43 Statebirds in Eastern IA (and 1 in IL) – March 2012

For months I’ve been planning a business trip to Cedar Rapids, IA to visit a new client.  Of course I needed to consider the statebirding opportunities on the trip – and those opportunities were significant.  Till now my birding time in IA had been limited to one Spring big day and a few hours on a second day in the southwest corner of the state back in 1993.  So with a total of just 135 species on my IA list (my 4^th lowest state total), I had lots of statebirding potential.  March can be a great time for birding, with early spring migrants arriving and many wintering birds still present.  But March weather on the plains can be iffy –cold and snowy weather can make for some difficult birding.  So with fingers crossed that the weather would cooperate, and with a bunch of planning, including some excellent advice and directions from some local birders, I headed out to eastern IA. 

The trip turned out to be excellent –with 109 species and 43 new ones for my Iowa state list.  I had 90 species one day without really trying to do a big day.  The wintering birds featured 3 rare Larids (one in both IA and IL!), and a flock of White-winged Crossbills.  Migrants included Smith’s Longspurs which are rare local migrants, 6 species of blackbirds, 6 species of shorebirds, and high numbers of Fox Sparrows.  A total of 27 species of waterfowl was pretty nice.  And I also got 2 species that I’ve only seen once before – Eurasian Tree Sparrows, and Gray Partridge.  And on the weather front - amazingly there was near-record heat with highs close to 80 each day – more like summer than the last few days of official winter.  Certainly no need to worry about any snow. 

My list is now at 178 – not bad for so little time birding in Iowa.  But still 33 away from the ABA reportable threshold. 

Highlights of my trip follow, with statebirds in bold –

Cone Marsh – Louisa County

Pre-dawn included calling Great Horned Owls, Woodcocks, Pheasants, Turkeys, and many geese (sounded like mostly White-fronts and Snows).  But no luck with Short-eared Owls.  Other notable birds were Trumpeter Swan, Ross’ Geese – several flyovers in with flocks of Snows, Greater Scaup pair in with several Lessers, and a Loggerhead Shrike (there had been a Northern Shrike reported in the area, but I only found this Loggerhead).  I also had numerous Eurasian Tree Sparrows at several locations - only the second time I’ve seen this species (IL in 1981).  My field guides don’t say anything about them being Iowa!  (I had them at 3 other places on the trip as well)

Other State birds - Bald Eagle, Sandhill Cranes, Snipe, Pectoral Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Am. Pipit, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (including one of the “Cassiar” form), and Rusty Blackbird

Lone Tree – Johnson County

2 Eurasian Collared Doves – my 32^nd state for this species, and 4 Lapland Longspurs

Fairmount Cemetery – Scott County – Davenport

This old cemetery has numerous mature hemlocks, spruces, and cedars, and has had many finch sightings over the winter.  And although the temperature was close to 80 degrees, the birds thought it was still winter -

White-winged Crossbills – great views of a flock of 11 as they fed on the ground a short distance away

Pine Siskins – likely close to 100 birds, including one gathering nesting material

Credit Island – Scott County

Statebirds - Cackling Goose, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Fox Sparrow (first of many I saw on the trip)

Davenport – Scott County - Lock and Dam 15 on the Mississippi River

A number of rare gulls have been reported at this site over the last couple months.  But now that all the ice was gone, there was no need for the birds to concentrate in open water.  Plus mid March was getting pretty late.  But as I pulled up the very first bird I saw was a first year Great Black-backed Gull.  This bird at times flew to the other side of the river, putting it into IL airspace – a new bird for me there too.  A little later I spotted small group of roosting birds in the distance.  It took a bit of a hike to get there but it was worth it as there was a first year Thayer’s Gull in the group along with my first of about 10 Herring Gulls.  Back at the dam I picked out a first year Lesser Black-backed Gull.   An amazing number of rarities with less than 200 gulls present.  On the downside, I missed the resident Peregrines that are nearby.

Davenport – Scott County - Lock and Dam 14

1 “Krider’s” Red-tailed Hawk – very photogenic – phonescoped photo below

Hawkeye Wildlife Area – Johnson County

Statebirds - White-crowned Sparrow singing, Brown Creeper singing, and Harrier – my only one of the trip

Amana – Iowa County

All 3 swans had been reported in the Amana area for some time, and they cooperated during my brief stop there.  At Lily Lake there were 7 Tundra Swans (“7 swans a swimming”) and 3 Trumpeter Swans, along with all 5 species of Geese.  And there were 2 Mute Swans, and 1 Trumpeter Swan at the marsh West of Middle Amana.

