Iowa City Bird Club

April 26 - May 26, 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 parking lot at the end of Conklin Lane, off N. Dodge St.

 Swamp White Oak Preserve in Muscatine County:  This Nature Conservancy property near Cone Marsh features wetlands, prairies, and floodplain forests. Leader Dean Hester will guide our group in search of warblers including late migrants and nesting Prothonotary Warblers, vireos, flycatchers, Sandhill Cranes, and Red-shouldered Hawks. One of the land managers will join our trip and… Read More Field Trip: Swamp White Oak Preserve

 Indiangrass Hills in Iowa County for breeding grassland birds. Leader Mark Brown 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. Meet at 6:30 at Kohl’s… Read More Field Trip: Indiangrass Hills

 June 12-16, Monday-Friday. Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Michigan Birding Adventure. Cost: $875 per person. For more information and registration visit www.iowabirds.org.

July 22, 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 19 at 319-430-4732 or credwards@aol.com.    

 July 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

August 6, 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

It’s the Hawkeyes (Iowa City Bird Club) vs. the 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’s final tally was Iowa City Bird Club150, Big Bluestem Audubon Society 137.  Back by popular demand this… Read More CY-Hawk Birding Challenge

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. For a map, go here http://www.iowacitybirdclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Map-1Hawkwatch.gif