Iowa City Bird Club

The Big Sit! Drop in
2022-10-09 07:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Sugar Bottom Recreational Area, 2192 Mehaffey Bridge Rd NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA
The Big Sit! at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area Day Use Area, 2192 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE, Solon. Drop in anytime between 7a.m. – 12 p.m. to count birds and enjoy the camaraderie, free coffee, and donuts. The objective of this worldwide, semi-competitive birding event is to tally as many bird species as can be seen or heard from within a 17-foot circle.
Join ICBC host Terri Macey near the parking lot at the Day Use Area, near the beach and restrooms. Bring a chair and binoculars. For more information, visit https://www.thebigsit.org/.

Hawk Watch at Stainbrook Preserve
2022-09-18 09:00 - 13:00 UTC
September 18, Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hawk Watch at Stainbrook Preserve, located along Mehaffey Bridge Road just north of Sugar Bottom Recreation Area. Join us on the hill to watch for migrating raptors including Broad-winged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk. Bring a lawn chair, and a spotting scope if you have one.
Directions: park on the north shoulder pull-off just east of Mehaffey Bridge. Look for the Stainbrook Preserve sign and follow the short path up the hill.
Find a map here and below .

Pelican Festival
2022-09-11 11:00 - 16:00 UTC
Annual Pelican Festival. View these magnificent birds through provided scopes. Attend lectures and view booths of local and state wildlife organizations.
Location: 2564 Amana Road NW, Swisher events are free.
For more information see below: View Fullscreen

Cy-Hawk Big Day Challenge
2022-09-03 00:00 - 2022-09-05 23:59 UTC
Labor Day Weekend is the Cy-Hawk Big Day Challenge. It’s the Iowa City Hawkeyes (Iowa City Bird Club) vs. Ames Cyclones (Big Bluestem Audubon Society), in a competition to find the most bird species. Birders from across Iowa can participate with either team in the designated area. Last year BBAS found a whopping 142 species to ICBC’s tally of 127. This year organizers have expanded to a three-day event with lots of flexibility for participation. Pick one calendar day of Sept. 3, 4, or 5. Pick a birding group of friends or go individually. Pick your own route within these counties: Johnson, Linn, Louisa, Des Moines and Lee. Cyclone counties are Polk, Greene, Boone, Story, and Jasper. Our Hawkeye strategy will be to coordinate our locations to cover as much area as possible. So please register ahead with your name(s) and desired locations, or ask Chris if you want location suggestions. Competition rules and more information can be found here: https://iowacitybirdclub.org/cy-hawk-challenge/. Each participant is asked to donate $5 or more to support the bird conservation programs of Iowa Audubon. Register with Iowa City Bird Club ASAP with Chris Edwards at credwards@aol.com (preferred) or by phone/text at 319-430-4732. To register with Big Bluestem Audubon Society contact Eric Ollie at uphawkeye@gmail.com. Go Hawks!

Iowa City Butterfly Count
2022-07-23 - 2022-07-24
July 23, Saturday, Iowa City Butterfly Count. Now in its 24th year, the local count is part of the North American Butterfly Association’s Fourth of July Butterfly Count program.
We’ll visit Kent Park, Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area, Lake Macbride, and other areas totally as many butterfly species and individuals as we can find.
To participate, contact Chris Edwards by July 20 at 319-430-4732 or credwards@aol.com.

Bird Club Potluck Picnic
2022-07-17 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Lake Macbride State Park, 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA
July 17, Sunday, 4p.m. Iowa City Bird Club Potluck Picnic at Lake Macbride. Located at Sailboat Shelter #1 at the north end of Sail Boat Road NE, Solon, near the south shore of the north arm of the lake. Restrooms are nearby. Enjoy the company of old and new birding friends with picnic foods and a beautiful park ambience. Bring a dish to share, your own drink, and table service. An optional bird walk will begin about 6:00 p.m.

Hickory Hill Park Warbler Walks
2022-05-27 06:30 - 08:00, 2022-05-26 06:30 - 08:00, 2022-05-25 06:30 - 08:00, 2022-05-24 06:30 - 08:00, 2022-05-23 06:30 - 08:00, 2022-05-20 06:30 - 08:00, 2022-05-19 06:30 - 08:00, 2022-05-18 06:30 - 08:00 (America/Chicago) and 15 more dates | Hickory Hill Park, 1439 E Bloomington St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
April 27 – May 27,Weekdays, 6:30-8:00 a.m. Hickory Hill Park Warbler Walks. After a two-year hiatus, WarblerWalks are back! Start your weekdays watching warblers with rotatingleaders Mark Madsen, Chris Edwards, Jason Paulios, Dan Rose, Elliot Stalter,and Mark Brown. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Conklin Lane,off N. Dodge St.

Spring Bird Count 2022
2022-05-07 - 2022-05-08
Spring Migration Count Johnson County Spring Migration Count. This year we’re back to normal protocols after two years of pandemic modifications – we’ll bird in small groups to count as many birds as possible in Johnson County. Species and individual birds are tallied – last year 166 species were recorded. Solo birding is also an option.
Gather for an optional noon sack lunch at North Liberty Community Center. Afternoon birding is encouraged, but optional.
To participate, email coordinator Chris Caster in advance of count day at cjcaster@q.com. Youwill be assigned to a group with a leader who will send details for a meeting time and location. For those doing solo birding, an area will be assigned. For more information visit https://iowacitybirdclub.org/spring-count/.
