November Winds at Gavin’s Point

Saturday, 19 November

When the wind velocity exceeds the temperature, you are in for some discomfort in the out of doors. Such were the conditions when our group ventured onto the Gavin’s Point Dam to view Lewis & Clark Lake on Saturday, November 19. A 20 degree chill was compounded by a NW wind at 25 mph with gusts topping 35. This wind, unabated for the length of the lake, was directly in our faces as we attempted to find waterfowl bobbing on the rough water. We mostly viewed through our open car windows since the wind wobbled both the viewer and the scopes and their tripods when outside. This rather brief attempt netted only our common waterfowl such as Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads and Common Mergansers. Better luck and conditions were found below the dam where hundreds, if not thousands, of Ring-billed Gulls loafed on Lake Yankton ice or foraged above the Missouri River. Amongst them we found a few Bonaparte’s Gulls, Herring Gulls and a single sub-adult Lesser Black-backed Gull which hales from Europe and is only rarely seen in the Central US. As suggested by its name, the slate gray back and wings of this bird contrasted sharply with the pale gray Ring-billed and Herring Gulls.

Near the SD end of the dam, we witnessed a feeding frenzy as hundreds of Common Mergansers dove for fish and Herring Gulls, held aloft by the wind, dropped amongst them to steal their catch. Also, seen in this area were Horned and Western Grebes, American Coots, 5 species of geese, a wider selection of ducks and a few Bald Eagles.

Altogether we birded water in two Nebraska Counties, Cedar and Knox, and one South Dakota County, Yankton. This makes for several bird lists and complex eBird data submission. A total of 33 species were found by the group.

The social aspect was as good as the weather was bad, as we met Roger Dietrich and four new friends from Yankton. We hope to bird together again under more favorable weather.

At Noon, seven of us had a delicious lunch under warmer conditions at Minerva’s of Yankton.

List of participants (12): Rex and Maria Rundquist, Marla and Kevin Kerr, Randy Williams, Bob Livermore, Jerry Probst and Bill Huser of the Sioux City area and Roger Dietrich, Linn Scroggins and Jim and Gloria Pearson of Yankton.

Bill Huser, LHAS Vice-President & Outings Coordinator, 712-574-3107 or billfhuser@gmail.com

Above images copyright 2022 by the respective photographers as listed below, used with permission.

Bill Huser

Three images of the Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3rd winter, foraging below the power plant. Note the pinkish feet, black smudge on bill and brownish-black primaries, indicating a sub-adult 3rd winter bird. This bird was also seen foraging amongst a large flock of Common Mergansers near the L&C Marina and roosting on far shore of Lake Yankton ice, these two locations are considered South Dakota waters.

Marla & Kevin Kerr

• Buffleheads

• A cold day at the dam

• Lesser Black-backed Gull

Maria Rundquist

• Rough waters

• Calmer inlet

• Trying to avoid the wind

Randall D. Williams

• Blue-phase Snow Goose

• Ring-billed Gulls over Lake Yankton ice

• Birders enjoying the wind chill

• Lesser Black-backed Gull on Lake Yankton (dark bird above and left of image center)

• Clouds on the horizon

• Bouncing Bufflehead

• Western Grebe

• Lesser Scaup

• Common Mergansers

• Lake Yankton overlook

Fall Migration at Ponca State Park

Saturday, 15 october 2022

Eleven Chapter members travelled upriver to search for migrant birds in the varied habitats of Ponca State Park. Viewing the river, sandbars and shorelines at sunrise, the group found few aquatic birds. A pair of Bald Eagles, a few cormorants, a single Blue-winged Teal and a few dozen Killdeer were the highlights. A check on the feeders at the Resource Center found only the most common woodland birds plus a single Red-breasted Nuthatch. A short walk on the Backwater Trail took the group through open ground and riparian willows and thickets where migrating sparrows were quite numerous. Two large groups of Harris’s Sparrows also included several White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows plus a single Fox Sparrow. Song, Vesper, Savannah and Lincoln’s Sparrows were also seen. Early Dark-eyed Juncos and the season’s very first American Tree Sparrow were also counted. Species associated with the backwater included Pied-billed Grebes, Great Blue Herons, a Wilson’s Snipe and a Rusty Blackbird. Though too late for a vast majority of the migrating warblers, a lingering Nashville and a few of the late migrating Yellow-rumped Warblers were observed. Two Northern Harriers were seen hunting the grassland habitat as a Red-tailed Hawk and Turkey Vultures soared overhead.

