LHAS BIRD HOTLINE wednesDAY, 19 february 2025

Stone Park / Big Sioux River

I didn't find any otters hanging about when I went to Stone State Park this morning, about mid-morning. I did find a couple eagles flying about and geese on the Big Sioux. What did surprise me was finding a Robin eating berries from a tree and bushes near Stone State Park's entrance.

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE tuesDAY, 18 february 2025

Broken Kettle Grasslands

I had a juvenile Golden Eagle this afternoon (2/18) at the intersection of C43 and Evergreen Avenue in Plymouth County. This is about 5 or 6 miles east of Broken Kettle Grasslands where I have been seeing them regularly this winter. I assume this is one of the birds that I have been seeing and I imagine their winter hunting territories span a large area. It seems probable that some of the birds seen over near Ponca and Newcastle, NE are the same birds that visit Broken Kettle. According to Birds of the World, some Golden Eagles return to the same wintering grounds year after year and I wish I could have tracking data on these birds - it would be fascinating!

Tucker L., Broken Kettle Grasslands

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE sunDAY, 16 february 2025

Broken Kettle Grasslands Mid-February Update

The juvenile Golden Eagle continues to be seen on an off at Broken Kettle Grasslands, making appearances February 13 & 14. The bird is often seen soaring over the ridges visible looking northwest from Butcher Road. Harris', White-crowned, and Song Sparrows also continue to be seen in the interior of the preserve. I also have been seeing a "Red-shafted" Northern Flicker and an intergrade "Yellow-shafted x Red Shafted" Northern Flicker. This past week the Pileated Woodpecker has been seen at Joy Hollow and a very out of season Field Sparrow was last seen February 10 in a large brush pile between the cabins and the lodge. I saw this bird in December and did not see it again until this week. This species typically only winters as far north as central Missouri and Kansas making a sighting this far north quite unusual.

Tucker L., Broken Kettle Grasslands

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE thursDAY, 13 february 2025

Plymouth County, Iowa

Jon: I was looking out our dining room window at 4:43 PM, today and saw a Red-headed Woodpecker on one of our bird feeders. He was there for a total of about 5 seconds. My camera was downstairs on a tripod set up for family portraits. The Red-head left the bird feeder and flew down to our trees in our valley where a Red-head had nested last spring/summer. This is the earliest we have observed a Red-headed woodpecker in 12 years. We enjoy having Hairy, Downy and Red bellies during the entire winter.

Leesa: I could not believe my eyes! A red-headed woodpecker at our feeder in mid-February (image on left, below)! This is the first winter we have seen one! I did not think they winter in Iowa. (Note: A Red-headed Woodpecker has occasionally been documented on past Sioux City Christmas Bird Counts).

Jon: The Red-headed woodpecker made a return trip for a feeding before nightfall. We are expecting it to take up residence in our valley (middle and right images, below).

Jon N., and Leesa M., SW Plymouth County.

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE wednesDAY, 12 february 2025

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve

A few pics from Adams on Wednesday, 2/12. All the birds I could find were just around the feeders. I walked down to the two blinds, then further past the split going to the cottonwood grove onto where the new prairie is in progress. Then over to the grain bins and back.

Nothing.

I was surprised to find a Mourning Dove hanging out, figuring they would go to warmer climes. But guess not. Mud Lake was frozen over and I didn't even see any geese moving about.

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE tuesDAY, 11 february 2025

*Sharp-shinned Hawk image copyright 2025 by Kevin Kerr, used with permission.*

I set up for a birdbath photo shoot, a fun one since Death was in the yard yesterday. A Cooper’s Hawk snagged a sparrow out of the barberry bush / sparrow staging-to-feeder area.

Wondered why it was taking so long for birds to come back. Looked at feeders and no one there. So looked for a new agent today, a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Still waiting for pool partying to resume at the bird bath.

