Iowa City Bird Club

Kent Park Bird Walk
2025-07-21 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-08-04 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-08-18 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Chicago) | F.W. Kent Park, Oxford, IA, United States
Bird Hike at F.W. Kent Park: Meet leader Nick Timmer to look for migrating and breeding birds. Hike on mulched and mowed grass trails with some hilly terrain for 1-2 miles. No registration required and loaner binoculars available. Bring water and bug spray.
Meet in the parking lot of Conservation Education Center.

Field Trip: POSTPONED Hawkeye Wildlife rescheduled to 8/17
2025-08-10 08:00 - 13:00
NEW DATE SUNDAY, AUGUST 17th
Field Trip Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area to now be held on SUNDAY, AUGUST 17th

Field Trip: Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area
2025-08-17 08:00 - 13:00
Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area: for shorebirds and other early fall migrants.Expect moderate hiking at some viewing areas. Dress for the weather and wet and muddy trails. Bring a spotting scope if you have one.
Meet leader Chris Caster at the HWMA parking lot on Swan Lake Road, across from Swan Lake (GPS coordinates 41.776108, -91.678314). We will carpool our way around Hawkeye, finishing around noon.

Pelican Festival
2025-08-24 11:00 - 16:00 | 2564 Amana Rd NW, Swisher, IA, United States
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 by many conservation organizations and face painting for the kids.
https://iowacitybirdclub.org/pelican-festival/

Coralville Lake's Riverwalk Trail
2025-09-06 09:00 - 11:00
Coralville Lake’s Riverwalk Trail. We’ll use the flat, paved, short (0.4 mile) trail in the woods along the Iowa River, downstream from the dam. We’ll aim for a slower pace compared to other bird walks. Public restrooms are available nearby, close to the dam.
Target birds include eagles, pelicans, other waterbirds, migrating songbirds, and resident birds such as woodpeckers.
Meet leader Linda Rudolph at the parking lot near the Riverwalk Trail’s start.

Birdability Outing
2025-09-13 09:30 - 11:00 | Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, 601 McCollister Blvd, Iowa City, IA, United States
Birdability Outing Sept 13, 9:30 – 11:00 or drop in anytime. Terry Trueblood Rec Area, Iowa City. Stationary bird-watching with other birders in the outdoor patio of the Lodge. Accessible parking & restrooms & loaner optics.

Fall Potluck
2025-09-18 18:00 - 19:00 | IC Environmental Education Center 2401 Scott Blvd SE, Iowa City, IA, United States
September 18, Thursday, 6 p.m. Fall Potluck. Before the first meeting, enjoy a potluck with old and new birding friends. Bring a dish to share and table service. Lemonade and ice tea will be provided. Iowa City Environmental Education Center, 2401 Scott Boulevard, Iowa City.

IC Bird Club Meeting
2025-09-18 18:45 - 20:30 | IC Environmental Education Center 2401 Scott Blvd SE, Iowa City, IA, United States
September 18, Thursday, 7 p.m. In-Person and Zoom meeting at the Iowa City Environmental Education Center 2401 Scott Blvd SE, Iowa City: Terry VanDeWalle, author and environmental consultant, will present “The Natural History of Turtles of Iowa.”
Join Zoom Meeting:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88435738209?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 884 3573 8209Passcode: [REDACTED]

Hawk Watch at Stainbrook Preserve
2025-09-21 09:00 - 13:00 | 2192 Mehaffey Bridge Rd NE, Solon, IA, United States
September 21, 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 in ditch opposite parking and marked with balloons. Follow the short path up the hill. For a map, visit here and scroll down to Hawk Watch: https://iowacitybirdclub.org/miscellanious-maps/.

Field Trip: Amana Nature Trail & Lily Pond
2025-10-04 08:00 - 12:00
Amana Nature Trail and Amana Lily Pond in Iowa County. We will aim to see migrating songbirds along the nature trail in the woods, then visit the large pond to look for shorebirds, ducks, swans,herons, and other waterbirds. Protection for your legs from insects and ticks is recommended for the nature trail walk—the trail is unpaved and may be damp. The walk at the lily pond will be on a flat surface. Restrooms are not available at either site, but we can stop at the Casey’s in Amana.
Meet leader Mark Madsen at the Lowe’s parking lot(2701 2nd St, Coralville). We will carpool to the Amana Nature trail and then the Lily Pond.

Wings and Wild Things Festival
2025-10-05 09:00 - 13:00 | F.W. Kent Park, Oxford, IA, United States
October 5, Sunday, Wings and Wild Things Festival at F.W. Kent Park Conservation Education Center, 2048 Highway 6 NW, Oxford. Celebrate Iowa’s natural world with this new hands-on festival showcasing the wild and wonderful flora and fauna of our region, as well as outdoor recreation activities in our area.
ICBC is a partner organization for this event and we need volunteers! Please consider helping out with one of our education stations or guided bird walks. Last year’s attendance was huge! 1800 people enjoyed learning about conservation and our naturalworld. Birding and food trucks are just two of many outdoor activities to enjoy at the festival! To help, email iowacitybirdclub@gmail.com.