After our hike, we paused to eat our lunches in woodland habitat near Shooters’ Valley, where few woodland birds were detected. A short search, aided by audio recording, for Winter Wren failed to find one where a few have wintered in the past. Perhaps, it was just too early in the season for this late migrant. Afterwards we climbed to the 3-state overlook to view the river and await southbound raptors. Ring-billed Gulls, Bald Eagles, Canada Geese and flocks of Blackbirds could be seen below. Overhead few raptors seemed to be moving southward, but the season’s first Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk became the highlight just as we were giving up.

By visiting riverine, upland woodland, riparian thickets and open-ground/grassland habitats, our group was able to tally 43 species on our visit. Many of these species will soon be gone for the season as other late migrants, such as waterfowl, gulls and winter finches, move through or into our area. Join us on November 19 as we explore Gavin’s Point Dam near Yankton, SD for such late migrants.

Bill Huser, LHAS Outings Coordinator, call or text: 712-574-3107 or billfhuser@gmail.com

Participants: Brian Hazlett, Bill Huser, Kevin Kerr, Marla Kerr, Bob Nickolson, Phyllis Nicolson, John Polifka, Sharon Polifka, Jerry Probst, Jerry VonEhwegen, Randy Williams

10-15-2022 Birds — Ponca State Park and related areas etc. — 43 species.

All above photos copyright 2022 by the respective photographers listed below.

Marla & Kevin Kerr

• Red-tailed Hawk

• Northern Harrier

• Nashville Warbler

• Birder Bob

• Harris’s Sparrow

• Bill on sparrow patrol

• Birders

• Updating the eBird checklists

• Paparazzi!

• Ponca Outing Group 1

• Ponca Outing Group 2

Randall D. Williams

• Sunrise over the Missouri

• First look

• Moon over the Ponca hills

• Jerry P. at the spotting scope

• Eastern Bluebird

• Kevin and Marla enjoying the view

• Birders

• Fall color at Ponca

• Beating the bushes for birds

• Harris’s Sparrow

• Turkey Vulture

• Hot spot for sparrows

• Missouri River braid

• Sparrows in the shrubbery

Warblers and Raptors at Stone State Park

Saturday, september 10, 2022

It was a dark and stormy night. Well, really, it was a very overcast, grey morning. We received some welcome rain overnight, almost a half-inch according to the Sioux Gateway Airport, but there was no mention of thunderstorms in the area. So it really wasn’t stormy overnight.

It was a wet and dreary morning. Cool, with potentially more rain through the morning. Walkers and cyclists, nevertheless, were active along the Riverfront Trail at 7:00 AM when Jerry V., Jan N., and Randy W. met at the public boat ramp and ventured into the wilds of Stone State Park. We were looking for warblers, raptors, and anything else of interest.

Our task was not simple. Fall warblers arrive in suits of different colors than in Spring. The muted colors better blend with the background with adult birds looking very similar their newly fledged offspring. The monotonous grey sky did not help. When small birds were located high in the canopy around Black Bear Circle their colors were greyish – greenish – brownish with occasional splashes of yellow and white. With Jerry’s expertise the three of us saw sufficient field marks to identify American Redstarts and Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos. Conversely, Red-headed Woodpeckers were almost everywhere.

