Last night I visited the portion of Chichaqua Bottoms that lies along NE 118th Ave. I parked at the stream bridge that sits about halfway between the Sand Hill unit and the Skunk River, then hiked south on the dike road. >From this trail I had a minimum of eight displaying American Woodcocks, a pair of calling Great Horned Owls, a hunting Short-eared Owl, and three flyover Sandhill Cranes. This is also a good spot to see beavers.
This morning I hiked around the mowed field on the north side of 118th by the water trails campground. I flushed a Short-eared Owl and at least 21 Smith's Longspurs. In and around the Sand Hill unit were 4 harriers, 3 Chipping Sparrows, a singing Field Sparrow, and Tree Swallows. Aaron Brees Saylorville, IA http://www.flickr.com/photos/abrees/ --- 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]