Kevin K., Sioux City, IA

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE saturDAY, 8 february 2025

*Above image copyright 2025 by Don Poggensee, used with permission.*

Yesterday, as I drove by the south edge of Storm Lake, about 80 trumpeter swans were in the corn field feeding. There was about 30 other trumpeter that were not with this group nearby.

Don P., Ida Grove, IA

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE thursDAY, 6 february 2025

These are the big boys of the neighborhood. Sometimes startling me when I am working in the yard as big, fast shadows accompanied by their classic call. They strafe me pretty low and often. A couple years ago I witnessed the pair and a third rise up one by one in a perfect ascent. No flapping or circling, just a slow steady rise showcasing the bluffs updraft and their use of it. It was majestic.

Today spied them incoming and ran to windows to maintain my view. It was a fast approach and hard glide to join the other bird. Took a few shots from inside but…gotta get outside. Walked down street to shoot over neighbors house and they noticed. If I was up to speed with my camera could have caught them both circling straight over my head.

Kevin K., Sioux City, IA

Gavin’s Point Dam

A Thursday trip for practice imaging birds in flight.

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE tuesDAY, 4 february 2025

Sioux City, Iowa

Photos from a Sioux City neighborhood. Cooper’s Hawk and Pileated Woodpecker in the same yard but at different times.

Kevin K., Sioux City, IA

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE saturDAY, 1 february 2025

I was standing on my patio with the long lens on looking for a red-tailed hawk that flew through the yard. I looked to the right and six feet away were extremely cute White-throated Sparrows hopping around and eating.

Unfortunately too close to get both in focus with the long lens.

Kevin K., Sioux City, IA

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE friDAY, 31 january 2025

An Omaha birder located an immature female Snowy Owl near the Sioux Jersey Dairy south of Luton on Friday. The bird was near 280th Street and Delaware Ave.

Saturday the finder returned to search for the bird without luck. Sunday morning others searched without success,

However, the bird could easily still be in the area.

Bill H., South Sioux City, NE

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE thursDAY, 30 january 2025

*Eastern Bluebird image copyright 2025 by Bill Zales, used with permission.*

Plymouth County, IA

Eastern Bluebirds checking our boxes.

Bill & Dotty Z., Plymouth County, IA

Adams Homestead

A lovely morning for a bicycle ride around the trails at Adams Homestead. My eBird list was only nine species but there were some wonderful landscape and bird photo ops with interesting lighting. Sightings include an immature Bald Eagle (top row, right), two Sharp-shinned Hawks (bottom row, left and center), Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneye, and Cackling Geese (bottom row, right image, standing bird on left).

Randy W., Sioux City, IA

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE wednesDAY, 29 january 2025

Stone State Park

It was nice day for a beautiful afternoon walk. We entered the park from Hwy 12 and decided to go up the north road and circle back around through the playground. With the warm sun on our backs, we wondered where the birds were for a while. Soon enough the activity picked up. A few of the usual suspects: Downys, Nuthatches and such. But we were looking for Brown Creepers, and we had heard that they were to be found here.

Soon enough, we found Creepers, and then more Creepers. We enjoyed watching them work the deep bark crevasses. On the trip back we were treated to a Robin doing his post bath feather work, which is extensive if you watch Robins. Last to make an appearance as we approached our vehicle was a rummaging Opossum. A more impressive animal than people realize, suffering from their appearance. As some would say a “giant rat” while others say they are cute.

Kevin K., Sioux City, IA

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE tuesDAY, 28 january 2025

Tuesday was so nice I couldn't stay home and not enjoy a walk at Adams. Still very much the season of brown even with a bright blue sky. Now had a bald eagle or some other raptor perches somewhere for a quick portrait, I wouldn't be complaining.

The geese seemed very content soaking in the sunshine on Mud Lake which appeared very muddy in parts. Interesting too in that there are definite parts of the lake area where one can see how the water is disappearing. I like what reflections I could get though of the birds off of the ice.

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE monDAY, 27 january 2025

Owego Wetlands Complex

Northern Harrier and perching birds around sunset.

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE sunDAY, 26 january 2025

Leesa and I went out birding on 01/26/2025.

