All eyes on the sky! Experienced birders, nature lovers and everyone in between will want to mark their calendars for the second annual High Trestle Hawk Watch in Boone County on Saturday, October 13, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Setup for the family-friendly hawk watch will once again be on the High Trestle Trail’s main viewing platform on the west side of the bridge and down on the Hwy 210 boat ramp, for those who prefer not to hike or bike to the bridge. New this year is a welcome and orientation at 10 a.m. at the Woodward Depot, located at the High Trestle Trailhead on Hwy 210, north of the Woodward business district. Naturalists and bird experts will offer helpful information and educational presentations to help “beginning hawk watchers” make the most of what is often an extraordinary view of the migration of hawks and eagles! The first hawk watch was a resounding success, with large crowds of bird enthusiasts turning out for the day, and many bikers and hikers stopping by out of curiosity and staying on to learn more. Bird watchers visually took in 171 raptors (represented by eight different species) and 36 additional bird species, including more than 800 American White Pelicans that put on a lengthy, spectacular aerial show for the crowd. Participants should bring their own binoculars (a few will be available at the event), refreshments, lawn chair, family and friends, and come and make a day of it! Event partners are Boone County Conservation Board, Des Moines Y-Camp, Iowa Audubon Society, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Wildlife Center. Additionally, the Dallas County Conservation Board will be helping out with educational efforts during orientation and throughout the day. For more information, call Colleen Hamilton or Marlene Ehresman, Iowa Wildlife Center, at 515.233.1379; email [email protected]; or visit http://www.iowawildlifecenter.org/. The event will be held rain or shine, so dress for the weather! DOUG HARR Iowa Audubon Ogden, IA --- 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]
