I splurged a little this weekend by making the trip to Ledges State Park for a solo camping trip. I spent as much time as possible hiking and birding; I observed a total of 49 species. In my opinion, the most remarkable of the bunch were the Hermit Thrush (my personal FOY), the Winter Wren, and the Carolina Wren (a lifer for me, and I suppose that might serve as a testament to my relative inexperience as a birder). Yellow-Rumped Warblers were out in high numbers and it seemed that everywhere I went, I heard the scolding chatter of a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet. I counted at least five Golden-Crowned Kinglets. I heard and saw several chipping sparrows. Walking along the prairie during the daylight hours, I heard Field Sparrows and numerous Eastern Meadowlarks; hiking the same path at dusk, I heard the peenting and unmistakable 'wing whir' of the American Woodcock. It was a great weekend for Woodpeckers; I observed a number of Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, a Red-Headed Woodpecker, and the grandest of them all, the Pileated. I can now say that I was able to observe all seven Woodpecker species that occur in Iowa with regularity in a single excursion! After returning to Carroll, I briefly birded Swan Lake (Located in Swan Lake State Park, just 3 miles south of Carroll). I noticed a sizable gathering of RW Blackbirds and Common Grackles near a small stream that runs into the lake. Perched in a tree high above the raucous congregation was a Great-Tailed Grackle. I looked for others of his kind, but could find no more.
Happy Birding To All!! Rachel Simmons Carroll --- 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/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