We realized we could use some help, so we called the experts:  Bob and Phyllis. They met us at the Benne Nature Trail. Randy ventured briefly along the nature trail while the others explored the parking area. Other than Red-headed Woodpeckers, this area of Stone Park was quiet. We moved over the ridge to the Wahkaw Shelter and finally to Pammel Vallery. Randy walked to Turtle Lake while the others looked for birds around the parking area. Blue-winged Teal, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Yellow Warbler, and Gray Catbirds were added to our list. Red-headed Woodpeckers remained abundant.

The clouds began to break when we stopped near the ranger station. Chimney Swift were overhead and Yellow-throated Vireos called to us from this location. Bob and Phyllis decided to leave for lunch while Randy, Jerry and Jan moved to the Elk Point Overlook for lunch and to begin our raptor watch. Brian H. was patiently waiting for us. We did not see any kettles of raptors. As the thermals began, we observed two adult and two immature Bald Eagles soaring over Sioux City, North Sioux City and McCook Lake. Several Turkey Vultures flew past while others soared to parts unknown. One unidentified Buteo rose to the south and east before soaring south and out of sight. This became a beautiful afternoon with blue sky, puffy white clouds, and a north breeze. One of the best sightings from here, much closer to us than the raptors, was an Olive-sided Flycatcher in a dead tree just East of the overlook. Thanks to Jerry V. for pointing out the bird and its field marks. It is a lifer for Randy W.

Our group broke apart about 12:30 PM, a day that began with a little apprehension but blossomed into an enjoyable early afternoon in the Loess Hills of Stone State Park.

9-10-2022 Birds of Stone Park and related areas etc. — 33 species plus a Buteo species and a swallow species.

All above images copyright 2022 by the respective photographers, used with permission.

Randall D. Williams

• Blue-winged Teal at Turtle Lake

• Goldenrod with fly at Turtle Lake

• Peek-a-boo!

• Warbler Watchers: Jerry V., Jan N., Bob N., Phyllis N., and Randy W.

• Olive-sided Flycatcher 1

• Olive-sided Flycatcher 2

• Olive-sided Flycatcher 3

• Stiff Goldenrod at Elk Point Overlook

• Raptor Watchers: Randy W., Brian H., Jan N., and Jerry V.

Jan Null

• Stone Park Signs

• Deer in Stone Park

• Sea of flowers

• Goldenrod

• Walnuts

• Randy, Bob and Jerry

• Warbler Watchers in Pammel Valley

• Birder Bob

• Loess Hills scenery

• View from Elk Point Overlook

• Stiff Goldenrod

• Hawk Watchers Jan, Randy, Brian and Jerry

Below video copyright 2022 by Jan Null, used with permission.

Turkey Vultures

Circling above us, their wing-tips fanned

like fingers, it is as if they are smoothing

one of those tissue-paper sewing patterns

over the pale blue fabric of the air,

touching the heavens with leisurely pleasure,

just a word or two called back and forth,

taking all the time in the world, even though

the sun is low and red in the west, and they

have fallen behind with the making of shrouds.

Ted Kooser, Delights & Shadows, 2004, Copper Canyon Press

Adams Homestead Celebration and Elk Point Bend

Saturday, august 13, 2022 

On this day, Chapter members travelled upriver to the ‘Homestead’ to partake in their annual Celebration, that, this year, marked their 25th anniversary as a South Dakota State Park. Arriving early enough to avoid crowds, our group of 14 birders and photographers hiked trails to Mud Lake and part-way to the Missouri River. All were surprised to see the healthy water levels at Mud Lake, in sharp contrast to the dried up oxbows further downstream. There we were able to view Blue-winged Teal and Wood Ducks, along with a smattering of migrating shorebirds that included Solitary, Pectoral and Least Sandpipers. However, the biggest surprise was encountering up to a dozen migrating flycatchers of the Empidonax genus. Four species reside or travel through our area each year and offer extreme identification challenges and are usually only identified by song. These silent Empids left us guessing as to whether they were resident Willow Flycatchers or migrant  Alder, Least or Yellow-bellied Flycatchers. Most money was placed on Least Flycatchers, however.

