On private property near Iowa Falls in Hardin Co. I was surprised to find a SAW WHET OWL in a rather unlikely spot (rather thin cedars on a ridge top)- a first for me in Hardin County. No pellets but quite a bit of wash on the ground.
While walking across the open prairie I heard SNOW GEESE behind me. This wasn't a flock -it was a giant tsunami of birds heading south in a widespread mass at least a half mile wide, the most I have ever seen in Iowa. My guess - 10,000 birds, maybe a lot more. Once over my head, the sky was completely filled in all directions with Snow Geese. The landowner (a life long Iowan) was outside admiring this spectacle and echoed my thought -" the most Snow Geese I have ever seen in my life!" Also, an all white hawk has been seen off and on for three years now near Iowa Falls. With barring on the tail some suggest it may be a Red Shouldered. I haven't seen it yet. Also: Killdeer FOY Eurasian Collared Dove - in Ackley and Aplington E. Meadowlark FOY- singing at Big Marsh White-fronted geese FOY- at Big Marsh which is still 90% frozen Another flock of 1000 Snow Geese in the air headed south. Tom Schilke -Waterloo --- 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]. Unsubscribe at http://iowabirds.org/Reporting/Listserv.aspx.
