodbury. 
(TLu). 

Red-breasted Merganser: All: 2 on 3 
Dec at Saylorville Res (AB), 1 on 19 Dec in 
Des h4oines OhF), 2 on 24 Dec at Red Rock 
Res (SJD), 2 on 29 Dec at Rathbun Res Ap- 
panoose QG), and 2 on 12 Jan at Pool 19 
(SLD,JG). 

Ruddy Duck: The only post-CBC re- 
port was 4 on 12 Jan (SJD, JG) and 1 on 9 
Feb (SJD) at Pool 19. 

Gray Partridge; Reports of up to 1 1 
were received from Boone, Hardin, Story, 
Cherokee, and Polk. Considering that snow 
cover makes this species more conspicuous, 
it was not a great year. 

Northern Bobwhite: All: 12 on 14 
Dec in Decatur (NMi) and 10 on 4 Jan in 
Wayne (AB), plus a few CBC reports in 
southern and eastern counties. The weather 
this season did nothing to help this declin- 
ing species. 

Common Loon: There were 3 on the 
Rathbun Res CBC. 

Pied-billed Grebe; A single bird stayed 
the season at Cedar L (BSc); another late 
bird was 1 on 31 Dec-3 Jan in Des Moines 
(AB). One was at Pool 19 on 9 Feb (SJD). 

American White Pelican: All: 36 on 
2-8 Dec at Red Rock Res (AB) with 18 


hanging on until 15 Dec (SJD); a single on 
23 Dec in Mahaska (fide SJD), and numbers 
ranging to 76 during much of the season 
at Pool 19 and Ft. Madison Lee (SJD, JG, 
JLF). One on 9 Feb at Red Rock Res and 
280 on 10 Feb at Lock and Dam 19 (SJD) 
were migrants. 

BROWN PELICAN: One was at Hall 
Towing on the east end of Ft. Madison on 
18-19 Dec (*SJD,JLF). 

Double-crested Cormorant; There 
were December reports from Page, Scott, 
and Lee. Late reports included 8 on 12 Jan 
at L&D 19 (SJD, JG), 1 from 20 Jan-28 in 
Des Moines (AB, RIA/PHA), 1 on 20 Jan 
and 14 Feb in Scott (DR, WMZ). Another 
was in Fremont on 22 Feb (KDy). 

Great Blue Heron: Post-CBC reports 
included a bird wintering at Iowa City 
OLF), up to 36 wintering at L&D 19 (SJD, 
JG) and 1 on 27 Jan at the Goralville Res 
Dam QES). Four on 16 Feb at Heron Bend 
(RLC), 1 on 16 Feb at Johnston Polk (DK) 
and 1 on 24 Feb at Saylorville Res (AB) may 
have been migrants. 

Black-crowned Night-Heron: For the 
second straight winter, there were no re- 
ports from Gedar Lake. 

Bald Eagle: A remarkable concentra- 
tion was at Pool 19 with some 1,200 on 12 
Jan QG, SJD), a number probably rivaling 
the species’ total population in the contigu- 
ous U.S. not many years ago. There were 
622 there on 9 Feb. This species is present 
throughout the season and the state, espe- 
cially where there is some open water but 
also over open country where it hunts/scav- 
enges for food. 

Northern Harrier; Highest counts in- 
cluded 5 on 7 Dec Qk) and 4 on 12 Dec 
in Decatur (NMi), 4 on 15 Jan in Fremont 
(KDy), and 4 on 27 Jan in Wayne (AB). Over- 
all, there were reports from about 18 coun- 
ties, all in the southern 2/3 of the state. 


68 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 



Sharp-shinned Hawk: There were 
about 17 reports, most from feeders where 
a few wintered, Reports were well distrib- 
uted throughout the season; however, no 
reports were received from west of Boone. 

Cooper’s Hawk; There were 32 re- 
ports, the highest count in several years; 
Mark Proescholdt reported at least 7 from 
Hardin and Marshall, compared to just one 
sharp-shirmed. Reports were rather evenly 
distributed through the season and the 
state. 

Northern Goshawk: All: 1 on 5 Dec 
in Boone QHW), 1 on 7 Dec in Stoiy (MP), 
1 on 29 Dec in Grundy (DK), 1 on 27 Jan 
in Polh (SJD), and 1 on 2 Feb in Fremont 
(KDy), plus 3 on CBCs. Of those where age 
was noted, four were juvs. 

Red-shouldered Hawk. Reports came 
from Marion, Warren, Tama, Scott, Decatur, 
and Johnson, where the last was reported on 
27 Jan (JES). Winter numbers of this spe- 
cies have been remarkably consistent over 
recent years. 

Red-tailed Hawk: As usual, there were 
numerous reports from across the state. Un- 
usual were 8 Harlan’s, as was a Harlan’s x 
Western intergrade imm on 10 Feb in Polk 
(JGl 

Rough-legged Hawk; With over 65 
reports, this species must have found our 
winter to be to their liking. 1 suspect this 
species is inconsistently reported, but this 
seemed like a good year. 

Golden Eagle: All: 1 on 5 Dec at the 
Grammer Grove Hawk Watch (MP), 1 on 
14 Dec at Rathbun Res (RLC), 1 on 13 Jan 
in Cherokee (L/\S), 2 on 1 Feb in O’Brien 
(DTh), 1 on 8 Feb in Bremer (RGo), and 
1 on 9 Feb in Henry (SJD). There were no 
reports from the usual wintering area in Al- 
lamakee. There were no adults among the 6 
birds where age was noted. 

Merlin: There were healthy numbers 

Iowa Bird Life . 


Statewide, which helped make up for the 
paltry showing of only 2 at Glendale Gem 
in Des Moines (JG, RIG) where there was 
some speculation that birds may be using 
more than one roosting location. There 
were about 16 total reports from through- 
out the season; all from the southern 2/3 
of the state with the exception of far north- 
west fowa reports of 1 on 25 Dec in O’Brien 
(LAS) and 1 on 8 Feb in Lyon (JVD). 

Peregrine Falcon: As with recent 
years, singles or pairs wintered in Daven- 
port and Cedar Rapids although none were 
reported from Des Moines. The only other 
report was 1 on 12 Dec in the Green Bay 
Bottoms Lee (JWR) and possibly the same 
bird on 18 Dec at Ft. Madison (SJD). 

Prairie Falcon: All: 1 on 2 Dec in Polk 
(AB, JSi), 1 on 15 Jan inSioia (JVD), 1 on 1 
Feb in O’Brien (DTh), 1 on 13 Feb in Plym- 
outh QVD), and 1 on 1 Feb through the pe- 
riod feasting on the huge starling flock at 
the Brenton feedlot Dallas (RIA/PHA, AB, 
JB, K\'S, JG). Details were provided with 
most reports. 

Virginia Rail: Steve Dinsmore has 
probably never passed by appropriate habi- 
tat in winter without making his odd “yank” 
call in the hope of finding a Virginia Rail. 
Well, it hnally paid off: 1 on 22 Dec on the 
Des Moines CBC. This is the first winter 
report in a number of years and about the 
seventh overall. 

American Coot: The last birds made 
it out of Woodbuiy on 15 Dec (TLu) and 
Story on 17 Dec (WO): 6 were still at Blue 
L Monona on 30 Dec (SJD). Wintering was 
at least 1 in Scott (DR), and 1 at Cedar L 
(BSc, DP). 

Sandhill Crane: There were 5 on 8 
Dec at Riverton WA Fremont (KDy). Getting 
lots of attention was one that wintered at 
Lake Laverne on the Iowa State University 
Campus (LGD, WO, HZ, RIA/PHA, JG). 

Spring 2008 Volume 78 . Number 2 69 



Killdeer: The latest reports were 1 on 
18 Dec in Jncfoon (WMZ) and 1 on 19 Dec 
in Lee QLF). Wintering or early was 1 on 9 
Feb at Montrose Lee (SJD); another was on 
29 Feb in Decatur (NMi). 

Dunlin: Iowa’s second winter record 
was on the Keokuk CBC; the first was on 
the 2001-2002 Iowa City CBC. 

Wilson’s Snipe: The only birds after 
the CBC period was one on 15 Jan in Win- 
neshiek (DK) and 1 on 27 Jan at the Slater 
sewage lagoon Story (SJD), 

Bonaparte’s Gull: All: 4 on 4 Dec at 
Red Rock Res (AB), 1 on the Keokuk CBC 
(SJD), and 1 on 19 Dec in Lee OLF). 

MEW GULL: A juv bird on 2 Dec at 
Red Rock Res (*AB-photo) continued from 
the fall season. 

BLACK-TAILED GULL: The remark- 
able bird at Saylorville Res continued until 
6 Dec (’^SJD, *AB-photo). 

Ring-billed Gull: The last one at Ada 
Hayden P was on 22 Dec (WO). Mid-winter 
counts included 12 on 5 Jan at Rathbun Res 
(RLC), 11,300 on 12 Jan at Pool 19 (SJD, 
JG), 1 on 13 Jan at Cedar L (DP), 1 on 16 
Jan at Saylorville Res (AB), 5 on 28 Jan at 
Red Rock Res (AB), and 1,246 on 9 Feb at 
Pool 19 (SJD). 

Herring Gull: The only reports away 
from the Mississippi R and the major res- 
ervoirs were 310 on 8 Dec in Des Moines 
QG), 213 on 18 Dec at Wapello (SJD), and 
1 on 13 Jan at Cedar L (DP). Other counts 
were 152 on 24 Dec at Red Rock Res (SJD) 
and 685 on 12 Jan at Pool 19, declining to 
39 on 10 Feb (SJD, JG). Noteworthy was 
Iowa’s first report of a first or second basic 
Nelson’s Gull (Flerring x Glaucous hybird) 
on 24 Feb at Lock and Dam 14 (SMF). 

Thayer’s Gull: There were up to 4 
through 6 Dec at Saylorville Res (AB, SJD), 
1 on 5 Dec (NMi) and 4 on 8 Dec at Des 
Moines (NMi, JG), at least 9 during the sea- 


son in Scott (SMF, m.ob.), 4 on 15-24 Dec 
at Red Rock Res (SJD), 2 on 18-19 Dec at 
Ft. Madison (SJD, JLF), 1 on 18 Dec at Ot- 
tumwa (SJD), and 1 on 12 Jan at Pool 19 
QG, SJD) There were 13 ad, 1 third basic, 1 
second basic, and 10 juv 

ICELAND GULL: One on 6-8 Dec at 
Des Moines (*JB, *AB, *JG) was thought to 
be the same as 1 on 15-24 Dec at Red Rock 
Res (*SJD, AB). Others included 1 on 12 
Jan at Pool 19 (’^SJD,JG). 

Lesser Black-backed Gull: There 
were 6 during the season in Scott (SMF). 
December reports of 1 or 2 birds were from 
Saylorville Res, Des Moines, Red Rock Res, 
Lock and Dam 19, Burlington, and Ft. 
Madison. There was 1 on 10 Feb at Pool 
19 (SJD). 

Glaucous Gull: The most were 4 dur- 
ing the season at Scott (SMF, DR) and up to 
4 on 8-24 Dec at Red Rock Res (AB, SJD). 
Other December reports included singles 
from Saylorville Res, Des Moines, and Lock 
and Dam 19. January reports included 1 on 
1-16 at Saylorville Res/Des Moines (JB, BE, 
RIC) and 2 on 12 Jan at Pool 19 QG, SJD). 

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL: 
All; 1 on 12 Jan at Lock and Dam 19 (SJD, 
JG) and 1 on 25 Feb at Lock and Dam 15 
(DR, SMF). 

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: A 

juv was found and photographed on 8 Dec 
at Red Rock Res by Paul Dunbar of Nebras- 
ka (*AB). 

Eurasian Collared-Dove: Remark- 

able was 133 on 24 Feb in Onawa Monona 
(SJD). Also reported from Story, Lee, Mar- 
shall, Polk, Linn. Woodbury, Sioux, Delaware, 
Decatur, and Clarke, and undoubtedly not 
reported from a number of others. 

Mourning Dove; From a few to a few 
hundred birds wintered around the state, 
although there were no reports from the 
northern third except along the Missouri R. 


70 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 , Number 2 



Eastern Screech-Owl: One or two 
seem to winter annually in Mason City; this 
year was no different (RGo), Others includ- 
ed singles on 13 Jan in Page (KDy), 2, a red 
and a gray morph wintering at Spirit Lake 
(ET), and 1 on 22 Feb in Sioux City (TLu). 
Of the two others where morph was noted, 
there was one of each. 

Great-horned Owl; One was nesting 
on 10 Feb in Fremont (KDy). 

Snowy Owl: All: 1 on 21 Feb in Floyd 
(PH). 

Barred Owl: The most northerly and 
northwestern birds were in Ida and Buena 
Vista (TLU, DTh). 

Long-eared Owl: The most were 4 
on 1-31 Dec at Lime Creek CA Cenv Gor- 
do (PH), 5 on 24 Dec-27 Jan at Medicine 
Creek WA Wayne (AB), 5 and 4 respectively 
on 1 Jan at Green Valley L and Twelve Mile 
L Union (SJD), and 4 on 17-26 Feb at Colo 
Story (HZ). From 1 to 3 birds were found in 
at least 12 counties throughout the season 
and the state. 

Short-eared Owl: The most were 8 
on 7 Dec at Decatur, where a few stayed for 
much of the season (NMi, JRL) and 7 on 31 
Jan in Poweshiek (DK). From 1—3 birds were 
found in Black Hawk (TSS), Guthrie GHW), 
Jasper (KVS), Polk (SJD), Wayne (AB), Sto- 
ry (SJD), Hardin (DJN), Woodhmy (GLV), 
Monona (SJD), Story (MP), Boone (DNJ), 
Madison (FEA), Dallas QB), Poweshiek (DK), 
and Fremont (DKy). Birds were present 
somewhere throughout the season. 

Northern Saw-whet Owl: The most 
were 2 through the season at Lime Creek 
CA (PH), 3 on 13 Dec at George Wyth SP 
Black Hawk (TSS), up to 5 on 5-30 Jan near 
Ledges SP Boone (SJD, WO) with another on 
10 Jan at Sparks Cem Boone (LGD), and 2 
on 20 Jan at Brushy Creek RA Webster (SJD). 
Singles were noted in Lucas, Warren, Union, 
Franklin, Ida, Marshall, Polk, and Monona. 

Iowa Bird Life . 


Belted Kingfisher: Unexpected was 1 
on 6 Feb at Ada Hayden P (WO). It was a 
typical season including the absence of late 
season reports from the northwestern half 
of the state. 

Red-headed Woodpecker. Nathan 
Miller estimated that 40 wintered in Deca- 
tur. For the rest of us, things were pretty 
sparse with singles only, and only from 
Clinton, Scott, Page, Linn, Fremont, and Polk 
(WMZ, KDy, DLF, DTh, and AMJ). 

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; All; 1 on 8 
Dec in Johnson QPa), 1 on 18 Dec in Jackson 
(WMZ), 1 on 12 Jan in Lucas (AB), and 1 on 
19 Jan in Warren OSi). 

Northern Flicker: Considered by the 
few reporters to be ver}^ scarce although it is 
not consistently reported. There was a red- 
shafted form in Johnson throughout the pe- 
riod OLF) Another was in Cerro Gordo on 
13 Feb (RGo). 

Pileated Woodpecker: There were no 
reports from outside the expected range. 
The closest, perhaps, were from Boone: sin- 
gles at the Sparks Cem A on 30 Dec (LGD) 
and on 16 Jan at Camp Hantesa OHW). 