After our short hike, we drove further upriver to Elk Point Bend where the river makes a sharp turn to the west. There, among the numerous sand bars, we were able to locate endangered Least Terns and Piping Plovers, which had each just completed their breeding activity for the season. Ten Plovers and 11 Terns were counted. Other unexpected species included American White Pelicans, Black Terns and Blue Grosbeaks.

Returning to the Homestead for food and activities , we were joined by an additional 5 Chapter members who were present there as volunteers or participants.  After Homestead activities, outing participants counted 53 species plus a gull and the flycatchers, neither of which was identifiable to species. All in all, it was a full day made even more enjoyable by the fellowship and the pleasant weather.

Bill Huser, LHAS Outings Coordinator, 712-574-3107 or billfhuser@gmail.com

All above images copyright 2022 by the photographers listed below, used with permission.

Marla Kerr

• Lake Observation

• In the blind

• At Elk Point Bend

Jerry Mennenga

• Domestic waterfowl at the Sonny’s Acres

• Tree trio

• On the trail

• Swallowtail

• Empidonax flycatcher 1

• Empidonax flycatcher 2

• ID discussion

• Catching some sun

• Trail talk

Jan Null

• Prairie plants

• Adams Visitor Center

• One more look

• The adventure begins!

• Eastern Kingbird (on branch) and Cedar Waxwing (below and to the left of the kingbird)

• Eastern Kingbird take off

• Red-headed Woodpecker

• On the trail

• Trail around the farmstead

• Prairie flowers

• Spotted Sandpiper

• Solitary Sandpiper

• Least Sandpiper

• Solitary Sandpiper (left) and Killdeer (right)

• Blue Grosbeak

• On the way to Elk Point Bend

• Elk Point Bend

• Outing participants

Maria Rundquist

• Lunch at the Adams Homestead 25th Anniversary Celebration

Rex Rundquist

• Eastern Kingbird

• Spotted Sandpiper

• Lining up the scopes

• Elk Point Bend

Randy Williams

• Full moon

• Moon over the Mo

• Pre-dawn

• Sunrise

• Off for an adventure!

• The north blind

• Observations

• Trying a different angle

• Wayfinding

• Looking for more

• Back to the visitor center

• One last look

• Trailside flowers

Below videos copyright 2022 by Jan Null, used with permission.

Broken Kettle Grasslands and Prairie Hills

Saturday, July 16, 2022 

By mid-July a great majority of our summer avian residents are feeding nestlings or fledglings or, perhaps, starting a second brood. In either case, they are extremely busy and spend little time singing and can only be seen briefly as they dart, usually in thick foliage, from foraging sites to their young and back.

Our group of 17 participants found that to be true as we birded along Butcher Road and the Joy Hollow Camp drive. However, traveling north along North Ridge Road in mid-morning was more productive, and we did find most of our target birds. First, Grasshopper Sparrows were found on roadside fence. Farther along and south on Birch Ave, we briefly encountered a Loggerhead Shrike on a utility line. Shrikes have been regular at this site the past few years but not located there yet this summer. Only a few in the front of our caravan saw the shrike, but all were delighted to see a beautiful Blue Grosbeak take its place on the wire. After the group returned southward on North Ridge Road, we braked for a female Bobolink on the roadside fence, only to see a male join her moments later. Our biggest disappointment was missing a Black-billed Cuckoo that inhabited the Butcher Road thickets in 2021.

As lunchtime neared, our group wound its way to Bill & Dotty Zales’ Prairie Hills where a delicious lunch and fellowship awaited us. Bratwursts, salads, cookies and home-brewed beer were among the culinary highlights. Afterwards, Bill walked us through his excellent restored prairie, pointed out the forbs in bloom, discussed their particulars and marveled at the preponderance of Leadplant, the long-awaited appearance of Wild Licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) and the mysterious occurrence of a single, out of range Wild White Indigo (Baptisia leucantha).