IC Bird Club Meeting
2025-10-16 18:45 - 20:30 | IC Environmental Education Center 2401 Scott Blvd SE, Iowa City, IA, United States
October 16th, Thursday, 7 p.m. In-Person and Zoom meeting at the Iowa City Environmental Education Center 2401 Scott Blvd SE, Iowa City: IOU member Wendy VanDeWalle will present “Wendy’s Big Year.”
Join Zoom Meeting:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88435738209?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 884 3573 8209Passcode: [REDACTED]

Birdability Kick Off Outing
2025-10-19 09:30 - 11:00 | Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, 601 McCollister Blvd, Iowa City, IA, United States
Birdability Kick Off Outing, Oct 19, 9:30 – 11:00. Terry Trueblood Rec Area, Iowa City. Both stationary and slow walk offered today from patio of the lodge. Accessible parking, restrooms & loaner optics.
Potluck to follow and Spark Bird Project: presentation and workshop 1 – 2:30 at Sacred Collective, 213 N Linn St, Iowa City

Field Trip: Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area
2025-11-08 08:30 - 12:00
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area in Linn County. This lake northwest of Cedar Rapids can be good for loons, grebes, ducks, gulls, geese, and other birds in the fall. We’ll drive to different sites around the lake, but there will be some trail walking. Iowa City area carpool info: meet at 7:45 a.m. at Kohls in Coralville (2795 Commerce Dr., Coralville).For those not carpooling: meet leader Wendy VanDeWalle at Pleasant Creek at the main boat ramp parking area at 8:30 (turn left at the stop sign at the bottom of the hill and drive to the big parking area).

IC Bird Club Meeting
2025-11-20 18:45 - 20:30 | IC Environmental Education Center 2401 Scott Blvd SE, Iowa City, IA, United States
November 20th, Thursday, 7 p.m. In-Person and Zoom meeting at the Iowa City Environmental Education Center 2401 Scott Blvd SE, Iowa City: Iowa City Bird Club member Mark Bowman will present “The Great Crested Flycatcher and Its Many Exotic Cousins.”
Join Zoom Meeting:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88435738209?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 884 3573 8209Passcode: [REDACTED]

Christmas Bird Count
2025-12-21 - 2025-12-22
December 21, Sunday. Iowa City Christmas Bird Count. Join us for a holiday tradition, the world’slongest-running citizen science project! There are two ways to participate: you can join a small groupwith an experienced leader assigned to a specific territory, which could contain local parks, trails, orwildlife areas; or if you live in the count circle, you can count the birds in your own yard. To sign up,contact Chris Edwards at credwards@aol.com or (319) 430-4732 as soon as possible. You can participate for part or all of the day. Groups do a varied mix of walking and driving, and some groups look for owls before dawn. We will have a mid-day compilation at a newmeeting location and time: room CD in the North Liberty Library at 1:00 p.m. The library is in thesame building as the North Liberty Community Center. Bring your own lunch.

Kent Park Bird Walk
2026-01-07 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-02-04 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-03-04 08:00 - 10:00 | F.W. Kent Park, Oxford, IA, United States
Kent Park Bird Walk. Join leader Chris Edwards on the first Wednesday of each month for a bird walk in Kent Park. In the winter months we’ll spend time in the bird blind and then go for a walk. In the summer months we’llswitch to butterfly walks.
Meet in the parking lot of Conservation Education Center.

Bird Feeder Watch & Social
2026-01-18 09:00 - 11:00 | 10 Ridgewood Ln, Iowa City, IA, United States
Bird Feeder Watch and Social with the Shuttleworth and Trachsel families. 10 Ridgewood Lane (Jane Shuttleworth) and 6 Ridgewood Lane (Amy and Ben Trachsel) in Iowa City. The sisters’ side-by-side properties overlook Shimek Ravine (a Bur Oak Land Trust property)which draws five species of woodpeckers and other winter birds. Drop in at both houses to chat with our hosts and fellow birders. It’s a roving party! Coffee and juice will be provided; please bring a party snack to share.
At 11 a.m. join an optional hike in Shimek Ravine, including a tour of how the neighborhood is removing invasive species. (Note the trail is steep.) Last year 15 species were spotted despite sub-zero temps. Come help us beat that record in 2026! Please park in either of the hosts’ driveways or on the cul-de-sac of Ridgewood Lane.