First a juvenile Bald Eagle in Riverside (far left image).
Then a trip to Snyder Bend that produced nothing as all the water was frozen.
Then a trip to Blue Lake near Onawa where the lake was entirely frozen except for approximately 1000 Canada Geese that kept a small part open by swimming. Leesa counted 12 Trumpeter Swans in with the geese (see video). The picture attached (image left of center) has 8 swans in it. The other 4 could not be captured in the same frame.
On to Desoto Bend at Missouri Valley that produced nothing with the exception of an eagle that was a very long ways off out of camera range. On the way up I-29, about 1-mile south of Whiting, IA, we saw a Golden Eagle flying just to the east of I-29 and I was unable to capture a photo of it with the highway traffic.
Then we went to Owego and counted 8 Northern Harriers (image right of center) and 2 Red-tailed Hawks (far right image, below).

Jon N., and Leesa M., Plymouth County, IA

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE saturDAY, 25 january 2025

Plymouth County, Iowa

We have to feed the predators, too. Accipiter species, Cooper’s or Sharp-shinned? Photographed with an iPad. Maybe we need to get a better camera?

Bill & Dotty Z., Plymouth County, Iowa

Frost Wilderness Management Area and Missouri National Recreational River area

I took a drive up to Vermillion Saturday as it was sunny and warmer than previous days and I just needed to get out and check an area I have not visited in a couple of years.

The first image of an eagle in its nest on the outskirts of Vermillion (far left, below). There wasn't a lot of safe areas to pull over on the roadway where this nest was and I only got off a few shots, not wanting to spook it. Also, trying to broaden my photographic vision I decided to take lenses other than my large zoom so was using a shorter zoom with a 2X so the images are not as pristine as I would like them. But I was happy to accidentally stumble across this nest.

I discovered more eagles' nests in the Frost Wildlife Management area off of Hwy 19 that leads into Nebraska. The next image (left of center, below) is kind of an overview of the Frost Wildlife area seen from the Mulberry Overlook on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River. If one looks down into the corner of this image where the water skirts the shoreline, the next images are of nests I found in the woods of Frost Wilderness in the area just mentioned.

Two of the nests are within proximity of each other and I saw an immature eagle maybe 2-4 years old as it had some white amongst its brown feathers. I only caught a glimpse as it left a tree near an open field where I am guessing the South Dakota DNR plants a small corn crop to feed the deer. I have walked this area before but always in summer and fall, when the leaves of the trees cover up everything high overhead. Although I think I found a vantage point to be able to see the one nest from a distance by the stand of trees where the two nests are located.

There is a cut grass path along this area that eventually becomes critter trails that loop through cedar trees that are dotting the area. I attempted a look, hoping I might get lucky and find a Northern Saw-whet Owl taking a siesta somewhere, but no luck.

The next couple images (right of center and far right, below) are of a nest across the river on the Nebraska side of the Missouri National Recreation River area and I didn't know until I got home and looked at the downloaded images, one can see a white head as an eagle stands on the edge of this particular nest.

I find it kind of exciting that there are more nests fairly close to Sioux City, relatively speaking, and am hoping to get back out there in early spring as long as it's not wet. The walking would be terrible then. There is quite an expanse of timber along the river in this area I want to go back and explore. There are a number of turnouts off of Highway 19 where one can park and then walk in. The areas are posted informing folk that hunting is allowed so wearing appropriate colors (read bright) so one can be identified would probably be a good thing. There are some meadow areas before one gets into the woods along the river so am hoping for a diverse population of birds.

Then again, I could be all wet.

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE thursDAY, 23 january 2025

3 separate sightings of Short-eared Owls between Primghar and Hospers around 5 pm on Jan 23rd

Bob L., Sioux City, IA

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE tuesDAY, 21 january 2025

I got a couple of really bad photos of a Golden Eagle being half a mile away when I took them through our bedroom window. I first saw it probably a hundred feet away over our prairie at low altitude looking at a turkey feeding on the ground near our feeders. By the time I got to my camera, it was at a great distance.