Eastern Phoebe An excellent find but 
one day late for the Keokuk CBC was 1 on 

18 Dec at the marsh at Montrose Lee (*SJD). 
Another was on the Eldora-Union CBC on 

19 Dec. These brings to four the number of 
winter records of this species. 

Loggerhead Shrike; All; 2 on 8 Dec 
and 1 on 14-17 Jan in Fremont (KDy), 1 on 
24 Dec in Wayne (AB), 1 on 1 Jan in Union 
(SJD), and 1 on 5 Jan in Warren QSi). 

Northern Shrike: An excellent show- 
ing with reports of 1-3 birds from 31 coun- 
ties throughout the season and the slate; it 
was one of the best in several seasons. 

Black-billed Magpie: None were re- 
ported from the usual location at Broken 
Kettle Grassland Plymouth. 

Horned Lark: The biggest December 

Spring 2008 Volume 78 . Number 2 71 



counts were 600 on 8 Dec in Page (DKy) 
and 356 on 16 Dec in Cherokee (TLu). 
There were then no reports until the 200 on 
11 Jan in Woodbiuy (TLu); next came 125 
on 26 Jan in Dallas QB), 83 on 7 Feb in De- 
catur QRL), and 100 on 13 Feb in Kossuth 
(RGo). 

Tufted Titmouse: Nearing the edge of 
their range were up to 5 during the season 
at Camp Hantesa Boone (LCD). 

Red-breasted Nuthatch; The season 
got off to a strong start with numerous Dec 
reports of 1-4 birds from 12 counties. Re- 
ports then declined, although there were 6 
on 5 Jan in Boone QHW); the only Jan-Feb 
reports were 2 on 5 Jan in Appanoose (RFC), 
1 on 5 Jan in Johnson ORB), 3 on 12 Jan in 
Johnson (CRE), and 2 on 2 Feb in Dickinson 
(FT). 

Brown Creeper- Aside from birds in 
Sioux on 6 Dec QVD) and Woodbury on 21 
Jan (GLV), the most northerly report was of 
4 on 29 Jan at Flolst SF Boone (SSP). 

Carolina Wren; Excluding CBCs, the 
most were 5 on 7 Jan in Burlington GEE). 
The only birds away from roughly the 
southeast quadrant of the state were 1 on 
15 Dec at Winneshiek (DeC), 1 on 16 Dec in 
Story (HZ), 3 on 3 Feb in Page (KDy), and 1 
on 16 Feb in Hamilton (SJD). 

Winter Wren; All: 3 on 15 Dec in 
Sioux City (GLV, TLu), 1 on 17 Dec at Lake 
Ahquabi SP Warren QSi), 1 on 18 Dec in 
Clinton (WMZ), 2 on 19 Dec-17 Jan in 
Burlington OLF), 2 on 16 Jan at Woodland 
Mount Preserve Warren Obi), 1 on 15 Jan in 
Polk (AB), 1 on 14 Feb m Polk QRC), and 1 
on 29 Feb in Boone (SSP). 

Marsh Wren: There was 1 on the 
Sioux City CBC. 

Golden-crowned Kinglet: All: 4 on 28 
Dec in Sioux QVD) and 1 on 29 Dec in Ap- 
panoose QG). 

Eastern Bluebird: High counts includ- 


ed 25 on 16 Dec and 9 on 6 Jan in Cherokee 
(DB), 12 on 9 Jan in Decatur QRL), 16 on 
26 Jan in Lucas QSi, JG), and 17 on 3 Feb in 
Warren QSi). The most northerly were up to 
7 on 6 and 13 Jan in O’Brien (LAS, TLu). 

Townsend’s Solitaire; All; 1 on 16 
Dec in Cherokee (DB), and 1 on 13 Jan in 
O’Brien (TLu). 

Hermit Thrush; All: 2 through 10 Feb 
in Warren QSi, AB), 1 on 16 Dec in Cherokee 
(DB), 2 on 26 Dec in Polk QG), 1 on 12 Jan 
in Lucas (AB), and 1 on 20 Jan in Des Moines 
(KDy). Jim Sinclair suspected that the local 
birds and perhaps the others in Iowa did 
not survive the winter. 

American Robin: The biggest winter- 
ing flocks were 200 in Decorah Winneshiek 
(DeC) and up to 100 at the Hooper/Ahquabi 
A, a number that crept up to 200 by the end 
of the season QSi). The only other counts 
of more than 50 birds were from Appanoose 
(RLC), Scott WMZ), and Fremont (KDy). 

Gray Catbird; Singles were found at 
the Princeton, North Linn, and Saylorville 
CBCs. 

Northern Mockingbird: All: 2 on 12 
Dec and 1 on 5 Jan in Decatur (NMi) and 1 
on 2 Feb near Farragut Fremont (KDy). 

Brown Thrasher: There was 1 on 15 
Dec in Burlington QWR) and another on 
the Sac CBC. 

Bohemian Waxwing: There were 2 
on 6-13 Jan in O’Brien (*DB, LAS-details, 
TLu); another was on the Burlington CBC. 

Cedar Waxwing: The most by far were 
175 on 6 Jan in Cherokee (DB) and 140 on 6 
Jan in O’Brien (LAS). 

Yellow-rumped Warbler: All: 2 CBC 
birds that showed up at Hawkeye WA John- 
son for the third year in a row (MHB), 1 on 
16 Dec in Cherokee (DB), 1 on 31 Dec-3 
Feb at Lime Creek CA Cerro Gordo (PH, 
RGo), 15 on 6 Jan at Waterman Township 
O’Brien (LAS) and 1 there on 16 Feb QG), 


72 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 



1 on 13 Feb in Kossuth (MCK), and 1 on 24 
Feb in Monona (SJD). It seems counterintui- 
tive that most winter records of this species 
were from northern Iowa, 

Spotted Towhee; An adult made a few 
appearances to Denny Thompsons feeder 
near Saylorwlle Res during the season and 
another was seen at Saylorville Res on 16 
Dec (SJD). Two other birds wintered: 1 in 
Sioioc OVD) and 1 in Decatur OhL). 

Field Sparrow: Excellent details were 
provided for 1 on 2 Feb at Lock and Dam 
14 Scott (RLC-de tails). Yes, you read the lo- 
cation correctly. 

Fox Sparrow: There we more than 
usual wintering birds, including singles at 
Sioux, Cerro Gordo, Scott, Linn, Johnson, and 
two locations in Polk. 

Song Sparrow: Six birds were singing 
on 12 Jan in Lee QG). 

Lincoln’s Sparrow: There was 1 on 2 
Feb at Riverton WA Fremont (KDy). 

Swamp Sparrow: The only reports 
away from extreme southern Iowa were 5 
on 6 Jan at Saylorville Res (BE), and 5 on 2 
Eeb at Brenton SI Polk (JSi). 

White-throated Sparrow. Post-CBC 
reports consisted of 1-22 birds in Win- 
neshiek, Story, Warren, Fremont, Johnson, 
and Woodbury. 

Harris’s Sparrow: Post-CBC reports 
include 1 wintering in Decatur (NMi), 1 on 
21 Jan in Cerro Gordo (RGo), 25 on 2 Feb 
in Fremont (KDy), and 1 on 28 Feb in Dal- 
las (AB). 

White-crowned Sparrow: Post-CBC 
birds included 1 on 24 Jan-17 Feb in Scott 
(WMZ), 16 on 2 Feb in Fremont (KDy), and 
1 on 23-24 Feb in Stoiy (WO). 

Dark-eyed Junco: “Oregons” were 
noted on the Saylorville CBC (AB), singles 
on 4 Jan and 10 Feb in Decatur (NMi), 1 on 
18-20 Jan in Woodbufy (TLu), and 1 on 21 
Jan at Red Rock Res (AB). 


Lapland Longspur: The biggest counts 
by far came from Decatur with 420 on 6 
Dec and 965 on 10 Dec (NMi), Other high 
counts included 150 on 8 Dec in Dallas (JB), 
100 on 12 Jan in Delaware (BSc), 200 on 12 
Jan in Winneshiek (DeC hde Larry Reis), 106 
on 20 Jan in Hamilton (SJD), 100 on 20 Jan 
in Wright (SJD), 250 on 3 Feb in Page (KDy), 
and 100 on 16 Feb in Lee (RFC). Despite 
the continuous snow cover in much of the 
state, reports remained remarkably consis- 
tent with recent years. 

Snow Bunting: It was a banner year for 
this species which pushed well into south- 
ern Iowa. Peak counts were 150 on 8 Dec in 
Dallas (JB), 436 on 8 Dec in Polk QG), 150 
on 13 Dec at Rathbun Res (RFC), 300 on 12 
Jan in Winneshiek (DeC fide Larry Reis), 160 
on 18 Jan in Grundy (MP), 200 on 13 Feb 
in Kossuth (RGo), 315 on 16 Feb in Floyd 
(PH), and 300 on 21 Feb in Carroll (RTh). 

Red-winged Blackbird: Wintering 

flocks included up to 600 in Woodbury 
(TLu, GLV), 59 on 13 Jan in Boone (LGD), 
and 50 on 26 Jan in Lucas QG, JSi). 

Eastern Meadowlark: One in a group 
of five was identified by voice on 20 Dec in 
Scott (WMZ). Two on 19 Dec (JLF) and 4 on 
the Keokuk CBC were reported as “species” 
but could have been easterns. There were 
also reports from five CBCs in eastern and 
southern lA. 

Western Meadowlark: Nathan Mill- 
er noted singing in Decatur during warm 
weather (they must have had some down 
there). 

Meadowlark sp.: From 1-30 birds 
were reported throughout the season in 
the western half of the state although the 
only reports from the northern three tiers of 
counties were 8 wintering in Sioux and 2 on 
4 Jan in Lyon QVD). 

Rusty Blackbird: All: 7 on 5 Dec and 4 
on 10 Dec at two Woodbury locations (TLu), 


Iowa Bird Lije . Spring 2008 Volume 78 . Number 2 


73 



6 on the Clinton CBC, and 1 on 5 Jan at 
Rathbun Res (RLC). 

Common Crackle; There were De- 
cember reports of a small numbers of birds 
from Winnebago, Cerro Gordo, Boone, Story, 
and Woodbury. The last report was of 1 on 6 
Jan in Woodbury (TLu). 

Great-tailed Crackle: Remarkable was 
510 on 1 1 Feb at a roost in Waterworks P in 
Des Moines (AB), easily lowas largest ever 
winter concentration (AB). The 41 birds on 
20 Jan in Warren (RTr) were presumably 
part of this roost. 

Brown-headed Cowbird; Post-CBC 
reports consisted of 1-6 birds in Appanoose, 
Dallas, Marion, Scott, and Polk. 

Purple Finch: The 16 reports were 
pretty well distributed across the state and 
throughout the season. Peak counts were 
up to 35 wintering in Decalur (NMi), 15 
on 16 Dec (TLu) and 18 on 12 Jan (DB) in 
Cherokee, and 50 on 12 Jan in Warren (JSi, 
AB). There were no other reports of more 
than 5 birds. 

House Finch: Ann Johnson had the 
most with 75 on 20 Jan at her home in rural 
Norwalk. 

Red Crossbill: The most were 5 on 5 
on 28 Dec in Sioux QVD), 6 on 31 Dec-26 

CONTRIBUTORS 


Reid/Pam Allen 
E/E Armstrong 
Dick Bierman 
John Bissell 
John Bollenbacher 
Aaron Brees 
Mark Brown 
Dennis Carter 
Chris Caster 
Robert Cecil 
Jane Clark 
Ray Cummins 
Larry Dau 


Jan in Ames (SJD), and 9 on 13 Feb in Mar- 
shall (MPr). Smaller numbers were reported 
in Warren (AMJ), Hamilton QG), Page (KDy), 
Cherokee (DB), Van Buren (JWR), and Story 
QB). While certainly not an invasion year, it 
was better than most recent ones. 

White-winged Crossbill: One on 10- 
30 Dec at Wolf Oesierreich’s home in Ames 
got lots of visitors (WO, JHW, SJD, DP, JG). 
Presumably the same bird dnen appeared on 
9-21 Jan at another Ames location. 

Common Redpoll: All: 1 on 1 Dec in 
Sioia QVD), 1 on 6 Dec in Story (WO), 1 
on 15 Dec in Winneshiek (DeC fide Mike 
Daughton-photo), 1 on 1-23 Jan in Iowa 
City QES, MHB), 1 on 6 Jan in Dickinson 
(FT), 4 on 25 Jan in Linn (BSc), 1 on 26 
Jan in Woodbury (GLV), 6 during Feb in 
Linn (DP), and 4 on 21 Feb in Mason City 
(PH). 

Pine Siskin; Among about 14 reports, 
the peak counts included 17 through the 
season at Fairmount Cem Scott (WMZ), 30 
through the season at Sioux Center Sioux 
OVD), 76 on 17 Dec in Page (KDy), and 16 
on 5 Feb in Des Moines (AB). 

Eurasian Tree Sparrow: Three on 27 
Jan in Scott (WMZ) are at the very northern 
edge of their range in Iowa. 


RIA/PHA 

W Des Moines 

EEA 

Boonville 

DB 

Cherokee 

JB 

Grimes 

JPB 

Iowa City 

AB 

Des Moines 

MHB 

Iowa City 

DeC 

Decorah 

qc 

Coralville 

RIC 

Des Moines 

JRC 

Clive 

RLC 

Ottumwa 

LCD 

Boone 


Stephen J. DInsmore 
Keith Dyche 
Chris Edwards 
Bery Engebretsen 
Steve Freed 
Jim Fuller 
Dale Fye 
Jeff Livingston 
Jay Gilliam 
Rita Goransen 
Paul Hertzel 
Ann Johnson 
Matt Kenne 


SJD 

Ames 

DKy 

Shenandoah 

CRE 

North Liberty 

BE 

Des Moines 

SMF 

Milan, IL 

JLF 

Iowa Gity 

DLF 

Cedar Rapids 

JRL 

Davis City 

JG 

Notwalk 

RGo 

Mason City 

PH 

Mason City 

AMJ 

Norwalk 

MCK 

Algona 


74 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 





CONTRIBUTORS (continued) 


Daiwin Koenig 

DK 

Ankeny 

Tucker Luter 

TLu 

Bronson 

Nathan Miller 

NMi 

Davis City 

Jeff Nichols 

DJN 

Boone 

Wolf Oesterreich 

WO 

Ames 

Shane Patterson 

SSP 

Ames 

Jason Paulios 

JPa 

Iowa City 

Diana Pesek 

DP 

Cedar Rapids 

Mark Proescholdt 

MP 

Liscomb 

Don Robinson 

DR 

Silvis,IL 

John Rutenbeck 

JWR 

Burlington 

Jim Scheib 

JES 

Iowa City 

Bill Scheible 

BSc 

Cedar Rapids 


Tom Schilke 

TSS 

Waterloo 

Lee Schoenewe 

LAS 

Spencer 

Jim Sinclair 

JSi 

Indianola 

DennisThompson 

DTh 

Johnston 

Ed Thelen 

ET 

Carroll 

RobThelen 

RTh 

Carroll 

Richard Trieff 

RTr 

Indianola 

John Van Dyk 

JVD 

Sioux Center 

Karen Viste-Sparkman 

KVS 

Des Moines 

Gerald Von Ehwegen 

GLV 

Sioux City 

Harley Winfrey 

JHW 

Boone 

Hank Zaletel 

HZ 

Nevada 

Walter Zuurdeeg 

WMZ 

Davenport 


In addition, Carolyn Fischen Catherine and Clark McMullen, Loren and Babs Padelford, Willard Piercy, 
Diane Porter; and Paul Roisen provided information which was used in species' summaries. 


1315 41st St. Des Moines, lA 50311 (wewarb@aol.com) 



Common Redpoll, Iowa City, 3 January 2008. Photograph by James Scheib, 
Iowa City, lA. 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 75 



Juvenile Iceland Gull in downtown Des Moines, Polk, 8 December 2007. Photo- 
graph by Jay Gilliam, Norwalk, lA. 



