Iowa City Bird Club

April 29 - May 24, Weekdays, Mon-Fri, 6:30-8:00 a.m.,  Hickory Hill Park Warbler Walks.  Start your weekdays watching warblers and other spring migrants in the park with our rotating crew of expert leaders. Meet at the north parking lot at 800 Conklin Lane, off N. Dodge St.

May 25, Saturday, 6:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve in Louisa County.This preserve is rarely open to the public, but we have special permission to visit and survey wildlife species.  Targets include breeding birds like Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Northern Mockingbird, and reptiles like Box Turtles, Racers, Hognose Snakes, and Racerunner Lizards.  With 510… Read More Field Trip: Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve

June 9, Sunday, 7:30 a.m. – Noon. Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area for breeding birds atGadwall and Mallard Ponds.  Join leader Linda Rudolph on a hike to look for Lark and  Henslow’s Sparrows, cuckoos, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-breasted Chat, orioles, and Sandhill Crane.  Meet at the HWMA parking lot on Swan Lake Road, across from Swan Lake (GPS coordinates… Read More Field Trip: Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area

Saturday, June 22, 7:30 a.m. Indiangrass Hills in Iowa County for breeding grassland birds. Leader Mark Madsen will guide us through this 640-acre restored prairie. Expect to see Henslow’s Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Sedge Wren, Orchard Oriole, Bobolink, and more. There will be extensive walking on mowed grass paths which may be wet. Don’t forget bug spray… Read More Pop-up Field Trip: Indiangrass Hills

 June 30, Sunday, 4 p.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… Read More Bird Club Potluck Picnic

July 20, Saturday, Iowa City Butterfly Count.  As part of the North American Butterfly Association’s Fourth of July Butterfly Count program, we’ll visit Kent Park, Hawkeye Wildlife Area, Lake Macbride, and other areas to tally as many butterflies as we can find.  To participate, contact Chris Edwards by July 17 at credwards@aol.com.    

July 25, Thursday, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Chimney Swift Big Sit in Kalona. Bring your lawn chair and join our gathering to watch the Chimney Swifts descend into a roost site in Kalona. We expect 200-400 swifts and we’ll attempt an accurate count. To carpool, meet at 6:30 at the north end of the Menards parking lot, 2605 Naples… Read More Chimney Swift Big Sit

August 18, Sunday, 8 a.m.  Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area for shorebirds and other early fall migrants. Meet leader Chris Caster at the HWMA parking lot on Swan Lake Road, across from Swan Lake (GPS coordinates 41.776081, 91.675009).  We will carpool our way around Hawkeye Wildlife Area. Expect moderate hiking at some viewing areas.  Dress for the weather and wet and… Read More Field Trip: Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area

Pelican Festival at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area, near the DNR headquarters at 2564 Amana Road NW, Swisher. A family-friendly event to enjoy and learn about our local migrating American White Pelicans. Get close-up looks at pelicans and other birds through our spotting scopes. Attend outdoor presentations on pelicans, raptors, and more. There will be exhibits… Read More Pelican Festival