This morning I made another check of Cone Marsh, before duck season opens this weekend. Shorebird species were 9 and the highlights were:
5 American Avocets 1 Black-bellied Plover 1 Cattle Egret 6 Sandhill Cranes 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Nelson's Sparrow American Pipits Sycamore Bottoms (Sycamore St., Iowa City) 1 GLOSSY IBIS 1 Northern Shrike 1 Nelson's Sparrow The Glossy Ibis identification comes from the photos I took which revealed a blue facial border, a field mark even on winter birds. The eyes show no red and appear brown. Even the bill seems brownish. I first saw it flying in and it didn't stay put very long. So I spent most of the time taking photos and not trying to get real close for a detailed look. A Sharp-shinned Hawk spooked it soon after I finished and it flew to another pothole. Even though I knew a Glossy was a possibility, I was shocked when I saw the photos. Jim Forde Cedar Rapids --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/membership.asp. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
