After the following message didn't come back to me through the listserve I realized that the attachment could be an issue. Sorry about that and I apologize if you are getting this again.
Today (1/8/11) was the first annual Waterman Winter Birding Festival organized through the Prairie Heritage Nature Center in O'Brien County. I have no doubt that the ten people who attended this event will cherish their experience for years to come. Although it was cold, the weather otherwise cooperated wonderfully with lots of sun and light winds. The species total was 33 which belies the quality of this winter bird habitat and sanctuary. This morning on the South River Road in Buena Vista County about a mile and a half from the T intersection near Wanata Park an active hillside of birds and cedar trees produced a circling flock of Cedar Waxwings that had one bird that was noticably larger and identified in flight as a Bohemian Waxwing. For the day over 170 waxwings were seen in a number of different flocks. While running the route for the mid-winter Bald Eagle survey this afternoon from Peterson to Cherokee as a part of the event, a flock of bluebirds was encountered in Cherokee County along Barnes Road near its intersection with 468th St. With that flock was a first year male Mountain Bluebird. The attached photo (removed for this message) is courtesy of Dave Stoll of Primghar who was along for the ride. The bird sat preening near an Eastern Bluebird for several minutes that allowed everyone scope views and the digital photo. Three flocks of Eastern Bluebirds totaled 19 birds, there were robins and flickers galore, and a Northern Shrike was seen. Overall, ten Rough-legged Hawks were tallied for the day. Despite diligent searching, however, no Townsend's Solitaire could be found. Plans are in the works for a bigger and better event in 2012. Keep your calendar open! The birds were definitely with us today! Lee A. Schoenewe Spencer --- 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]
