Winter Birds at WRC

Most folks don't think that winter is the perfect time for birdwatching, however, with no leaves on the trees and reduced species diversity, this is actually a great time to get outside (or sit inside looking at your bird feeder) to become more familiar with Iowa birds and to see a few species that you won't during the summer. And, with the warm weather last weekend and another few days of warmth to come, get out there and enjoy the winter birds!

Juvenile and adult bald eagles have been back in the valley for the last few months, so keep your eyes out for open spots in the water where they can be found fishing, or look for them scavenging animal carcasses. For deer hunters, a switch to copper slugs will keep our eagles safe from lead poisoning during the winter months--check out more information at http://www.soarraptors.org/EaglesandLead.htm

There are about 40 common bird species that can be found relatively easily at Whiterock Conservancy, and I'll describe a few that you might not get great looks at during the summer:

Eastern screech owls are small gray, brown, or reddish-brown owls (6-10" and up to 1/2 lb) with feathered ear tufts

Rough-legged hawks have been seen on both sides of the river valley recently. They are large hawks with broad wings (with dark tips) and black wrist patches and dark bellies, but they occurs in both dark and light morphs.

Pine siskins are small finches that are streaked brown overall with either buffy or yellow wing and tail markings. They have very thin beaks and are the most common winter finches to see.

Horned larks can be found in flocks along the roads and on the runway north of hwy 141 (it is hayed very short during the summer). They are about the same size as many sparrows, but look as if they are crouching down. They have black masks and breast bands as well as tiny black "horns."

Check out the Iowa Winter Birds publication from the Iowa Association of Naturalists (http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/IAN602.pdf)

Some of the bravest Eastern bluebirds and American robins have stayed up during the cold winter months too--a peek at one of them is pretty exciting this time of year. Email me (elizabeth@whiterockconservancy.org) if you'd like a list of winter birds that frequent WRC!