Northern Saw-whet Owl at Hooper WA, 
Warren, 9 February 2008. Photograph by Jay 
Gilliam, Norwalk, lA. 



Short-eared Owl at Neal Smith NWR, 19 De- 
cember 2007. Photograph by Jason Murphy, 
Pleasant Hill, lA. 


76 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 





Leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Linn 
and Julie Hunsaker yard, ML Pleasant, Henry, 
6 September 2007 (IBL 78[1]:129). Photo- 
graph by Linn Hunsaker, ML Pleasant, lA. 


Adult male Sharp-shinned Hawk at the Wal- 
nut Woods SP feeders, Polk, 3 February 2008. 
Photograph by Jay Gilliam, Norwalk, lA. 



Dark morph Rough-legged Hawk on the Red Rock CBC, Marion, 15 December 
2007. Photograph by Jay Gilliam, Norwalk, lA. 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 77 




Snow Bunting along rural roadside, Dallas, 9 December 2007 . Photograph by 
Jay Gilliam, Norwalk, lA. 



Juvenile Northern Shrike in rural Decatur, 13 January 2008. Photograph by Jay 
Gilliam, Norwalk, lA. 


78 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 





Juvenile western Red-tailed Hawk in rural Hamilton, 3 February 2008. 
Photograph by Jay Gilliam, Norwalk, lA. 



Aberrant Baltimore 
Oriole, Boone, May 
2007. Photograph 
by James Moreland, 
Boone, lA. 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 79 




Iowa Christmas Bird Count, 2007-2008 


Chris Caster 


The nasty weather in December must have dampened Iowa birders’ enthusiasm be- 
cause a number of counts weren’t held or they didn’t bother to report their data. Only 46 
of the record 52 counts held last year were compiled (see Table 1). Missing from last year 
were the two Clayton County counts, Van Buren County, Wapello County Worth County, 
and Westfield. Additionally three other counts were on life support: Union County had 
only one participant, while Siam-Hopkins and Humboldt County had just two. Certainly 
consideration should be given to sustainability when new counts are contemplated. 

Conditions in the field were wholly reversed from the previous CBC. While December 
2006 was the warmest in over 40 years, this past December winter came early, with frozen 
lakes and plenty of ice and snow. Only Muscatine and nearby West Mercer County did 
not report any snow cover. Yellow River Forest, Decorah, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Bremer 
County, and Amana all reported 8 to 10 inches. So it is not surprising that open country 
birds were easier to find this year, while waterfowl were in short supply. 

The total species count this season was 140 and that is the third year in a row that 
we have met or exceeded that threshold. The total number of birds counted however was 
410,467, the second lowest count total of the past 10 years. This is largely explained by 
the lack of waterfowl and loss of six counts. Keokuk retook high-count status with a lofty 
91 species, a position it has held in six of the last seven counts. Other high counts this year 
included Burlington and Davenport (85), Clinton (82), Princeton, Saylorville and Rathbun 
(79). Omaha (71) led the Missouri River counts. Mason City and Spirit Lake (52) led the 
Northern Third. 

The average count this year had 12 people, 5.7 field parties, and found 58.2 species. 
REGULAR SPECIES 

Despite the reduction in overall numbers, thirteen species were seen in record num- 
bers. As mentioned, waterfowl numbers, particularly geese, were down. Gull numbers 
were about average. It was a very good year for raptors and owls. It was a good year for 
gallinaceous birds and finches. It was an invasion year for Northern Shrike, Red-breasted 
Nuthatch, and Snow Bunting. Frequently reported species are recorded in Table 2, Species 
found on three or fewer count are shown in Table 3. 

Greater White -fronted Geese (8) were found on just three counts. Snow Geese (29) 
were at their lowest numbers, maybe ever. This makes the high count of ten birds on the 
Cedar Rapids count all the more unusual. The 10-year average is 25,552. Ross’s Geese were 
unreported for the first time in eight years. Cackling Geese (92) had their lowest total since 
the 2004 species split. Even the hardy Canada Geese (45,100) posted their lowest total in 
seven years. A lone Mute Swan was on the Andalusia count. Another count week bird was 
in Ames. Trumpeter Swans (74) were reported in numbers second only to last year’s record 
1 19 birds. Nineteen Trumpeters were on the Lost Nation count. Tundra Swans (6) were all 


80 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 



found at Davenport. Possibly they were the same swans reported on the nearby Princeton 
count just four days later? 

Nearly all puddle ducks were found in numbers well below their 10-year averag- 
es. Mallards (32,087) generally average over 70,000 birds. Nearly one third of this year’s 
Mallards were at Sioux City Wood Ducks (28) were about average. Gadwalls (1 13) were 
scattered statewide. American Black Ducks (47) posted abysmal numbers for the second 
straight year. Sixteen at Clinton was the high. Northern Shovelers (143) were high in Des 
Moines with 68 birds. Northern Pintails (9) had their third-lowest total in over twenty 
years. Green- winged Teal (35) were also scarce. Sixteen teal at Omaha was high for the 
third straight year. 

Diving ducks were relatively numerous, and some species exceeded the ten-year aver- 
age. Mississippi River counts, particularly Keokuk, along with the Saylorville, Red Rock, 
and Rathbun counts produced nearly all. But contributions came from the Cedar Rapids, 
Des Moines, and Missouri River counts as well. Greater Scaup (318) were nearly all at 
Keokuk or Red Rock. Lesser Scaup (710) had their third lowest count of the last ten years. 
Canvasbacks (13,371) were nearly all at Keokuk. Redheads (47) were about half the aver- 
age. Ring-necked Ducks (428) away from the Mississippi were most numerous on the Des 
Moines count with twenty. Common Goldeneyes (7,877) were plentiful. A single White- 
winged Scoter was at Cedar Fa 11s- Waterloo. Single Long-tailed Ducks were reported from 
four Mississippi River counts. Buffleheads (105) had their best showing in six years. Com- 
mon Mergansers (17,249) were at well-above average numbers with these counts leading 
the way; Red Rock had 7,900, Rathbun 5,950, and Keokuk 2,514. Hooded Mergansers 
(144) were above average, while Red-breasted Mergansers (9) and Ruddy Ducks (177) 
were relatively scarce. 

The deep snows brought out the Gray Partridges (160). This was the third highest 
count since 1991-1992. They were reported from fifteen counts and Ames had the high 
with 34. Ring-necked Pheasants (2,216) were also well reported. We would have been 
skunked on Ruffed Grouse this year if it weren’t for a single bird at Decorah. However, it 
has been nearly twenty years since we had more than four birds on the CBC. Wild Turkey 
(3,000) were again well above the ten-year average. Only Sac County did not find a turkey. 
Northern Bobwhite (170) increased for the third straight year to numbers double the 10- 
year average. Like last year, Lamoni had the high with 64 birds. 

Pied-bUled Grebes (9) were found in below average numbers. American White Peli- 
cans (87) were found in record numbers with 60 at Keokuk and 18 at Red Rock. Double- 
crested Cormorant (65) numbers were above average with 29 at Davenport. Great Blue 
Herons (145) were at their average. 

Bald Eagles (5,139) to the delight of lakeshore developers everywhere, went over the 
5,000 mark for the first time. Only Union County did not find an eagle — come on, Steve! 
Northern Harriers (83) were at their average. Sharp-shinned Hawks (91) were above aver- 
age. Cooper’s Hawks (138) shattered last year’s record-high of 103. Single Northern Gos- 
hawks were reported from four counts. Red-shouldered Hawks (15) set a new record-high. 
Seven on the Cedar Falls-Waterloo count was high. Red-tailed Hawks (2,122) and Rough- 
legged Hawks (223) were reported in near record numbers. Like last year, single Golden 
Eagles were reported from four counts. American Kestrels (468) didn’t seem to like the 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 Volume 78 . Number 2 81 



cold and snow as they had one of their lowest counts of the last twenty years. Merlins (14) 
had another very good showing. Saylorville had the high with three birds. Five Peregrine 
Falcons was a new record. No Prairie Falcons were reported this year. 

American Coots (71) were relatively hard to find. Killdeer (15) were below average 
and Wilson’s Snipes (10) were at possibly an all-time low. Ring-billed Gulls (18,945) were 
well below average, while Herring Gulls (2,931) were well above. Thayer’s Gulls (10) were 
on four counts with four birds apiece at Davenport and Red Rock. Glaucous Gulls (10) 
were also on four counts with five at Red Rock and three at Keokuk. Single Lesser Black- 
backed Gulls were at Keokuk and Red Rock. 

Rock Pigeons (11,849) were abundant. Eurasian Collared-Doves (319) again set a new 
high. Twenty-five counts reported birds during their count week. With count numbers prob- 
ably assisted by snow cover. Mourning Doves (8,672) again established a new record high. 

Eastern Screech-Owls (118) were above average. Twenty-one at Boone County were 
incredible — they’ve got some early risers there! Great Homed Owls (224), Barred Owls 
(162), and Long-eared Ow4s (52) all had good showings. Short-eared Owls (25) had their 
best year in nine. Northern Saw-whet Owls (16) were found in record numbers. 

Belted Kingfishers (114) fell below average after last year’s record of 209. Woodpeck- 
ers, except for Northern Flicker (462), were all above average. Even Red-headed Wood- 
peckers (280) had a relatively good count. Here are the numbers; Red-bellied Woodpeckers 
(1,970), Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (28), Downy (2,680) and Hairy (743) Woodpeckers, 
Pileated Woodpeckers (109). 

It was an unbelievable year for Northern Shrikes (109). Forty-four birds had been 
the previous record. Saylorville led the way with thirteen and Bremer County had eleven. 
Loggerhead Shrikes (5) were at their average. Blue Jays (5,599) were at near record num- 
bers. American Crows (62,299) were about average. Horned Larks (6,122) had their best 
count in seven years. Black-capped Chickadee (6,399) and Tufted Titmouse (736) numbers 
were near their 10-year average. Red-breasted Nuthatches (455) posted emption numbers. 
Fifty-one at Spirit Lake was high. White-breasted Nuthatches (2,920) were above aver- 
age. Brown Creepers (233) were slightly below average. Lamoni had an amazing fifty-one 
creepers. Carolina Wrens (174) posted numbers second only to last year’s record of 250. 
Winter Wren (34) numbers were above average. There was a Marsh Wren at Sioux City for 
the second straight year. Golden-Crowned Kinglets (68) were relatively uncommon. Ruby- 
crowned Kinglets (3) were right at the average. 

Despite the cold. Eastern Bluebirds (764) and Hermit Thmshes (23) were found in 
numbers well above average. However, American Robins (1,013) were relatively scarce. 
Northern Mockingbirds (3) were nearly pushed out of the state after last year’s record 
sixteen birds. Single Gray Gatbirds were found at Princeton, North Linn, and Sayloiwille. 
Single Brown Thrashers were at Burlington and Sac County. European Starling (46,362) 
took something of a beating this year — but not enough. Davenport regained its rightful 
place as “Iowa's Starling Capitol’’ with 3,391 birds. Cedar Waxwings (1 ,827) had their low- 
est total in seven years. Yellow-rumped Warblers (27) fell slightly below average. 

Sparrow numbers were generally good. Two Spotted Towhees and three Eastern To- 
whees were reported. American Tree Sparrow (12,109) numbers were nearly average. Field 
Sparrows (12) were found at Andalusia, West Mercer County, and Shenandoah. Fox Spar- 


82 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 



rows (20) were average. Song Sparrows (602) and Swamp Sparrows (114) were nearly av- 
erage. One Savannah Sparrow was at Davenport. Single Lincolns Sparrows were reported 
on five counts. White-throated SpaiTows (456) were found in numbers well above aver- 
age, Harris’s Sparrows (186) were nearly average; DeSoto had 63 and Shenandoah had 
56. White -crowned Sparrows (51) were average. Dark-eyed Juncos (30,830) were found 
in record numbers. Lapland Longspurs (487) were perhaps surprisingly scarce given the 
winter. Snow Buntings (1,226) were well-above average. Northern Cardinals (8,746) were 
at record numbers. 

Icterid numbers were mixed. Red-winged Blackbirds (2,667) had their lowest total in 
seven years, however meadowlarks (819) were found in record numbers. The current trend 
is for more counts to identify meadowlarks to species. This year both Eastern and Western 
Meadowlarks moved from Table 3 to Table 2. Rusty Blackbirds (49) fell below average. 
Brewer’s Blackbirds (4) were only reported from Shenandoah. Common Crackles (417) 
were about average. Two Great-tailed Crackles were at Omaha. Brown-headed Cowbirds 
(177) had their second lowest count since 1989-1990. 

It was good year for finches. Purple Finches (843) and House Finches (3,031) were both 
above average. Common Redpolls (18) were reported from seven counts during count week. 
Twelve birds were at Spirit Lake. Pine Siskins (330) were above average. American Gold- 
finches (5,181) were average. A Red Crossbill was at Green Island and two White-winged 
Crossbills were at Ames. Ten years ago was the last time both crossbills were on the CBC. 

House Sparrows (23,150) were nearly average, Eurasian Tree Sparrows (1,447) were 
found in record numbers. Burlington bad 435 of those. Six birds at Amana, one at Lost Na- 
tion and one at Green Island now mark the boundary of their continuing expansion. 

NOTABLE MISSES 

The most notable miss was surely Ross’s Goose, seen on nine of the last ten counts. 
Also missed were; Black Scoter (6 of last 10); Homed Grebe, Black-billed Magpie (5 of last 
10); Surf Scoter, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Sandhill Crane, Snowy Owl, Varied Thmsh, 
American Pipit, Yellow-headed Blackbird (all 4 of last 10). 

UNCOMMON SPECIES 

There were some pretty good birds this year. The best was probably the Dunlin dis- 
covered on the Keokuk count. It was only the second time that it has been on the CBC. 
A Virginia Rail in Des Moines was a close second. It had been seen only twice in the last 
twenty CBCs. A Bohemian Waxwing was discovered in Burlington and was relocated in 
subsequent days. This bird had only been seen on two of the last hfteen CBCs. A first 
year Iceland Gull was photographed on the Red Rock count. Iceland Gulls have now been 
found in three out of the last five CBCs and may rate mention as a notable miss in the not 
too distant future. Other great birds included two Blue-winged Teal at DeSoto, a Bonapar- 
te’s Gull at Keokuk, a Townsend’s Solitaire at Cherokee, and an Eastern Phoebe at Eldora- 
Union. Keokuk had a count-week phoebe. 


