Iowa City Bird Club

Our speaker will be Luke Hart, of The R.A.R.E. Group. R.A.R.E. stands for Raptor Advocacy Rehabilitation and Education. The R.A.R.E. Group is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation of birds of prey throughout Iowa. Luke’s presentation will be about hawks and owls seen more commonly during migration and the winter season. More on the… Read More Bird Club Meeting and Lecture: Virtual

September 16-18, Friday-Sunday. Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Fall Meeting at Camp Abe Lincoln near the Quad Cities. See birds in Scott County and connect with birders from around the state. The weekend includes field trips on Saturday and Sunday mornings, presentations on Saturday afternoon, and a keynote speaker at the Saturday evening meal.Field trip destinations include Big Sand,… Read More Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Fall Meeting

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… Read More Hawk Watch at Stainbrook Preserve

September24, Saturday, 7:45 a.m.  Pike Run Wildlife Area for sparrows, raptors, and other fall migrants.   Explore this area in Muscatine County with leader Mark Madsen.  Habitat includes wetlands and woodlands, so be prepared for wet/muddy and uneven mowed trails.  Meet at the Fin & Feather parking lot, 125 Hwy. 1 W, Iowa City.  Return time will… Read More Field Trip: Pike Run Wildlife Area

September24, Saturday, 7:45 a.m.  Pike Run Wildlife Area for sparrows, raptors, and other fall migrants.   Explore this area in Muscatine County with leader Mark Madsen.  Habitat includes wetlands and woodlands, so be prepared for wet/muddy and uneven mowed trails.  Meet at the Fin & Feather parking lot, 125 Hwy. 1 W, Iowa City.  Return time will… Read More Field Trip: Pike Run Wildlife Area

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… Read More The Big Sit! Drop in

October 15, Saturday, 7:30 a.m.  Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area for sparrows and other fall migrants.  Meet leader Jason McCurdy 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… Read More Field Trip: Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area

October 20, Thursday, 7 p.m. Zoom Meeting: In “Birding in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, South Texas,” Brandon Caswell will offer a synthesis of two trips to “The Valley” within the last few years. A brief overview of the area will be covered. Non-avian sightings as well as birding hotspot information will be covered. South Texas specialty birds… Read More Bird Club Meeting

November 12, Saturday, 8 a.m.  Amana Lily Pond and Nature Trail:  This is a beginning birder trip for waterfowl ID and early winter birds.  Extra scopes will be on hand for extended practice as we stop at several viewing spots around the lake.  This will be followed by an optional short hike at the Amana Nature… Read More Field Trip: Amana Lily Pond and Nature Trail

November 17, Thursday, 7 p.m. Zoom Meeting:  Anna Burkhart Thomas, Avian Ecologist for the IowaDepartment of Natural Resources, will present “UnderstandingMigration in Iowa: Expanding the Motus Network.”  This is the same talk Anna gave at theIOU Spring Meeting, with updated tracking data from spring, summer, and earlyfall.Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89571321474?pwd=eWg3R2FGaERWUXQ3VUFtR2pleVQwUT09Meeting ID: 895 7132 1474Passcode: 295742