Click here to read Jerry Mennenga’s Lost in Siouxland report of our outing.

All above images copyright 2022 by the respective photographers listed below.

Carey Anderson

• Woolly Vervain at Broken Kettle

Marla Kerr

• Bill Zales

• White Wild Indigo (Baptisia leucantha)

Jerry Mennenga

• Checking the ID

• Remnant

• Do You See What I See?

• Getting the Shot

• Resting Place

Jan Null

• Gathering the Troops

• Indigo Bunting 1

• Indigo Bunting 2

• Grasshopper Sparrow 1

• Grasshopper Sparrow 2

• Grasshopper Sparrow 3

• Eastern Kingbird with Dragonfly Lunch

• Red-headed Woodpeckers

• Table Ready

• Lunch Bunch

• Prairie Outing 1

• Prairie Outing 2

• Prairie Outing 3

• Barn Swallows

• Leadplant

• Blue Grosbeak

• Tree Swallow

• Eastern Kingbirds 1

• Eastern Kingbirds 2

• Yellow Coneflowers

• Prairie

• Bobolink

• Surrounding scenery

• The Guest House

• Prairie Hills

• Phyllis and Bob

• We All Scream for Ice Cream!

• Front Porch Conversation

• The House On the Prairie

Rex Rundquist

• Bobolink 1

• Bobolink 2

• Bobolink 3

• Grasshopper Sparrow 1

• Grasshopper Sparrow 2

• Loggerhead Shrike (lower wire, facing right); Mourning Dove (upper wire, facing left)

• Loess Hills Audubon Society

• Red-headed Woodpeckers

Randy Williams

• Pond at Broken Kettle Grasslands

• Birders in the Mist

• A Big Landscape Sometimes Needs a Big Lens

• Looking For the Birds

• Three Wise Men

• Leadplant

• Yellow Coneflower

• Eastern Bluebird

• Nestling Eastern Kingbird

Below videos copyright 2022 by Jan Null, used with permission.

Loess Hills Prairie Seminar

Saturday, June 4, 2022 

Thirteen members participated in our June 4th outing at the Loess Hills Prairie Seminar near Turin, Iowa. Some enjoyed the Auto Bird Tours led by Ed Brogie while others were presenting or attending some of the seminar programs. This report will focus on the Auto Bird Tours and will also include birds seen on the Saturday and Sunday early morning Bird Walks.

The 8:15 AM tour began with light rain but conditions improved as the morning progressed. We returned to camp to get organized for the next tour that began at 10:15 where we had a short walk to find Bell’s Vireos. As we left the camp we stopped to hear a singing Louisiana Waterthrush and Yellow-throated Vireo. At noon we returned to camp for those who had purchased a lunch.

We recorded a total of 63 species for the day. (Two of those species—Killdeer and Blue Grosbeak were located at Owego on the trip home). Three species not seen on the Auto Bird Tours were seen on the early morning Bird Walks which included Blue-winged Warbler, American Bittern, and Pileated Woodpecker which was a first for the area!

Other highlights included: Ruby-throated Hummingbird showing off above us, singing Wood Thrushes, Yellow Warblers building a nest, Ovenbird singing, great looks at Indigo Buntings, and a singing Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Birds were very active (flying and singing) at most stops and the numerous birders were busy trying to identify the birds. Ed was very helpful identifying the birds and their songs. It was a great morning of birding and enjoying the habitat and beauty of the Loess Hills. Thanks to all who participated: Jeanne Bockholt, Brian Hazlett, Marla Kerr, Jan Null, John Polifka, Sharon Polifka, Jerry Probst, Maria Rundquist, Rex Rundquist, Jerry Von Ehwegen, Jan Wobbenhorst, Bill Zales, Dotty Zales.

6-04-2022 Birds — Loess Hills Prairie Seminar and related areas — 63 species.