I think these pics can at least be suitable (barely) for identification.

Jon N., Plymouth County, IA

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE monDAY, 20 january 2025

Sioux City Polar Plunge

A few pics for a very cold, cold day. The cardinal was all puffed up waiting for its turn at a feeder and the House Finch gave up trying to get a drink when the European Starlings showed up. Surprisingly, more than one splashed about in the heated bird bath spraying water everywhere. When I checked a weather app it displayed air temp of -5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ran an errand, and when I returned I had to add more water as the crazy birds had splashed it all out of the bath.

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

Winter Reflections

A very cold day with lots of frost and some nice refections.

Kevin K., Sioux City, IA

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE friDAY, 17 january 2025

Quality Time with the Neighbors

Not getting out during the cold frigid days but did spend a little quality time Friday with some backyard neighbors. One was in a bush but curious about the visitor sitting there and staring at it. Another watched from a fence as wind gusts buffeted it while it tried to remain still. And yet another took offense at me watching it eat. I guess that might have been a bit too much. Who likes to find someone staring at them when dining?

Part of the challenge while photographing was timing the shots during the gusts of wind as different branches kept moving in front of the birds and they kept changing their stances so it was two moving objects in motion as I tried to capture them birds looking my direction.

And the junco eating was swaying in the feeder tray as it moved back and forth while the wind was blowing. Now if I could only get this close in the wild and have the same opportunity and luck.

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE thursDAY, 16 january 2025

Gavin’s Point Dam

Another visit to the dam with more eagle pictures, although there were fewer eagles seen today than previously. The eagles seemed a bit more skittish and it took me some doing to get so close for these images.

All the water is running well enough in the river with little frozen over, but the lake is still pretty frozen with just some open areas.

Saw some Snow Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese among the Canada Geese. Also, not certain about the waterfowl (Lesser Scaup, bottom row, left) with the red eye. They were a ways out on the open water that was there.

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

I accompanied Jerry M. to Gavin’s Point. Here are two more Bald Eagle photos.

Ron N., Sioux City, IA

Luton Wildlife Area, North and Owego Wetlands

Top Row:

Rough-legged Hawk at LWA North.
American Tree Sparrow.
Great Horned Owls have nested here for years.The barn has collapsed but Owls are still here (LWA North)

Bottom Row:

Owego town site at dusk.
Birding includes scenes like this.
Two Short-eared Owls on the dark road escaped a picture!

Jerry V., and Jan N., Sioux City, IA

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE tuesDAY, 14 january 2025

Owego Wetlands

Since Don and Marla and Kevin have seen owls out at Owego I again went out in hopes of getting lucky. And the late afternoon started off so nice until the cloud bank rolled in. Grrrrrrr. Sunlight is my friend. Especially late afternoon sunlight.

And I learned from last night's experience that I may have indeed been seeing owls at Owego I just didn't realize it. From a distance they look like Cooper's Hawks to this untrained eye. And a couple places which I have "regularly" (as regular as one might assume with predatory birds) seen birds perched out there looking for a meal may have indeed been owls.

I recently purchase a new binocular which is much better than my older one. And what a difference it makes from a distance when viewing perched birds, which is now why I think I have seen owls previously but didn't recognize them as such.

The eagle couple at their tree near Owego made me think of an older married couple, kids gone, sitting out on their homestead's back porch watching the sun go down. Yes, it might look good in B&W, but I liked the hint of yellow as the sun dropped below a cloud bank and I had to adjust my exposure to be able to make a recognizable photograph.

I used some Topoz DeNoising on the owl and other photos. Shooting somewhere in the 8000 ISO range after the sun had dropped to the horizon line and behind some clouds. From a distance it is hard to distinguish between flying hawks and owls for my inexperienced eyes. Those that know wing and body markings may be able to quickly access what the birds are.

Was hoping for just a bit more sunlight when photographing yesterday. So guess another trip is in order when it will be forecast as "clear" overnight.