Gravel Roads NE of Blairstown – Benton County

I got a tip from a local birder about a spot for Gray Partridge.  Though he suggested early morning or evening may be the best time, I was passing through the area near noon and decided to stop anyway.  No luck with the partridges, but as I was leaving I heard some unfamiliar call notes.  I noticed 5 birds coming up out of a neighboring field, and was able to see them as they flew by – Smith’s Longspurs – a pretty rare local migrant.  That evening I came through the area, and although it was almost dark, I decided to stop again.  Once again I didn’t see any partridges, but then I decided to play some tape.  In just a few minutes one responded, then at least 3 more.  Only my second Gray Partridges – my others were in WY in 1986.

Otter Creek – West End – Tama County

As I got there in the early evening there were huge numbers of ducks and geese in the wetlands – at least 2,000 white geese and 500 White-fronts, and thousands of dabblers.  Most of these waterfowl apparently roost elsewhere overnight because  flocks of 50-200 birds were almost constantly rising out of the marsh and flying west.  At the same time blackbirds were flying into the marsh for their evening roost.  The blackbirds included at least 2 Brewer’s and numerous Rusty’s singing (my first experience with them in song).  And pairs of Sandhill Cranes were frequently flying back and forth.  There was also a Great-tailed Grackle singing in the marsh, though I had to wait for nearly an hour till it started to sing.  What a tremendous experience!  And rounding out the evening there was a fly-by Rough-legged Hawk (getting late) and a nearby “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk.

Squaw Creek Park – Cedar Rapids – Linn County

Spent an early morning in some good woodland habitat and was rewarded with a Pileated Woodpecker, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and 2 single flyover Purple Finches at dawn.  In a nearby field was an early singing Field Sparrow and another singing White-crowned Sparrow.

Lake Macbride and Coralville Reservoir – Johnson County

I headed to these reservoirs in hopes of getting some diving ducks and other waterfowl.  Although waterfowl were limited, at least partially due to many people out on their boats fishing, I did find 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Common Mergansers, and a Horned Grebe in almost full alternate plumage.  A very large flock of over 500 White Pelicans was remarkable.  In the nearby woodlands I got a Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Pileateds, and a Barred Owl. 

A number of my statebird maps (with states shaded where I’ve seen each species) are inserted below –

Ross’s Goose – my states are pretty representative of the birds in the Pacific and Central flyways as well as the increasing numbers though still a rarity in the east.

Lesser Black-backed Gull – IA is my 23^rd state, with a number away from the typical East coast wintering areas

Great Black-backed Gull – with the bird both in IA and IL that expands my Midwest states for this expected vagrant, in addition to the east coast states

Eurasian Collared Dove – 32 states and counting

Great-Tailed Grackle - my states pretty closely match the typical range of this species

Red Crossbill, Red-Throated Loon, and Canvasback, Vermont, February 2012

Some of the best birding in VT is in the Champlain Valley in the northwest part of the state, which is a 3-4 hour drive from home.  So I don’t get there often, and when I do it’s usually because I have multiple statebird targets to justify the long drive.  And that’s exactly what happened in February.  First there were regular reports of Red Crossbills which were apparently nesting and very reliable in Woodstock.  Then came reports of 4 Canvasbacks in a large flock of 6,000 waterfowl on Lake Champlain in Addison – though they were not located on each visit especially recently.  Then came a report of a Short-eared Owl in a large field complex in Addison.  That was enough to exceed my “activation energy” to plan the trip.  And then a couple days before my trip 2 Red-throated Loons were reported from Lake Champlain in Charlotte.  More than enough to justify the long trip.  But had I waited too long for the Crossbills and Canvasbacks?

I arrived in Woodstock at 8:30 at the parking lot of the MBR Park, where Red Crossbills had been seen for over a month.  A couple Siskins were calling in the distance, but no Crossbills.  I tried playing some tape but with no luck.  I was just about to start hiking out on the trails into the pine grove when I heard one giving it’s kip-kip-kip call.  It passed directly overhead, and I got OK views with my binocs.  That was my only view in an hour there – not the best but good enough for a new statebird.