All above images copyright 2022 by the respective photographers, used with permission.

Ed Brogie

• Blue-winged Warbler

Rex Rundquist

• Blue-winged Warbler

Marla Kerr

• “Where to next?”

• Waterway

• Bridge and stream

• Pond

Jan Null

• Great-crested Flycatcher

• Eastern Bluebird

• Common Yellowthroat

• Turkey Vulture

• Penstemon

• Pond

• People 1

• People 2

• People 3

Maria Rundquist

• History lesson 1

• History lesson 2

• History lesson 3

• Prairie photographer

• Gathering 1

• Gathering 2

• Natural history lesson 1

• Natural history lesson 2

• Natural history lesson 3

• Natural history lesson 4

• Prairie participants

• South Jordan Cemetery

• Gathering 3

• Gathering 4

• Raptor lesson 1

• Raptor lesson 2

Birdathon / World Migratory Bird Day

The weekend of May 14, 2022, Loess Hills Audubon Society held their annual Birdathon and celebrated World Migratory Bird Day. This event is scheduled to be held during Spring Migration's climax and this year it did not disappoint.

Friday, May 13:

• Mississippi Kite, seen 2x, near Florence and Nash in Riverside.

Saturday, May 14:

• Broad-winged Hawk

• Swainson's Hawk

• Black-bellied Plover, Sioux Jersey Dairy (SJD)

• American Golden-Plover, (SJD)

• American Avocet

• Hudsonian Godwit, (SJD)

• Short-billed Dowitcher, (SJD)

• Eastern Wood Pewee, First of Year (FOY)

• Bell's Vireo, (FOY)

• Northern Parula

• Blackburnian Warbler

• Canada Warbler

• Summer Tanager, Stone State Park (FOY)

• Scarlet Tanager

Sunday, May 15:

• Ruddy Turnstone, 1, Snyder's Bend

Monday, May 16:

• Northern Parula,1, Crystal Cove

• Lazuli Bunting, male & female, Snyders Bend

• Mourning Warbler, 1, Bacon Creek (FOY)

Observers: Marla & Kevin Kerr, Ben Carlson, Randy Williams, Bob & Phyllis Nickolson, Jerry Probst.

All Mourning Warbler images below copyright 2022 by Rob Towler, used with permission.

Gavin’s Point Dam, Nebraska and South Dakota

Saturday, april 9, 2022 

Twelve members, along with 3 new friends from the Yankton area, searched the area around the dam, including Lake Yankton, Lewis and Clark Lake and the dam’s spillway for waterfowl and other aquatic birds seldom seen on our local oxbow lakes. This was particularly advantageous this spring with our local oxbows at unprecedented low water levels.  

In all, 49 species were recorded with a probable Thayer’s Iceland Gull making it an even 50. Birds of particualr note are highlighted in bold in the table below.

Last Thursday’s Loess Hills Audubon Society (LHAS) meeting featuring a Shorebird Identification Clinic proved to be a great success with the group correctly identifying an astounding 100% of the shorebirds found.

Remember: all LHAS outings are open to the public and offer an inviting way to begin birding and meet others with similar interests.

Bill Huser, LHAS Outings Coordinator

All above images copyright 2022 by the listed photographer, used with permission

Marla Kerr

• Gathering the troops!

• Look, over there!

• Check the ID!

• Let’s get it right!

Randall D. Williams

• Eurasian Collared-Dove in a Yankton neighborhood

• “Pelican Island” in Lake Yankton

• Observers near Pierson Ranch

• Bright but cool morning

• Horned Grebe

• American White Pelican

• The dam from the Nebraska side

• Beaver performing a dam inspection

• Common Loon

• Common Loon close up

• Observers from the top of the dam

• Bufflehead

• Waterfowl variety at the marina

• Red-tailed Hawk at the paddleboard launch site

Siouxland Waterfowl Migration

Saturday, march 19, 2022 

Twelve birders participated in our March outing. Our plan was to view the waterfowl migration. Due to the drought in our area, many of our local wetland hotspots are completely or mostly dry and good areas for birds and birders, used in the past, were not available this year. Patchy fog delayed our departure to Crystal Cove in South Sioux where we were greeted by a small flock of Snow Geese which included a couple of Ross’s Geese. After finding a few more species here and getting cold fingers in the low 20’s temps we traveled to Brown’s Lake.