I didn't realize that was an owl perched on that tree until I looked through the binoculars and it turned to face me. I was parked a way away as they seem very skittish even when a vehicle

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

From left: Bald Eagles; Rough-legged Hawk; Northern Harrier; Short-eared Owl (2 images)

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE monDAY, 13 january 2025

Sioux City, IA

I went to Riverside Park this morning and then took a drive up along Dorothy Pecaut and Stone State Park looking for eagles. While I found them, photographing them is nearly as good as going to Yankton. Clean shots are not possible and maybe one eagle will make a pass over the Big Sioux River, but didn't see any attempting to fish. There were quite a few geese however hanging out on the Big Sioux at Riverside Park.

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE SaturDAY, 11 january 2025

Plymouth and Sioux County Sightings

Here are a few highlights of the sightings I've made recently:

Broken Kettle Grasslands, 9 January:

1 Golden Eagle, 2nd or 3rd year bird with banded tail and little white in the wings. Apparently molting some flight feathers. Photo and total checklist here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S208674004

Boyd's Bend (a couple miles north of Akron on Highway 12), 10 January:

Hawarden, 11 January:

1 Merlin, seen near Hawarden Regional Health Center. Also seen at Grace Hill Cemetery recently.

Tucker L., Hawarden, IA

Fort Randall Dam, SD

Barrow's Goldeneye, 2 males, 1 probable female. Continuing birds, one male above the dam in open water near power plant penstocks. Another male and female, probably of this species, were below the power plant sluice near the concrete wall. (Two images on left - see below).
Long-tailed Duck, 3 female/immatures, all above the dam near the penstocks.
Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid, 1 adult male with bright white breast, grayish flank, dark head with no white spot or crest, narrow, merganser shape bill.
Glaucous Gull, 1 first winter immature. Large gull with Herring Gulls loafing on lake ice, and later in flight. White plumage with pale beige mottling, white primaries and tail, large flat head with large pinkish bill with dark tip, pink legs. (Two images on right - see below).

Jerry P., and Bill H., South Sioux City, NE

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE friDAY, 10 january 2025

Bacon Creek Park

A morning walk around the lake at Bacon Creek produced a list of only 5 species. However, the walk also allowed for the best photos I’ve captured of a Golden-crowned Kinglet (left and center images, below; Red-bellied Woodpecker on right).

Randy W., Sioux City, IA

Lewis and Clark State Park, Onawa

I went out Friday morning to see what I might be able to find while the sun was shining. Didn't see anything at Snyder Bend or Bigelow Park. Did see an eagle fly overhead while on my way to Snyder Bend. I continued to Lewis and Clark Park. Some swans, geese, a couple of snow geese, possibly a Cooper’s Hawk and a few Black-capped Chickadees and one Northern Cardinal.

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE wEdneSDAY, 8 january 2025

A few images from a trip up to Yankton and a visit to Gavins Point Dam. It was really cold in the morning. My fingers were somewhat numb doing the shoot and wearing thick gloves didn't help. I had many, too many close but not quite tack sharp, images of eagles fishing in the Missouri River.

Clear sky from sunrise through the afternoon. The drive up was on dry pavement, no indication of any moisture even on the overpasses on I-29. There were at least 10-12 eagles perched in trees along the river just below the spillway. The eagles were active and flying about most of the time. They even took turns soaring over and diving down to the river to get breakfast. Definitely photographing morning is the best time and the light as fine. It was a good day!

Jerry M., Sioux City, IA
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ or https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/

LHAS BIRD HOTLINE wEdneSDAY, 1 january 2025

Stone State Park

Kevin and I saw 6 Golden-crowned kinglets on our afternoon on our hike. I wasn’t sure if others had seen them at this location.

Marla

Bacon Creek Park

An early morning walk around Bacon Creek produced a list of five species typical for this time of year in Siouxland, including the American Robin photo, below left.

Randy W., Sioux City, IA

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve

Brown Creeper at Adams Homestead, below right.

Phil B.,