4 South Ridge Court, Coralville, lA 52241 (cjcaster@earthlink.net) 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 Volume 78 . Number 2 83 



Table I.Site Data for 2007-2008 Christmas Bird Counts 


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Number 2 


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00 


o 

o 

ro 

ro 

00 

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NO 

o 


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LO 

ro 

NO 

LO 

LO 

o 



ro 

NO 


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NO 

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ro 

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NO 



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— 



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ro 

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ro 








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ro 

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ro 



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ro 

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ro 









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NO 

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o 

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LO 

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ro 

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00 

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NO 

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00 




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ro 

00 


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00 

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o 

ro 


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ro 

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ro 




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(N 

LO 

00 

lo 

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o 


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ro 


LO 

LO 


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NO 





O 

O 


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(N 


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00 


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(N 


(N 









(N 





o 

LO 

LO 

LO 

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_ 

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NO 

NO 

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00 

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NO 

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1^ 

NO 

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NO 

NO 

ro 

LO 

ro 

ro 

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NO 

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1^ 


LO 

NO 

LO 

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1^ 

1^ 

NO 

LO 


u 

u 

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u 



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u 

u 

u 

u 


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Q 

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Q 

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— 

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u 

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c 

13 

o 

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arroll County 

c 

3 

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ro 


LO 

NO 

l< 

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o 


; 