Field Trip: Quad Cities and Mississippi River
2026-02-08 08:00 - 15:00
Quad Cities and Mississippi River for gulls, waterfowl, and other winter birds with leader Chris Caster. We’ll stop at locks and dams, riverside parks, and other hotspots like Fairmount Cemetery for winter finches. Walking is usually short-distance from frequent stops. We’ll stop for lunch at a nearby fast-food restaurant, or feel free to bring your lunch. Return time is late afternoon. Dress for cold and wind, and bring a spotting scope if you have one.
Meet leader Chris Caster at the Highlander Hotel parking lot, 2525 Highlander Place, Iowa City. Carpooling is encouraged.

IC Bird Club Meeting
2026-02-19 18:45 - 20:30
February 19, Thursday, 7 p.m. ZOOM Only Meeting. Jim Pease will present “Tropical Biodiversity: Why Should We Care?” This talk draws on Jim’s many trips to Central and South America and carries a message of importance for those of us in the temperate zone. Now retired from Iowa State University, Jim is active speaking, writing, consulting, and leading wildlife trips to Central and South America and Africa.
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/82268705424?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 822 6870 5424Passcode: [REDACTED]

Field Trip: Cone Marsh
2026-02-28 07:30 - 12:00
Cone Marsh in Louisa County for Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, and migrating waterfowl with leader Fawn Bowden. A local favorite not to be missed at this time of year! We’ll stop at several points around the marsh and take a walk on the dike, returning by noon. Dress for cold and windy weather and wet or muddy trails, and bring a scope if you have one.
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Fareway parking lot, 2765 Commerce Dr., Iowa City; or at 8:00 a.m. at Casey’s, 302 N Devoe St., Lone Tree. Carpooling is encouraged.
If the weather is bad, backup date is Sunday, March 1.

Field Trip: Burlington Area Mississippi River
2026-03-07 06:30 - 14:00
Burlington Area and Mississippi River: This is an all-day trip led by local Burlington expert birder Chuck Fuller. With spring waterfowl migration underway, the target birds include various species of ducks and geese, as well as pelicans. We’ll also look for songbirds like Winter Wren. Seventy-one species were seen on this trip in 2025! Walking is usually short-distance from frequent car stops at locks and dams, riverside parks, and other hotspots. We will stop for lunch at a nearby restaurant. Dress for cold and wind, and bring a scope if you have one.
To carpool, meet Karen Disbrow at 6:30 a.m. at the front parking lot of the Johnson County Fairgrounds, 3109 Old Highway 218 South, Iowa City. Alternately, you can meet us at 8 a.m. at the Port of Burlington, 400 Front Street, Burlington.

IC Bird Club Meeting
2026-03-19 18:45 - 20:30 | IC Environmental Education Center 2401 Scott Blvd SE, Iowa City, IA, United States
March 19th, Thursday, 7 p.m. In-Person and Zoom meeting at the Iowa City Environmental Education Center 2401 Scott Blvd SE, Iowa City: Elizabeth Miller of the Iowa Grotto, the Iowa Chapter of the National Speleological Society, will present “Bats in Iowa.” Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/82268705424?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 822 6870 5424Passcode: [REDACTED]

Field Trip: Wiese Slough Wildlife Area
2026-03-22 08:00 - 12:00 | 1398 Mohawk Ave, Atalissa, IA, United States
Wiese Slough Wildlife Area in Muscatine County. Target species include ducks, geese, Trumpeter Swan, and returning songbirds. We will drive to several viewing locations within the wildlife area and take short hikes to find passerines. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. We’ll finish by noon.Meet leader Linda Quinn at 8 a.m. to carpool from south side of Iowa City at the parking lot of Fareway Grocery, 2765 Commerce Dr, Iowa City. Or meet on site at 8:30 at the north boat ramp of Wiese Slough, 1398 Mohawk Ave., Atalissa.

Introduction to Birding Course: Basics of Birding I
2026-03-31 19:00 - 20:00 | Environmental Education Center 2401 Scott Blvd SE, Iowa City, IA, United States
Introduction to Birding Course: BASICS OF BIRDING I CLASS at the Iowa City Environmental Education Center, 2401 Scott Blvd, Iowa City. This will include field identification of birds, field guides, and equipment every birder needs. No registration required, just come!
Click below link for class schedulehttps://iowacitybirdclub.org/beginners-course/

Kent Park Bird Walk
2026-04-01 08:00 - 10:00 | F.W. Kent Park, Oxford, IA, United States
Kent Park Bird Walk. Join leader Chris Edwards on the first Wednesday of each month for a bird walk in Kent Park. In the winter months we’ll spend time in the bird blind and then go for a walk. In the summer months we’ll switch to butterfly walks.
Meet in the parking lot of Conservation Education Center.