Brown’s Lake had several duck species, active Bald Eagles and occasional flocks of Snow and White-fronted Geese headed north overhead. Next stop was Blue Lake near Onawa where more good numbers of ducks and geese were found.

Probably the highlight of the day were a dozen Trumpeter Swans that were swimming elegantly at the north end of the lake and as we viewed them from the south end they took off and flew very low the whole length of the lake trumpeting and glittering bright white in the sun as they flew right past us and then rising and departing over the highway. The flight calls of several large flocks of Snow Geese flying north alerted us to look up and enjoy the show as did flights of Greater White-fronted Geese.

We recorded a total of 41 species for the day. After a good morning of birding with temps rising from the 20’s to the 60’s, we met at Fannies Café in Onawa on the recommendation of long time birders Bob and Phyllis Nickolson. Fannies is located on the widest main street in the U.S. Thanks to all who participated and it was great to see and have Bob Livermore join us for a large part of the day.

3-19-2022 Birds—Crystal Cove, Brown’s Lake, Blue Lake and related areas—41 species.

All above images copyright 2022 by Randall D. Williams (RW) and Jan Null (JN), used with permission.

Crystal Cove, South Sioux City, NE

• Blue phase Snow Geese (RW)

• Blue phase with an immature goose (RW)

• Enjoying some free time (RW)

• Two Snow Geese in the back and a Ross’s Goose in the foreground (RW)

• A blue phase and two white phase Snow Geese with the Ross’s Goose in the foreground (RW)

• Car caravan of outing participants (RW)

• Moonset over Crystal Cove (RW)

• Moon over Crystal Cove (JN)

• Snow Geese with one Ross’s Goose (JN)

• White- and blue-phase Snow Geese (JN)

Bigelow Park, Brown’s Lake, Woodbury County

• Morning sun at Bigelow Park (RW)

• Immature Bald Eagle surveying territory (RW)

• Bald Eagle enjoying the view (JN)

• Fishing practice for two immature Bald Eagles (JN)

• Snow Geese in the air (JN)

Blue Lake, near Onawa, IA, Monona County

• Flotilla of Trumpeter Swans (RW)

• Two male Common Mergansers (RW)

• One male and several female Common Mergansers (RW)

• Male and female Hooded Merganser (RW)

• Buffleheads (RW)

• Bald Eagle watching the whole thing (RW)

• Trumpeter Swans (JN)

• Snow Geese overhead (JN)

• Canada Geese on the roof (JN)

• Canada Geese roof inspectors (JN)

• Mergansers - Hooded pair, left and front; pair of Common in center; Gadwall on the far shore (JN)

• Buffleheads (JN)

• Bill Z. with background Buffleheads (JN)

• Donna and Petie (JN)

• What are we seeing? (JN)

• Intrepid group of birders (JN)

Below videos copyright 2022 by Jan Null, used with permisson.

Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)

Saturday, february 19, 2022   

Twenty Loess Hills Audubon Society (LHAS) members working in seven teams birded sites in Plymouth County and Woodbury County, Iowa; Dakota County, Nebraska; and Union County, South Dakota to gather data for the 25th annual GBBC. This citizen science project, organized by the National Audubon Society, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada, gathers bird occurrence data much like the Christmas Bird Count for researchers across the continent.

Nearly all the data was gathered before noon when empty stomachs and gusty winds suggested we be elsewhere. Fourty-eight species were recorded that day with an additional 6 the previous day.