(N 

ro 


(N 

(N 

(N 

(N 

(N 

(N 

(N 

(N 

(N 

ro 

ro 

ro 

ro 

ro 

ro 

ro 

ro 

ro 

ro 

oo 



T 



Q 

?= Z -5 


0 

1 

o _o ^ 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 


Number 2 85 


46. Shenandoah 15-Dec 77 7444 10 4 66.5 274 9 0 0 19 20 13 18 6 N 3-8 






Table 2a. Christmas Bird Count Data. 2007-2008 


Location 

Gr 

W-f 

Go 

Sn 

Go 

Cack 

Go 

Ca 

Go 

Tr 

Sw 

Wo 

Du 

Ga 

Am 

Bl 

Du 

Ma 

No 

Sh 

Gr 

Wi 

Te 

Ca 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER 

1 . Yellow River Forest 




41 


1 


3 

362 




2. Dubuque 




298 

9 



5 

897 



10 

3. Green Island 




8 


2 

1 


21 

43 


1 

4. Clinton 




50 

1 1 


2 

16 

292 



2 

5. Princeton 



1 

242 


1 

1 


161 



33 

6. Davenport 



8 

2745 


2 

4 


1216 



30 

7. Andalusia 




311 

17 

1 



125 




8. Muscatine 




1 188 

1 

1 

4 

3 

280 



6 

9. West Mercer County 

6 



1736 



6 

1 

539 

1 1 



10. Burlington 


2 

8 

2162 



18 


143 

2 


51 

1 1 . Keokuk 


2 

2 

6333 


4 


5 

1735 


1 

13229 

Subtotals 

6 

4 

19 

151 14 

38 

12 

36 

33 

5771 

56 

1 

13362 

MISSOURI RIVER 













1 2. Sioux City 


4 

8 

3517 



2 


10348 


3 


13. DeSotoNWR 


6 


856 





1859 




14. Omaha 


2 

5 

1282 


6 


1 

218 


16 

5 

Subtotals 

0 

12 

13 

5655 

0 

6 

2 

1 

12425 

0 

19 

5 

NORTHERN THIRD 













1 5. Decorah 




1 1 1 





59 




1 6. Bremer County 













1 7. Mason City 



6 

567 

7 



3 

1 189 




18. Spirit Lake 



14 

219 


3 

2 


239 




19. Humboldt County 




40 





40 




20. Cherokee 

Subtotals 

0 

0 

20 

937 

7 

3 

2 

3 

1527 

0 

0 

0 

MIDDLE THIRD 













2 1 . Lost Nation 




25 

19 



1 

4 




22. North Linn 




249 





101 




23. Cedar Rapids 


10 


1534 


2 

3 


2138 




24. Iowa City 



6 

876 


1 



435 



2 

25. Amana 





4 








26. Cedar Falls-Waterloo 


1 


1 189 

2 


27 

4 

71 1 




27. Eldora-Union 




2 









28. Marshalltown 




36 





30 




29. Grinnell 




34 





96 

2 



30. Ames 




746 

cw 




62 




3 1 . Saylorville Reservoir 




49 

1 


5 


51 



1 

32. Des Moines 




3323 

2 


16 

2 

1868 

68 

1 


33. Neal Smith NWR 




1 









34. Boone County 

1 



34 





1 




35. Jamaica 




1603 



2 


95 




36. Dallas County 


cw 


143 


2 



15 




37. Sac County 




100 









38. Carroll County 




1 





14 


1 


39. Ida County 


1 







92 




Subtotals 

1 

12 

6 

9945 

28 

5 

53 

7 

5713 

70 

2 

3 

SOUTHERN THIRD 













40. Red Rock Reservoir 




7515 

1 



1 

5120 

1 


1 

41. Rathbun Reservoir 


1 

18 

2626 



14 


558 

1 

6 


42. Lamoni 

1 












43. Union County 



3 

2529 




2 

638 

1 



44. Taylor County 




1 









45. Siam-Hopkins 




50 









46. Shenandoah 

cw 

cw 

13 

728 

cw 

2 

6 


335 

14 

7 


Subtotals 

1 

1 

34 

13449 

1 

2 

20 

3 

6651 

17 

13 

1 

TOTALS 

8 

29 

92 

45100 

74 

28 

1 13 

47 

32087 

143 

35 

13371 


86 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 


Re 

Ri 

Ne 

Du 

Gr 

Sc 

Le 

Sc 

Lo 

Ta 

Du 

Bu 

Co 

Go 

Ho 

Me 

Co 

Me 

R-b 

Me 

Ru 

Du 

Gr 

Pa 

Ri 

Ne 

Ph 

Wi 

Tu 

No 

Bo 

Pi 

Bi 

Gr 

Am 

Wh 

Pe 



1 











10 

192 




2 



9 


2 

9 




1 

3 

16 

39 





1 


4 


2 

25 

2 

32 


3 


3 

132 




2 

1 


3 



152 

6 

48 

1 



6 

148 



1 


1 

1 

4 


8 

285 


7 



1 

14 

35 

8 



7 

12 


44 

1 

6 

1 147 

3 

44 

1 

6 


15 

64 

2 



1 

5 





60 

5 

2 




2 

18 

14 




3 


13 

1 

8 

254 


605 


2 



93 



2 


8 


2 



30 


3 




2 

15 

36 



12 

44 

2 

17 

1 

5 

20 


48 


3 


2 

33 

1 1 


2 

8 

316 

295 

560 

1 

59 462 1 

36 

2514 

2 

160 



57 

13 

2 

60 

32 

392 

298 

656 

4 

90 6603 

52 

3303 

4 

175 

4 

70 

826 

84 

2 

65 


1 1 

3 

41 

28 

54 

307 


1 

15 

51 

85 

238 

cw 


8 

cw 

1 1 

126 


T1 0 0 4 0 0~64 0 79 0 0 0~T50 671 0 0 0 








1 

1 


25 

4 

14 

56 

210 

126 

216 

137 

32 

85 

28 

6 












13 

92 

86 




0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 0 1 

0 

0 56 

700 

374 

0 

0 

0 



2 

4 


2 

190 

4 

23 

2 

4 

1 


14 

13 

286 

20 

37 

55 

9 

233 

106 

137 

74 

20 


1 









8 

27 

32 











4 

63 

15 












29 

14 












46 

7 




cw 


1 

cw 




34 

177 

8 



1 

1 3 



1 16 


7 


7 

90 

40 



1 20 

19 


4 

80 

7 




7 

26 


3 










30 

1 












29 

154 







3 

1 



12 

91 

1 1 


1 









3 

93 

18 

5 











2 












5 

14 

31 












28 

9 



1 21 

1 28 

0 

7 

393 

33 

12 

0 

0 100 

1 133 

936 

5 

4 1 


3 

3 

10 

18 

19 

1 


4 

3 

720 

91 

3 

16 

43 

7900 

5950 

1 

1 

4 

1 

1 


8 

9 

33 

5 

12 

42 

45 

77 

13 

9 

9 

64 

1 

1 

18 

3 

cw 

2 

1 

2 


1 

2 


3 




6 

90 

1 

6 

8 

1 


3 

15 

19 

22 

0 

8 

816 

59 

13854 

5 

2 

0 

163 

193 

81 

3 

21 

47 

428 

318 

710 

4 

105 7877 

144 

17249 

9 

177 

160 

2216 

3000 

170 

9 

87 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 , Number 2 87 






Table 2b. Christmas Bird Count Data, 2007-2008 




Gr 



Sh 




Re 

Re 

Ro 



D-c 

Bl 

Ba 

No 

Sh 

Co 

No 

ac 

Sh 

Ta 

Le 

bu 

Location 

Co 

He 

Ea 

Ha 

Ha 

Ha 

Go 

SP 

Ha 

Ha 

Ha 

SD 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER 

1 . Yellow River Forest 



32 


1 

2 




27 

3 


2. Dubuque 


9 

126 


1 

10 




21 

3 


3. Green Island 

1 

1 

228 

1 

2 

5 




94 

26 


4. Clinton 


2 

891 

1 

3 

12 



1 

72 

18 


5. Princeton 


3 

1 13 


4 

3 




28 

4 


6. Davenport 

29 

59 

482 

3 

3 

9 




66 

6 


7. Andalusia 


1 

422 

8 

2 

3 




37 

2 


8. Muscatine 

1 

10 

429 

2 

2 





49 

3 


9. West Mercer County 


2 

68 

3 


2 




21 

1 


10. Burlington 

1 

5 

464 

4 

1 

4 




16 

2 


1 1 . Keokuk 

13 

38 

971 

4 

2 

1 



2 

32 

2 


Subtotals 

45 

130 

4226 

26 

21 

51 

0 

0 

3 

463 

70 

0 

MISSOURI RIVER 













1 2. Sioux City 


1 

12 


3 

3 

1 



101 

6 


13. DeSotoNWR 



49 

4 

3 

1 


1 


91 

1 

3 

14. Omaha 


1 

10 

2 

2 

5 



1 

102 



Subtotals 

0 

2 

71 

6 

8 

9 

1 

1 

1 

294 

7 

3 

NORTHERN THIRD 













1 5. Decorah 



66 


1 





29 

8 


1 6. Bremer County 


1 

17 


1 

2 



1 

26 

9 


1 7. Mason City 



1 1 


2 

2 

1 



25 

1 


18. Spirit Lake 


1 

4 


3 

1 




18 

2 


19. Humboldt County 



1 


1 





3 



20. Cherokee 



8 


2 

2 




12 

2 


Subtotals 

0 

2 

107 

0 

10 

7 

1 

0 

1 

1 13 

22 

0 

MIDDLE THIRD 













2 1 . Lost Nation 



39 

3 

3 

7 

1 

1 

1 

69 

5 


22. North Linn 



59 

2 

1 

2 




38 

6 


23. Cedar Rapids 


1 

81 

1 

1 

7 




66 

10 


24. Iowa City 



107 

6 

5 

6 


3 


121 

8 


25. Amana 



18 





3 


25 

4 


26. Cedar Falls-Waterloo 



24 


4 

4 



7 

57 

14 


27. Eldora-Union 



24 







29 

1 


28. Marshalltown 



14 

1 


4 




26 


1 

29. Grinnell 



1 



2 




3 

2 


30. Ames 



12 

1 

2 

1 1 




98 

7 


3 1 . Saylorville Reservoir 


1 

13 

2 

7 

4 




89 

6 


32. Des Moines 

2 

2 

63 

2 

5 

2 




53 



33. Neal Smith NWR 



6 

10 

1 

2 




36 

2 

1 

34. Boone County 



56 

3 

9 

3 


1 


91 

8 

3 

35. Jamaica 


1 

9 



1 



1 

38 

3 


36. Dallas County 


1 

35 

1 

1 

3 




53 

8 


37. Sac County 



1 1 







6 



38. Carroll County 



22 


2 

1 

1 



28 



39. Ida County 



4 


1 

2 




47 

1 


Subtotals 

2 

6 

598 

32 

42 

61 

2 

8 

9 

973 

85 

5 

SOUTHERN THIRD 













40. Red Rock Reservoir 


1 

44 

1 


1 




41 

3 


41. Rathbun Reservoir 

17 

2 

48 

6 

2 





29 

1 


42. Lam on i 


cw 

19 

3 

4 

5 



cw 

94 

15 


43. Union County 





1 

1 




18 

1 


44. Taylor County 



7 

5 


cw 



1 

56 

10 

13 

45. Siam-Hopkins 



2 

1 

1 

1 




6 

4 


46. Shenandoah 

1 

2 

17 

3 

2 

2 




35 

5 


Subtotals 

18 

5 

137 

19 

10 

10 

0 

0 

1 

279 

39 

13 

TOTALS 

65 

145 

5139 

83 

91 

138 

4 

9 

15 

2122 

223 

21 


88 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 


Number 2 


Go 

Ea 

Am 

Ke 

Me 

Pe 

Fa 

Am 

Co 

Ki 

Wi 

Sn 

Ri 

Bi 

Gu 

He 

Gu 

Th 

Gu 

Gl 

Gu 

Ro 

Pi 

Eu 

Co 

Do 

Mo 

Do 

Ea 

Sc 

Ow 

Gr 

Ho 

Ow 

Ba 

Ow 


4 



1 







78 

12 

93 

6 

3 

3 


9 


1 

6 



2 




451 


128 


1 

2 


10 




1 






1 18 


268 

10 

2 

5 

1 

17 




4 

1 

6 

25 



194 

3 

278 

6 

12 

7 


18 




2 


617 

432 


1 

269 


450 

4 

9 

12 


23 

1 

2 

7 

2 


4022 

1002 

4 

1 

791 


639 

2 

7 

6 


12 






58 




382 


392 

3 

1 

1 


26 


1 




984 

47 

1 


71 


928 

5 

9 

5 


14 







2 



98 

2 

341 

3 

10 

14 


10 

1 


1 1 


3 

34 

2 



466 


395 

2 

2 

3 


3 



6 

2 

1 

10488 

433 

1 

3 

449 

3 

305 

1 

5 


1 

146 

2 

4 

31 

1 1 

5 

1621 1 

1943 

6 

5 

3367 

20 

4217 

42 

61 

58 



9 1 


5 





875 

14 

25 

5 

3 

1 


12 cw 







128 

10 

81 

2 

1 

2 


9 





3 1 

1 

140 

5 

167 


5 

3 

0 

30 1 

0 

5 

0 

0 

3 1 

1 0 

0 1 143 

29 

273 

7 

9 

6 


1 4 









335 


43 

6 

2 

3 

5 









334 

1 

128 

1 

1 

2 

2 

1 








937 


19 

cw 

6 

1 

2 



6 






125 


8 

2 

2 











30 






2 

1 








156 

28 

3 

3 

1 

2 

1 15 

2 

0 

6 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 1917 

29 

201 

12 

12 

8 


1 29 

8 
16 
23 
9 

1 


2 

1 

1 

17 

42 


152 

157 

943 

230 

38 


355 

212 

532 

426 

42 

2 

2 

1 

1 

5 

8 

5 

8 

3 

4 

2 

2 

4 

1 

13 









804 

3 

247 

1 

3 

5 

7 









24 


34 


5 


2 









371 


47 















14 


2 

1 

14 

1 


2 






539 

9 

310 


5 

5 

14 

3 




1 

1 



344 

1 

189 

7 

18 

16 

12 

1 


6 



3 

5 


555 

23 

514 

3 

1 

2 

7 









35 

2 

57 


8 

2 

26 









426 

44 

185 

21 

35 

16 

12 









31 

16 

1 14 

1 


2 

16 

1 



3 





189 

8 

91 


1 

1 










45 


1 


1 


2 









51 

cw 

46 

2 

2 

cw 

6 

1 








57 

5 

3 


3 


1 216 

8 

0 

10 

4 

2 

21 

47 

0 

0 4991 

1 1 1 

3419 

41 

1 13 

63 


7 



1 


1 

780 

850 

4 

5 

32 

78 

131 

1 

2 

1 

20 



9 


1 

1930 

90 



54 

1 

120 

8 

4 

2 

1 17 

1 









153 

1 

1 17 

7 

16 

15 

4 










31 

2 

3 


3 

1 

4 










38 

cw 

82 

cw 

1 

3 

2 












1 

cw 

cw 


7 


1 

9 


1 





123 

48 

108 


3 

5 

1 61 

1 

1 

19 

0 

3 

2710 

940 

4 

5 

431 

130 

562 

16 

29 

27 

4 468 

14 

5 

71 

15 

10 

18945 

2931 

10 

10 

1 1849 

319 

8672 

1 18 

224 

162 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 , Number 2 89 






Table 2c. Christmas Bird Count Data, 2007-2008 



Lo 

Sh 

No 


Re 

Re 

Ye 






Ea 

Ea 

S-w 

Be 

He 

Be 

Be 

Do 

Ha 

No 

Pi 

Location 

Ow 

Ow 

Ow 

Ki 

Wo 

Wo 

Sa 

Wo 

Wo 

FI 

Wo 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER 

1 . Yellow River Forest 




7 

4 

37 


25 

9 

3 

4 

2. Dubuque 




4 

5 

52 

1 

76 

20 

7 

3 

3. Green Island 

5 



5 

6 

81 

2 

74 

23 

20 

9 

4. Clinton 

1 



6 

3 

80 

3 

59 

14 

29 

3 

5. Princeton 

2 

1 

1 

2 

13 

68 


60 

14 

7 

8 

6. Davenport 




9 

3 

70 

1 

98 

10 

6 

4 

7. Andalusia 




6 

12 

61 

1 

50 

16 

9 

5 

8. Muscatine 

3 


1 

5 

5 

69 

1 

72 

32 

16 

10 

9. West Mercer County 

1 


1 

5 

5 

47 

2 

72 

22 

23 

15 

10. Burlington 




3 

8 

49 

1 

62 

8 

6 

2 

1 1 . Keokuk 




2 

2 

49 

1 

57 

4 

15 

7 

Subtotals 

12 

1 

3 

54 

66 

663 

13 

705 

172 

141 

70 

MISSOURI RIVER 












1 2. Sioux City 




1 


52 


74 

1 1 

8 


13. DeSotoNWR 






37 

1 

40 

15 

43 


14. Omaha 




2 

1 

62 

3 

87 

16 

21 

1 

Subtotals 

0 

0 

0 

3 

1 

151 

4 

201 

42 

72 

1 

NORTHERN THIRD 












1 5. Decorah 




7 


48 


58 

20 

3 

4 

1 6. Bremer County 





1 

14 


47 

1 


2 

1 7. Mason City 

1 


1 

1 


25 


72 

27 

2 


18. Spirit Lake 


1 


2 


30 


89 

31 

7 


19. Humboldt County 








2 




20. Cherokee 






16 


22 

4 

4 


Subtotals 

1 

1 

1 

10 

1 

133 

0 

290 

83 

16 

6 

MIDDLE THIRD 












2 1 . Lost Nation 


6 



18 

53 

1 

65 

30 

14 

2 

22. North Linn 

2 


1 

2 

2 

40 


65 

14 

6 

6 

23. Cedar Rapids 




5 

4 

68 

1 

122 

32 

12 

1 

24. Iowa City 




2 

10 

94 

2 

159 

34 

29 

6 

25. Amana 


5 



8 

10 


10 

1 

1 

1 

26. Cedar Falls-Waterloo 

2 


5 

4 


28 


46 

16 

8 

6 

27. Eldora-Union 




1 

1 

14 


19 

3 



28. Marshalltown 




1 


10 


15 

7 

1 


29. Grinnell 






7 


8 

1 



30. Ames 

1 

cw 


2 


143 

4 

206 

54 

5 


3 1 . Saylorville Reservoir 

2 



3 

2 

91 

1 

123 

32 

15 

2 

32. Des Moines 




8 


38 

1 

65 

1 1 

7 


33. Neal Smith NWR 


1 


1 


27 


38 

8 

12 


34. Boone County 

5 


5 

4 

3 

134 


195 

93 

1 1 

5 

35. Jamaica 

5 

1 


4 

4 

13 


16 

5 

6 


36. Dallas County 

1 



3 

3 

35 


72 

9 

10 


37. Sac County 






7 


13 

2 



38. Carroll County 






14 

cw 

21 

12 

1 


39. Ida County 

8 

1 




6 


15 

5 

4 


Subtotals 

26 

14 

1 1 

40 

55 

832 

10 

1273 

369 

142 

29 

SOUTHERN THIRD 












40. Red Rock Reservoir 




1 


16 


25 

2 

7 


41. Rathbun Reservoir 




2 

5 

22 

1 

35 

10 

15 

1 

42. Lamoni 

2 

5 


1 

150 

96 


96 

51 

40 

2 

43. Union County 

9 


1 

1 


6 


4 

1 

3 


44. Taylor County 

1 

2 


2 

2 

23 


24 

6 

16 


45. Siam-Hopkins 






8 


8 

1 

5 


46. Shenandoah 

1 

2 




20 


19 

6 

5 


Subtotals 

13 

9 

1 

7 

157 

191 

1 

21 1 

77 

91 

3 

TOTALS 

52 

25 

16 

1 14 

280 

1970 

28 

2680 

743 

462 

109 


90 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 


Volume 78 . Number 2 


Bl Re Wh Go 

Lo No sh Bl Am Ho Ca Tu Br Br Br Ca Wi Cr Ea He Am 

ih Sh sp la Qr La Q] li Nu Nu Cr Wr Wr Kj B| Ih Rq. 


6 

1 19 

214 

29 

126 

16 


27 

1 


1 


6 


1 

2 

103 

214 


152 

36 

4 

46 

7 

1 



12 


1 

6 

226 

429 

44 

185 

14 

2 

98 

1 1 

1 1 

2 

4 

98 

3 

3 


205 

235 

147 

190 

24 

7 

77 

5 

4 

2 


97 

2 

8 

3 

1 161 

1 14 

145 

162 

17 

3 

98 

10 

4 

2 


22 


3 


1 173 

403 

79 

333 

23 

7 

99 

10 

9 

3 


9 

1 

3 

2 

109 

78 

80 

1 18 

26 


82 

1 1 

2 


1 

45 


18 


135 

94 

3 

158 

35 

5 

61 

9 

14 

2 

2 

38 

1 

7 

1 1 

142 

64 

4 

233 

37 

4 

88 

3 

14 

1 

1 

41 

8 

142 


86 

69 

176 

68 

21 

6 

49 

2 

8 

3 


14 


24 

1 

176 

12000 

503 

105 

40 

? 

51 

? 

40 



31 

? 

1 

1 21 

2 1635 

13914 

1210 

1830 

289 

40 

776 

71 

107 

16 

8 

413 

17 

21 1 


1 

79 

74 

158 

175 


33 

87 

2 


3 


18 

16 

2 

63 

88 

304 

105 

17 

8 

51 

1 



cw 

22 

1 


75 

61 

192 

274 

34 

19 

126 

10 

22 

3 

2 

33 

5 

0 3 

0 217 

223 

654 

554 

51 

60 

264 

13 

22 

6 

2 

73 

0 22 


4 

143 

441 

1 

1 18 

25 

17 

66 



26 

1 1 

65 

269 

32 

68 


2 

27 




2 

172 

4964 

2 

170 


17 

62 

2 


5 

2 

57 

29 

217 

189 


51 

107 

6 





4 

10 




1 




2 

70 

40 

552 

68 


8 

39 

2 

25 

1 1 

0 21 

0 507 

5747 

814 

613 

25 

95 

302 

10 

0 0 0 25 

1 32 


1 


224 

175 

23 

194 

13 

13 

82 

5 




3 

1 

5 

3 

1 

147 

65 

72 

166 

14 

3 

77 

5 




1 





97 

832 

16 

361 

27 

1 1 

67 

4 

2 


1 

4 


9 

3 

1 

233 

1653 

6 

312 

67 

20 

107 

4 

10 



22 


3 


2 

25 

28 

2 

29 

1 


14 








8 


107 

9925 

7 

138 


7 

58 

1 






2 

3 

1 

32 

37 

20 

34 

4 


28 










50 

58 


25 


1 

17 


2 






2 


18 

47 


5 


2 

10 








7 

1 

250 

15200 

136 

575 

7 

47 

249 

20 

3 

1 




3 

13 


165 

413 

463 

279 

14 

8 

99 

10 

1 

2 

1 

21 

3 

17 

1 


71 

1 1000 

37 

75 

15 

12 

68 

3 

13 

2 


4 


98 

1 


63 

64 

8 

29 


1 

44 

1 


1 

1 



1 

3 

1 

151 

1 103 

5 

538 

81 

33 

348 

5 

5 


2 

2 



2 


70 

69 

204 

57 

1 

1 

21 

1 


2 


2 


15 

4 

1 

141 

128 

80 

1 19 

12 

32 

50 


1 

1 




13 



21 

1 1 

10 

10 


8 

10 

1 







3 


84 

76 

275 

8 


16 

20 

2 



2 




3 


98 

79 

339 

7 


24 

19 

2 






5 

0 57 

8 

2047 

40963 

1703 

2961 

256 

239 

1388 

64 

37 

9 

7 

59 

4 

171 



2 


77 

417 

63 

52 

3 

1 

21 





20 

16 


1 


181 

1 13 

147 

91 

16 

9 

24 

1 

1 


10 

38 

5 


2 


634 

475 

368 

209 

90 

2 

90 

51 

7 

3 

27 

80 

1 376 

1 



21 

151 

97 

5 

1 

2 

2 




2 

1 1 

1 19 

1 

2 


132 

204 

167 

62 


4 

32 

14 



8 

32 

31 

1 



12 

66 

37 

9 



7 

2 



1 

4 


1 



136 

26 

862 

13 

5 

3 

14 

7 



3 

9 

30 

4 

7 

0 

1 193 

1452 

1741 

441 

115 

21 

190 

75 

8 

3 

51 

194 

1 577 

5 

109 

10 

5599 

62299 

6122 

6399 

736 

455 

2920 

233 

174 

34 

68 

764 

23 1013 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 91 







Table 2d. Christmas Bird Count Data, 2007-2008 





Ye 

Am 





Wh 


Wh 


Eu 

Ce 

Ru 

Tr 

Fo 

So 

Li 

Sw 

Th 

Ha 

Cr 

Location 

St 

Wa 

Wa 

Sp 

Sp_ 

Sp 

Sp 

Sp 

Sp 

Sp 

Sp 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER 

1 . Yellow River Forest 

440 

48 


71 


1 



1 



2. Dubuque 

337 

1 


33 


6 



13 



3. Green Island 

369 

20 

2 

87 


26 


3 

10 



4. Clinton 

3122 

44 

12 

580 

2 

21 


2 

3 


1 

5. Princeton 

1090 

25 


770 


19 

1 

6 

4 


1 

6. Davenport 

3391 

9 


380 


68 


3 

44 



7. Andalusia 

1467 

7 


238 


33 



24 


1 

8. Muscatine 

2720 

8 


297 

1 

17 


1 

16 


2 

9. West Mercer County 

2090 

25 

6 

362 

2 

24 


8 

7 


14 

10. Burlington 

707 

138 

1 

860 

2 

30 


6 

27 

1 

2 

1 1 . Keokuk 

547 

96 


396 

1 

41 


1 1 

43 


6 

Subtotals 

16280 

421 

21 

4074 

8 

286 

1 

40 

192 

1 

27 

MISSOURI RIVER 












1 2. Sioux City 

2882 

1 1 


89 





cw 

5 


13. DeSotoNWR 

855 

27 


530 


4 




63 


14. Omaha 

1273 

212 

cw 

305 

6 

22 

1 

9 

5 

23 

1 

Subtotals 

— suur 

250 

— U~ 

924 

6“ 

26 

— r~ 

9“ 

5“ 

—9T— 

T 

NORTHERN THIRD 












1 5. Decorah 

1033 

28 


97 


1 






1 6. Bremer County 

1382 



283 

1 

1 






1 7. Mason City 

976 

67 


69 

cw 


1 


6 

1 


18. Spirit Lake 

988 



1 1 1 






1 

1 

19. Humboldt County 

1000 











20. Cherokee 

615 

148 

1 

55 

1 




1 

1 


Subtotals 

5994 

243 

1 

615 

2 

2 

1 

0 

7 

3 

1 

MIDDLE THIRD 












2 1 . Lost Nation 

420 

26 


58 


15 

1 

3 

30 



22. North Linn 

1917 

25 


16 


2 



16 


2 

23. Cedar Rapids 

1 155 

17 


48 


7 



31 



24. Iowa City 

623 

37 

2 

353 

1 

20 


15 

25 


2 

25. Amana 

150 



6 


6 





2 

26. Cedar Falls-Waterloo 

561 

45 


317 


1 



4 



27. Eldora-Union 

221 



178 








28. Marshalltown 

88 



50 








29. Grinnell 




5 








30. Ames 

1678 

90 


479 

cw 

20 



14 

1 


3 1 . Saylorville Reservoir 

2816 

363 


121 1 


53 


13 

55 

2 

3 

32. Des Moines 

621 

16 


120 

1 

19 


2 

1 1 



33. Neal Smith NWR 

85 



160 


6 






34. Boone County 

2587 

30 


457 


19 


2 


7 


35. Jamaica 

857 

137 


82 


7 


2 

1 

4 


36. Dallas County 

443 

25 


245 


7 



15 

1 


37. Sac County 

378 









6 


38. Carroll County 

397 

14 


60 






7 


39. Ida County 

964 



5 






1 


Subtotals 

15961 

825 

2 

3850 

2 

182 

1 

37 

202 

29 

9 

SOUTHERN THIRD 












40. Red Rock Reservoir 

861 

2 


13 


7 


16 

1 1 


1 

41. Rathbun Reservoir 

305 

53 


63 

1 

7 



1 


2 

42. Lamoni 

952 

2 

3 

1090 


41 


1 

28 

cw 

1 

43. Union County 

278 

2 


24 

1 

2 






44. Taylor County 

449 

1 


127 


12 



1 



45. Siam-Hopkins 

130 



88 






6 

1 

46. Shenandoah 

142 

28 


1241 


37 

1 

1 1 

9 

56 

8 

Subtotals 

3117 

88 

3 

2646 

2 

106 

1 

28 

50 

62 

13 

TOTALS 

46362 

1827 

27 

12109 

20 

602 

5 

1 14 

456 

186 

51 


92 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 



Da 

Ey 

Ju 


La 

Lo 


Re 

Sn No Wi 
Bu Ca Bl 


Ea We me 
Me Me sp 


Ru Co 
Bl Gr 


Br 

He Pu Ho 

Co Fi Fi 


Eu 

Co Pi Am Ho Tr 

-Re Sj Go Se Sa 


414 

456 

654 

985 

573 

1260 

491 

298 


189 

246 

274 


2 40 

8 186 


25 


60 166 274 842 

3 51 221 52 

I 40 493 793 
226 21 
26 224 


62 


31 


6 I I 

I 

7 318 
9 I 


5 

52 

7 

62 

2 

6 


9 

23 

4 

4 

2 

13 


90 
46 
68 
I I I 
81 
81 


2 94 436 

23 122 225 

1 39 785 

3 67 820 

I 91 


19 206 
32 


807 12 

999 17 

45 793 235 

133 651 269 



3080 67 478 522 17 


578 
357 

579 
875 

40 

673 

98 

179 

78 

1562 

1587 

588 

355 

1579 

419 

907 

63 

694 

621 


I 

I 

4 

20 

I 

8 

46 


12 354 
2 282 
5 519 
687 
35 

17 202 

40 
95 
69 

204 367 
67 299 
20 144 

4 99 

332 

41 
153 
28 
68 
28 


I 

4 

3 

20 


I 

15 

54 

20 

1 

2 
14 


74 


8 

10 


10 

36 

4 

13 

9 

41 

44 

7 


3 17 

I 


0 88 457 1 3 


34 192 

36 41 


3 534 3366 


2 I 


20 


2 121 
22 151 

10 

30 89 


26 
I 55 
6 88 
10 202 
20 


14 


12 

4 
15 
I 
I 

18 
3 

86 126 


10 

8 

166 

90 

41 

23 

51 

18 


12 

71 

50 


42 
24 
28 
23 
171 
125 
102 
I 16 
268 
35 
210 
27 
I 13 


61 
9 

9 

5 
4 

6 
7 
I 

10 105 


I 142 
927 
1037 
758 
130 
794 
82 
160 

697 
782 
213 
82 
1002 
274 
71 I 
I 10 
301 
277 


11832 91 3593842 122 


0 75 195 16 17 33 281 1281 


3 143 1780 9479 


219 

470 

1259 

206 

401 

298 


3 

50 

I 

60 


9 152 

I 189 
I 332 
58 
102 
26 


2 

85 


1550 25 22 204 434 


26 

143 

29 

16 

2 21 


14 


17 


1 

2 
33 


2 

47 

92 

19 

14 


29 

74 

45 

3 

6 

cw 

240 


169 466 

22 184 549 

2 574 641 

6 
138 
43 


65 

132 

50 


4 233 362 


4403 139 33 1063 527 


2 235 42 


36 


5 183 397 


28 1347 2265 


30830 487 1226 8746 2667 14 316 489 49 417 177 843 3031 18 330 5181 23150 1447 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 93 







Table 3. Species reported on three or fewer Christmas Bird Counts. 2007-2008 


Species 

Mute Swan 
Tundra Swan 
swan sp. 