Then over to the DAR Park in Addison.  There certainly were many ducks – easily 6,000 Scaup of both species and Goldeneye.  In 90 minutes of scanning I also picked out 5 White-winged Scoters, 1 Surf Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Redheads, and 2 Ring-necked Ducks, but no Canvasbacks.  At least a third of the flock moved to the south out of view – did I miss the Cans? 

Then off to Charlotte and the Town Beach to try for Loons.  Earlier in the week 2 Red-throateds and numerous Commons were reported, along with 150 Horned Grebes, but the birder stressed that the water was flat calm.  When I arrived the first thing I noticed was whitecaps out to the horizon – not the best.  In my first 30 minutes of scanning I picked out 21 Horned Grebes as little specks between the waves, but no loons.  Then a bit later I spotted a larger bird on the water – a grayer loon with upturned bill – a Red-throated.  Only saw it for about 10 seconds before it dove – never to be seen again.  Later I picked out 2 Common Loons though again only briefly before they dove.  Statebird #2.

Then back to DAR State Park for a second view of the big flock of ducks.  This time there were more ducks in view.  After a few minutes I picked out a drake Canvasback in the throng.  Statebird #3.

Last stop of the day was Otter Creek Road in Addison.  A great spot surrounded by farm fields, some marshy areas, and woodlands.  Because there was so much possible feeding area for a Short-ear, I’d have to be really lucky to see one in the waning light.  Unfortunately I didn’t see one, but still had a great time with 2 Turkeys walking across one of the fields, 2 Harriers, 1 Rough-legged Hawk (dark phase), a Saw-whet Owl calling (the first I’ve had singing spontaneously in a long time), 50+ Horned Larks, and 10 Lapland Longspurs that landed next to me in the field.  Then there were the Snow Buntings – a flock of many hundreds in a distant field.  At one point they flew into the sky with dark clouds in the background and I thought it was a snow squall!  Only when I put the binocs on them did I see that it was birds and not snow. 

I ended the day with 19 species of waterfowl, and 9 Rough-leggs (6 light phase, 3 dark phase), plus a flock of 46 Bohemian Waxwings.  I never can see enough Bohemians!  And of course 3 statebirds.  VT was my last New England tick for all 3.  That gives me 212 species that I’ve seen in all 6 states. 

My statebirds maps for these species show three different stories.  I’ve seen Red-Throated Loon in every Atlantic and Pacific coast state.  And now VT is my third landlocked state.  As for Red Crossbill, I’ve seen it in various mostly montane and boreal states across the country, plus as an irruptive in MD.  Then there’s the Canvasback, which is pretty easy to find wherever there are diving ducks - and finally in VT. 

Pink-Footed Goose, Middlefield, CT - #1900 in New England, Feb. 2012

I’ve unsuccessfully chased after Pink-Footed Goose twice in Connecticut – including just a week ago.  So when a post came across early on a Saturday that yet another Pink-Footed was found with 75 Canadas at a small pond at an orchard, I dropped everything to go for the chase.  While en route a couple more details were posted – there was a dog show going on at the orchard and there were lots of people there.  I couldn’t help but picture dogs running around chasing after all those pesky geese.  But I tried to remain positive and continued to head for Middlefield.

When I arrived I could see the small pond in the distance at the edge of the main parking lot, but I was directed to park in a far-away parking lot because of all the crowds.  Although there were people everywhere, including walking along the edge of the pond, I could see a small flock of geese happily swimming around the pond.  When I got closer, the Pink-Footed was pretty easy to find in with the larger Canadas.  At times it swam by just a few feet away, allowing for some pretty easy photos even for phone-scoping (a couple pictures inserted below).  These photos confirmed that this bird was different from the one seen in CT a week earlier based on bill coloration.  Almost anti-climactic after those other 2 tries, but with 2 failed efforts I guess I was due for an easy one. 

This was my 4^th New England state for Pink-footed (see the map below - click on the map to enlarge those little states).  It’s pretty amazing how regular this species have become in New England given that it was virtually unheard of in the US not too many years ago.  And this tick was number 1,900 for me in New England – just 100 to go to reach my goal of 2,000.