The highlights (in Bold, in the table):

• Ross's Goose

• Redhead

• Ring-necked Duck

• Red-headed Woodpecker

• Merlin

• White-crowned Sparrow (both white- and black-lored ssp.)

• Brown-headed Cowbird

• Purple Finch

• Common Redpoll (Graceland Cemetery- 50 and Crystal Cove- 6)

Bill Huser, reporter and LHAS Outing Coordinator

All above images copyright 2022 by the respective photographers listed below

Dawn Snyder (all images at Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center)

• Title slide!

• Walking the trails

• Looking for the best image!

Kevin Kerr

• Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center (DPNC) feeder watchers

• Channel 9 news interview

Marla Kerr

• River walk along the Big Sioux

• Action video around the DPNC

• Birders along the trail

• “Woodpecker Hotel” in a Kentucky Coffee Tree

Jan Null

• Beaver industrial work at Bacon Creek

• Red-headed Woodpecker at Bacon Creek

• Northern Cardinal 1 at Graceland Cemetery

• Northern Cardinal 2 at Graceland Cemetery

• Common Redpoll 1 at Graceland Cemetery

• Common Redpoll 2 at Graceland Cemetery

• Common Redpoll 3 at Graceland Cemetery

As we drove through Graceland Cemetery, a flock of about 50 Redpolls flew right in front of our car. We were so shocked and didn't want to scare them away. So we just stopped where we were and I gracefully (LOL) climbed over the seat with my camera as I couldn't see them from my window. The back window only goes 3/4 way down, so some have the window shadow. You can hardly see them in the grass so the videos made it easier to study them. Was hoping somebody could find a "Hoary Redpoll" somewhere in that flick of the flock!

Randy Williams (all images at Adams Homestead)

• American Kestrel

• Pocket gopher trying to look inconspicuous

• Pocket gopher under cover

• Eastern Bluebird 1

• Eastern Bluebird 2

Below three videos copyright 2022 by Jan Null, used with permission.

Waterman Creek WMA, O’Brien County, IA

Saturday, January 22, 2022     

Lonesome Dove’s Capt. Augustus McCrae (Robert Duvall) upon seeing Montana stated, “There is nothing better than riding a fine horse into new country.”

Though most of us were in SUV’s, we felt much the same upon viewing the Little Sioux River Valley and its confluence with Waterman Creek. Located at the ‘4 corners’ of O’Brien, Clay, Cherokee and Buena Vista counties, each of these counties, the state Iowa, as well as private entities have acquired many acres in order to preserve this unique geography, which features riparian forest, upland Burr Oak woods, prairies and extensive Eastern Red Cedar stands. With such extensive and varied habitats, this area is known for its wintering bird population. Not only does it harbor our expected frugivores (fruit eaters), such as Eastern Bluebirds, American Robins, Cedar Waxwings and Purple Finches, but occasionally their western or northern counterparts (Mountain Bluebirds, Townsend’s Solitaires, Bohemian Waxwings). Also, birds of prey like Rough-legged Hawks, both Golden and Bald Eagles, Barred Owls and others frequent the area.

10 participants met at the Prairie Heritage Nature Center to search for these birds and explore the hills and valleys. We were able to locate 33 species but felt we could have found several more with more effort and different techniques.

Our list is below!

Reported by: Bill Huser, LHAS Outings Coordinator, 712-574-3107 or billfhuser@gmail.com

All above images copyright 2022 by the respective photographers as listed below, used with permission.

Marla and Kevin Kerr

• Scoping Things Out

• Rough-legged Hawk

• Three images of Cedar Waxwings

• Snowy road

Jan Null

• Cedar Waxwing

• Bald Eagle

• Snowy road

• Birding stop 1

• Trees

• Birding stop 2

• Northern Shrike

• Purple Finch

• Landscaping at the Prairie Heritage Center

• Prairie Heritage Center 1

• Prairie Heritage Center 2

• Bison display 1

• Bison display 2

• Audubon Adventurers!

Below video copyright 2022 by Jan Null, used with permission