American Wigeon 
Blue-winged Teal 
Northern Pintail 
White-winged Scoter 
duck sp. 

Ruffed Grouse 
Common Loon 
Virginia Rail 
Dunlin 

Bonaparte’s Gull 
Iceland Gull 

Lesser Black-backed Gull 
Eastern Phoebe 
Marsh Wren 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
Townsend’s Solitaire 
Gray Catbird 
Northern Mockingbird 
Brown Thrasher 
Bohemian Waxwing 
Spotted Towhee 
Eastern Towhee 
Field Sparrow 
Savannah Sparrow 
sparrow sp. 

Brewer’s Blackbird 
Great-tailed Grackle 
Red Crossbill 
White-winged Crossbill 


Counts 


Andalusia (l),Ames (cw) 

Davenport (6) 

Princeton (6), De Soto (3) 

Burlington ( I ), Union County ( I ) 

De Soto (2) 

Keokuk (3), Sioux City (4), Des Moines (2) 

Cedar Falls-Waterloo (I) 

Omaha (21) 

Decorah (I) 

Rathbun (3) 

Des Moines (I) 

Keokuk (I) 

Keokuk (I) 

Red Rock(l) 

Keokuk ( I ), Red Rock(l) 

Eldora-Union (I) 

Sioux City ( I ) 

W. Mercer County ( I ), Omaha (2) 

Cherokee ( I ) 

Princeton (I), North Linn (l),Saylorville (I) 
Andalusia (2), Lamoni ( I ), Taylor County (cw) 
Burlington (I), Sac County (I) 

Burlington (I) 

Saylorville (I), Lamoni (I) 

Keokuk ( I ), Neal Smith ( I ), Lamoni ( I ) 

Andalusia (7), W. Mercer County(4), Shenandoah (I) 
Davenport (I) 

De Soto (26) 

Shenandoah (4) 

Omaha (2) 

Green Island (I) 

Ames (2) 


94 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 



Sandhill Crane at Lake Laverne, Ames 


Larry Dau 


A juvenile Sandhill Crane decided to stop its migration southward and spend the 
winter in Ames, becoming a fixture on the Iowa State University campus. The crane identi- 
fied with the crows and Canada Geese and was often seen flying and foraging with them, 
seemingly picking the crows as a first choice for companionship. 

Carl and Linda Kurtz first saw the bird flying with a group of crows over South Duff 
Avenue near Highway 30 in late afternoon on 22 November. They were able to follow it 
to the Cold Water Links Golf Course in south Ames where it was spotted near a pond on 
the course, hanging out with a group of Canada Geese. After that, there were reports from 
ISU students and staff that placed the crane on campus. Several of the reports had him 
walking about and feeding with groups of crows on central campus and sometimes acting 
so tame that he could be approached at a distance of a few feet. Others mentioned seeing 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 Volume 78 . Number 2 95 




a large bird with a long neck circling with the flocks of crows heading for their evening 
roosts, it was reported that an unusual “trill” call could be heard mixed in with the caws 
of the crows! 

1 work at ISU and usually walk on campus. With all the reports, 1 was constantly on the 
lookout for the crane and especially kept an eye on Lake Laverne. 1 kept thinking the lake 
would be a good place for the crane, with aerators for open water, food being placed out for 
the swans, and most importantly, crows and geese hang out there. On 3 January, the crane 
did indeed show up at the lake mixed in with a group of about 90 Canada Geese. He was 
not spotted at the lake again for more than two weeks. As the students started filtering back 
to campus for the beginning of the spring term, Steve Dinsmore started receiving reports of 
the crane again being seen on campus. On Sunday, 20 January, Steve remained at the lake 
as evening approached, to see if the crane might be coming in late each night to roost. Steve 
was about to give up at 5:45 p.m., when the crane suddenly appeared with that last group of 
crows that come to campus each evening. Then on Tuesday morning, 22 January, 1 found 
the crane at Lake Laverne on my way to work (Figure 1 and front cover photo). For the rest 
of January and much of February, the crane was present at the lake for at least part of each 
day. He tended to stay at the lake and not leave at all when the weather was very cold and/or 
when lots of snow was present. 

One of the neatest things about having a Sandhill Crane in such close proximity is ob- 
serving some of the aspects of crane behavior one does not normally get a chance to view. 
My office is only a few hundred feet from Lake Laverne and f walk by the lake on my way 
to and from work, plus 1 was able to easily check on its status at break and lunch time. This 
bird became accustomed to lots of walk-by traffic and could be observed from fairly close 
distances. 1 have even seen him walking on the sidewalk around the lake! 

In frigid cold weather, the crane would at times roost directly on the ice rolled up in 

a ball with the head tucked 
under a wing, and really 
looking much like the Can- 
ada Geese that are roosting 
nearby on the ice (Figure 
1). When not so cold, the 
crane tended to stand on 
one leg, with head tucked 
under wing as a resting 
pose. The crane can often 
be observed drinking water. 
Normally it bends over to 
scoop up some water with 
its open bill, closes the bill, 
and then points its head 
straight toward the sky and 
swallows. On an extreme 
below-zero day, 1 observed 
the crane opening and shut- 



Figure 1 . Sandhill Crane sleeping on ice on Lake Laverne, 
Ames, on 22 January 2008. Photograph by Larry Dau, 
Boone, lA. 


96 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 



ting its bill while pointing 
its head straight upward, to 
apparently help in the swal- 
lowing process. 

There was some worry 
about the crane getting 
enough food, so we started 
throwing shelled corn on 
the ice. He liked the corn, 
but so did the geese and 
crows. Campus services 
asked that shelled corn not 
be provided, because they 
did not want to encourage 
the other birds they consid- 
ered pests. They agreed that 
I could throw out an ear or 
two of dried corn on the 
cob, which they thought 
would not be as attractive 
to the other birds. There 
was some question about 
whether a crane could ac- 
Figure 2. Sandhill Crane striding around Lake Laverne, Ames, tually pick kernels of corn 

on 14 April 2008. Photograph by Larry Dau, Boone, lA. from a whole ear. Well, 

they can! He pecked at the 

ear of corn to dislodge kernels and sometimes held it down with one foot, as it became 
lighter, to help the process. He would at times even pick up and shake a nearly empty ear 
of corn to get the kernels loose. When the crane was very cold, it would puff out its feathers 
and the brown colors were much more prominent on this juvenile bird. When holding its 
feathers down more tightly against the body, the brown is less prominent and the gray color 
becomes more apparent. The crane continued to identify with the crows. When a crow 
landed nearby and cawed, I have seen this bird crane its neck (no pun intended) looking 
for the crows and then start its “trill” call. 

What is the future of this crane? He has an extremely good chance of over-wintering 
and appears to be in great health with strong flight capabilities. Will spring bring strong 
urges to migrate and try to find other cranes? Will it follow some migrating Canada Geese 
north? Will it stay around the ISU campus or golf course? Time will tell. Many people 
watch out for this bird and students can sometime be seen standing near the lake, taking 
pictures with their cell phones. This rare winter visitor has become quite the campus celeb- 
rity. The ISU staff, with whom I work, has fondly named him Ichabod! 


Addendum, 24 April 2008 

Since first writing and submitting this story for the winter edition of Iowa Bird Life, I 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 97 


can now provide an update for this bird. As spring thaw began, the crane appeared to have 
a very hard time giving up the safety of his nomial, favorite spots on the ice. Eventually he 
moved to land on the south shore of Lake Laveme (Figure 2). He tended to spend his days 
following the resident swans around, foraging alone or preening near people silting on the 
park benches. Often he could be found wading in the water along the south shoreline and 
down in the nearby creek bed. 

I observed and photographed another unusual behavioral trait with this bird. In mid- 
April, he became frightened and took flight. When coming in for a landing, the crane actu- 
ally landed in the middle of the lake, swam up to the swans and swam around with them 
for 10 minutes before going to shore. I have found reports of crane chicks swimming, but 
can hnd no real references to adults swimming, other than speculation. 

There was some assumption that we could very well have a permanent resident Sand- 
hill Crane! This bird seemed to have an uncanny ability to feel comfortable with whatever 
large bird was currently nearby and maybe even also with humans. He really never left the 
lake for any extended period of time for over two months. Then on 23 April, a friend wit- 
nessed him becoming agitated with a student who was nearby. The crane took flight, flew 
one large circle above the lake and headed due west and has not returned to date. I am not 
sure if he did finally migrate or just went somewhere else in the Ames area. I have a feeling 
he could very well reappear on campus sometime in the future. Maybe he enjoyed the digs 
so well, he will over-winter again! 


1644 Maple View Place, Boone, lA 50036 (lgdau@netins.net) 


Clark’s Nutcracker in Guthrie County 

Hank Zaletel 


I had just spent the weekend of 14-16 September 2007 at the Conservation Center 
at Springbrook State Park teaching an Introduction to Birdwatching class for the program 
Becoming an Outdoor V/oman (BOW). 

As I headed home, I took Iowa Highway 4 north. The junction of Iowa Highway 141 
and Highway 4 is quite unusual. Iowa 141 comes from the east and jogs to the north for 
one-fourth mile and then goes west. Iowa Highway 4 is a north/south route. 

In the middle of the junction is a cemeteiy with a large number of cedar and other 
evergreen trees. As I was waiting to enter Highway 141 to go to the east, I looked north to 
the farm lot and saw a bird on a fence post, and then 1 proceeded east. 


98 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 



At first, I thought the bird was a shrike, but when I backed up I noticed that it did not 
have a mask. The bird was stocky, of blue jay size; with a long, slender, sharp-pointed bill; 
black eyes; and a gray head, back, and breast. 

ft had a dull, off-white coloring on the forehead, It had very black wings with white 
patches on the lower wing. It had a central black tail feather surrounded by white edges, 
which were about the same size white as the central black feather. 

I quickly eliminated a shrike because it did not have a mask, and a mockingbird be- 
cause it did not have yellow eyes or a slightly curved bill. 1 am quite familiar with this bird 
because our family sees it every summer when we vacation in Estes Park, Colorado, thus, 
an easy identification, a Clark’s Nutcracker. 

The bird sat on the fence post for about two minutes. It was about 20 yards away. It 
then flew down to the ground chasing an insect and 1 had a good view of the white trailing 
wing patches on the back lower part of the wing and the white outer tail feathers. 

The bird then flew over the hood of my truck not five feet from me. It landed in the 
field about hfty yards to the south. I watched for another ten minutes until it took off to 
the west. 

Even though I had a cell phone, I did not have any numbers of people who could 
get a message to the birdline. I drove to Perry and called Dick Stillwell who then put the 
information about the sighting on the lA-Bird listserv. 

I returned home and then put a more detailed listing on the listserv. The bird was 
looked for during that afternoon by many but was not relocated. 

This represents Iowa’s seventh record Clark’s Nutcracker; the last was seen in 1996. 


1928 6th Street, Nevada, lA 50201 (madowl@midiowa.net) 


Captain John Feilner’s Sioux City Birds 

Matthew C. Kenne 


The brief birding activities of Captain John Eeilner at Sioux City, Iowa, in May of 
1864 were the results of an ambitious program to scientifically explore the western United 
States. Spencer E Baird, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington 
D.C., was the visionary behind the plan to increase the museum’s western research material 
with the assistance of the United States Army. Realizing in the 1850s that trained observers 
with scientific education accompanied army units throughout the frontier, medical officers 
and topographical engineers were recruited by Baird to collect natural history specimens 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 Volume 78 . Number 2 99 



for the Smithsonian. He used his considerable influence to have interested officers posted 
to promising locations, and regularly sent out supplies and encouraging letters. In time, 
hundreds of Bairds “missionaries” shipped tens of thousands of natural history artifacts 
east for study. 

John Feilner was a Bavarian immigrant who entered the U,S. Army at 25 years of age 
in 1856. He was posted as the topographer of Company F of the First Dragoons on frontier 
duty in California. When not soldiering, Feilner pursued his interest in nature by recording 
observations on subjects ranging from grasshoppers to badgers, and gathered a collection 
of 300 bird skins and nearly that many eggs — a personal hobby that was getting out of 
hand. Luckily, in 1859 Feilner met John Xantus, a Hungarian immigrant Dragoon already 
collecting for Professor Baird out of Fort Tejon. Xantus encouraged Feilner to contact the 
Smithsonian, and soon Feilner was receiving his own arsenic, bags of shot, gallons of alco- 
hol, and books from Baird. 

Baird requested Feilner to make a collection from the Modoc Indian lands around 
Mt. Shasta and Klamath Lake in May 1860, during which he surwved another of several 
hostile Indian encounters. Feilner skirmished with Indians and collected specimens out of 
Fort Crook through 1861 , specimens that included the first Flammulated Owl from North 
America. He re -enlisted in the army, and, with a letter of recommendation from Baird, was 
commissioned an officer in time for his newly designated First Cavalry to ship back east. 
Feilner’s naturalist activities had to be put aside for Union wartime duties. 

While the War of Rebellion raged to the east and south of Iowa, the war against the 
Sioux raged to the north and west. The Santee Sioux uprising of 1862 caused the deaths 
of 800 settlers in Minnesota, and this was followed by an inconclusive Dakota Territory 
campaign against them in the summer of 1863, led by General Alfred Sully. From his 
headquarters at Sioux City, Iowa, General Sully planned to resume the offensive during 
the summer of 1864. In preparation for the upcoming expedition. Captain John Feilner 
received the following message (U.S. Government 1891): 

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE NORTHWEST, Milwaukee, Wis., April 
15, 1864. 

Captain JOHN FEILNER, 

First U. S. Cavalry, Engineer: 

CAPTAIN: In addition to your duties as topographical engineer of the expedition of 
General Sully into the Indian country, you will please make to these headquarters 
upon your return as full a report as possible upon the geology, botany, natural his- 
tory, and physical character generally of the region over which the operations of the 
expedition will extend. As full meteorological observations should be made as oppor- 
tunity and the means at your disposal render practicable. I need not remind you of 
the important results to science which wifi ensue from even a partial success in these 
obsetA^ations. 

General Sully has been furnished with a copy of this letter, and wifi give you all the 


100 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 



assistance at his command in carrying out these instructions as far as circumstances 
will permit. I have myself made very complete collections, both of natural history and 
botanical and mineralogical specimens, by instructing 2 or 3 enlisted men how to 
make them, and keeping them constantly employed. I need not suggest to you that it 
is best to bring in specimens of everything, however common, as it is of as much, if 
indeed not of more interest to science to determine the geographical distributions of 
knovm species than to discover what is new. 

The ordinary extra pay vvall be given to enlisted men employed by you in this service. 

