This morning I checked a field at the refuge that was planted to prairie last spring and found about 50 SMITH'S LONGSPURS. They were flying around in small groups and disappearing into the grass, so there may have been more or less. The oak savanna contained at least one singing EASTERN TOWHEE and at least 2 singing FIELD SPARROWS.
Later, while doing a prescribed burn, I saw my first SWAINSON'S HAWK of the year. Once the burn was going well, a SHORT-EARED OWL flew out of the smoke and landed on the ground near the road. It eventually got tired of the smoke and flew off. If anyone comes looking for the longspurs, they were found south of 102nd Ave, across from the burn. To get there, park on 102nd Ave and walk along the fire break/fence line on the west end of the prairie, just east of a crop field. There is a downed tree across the firebreak. Follow the firebreak until you get to a field of mowed prairie (about 1/4 mile). The field is about 40 acres, but the longspurs may have moved north to the burn across the road, or further. More burning is planned this week if conditions are suitable. -- Karen Viste-Sparkman Wildlife Biologist Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 399 9981 Pacific Street Prairie City, IA 50228 515-994-3400 "But even in winter the prairie was often attractive, for the storms subsided, and by day the sun-lit sea of snow sparkled with countless ice-crystals which covered its surface, or formed filmy festoons on every projecting culm and blade, and by night it rested in impressive silence under the star-spangled sky." --B. Shimek *in* *The Prairies* --- 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.
