Spent Saturday looking around SE Iowa. Rough-legged Hawks seem more plentiful this winter than last year, or I just happen to be seeing more.
Found a Field Sparrow at Woodthrush Woods preserve in Jefferson County In Des Moines County north of Burlington a Great Blue Heron was standing on the frozen Mississippi near some open water. A few wintering Robbins were around. A small flock of Snow Buntings in Washington county between Kalona and Washington. At Lamson Woods preserve in Fairfield, there were agitated Blue Jays, Crows, Chickadees, Titmice, Cardinals, Juncos and White-breasted Nuthatches around a tall stump. I figured there must be an owl in there so went over to take a look. What was in the stump was one wing - I believe from a Barred Owl. I met a couple people on the trial and they said they had found the wing nearby and set it in the hollow of the stump. I was surprised that one wing, silent and motionless, would drive mobbing behavior. I am guessing this is an example of birds visual acuity and familiarity with their surroundings. Bill Tollefson 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]