I am, captain, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

JNO. POPE, 

Major-General, Commanding 

Two weeks later, Captain Feilner reported to General Sully ’s staff at Sioux City. With few 
mapping duties to perform as the expedition prepared for march, Feilner focused his atten- 
tions on collecting. He soon found men to train in the art of specimen preparation and trans- 
portation: Siegmund Rothhammer, a hospital steward with the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and H. 
Bryant. Rothhammer recalled FeilnePs orders in his journal (Rothhammer 1864 and 1865): 

“. . .1 was by him (Feilner) put in charge of the Collection of Specimens. . . My instruc- 
tions were to collect principally Birds, Nests & Eggs, Insects & such mineralogical 
specimens as could well be transported, . . . small Mammals as could be obtained , 
(and) Skulls and Skeletons of Indians.” 

The first of Feilner’s and Bryants sur\Tving bird specimens are a Clay-colored Sparrow 
skin and a hark Sparrow skin from the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ), Har- 
vard University, taken 4 May. On 5 May, Feilner collected a Swallow-tailed Kite, the skel- 
etal remains of which are currently in the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), 
Smithsonian Institution. Swallow-tailed Kites were reasonably common Iowa nesters dur- 
ing Feilner’s lifetime, although Sioux City was likely near the western edge of their range. 
Rothhammer’s only recorded Iowa specimen is that of an Eastern Wood-Pewee from 24 
May (NMNH). 

Water birds collected at Sioux City are represented by an American Coot skeleton, a 
Franklin’s Gull, a Fesser Yellowlegs, and a Hudsonian Godwit (all Feilner NMNH). The 
Hudsonian Godwit was considered a rare bird at the time, especially compared to wide- 
spread nesting Marbled Godwits, and the species wasn’t definitively reported in Iowa for 
another 20 years. The remaining 13 specimens of land birds are of eleven species: two male 
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (Feilner NMNH, Bryant MCZ), male Scarlet Tanager, Black-billed 
Cuckoo, Red-eyed Vireo, male Indigo Bunting, male American Redstart, and an alcohol- 
preserved Ruby-throated Hummingbird (all Feilner NMNH), male Yellow Warbler (Feilner 
MCZ), Lincoln’s SpaiTow and male Dickcissel (both Bryant MCZ), and two male Cerulean 
Warblers taken 13 May (Feilner NMNH, Bryant MCZ). Cerulean Warblers would not be 
reported from the Sioux City area for the next 35 years. It is interesting to note that, of 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 


101 



the species with marked plumage difference between the sexes, either the collectors or the 
Smithsonian appear to have been biased towards keeping colorful male specimens. 

Feilner and his assistants packed the material gathered around Sioux City and shipped 
it back to Baird, and then the 1864 Sully Expedition began their move up the Missouri 
River in early June Gathering garrison units along the way, the entire force came together 
at Fort Sully near present day Pierre, South Dakota. After final supply and orders, the cam- 
paign against the Sioux finally began on 26 June. 

For the first two days of the march. Captain Feilner’s group rode away from the main 
body of troops to search for artifacts, despite warnings from General Sully’s staff. On 28 
June, Feilner and his assistants again moved ahead of the troops to visit Medicine Rock, a 
sacred spot for Indians and a landmark for white travelers in present-day Potter County, 
South Dakota. After examining Medicine Rock, the three men headed to the Little Chey- 
enne River to water their horses and wait for the rest of the column, 

Perhaps Feilner no longer took Indians as a serious threat after two years of cavalry 
combat in the East. Regardless, he underestimated the Sioux — his men were ambushed by 
three braves, and Captain John Feilner was shot and killed. The men of Company A of the 
Dakota Cavalry heard the shots from their position at the head of the approaching troops, 
and were dispatched to pursue the fleeing braves with gruesome results for the Indians. 

With the death of Captain Feilner and the subsequent lack of an official army scientific 
report, Feilner’s bird specimens have been overlooked in the literature of Iowa birds. There 
are almost no specific bird observations from the area during the forty years between John 
James Audubon’s passage up the Missouri River and Daniel H. Talbot’s Sioux City collect- 
ing, so Feilner’s birds help fill that gap, and recall a time when Iowa was on the edge of 
unknown country. 

Data were obtained from records held in the following institutions and accessed through 
ORNIS data portal (<http://omisnet.org>) on 2 December 2007; Museum of Comparative 
Zoology, Flarvard University, Cambridge; United States National Museum, Washington D.C. 

Thanks to Brad Tennant, Presentation College at Aberdeen, South Dakota, for shar- 
ing with me his research on Captain John Feilner; and Craig Ludwig, National Museum 
of Natural History, and Jeremiah Trimble, Museum of Comparative Zoology, for providing 
information and answering questions about Feilner’s specimens. 

REFERENCES 

Eeilner, J. 1864. Exploration in Upper California in 1860 under the Auspices of the Smith- 
sonian Institution. In D. K. Smith. Sergeant Feilner’s Furlough: Perils and Profits of a 
Scientific fourney into Modoc Tribal Lands in 1860. 1976. Association for Northern 
California Records and Research, Chico, CA. 

Mearns, B. and R. Mearns. 1998. The Bird Collectors. Academic Press, San Diego, CA. 
Moring, J. 2002- Early Amencan Naturalists: Exploring the American West, 1804-1900. 
Cooper Square Press, Lanham, MD. 

Rothhammer, S. 1864 and 1865. 1864 and 1865 Journal of Siegmund Rothhammer, South 
Dakota State Archives, Pierre, SD. P 11. In B. Tennant. The Sully Expedition and the 
Death of Captain John Eeilner. 


102 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 



Tennant, B. “The 1864 Sully Expedition and the Death of Captain John Feilner.” Accepted 
for future publication in American Nineteenth Century History, Voi. 9, No. 2 Qune 
2008). British American Nineteenth Century Historians, Newcastle University, UK. 

U.S. Government. 1891, The War of Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of 
the Union and Confederate Annies, Part 111. P. 168. U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington D.C. 


709 N. Phillips, Algona, lA 50511 (mkenne@netamumail.com) 


Third Annual lOU Meeting, 1926 

Hank Zaletel 


The Third Annual Meeting of the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union was held at Atlantic, 
Iowa, 14-15 May 1926. 

More than forty members registered on that Saturday morning. The afternoon pro- 
gram began at 1:30 p.m. Papers were given by Althea Sherman, Weir Mills, Phil DuMont, 
Dr. L. T. Weeks and George Bennett. 

At the business meeting, a committee was formed to take steps in selecting of a state bird. 
The banquet speaker was President Walter Rosene and poems were read by Dr. L. T. Weeks. 

“The following morning, at five o’clock, at least thirty-hve people gathered at Sun- 
nyside Park for the field trip. Small parties were formed under able leadership, and scat- 
tered in dilTerent directions. The combined list contained eighty-eight species, which was 
considered good as it was not a region for water birds, a few onfy being seen along a small 
stream. A breakfast was served at the Park at seven-thirty, was very much enjoyed, and 
after a group photograph was taken and a ride around the city for the out of town visitors, 
concluded the meeting which was conceded by all to have been the most enjoyable that 
had been held since the Union was organized, the field trip being out of the question at 
previous meetings.” 

Source: Minutes of the Meeting of the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union. Held at Atlantic, 
May 14-15, 1926. 


1928 6th Street, Nevada, lA 50201 (madowl@midiowa.net) 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 


103 



Fifty Years Ago in Iowa Bird Life 

James J. Dinsmore 


Banding birds was the topic of the lead article in the June 1958 issue of Iowa Bird Life. 
Mrs. W C. DeLong described her use of bird banding as a way to introduce young people 
to birds as well as a means of studying bird movements. 

In another article, William Youngworth reported on some of his experiences with 
Prairie Falcons in the Sioux City region. In 24 years, he had 20 reports including three 
specimens of Prairie Falcons from in or near Sioux City, mostly from late fall and winter. 

In another article, a housewife busy raising five young children in rural Marshall 
County wrote of her experiences with birds that she found in her yard. The author, Beth 
Proescholdt, would eventually become one the lOU’s best known and most beloved mem- 
bers and a regular attendee at lOU meetings for many years. 

Among the notes, one by Harold Ennis described a Sandhill Crane that he found in 
April 1958 at Muskrat Slough in Jones County. Rare birds in Iowa fifty years ago, cranes have 
nested at Muskrat Slough several times in recent years and a pair returned again this spring. 

Finally, buried in the minutes of the spring meeting at Vinton, is the report of a pro- 
posal to open a Mourning Dove hunting season in Iowa. After some discussion, the group 
went on record as opposing this proposal. 


646 Mallory Hill Drive, The Villages, FL 32162 (oldcoot@iastate.edu) 


Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Budget Meeting 

22 March 2008 


The lOU business and budget meeting was held at the home of Robert Cecil in Des 
Moines. In attendance were John Rutenbeck, president; Robert Cecil, secretary; Tammy 
Hertzel, treasurer; board members John Bissell, Tim Humpal, and Bill Scheible; and lOU 
members Karen Disbrow, Doug Hunt, Ann Johnson, Mike Johnston, and Hank Zaletel. The 
meeting was called to order at 1 1: 15 a. m. 

Treasurer’s Report. Tammy Hertzel reported that there was a deficit of $3,910.19 in 2007, 


104 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 



although much of this was because of planned spending from the Ann Barker Memorial be- 
quest for archiving past issues of Iowa Bird Life (IBL). She also reported that almost $1,000 
was made on the lOU Texas trip and that we also made money on the meetings. The lOU 
had a balance of $74,400 as of the end of 2007, although the expenses of the California 
trip have not yet been reimbursed. In response to learning that lOU had IRS reporting 
problems regarding its nonprofit status, the treasurer will present the report information to 
the membership and then submit the report in time for the 15 May 2008 IRS deadline. The 
Virginia Crocker estate made a bequest of $5,000 to the lOU, which, when received, will 
be placed in the Memorial Fund. 

Tammy reported that last year’s revenues were $19,050. Donations again exceeded the 
budget estimate, with recent years exceeding $2,500. Sales, however, have come in below 
estimates. It was proposed that the sales revenue be set at $1,000. On-line sales would be 
estimated at $250, interest income at $2,000, special revenue (silent auction) at $500, and 
$2,500 in donations in addition to the $5,000 Virginia Crocker bequest. 

Publications Committee Report. Ann Johnson reported that the total cost of the commit- 
tee’s publications were estimated to be about $15,000 for 2008, of which $1,000 will be for 
the Web site and listserv and the remainder for the newsletter and the journal. 

Membership Committee. Karen Disbrow reported that Chris Caster will do the design 
for the new tee shirts using five Iowa birds. She has a cost estimate of $8.00 per shirt with 
the screen printing an extra $1.00 on an order of 100. Polo style shirts would range in cost 
depending on size from $19.70 to $22.50 on an order of 60. More dressy shirts would be 
$32.59 for long-sleeved and $28.50 for short-sleeved and would be available by pre-order 
only. Karen also reported that she has a budget to $500 for printing but doesn’t need that 
much, noting that her only expenses had been printing the tri-fold Field Checklist of Iowa 
Birds at 17 cents per copy. Realizing that these had been sold at a loss at lOU meetings, she 
raised the price to 25 cents although she makes them available at cost to birding stores. She 
estimated her total expenses for 2008 would be $2,954 for shirts, about $400 for check- 
lists, and proposed a total budget of $3,600. 

Records Committee. Ann Johnson will propose a budget of $100. 

Library and Historical Committee. Hank Zaletel will propose a budget of $25. 

Projects Committee. Now that the Projects Committee has become a standing committee, 
its budget line item will be found under standing committee budgets. Doug Harr will pro- 
pose a budget for the year of $2,000 and noted that they have two requests for funding. 

Meetings Report. It was reported that meeting expenses were estimated to be $1,200 in 
2007. A question was raised regarding the amounts of honoraria paid to speakers, and it 
was reported that they ranged up to $500 plus travel expenses. Hank Zaletel noted that we 
have some excellent speakers in Iowa and surrounding states, and that we didn’t always 
need big name speaker. It was decided that the matter of honoraria would be decided on a 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 


105 



case by case basis. It was suggested that a wireless microphone be purchased for speakers. 
No costs were availalrle. Hank Zaletel mentioned that the teachers guide, of which 10 or 20 
remained, had been promised for free to teachers. Since, however, the postage was $3.00, 
he inquired if an effort could be made to recover that cost. It was decided to absorb the cost 
and to provide reimbursement for the postage. 

Tammy Hertzel, after polling officers, will propose the same officers’ budget as last 
year, and will propose budgets for bank fees at $320, insurance at $360, and treasurer’s 
bond at $460. She discussed the lOU’s bequests, noting that we have had seven in the past 
20 years totaling about $20,000. Consequently there remains $14,937.80 in the member- 
ship fund following last year’s expenditure of $5,666.37 from the Ann Barker memorial. 
Based on the information prowded, the total proposed budget for 2008 expenses will be 
$23,505, which will require a transfer of $5,200 from the general fund. 

It was moved by Tim Humpal and seconded by Bill Scheible to accept the proposed 
2008 budget. All ayes, motion carried. President Rutenbeck thanked Tammy for her work. 

NEW BUSINESS 

Library and Historical Committee. Hank Zaletel reported that Richard Trieff had been 
nominated to hll a membership on the committee. John Bissell moved and Karen Disbrow 
seconded that Richard be appointed. All ayes, motion carried. 

Publications Committee. President Rutenbeck reported that the Iowa Department of Nat- 
ural Resources had requested collaboration with the lOU whereby the on-line version of 
the Central Iowa Birding Trail could be placed on <’www.iowabirds.org>. Ann noted that 
it would not consume a signihcant amount of the site’s allotted capacity and that it would 
result in no additional cost to the lOU. Bill Scheible moved and Tim Humpal seconded that 
that we participate. It was not know'n at this time whether future requests for additional 
trails w^ould be received. All ayes, motion carried. 

Arm Johnson also brought up the fact that the actualized cost of our publications is 
about $32.03 based upon a membership of 441. Because the basic membership cost (Gold- 
finch) is $20, and 203 of our members belong at that level, the organization is operating 
at a signihcant loss on those members, and that a dues increase should be considered. Pro- 
posals included raising dues by $5, by $10, and eliminating the Goldhnch level, making 
the basic membership $35. A reduced rate on a two year membership was also proposed, 
noting that if new members joined for two years, there would be a higher likelihood that 
a meeting would be held in their area which in turn might entice them to become more 
involved m the organization. There was also concern expressed that a signihcantly higher 
basic membership might cause enough members to drop their memberships that there 
would be no net gain in revenue. After discussion, it was determined that the elimination 
of the Goldfinch level would be discussed at the spring meeting. 

Travel Committee. Mike Johnston reported on the committee’s intent to become a stand- 
ing committee and distributed a draft statement of purpose to publish in the lOU News. 
After its publication, the membership will be asked to vote on it becoming a standing com- 
mittee, which would be followed by the development of bylaws. There were no objections 
to proceeding with making the ad hoc travel committee a standing committee. 


106 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 , Volume 78 . Number 2 



Publications Committee. Ann Johnson demonstrated the <www.iowabirds.org> Web site, 
including demonstrations of the officers menu, meeting registration, new members, trip 
evaluations, bylaws of the committees, and other features. 

Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 2;50 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted by Robert I. Cecil, secretary 


Iowa Ornithologists’ Union 
Spring Business Meeting 

10 May 2008 


The lOU spring business meeting was held at the Nelson Pioneer Farm near Oska- 
loosa. President John Rutenbeck called the meeting to order at 2:17 p.m. In attendance were 
John Rutenbeck, president; Paul Roisen, vice president; Robert Cecil, secretary; Tammy 
Hertzel, treasurer; board members John Bissell, Carolyn Fischer, Jim Fuller, Bill Scheible, 
and members of the organization. 

Secretary’s Report: Robert Cecil reported that the minutes from the fall 2007 business 
meeting were published in IBL 77(4): 187-190. It was moved by Hank Zaletel and sec- 
onded by Steve Dinsmore to approve the minutes. All ayes, motion carried. 

Treasurer’s Report: Tammy Hertzel distributed the Statement of Cash Flows for the Peri- 
ods Ending 31 Dec 2006 and 31 Dec 2007. The statement will be published in IBL. Tammy 
then explained that the IRS tax issue had been resolved and that the lOU had been excused 
from paying a fine. Additionally, provisions are being made to assure that future officers 
will submit IRS form 990 by the due date of 15 May. The current balance of the lOU is 
$69,997.84. It was moved by Pete Wickham and seconded by Paul Hertzel that the report 
be accepted. All ayes, motion carried. 

Membership Report: Doug Hunt reported that there were currently 411 paid members; last 
year there were 414 at this time. There are sixty members who have not yet paid for this year. 

Records and Publications Committees Report; Ann Johnson reported that the Records 
Committee had not had to review many records from this winter, which perhaps may have 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 


107 



had something to do with the weather. Ross Silcock was named as the committee’s newest 
member. Finally, Flarley Winfrey has fully assumed editorship of the lOU News. 

Membership Committee: Karen Disbrow reported that polo shirts are now available by 
special order. lOU brochures are being distributed to nature centers, and lOU members are 
needed to assist in delivering them. 

Projects Committee: Chris Caster reported that the committee was seeking a new member 
to replace Doug Harr. Of the $2,000 allocated to the committee this year, $1,000 had been 
committed to the re-creation of the Sherman Swift Tower in Clayton County and $1,000 
to Larry Stone and Jon Stravers to support work on their new book on Gladys Black. The 
committee also received several rec[uests for funding that they could not fund. Planned are 
face-to-face meetings twice per year to consider projects. 

Treasurer’s Audit Committee: Judy Garton reported that she and Mary Kuhlmann had 
reviewed the lOU’s books and found them to be in good order. 

Old Business: Nikki Nagl reported on the status of the Breeding Bird Atlas project. There 
are 791 blocks. To date, 60 persons have entered their profiles and 50 blocks have had 
work done. Nikki is meeting with groups in eastern Iowa to encourage volunteer participa- 
tion and she is seeking similar groups in western Iowa. Steve Dinsmore added that block 
selection included those on a standard grid, like a checkerboard, and that some additional 
blocks were added because of the presence of specialty habitats. Ann Johnson used the 
<BBA.Iowabirds.org> website to illustrate specific aspects of each block and demonstrated 
data entry. BBA field cards were also distributed. 

President Rutenbeck discussed the need for a dues increase, explaining that the actual 
cost to the organization per member was $32 while the basic level of dues was $20. The 
board of directors will further consider the problem at the upcoming board of directors 
meeting and at the fall lOU meeting. Paul Roisen reported that the fall meeting would be 
held in Iowa Falls on 12-14 September. It was reported that the Travel and Trips Commit- 
tee was considering the development of bylaws for its establishment as a standing com- 
mittee. 

Paul Hertzel noted that of the 419 species of birds that have occurred in Iowa, only 
about 325 are seen each year, so it was remarkable that Jay Gilliam saw a record 320 species 
in 2007, photographed many, and documented all accidental and casual species. Jay was 
then awarded the lOU News's Top Birder plaque. 

Steve Dinsmore noted that it was extremely rare that an lOU Honorary Membership 
was bestowed. Jim Dinsmore .and Steve felt, however, that a member of extraordinary ser- 
vice to the lOU, including creation and maintenance of its website, secretary of the Records 
Committee, and numerous other poslions in her 40-plus years of continuous membership 
was deserving of the honor. Jim and Steve nominated Ann Johnson for an lOU Honorary 
Membership. Hank Zaletel seconded. All ayes, motion carried. 

Reporting for the Nominating Committee, Mark Proescholdt thanked Bob Cecil, sec- 
retary; Tammy Hertzel, treasurer; and board members Carolyn Fischer and Tim Humpal 


108 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 



for their service to the organization. Nominees for terms of office included Doug Hunt for 
treasurer, Cathy Konrad for secretary, John Bissell for a second board term, and new board 
members Ken Lowder and Tom Schilke. It was moved and seconded that the nominations 
be accepted. All ayes, motion carried. 

Linda Donelson gave a slide show of the very successful California trip led by Jim 
Fuller and Bill Scheible, and Paul Roisen introduced new members. 

The meeting concluded at 4:10 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted by Robert I. Cecil, secretary 


Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Board Meeting 

10 May 2008 


The lOU spring board meeting was held at the Nelson Pioneer Farm near Oskaloosa. 
President John Rutenbeck called the meeting to order at 4; 15 p.m. In attendance were John 
Rurenbeck, president; Paul Roisen, vice president; Robert Cecil, secretary; Tammy Hertzel, 
treasurer; board members John Bissell, Carolyn Fischer, Jim Fuller, Bill Scheible, and mem- 
bers of the organization. 

Secretary’s Report: Robert Cecil reported that the minutes had been reviewed by board 
members and published in IBL 77(4): 190-192. 

Treasurer’s Report: Tammy Hertzel provided current hnancial information. She also re- 
ported that the California trip expenses were less than anticipated leaving a $3,700 sur- 
plus. This was probably not the norm and should not be counted on from future trips. 
Tammy was thanked for her work. 

Projects Committee Report: Chris Caster requested an annual allocation for the com- 
mittee, which would help in the timing of solicitations of proposals and funding. Presi- 
dent Rutenbeck noted that the board was late this year in making allocations since the 
budget meeting had been postponed several times due to weather. Chris questioned what 
level of financial commitment would enable the lOU to give us a presence in the state, 
adding that one group has requested annual funding and that at least two other propos- 
als had merit. After discussion of two of the proposals, one for the ornithology class at 
Wartburg College and another for the Carroll County Conservation Board to help con- 


lowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 


109 



struct a pond study area, it was moved by Bill Scheible and seconded by Robert Cecil to 
contribute $500 to each. Tammy Hertzel proposed to amend the motion to use money 
from the Virginia Crocker bequest since it is assumed that she would have wanted the 
money to go to educational projects. On die amended motion, all ayes, motion carried. 
Chris reported that the committee will change the application deadline to 1 Nov. He then 
returned to the topic of applicants requesting ongoing funding and suggested that these 
should be considered by the board rather than the Projects Committee. The options were 
discussed but no decision was made. It was moved by John Bissell and seconded by Paul 
Roisen to contribute $750 to the Hitchcock Hawk Watch for raptor banding. All ayes, 
motion carried. 

Membership Committee Report: Karen Disbrow reported that the Membership Commit- 
tee had been working on a design for shirts and distributed a sample. Work is still needed 
on the color transfer. 

Library/Historical Committee Report: Hank Zaletel reported that terms have been estab- 
lished for members and that current members are Rick Trieff (2012), Hank Zaletel (2011), 
Barb Edson (2010), and Sue Spieker (2009). 

Publications Committee Report: Ann Johnson nominated Jim Dinsmore for the Publica- 
tions Committee, Bill Scheible so moved and Jim Fuller seconded the motion. All ayes, 
motion carried. 

Old Business: President Rutenbeck provided additional information on the recent discus- 
sion of the need for a dues increase. Among surrounding states, dues for their organizations 
ranged from $15 to $30. To cover the actual cost of membership, the dues would have to 
be $35 which would represent a 75% increase in the basic membership level, affecting 
about half of the membership. After discussion of various alternatives including lower 
preliminary memberships, Chris Caster proposed that the new basic membership should 
be $30. Jim Fuller moved and John Bissell seconded that it should be recommended to 
the membership to raise the basic membership cost to $30. All ayes, motion carried. The 
membership will be notified of the board’s decision and will be asked to support the change 
at the upcoming fall meeting. 

Linda Donelson reported that the Travel and Trips Committee had been reconsidering 
the intention to form a standing committee because of the difficulty in finding experienced 
trip leaders, dedicated organizers, and other challenges. She added that out-of-state trips 
‘Were a nightmare.” The committee will continue to discuss this issue. 

It was moved by Bill Scheible and seconded by John Bissell to adjourn. All ayes, mo- 
tion carried. 

Respectfully submitted by Robert I. Cecil, secretary 


110 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 



STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENSES & BUDGETS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 3 1 , 2007 


Revenues 

2007 Revenues 

Dues: 


Prepaid Memberships 

877.00 

Fledgling ($12) - Students & New Members 

60.00 

Goldfinch ($20) - Regular Membership 

4,220.00 

Bluebird ($35) 

4,025.00 

Baltimore Oriole ($50) 

2,200.00 

Great Egret ($75) 

450.00 

Osprey ($ 1 00) 

1,400.00 

Institutional 

615.00 

Total Dues 

1 3,847.00 

Donations; 


Specified - Publications 

20.00 

Unspecified 

2,824.00 

Total Donations 

2,844.00 

Meeting Income 

9,001.40 

Bird Trip Income 

1 1,755.00 

Sales 

693.00 

Merchandise, T-shirts, Denim shirts. Hats, Pins, Patches, Misc. 


Sales - Designated to Publications 

274.55 

Interest Income: 


Checking/Savings 

66.81 

Treasured CD 

2,349.52 

Total Interest Income 

2,416.33 

Special Revenue Generators 

85.00 

Total Revenues 

40,916.28 


Expenses 2007 Expenses 


Iowa Bird Line 


Standing Committees: 


Publications: 


Newsletter 

3,039.84 

IBL 

10,1 17.19 

Internet Service 

958.32 

Total Publications 

14,1 15.35 

Total Standing Committees 

14,1 15.35 

Meeting Expenses 

7,933.12 

Bird Trip Expenses 

10,386.75 

Sales - Merchandise 

20.16 

Outside Projects/Donations 

6,000.00 

Officers 


Treasurer 

33.07 

Total Officers 

33.07 

Bank & PayPal Fees 

312.65 

Insurance 


Liability 

359.00 

Total Insurance 

359.00 

Others - Conservation, Education, Gen. Fund 

5,666.37 

Total Expenses 

44,826.47 


Net Surplus (Deficit) 


(3,910.19) 


Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 , Number 2 


111 










STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 

FOR THE PERIODS ENDING DECEMBER 3 1 , 2006 AND DECEMBER 3 1 . 2007 


Current Assets at December 3 1 , 2006 
Checking 

865.89 


Savings 

8,061.05 


Treasured CD 

55,661.89 


Total Current Assets at December 3 1 , 2006 


64,588.83 


Y-T-D 2007 Net Surplus / (Deficit ) 


(3,910.19) 

Current Assets at December 3 1 , 2007 

Checking 

1 1,407.33 


Savings 

1,309.90 


Treasured CD 

47,961.41 


Total Current Assets at December 3 1 , 2007 


60,678.64 


STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION DECEMBER 3 1 , 2007 


Current Assets 

At December 
3 1 , 2006 

2007 Budget 

2007 Incr (Deer) 

At December 
3 1 , 2007 

Checking 

Savings 

CD - Treasured CD 

865.89 
8,06 1 .05 
55,66 1 .89 



1 1,407.33 
1,309.90 
47,961.41 

Total Current Assets 

64,588.83 



60,678.64 

Fund Balances 





Publications Fund 
Life Membership Fund 
Outside Projects Fund 

3,580.49 
1 1,293.89 
6,794.60 

1 3,200.00 

(8,1 15.35) 
(980.00) 
(6,000.00) 

8,665.14 

10,313.89 

794.60 

Total Specific Funds 

21,668.98 

1 3,200.00 

(15,095.35) 

19,773.63 

Memorials 

14,937.80 


(5,666.37) 

9,271.43 

General Operating Fund 

27,982.05 

(13,200.00) 

16,851.53 

31,633.58 

Total Fund Balance 

64,588.83 


(3,910.19) 

60,678.64 


112 Iowa Bird Life . Spring 2008 . Volume 78 . Number 2 







ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES (renewable yearly): Fledgling (students) $15, Institutional $20, 
Goldfinch $20, Bluebird $35, Oriole $50, Egret $75, Osprey $100, Bald Eagle $250, and Peregrine 
Falcon $500+. Membership dues entitle members to receiv^e Iowa Bird Life and lOU Navs qitarterly 
and to vote and hold office in the Union. Contnbutions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by 
law. Join, give a gift, or manage your membership on-line at <www.iowabirds.org>. Address and e- 
mail changes, paper forms for new members, and renewals may be mailed to the treasurer (see inside 
front cover). Back issues of Iowa Bird Life are available from Doug Hunt, 1201 High Ave. West, Oska- 
loosa, lA 52577 (iou@mahaska.org). 

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS: Original manuscripts, notes, letters (indicate if for publication), 
editorials, and other material relating to birds in Iowa should be sent by e-mail attachment in Micro- 
soft Word to editor. Research manuscripts should include abstract, introduction, study area, methods, 
results, discussion, and literature cited sections and will be sent for peer review. Accepted manuscripts 
will be published promptly depending on space available. 

Photos and graphics: Submit only original, unsized, and unenhanced photos in your camera’s JPFG 
(*.jpg) format. Photos must be 300 dpi at the size they will be printed (6-1/8” wide by 6-1/8” high for 
the cover and various smaller sizes inside), so setting your camera to its highest possible resolution is 
recommended. The editor wall do any resizing and enhancing required because any previous adjust- 
ments to the photos may make them unusable. Submit photos and graphics as e-mail attachments. 

E-mail all material other than seasonal reports to editor at Kay@KayNiyo.com. Deadlines for submis- 
sion are January 1 for winter issue (Vol. xxfll), April 1 for spring issue [2], July 1 for summer 
issue [3], October 1 for fall issue [4]. Send seasonal field reports to field reports editors by dead- 
lines listed on inside front cover. 

lOU NEWS: Harley Winfrey, 1450 Oriole Rd., Boone, lA 50036 (hsbhwinfrey@hotmail.com) 
lOU WEB SITE: <www.iowabirds.org>, Ann Johnson, Webmaster 
IOWA RBA: John Bissell (jabissell@mchsi.com) 

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT: Deadline for receipt of reports is 15 January. For forms and instruc- 
tions, contact Christopher J. Caster, 4 South Ridge Ct., Coralville, lA 52241 (cjcaster@earthlink.net). 

BIRD SIGHTINGS: Subscribe at <www.iowabirds.org> 

ADDRESS CHANGES: Update your on-line profile at <wv\'w.iowabirds.org> or send address changes to 
Membership Coordinator Douglas Hunt, 1201 High Ave., West, Oskaloosa, lA 52577 (iou@mahaska.org). 

UPCOMING MEETINGS OE THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION Fall 2008: 12-14 Sep- 
tember 2008, Iowa Falls 

FRONT COVER PHOTO: Sandhill Crane that resided at Lake Laverne, Iowa State University, Ames much 
of Winter 2007-2008 (see article inside). Photograph on 22 January 2008 by Larry Dau, Boone, lA. 

BACK COVER PHOTO: Brown Pelican, Fort Madison, 18 December 2007. Photograph by Stephen 
J. Dinsmore, Ames, lA. 

DESIGN: Marshall Desktop Publishing Inc., Evergreen, CO 
GRAPHICS: Richard Beachler, Boone, lA 
PRINTER: The Village Printer, Boulder, CO 




CONTENTS 

Meet an Iowa Birder — -John Rutenbeck 
by Chuck Fuller 

Field Reports — Winter 2007-2008 
by Robert I. Cecil 

Iowa Christmas Bird Count, 2007-2008 
by Chris Caster 

Sandhill Crane at Lake Laverne, Ames 
by Larry Dau 

Clark’s Nutcracker in Guthrie County 
by Hank Zaletel 

Captain John Feilner’s Sioux City Birds 
by Matthew C. Kenne 

Third Annual lOU Meeting, 1926 
by Hank Zaletel 

Fifty Years Ago in Iowa Bird Life 
by James J. Dinsmore 

lOU Budget Meeting 


61 

63 

80 

95 

98 

99 

103 

104 

104 


lOU Spring Meetings and Financials 


107
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