Our July outing will take us into Plymouth County, IA on Saturday, July 10 for prairie exploration. Our primary destinations will be Broken Kettle Grasslands and the Zales’ Prairie Hills. However, the adventure begins with a visit to O’Brien Prairie northeast of Hinton, IA, (260th & Noble) where we will look for elusive Gray Partridges, Bobolinks and Grasshopper Sparrows and study the flora of this tallgrass prairie to compare with that of the Loess Hills prairie at Broken Kettle. The botanical viewpoint of these two prairies will be presented by our resident botanist, Bill Zales, as birding takes a back seat (for a while).

Jerry Probst will lead our group to O’Brien Prairie, where Bill Zales will meet us. Meet Jerry at the Singing Hills Walmart at 7:00 AM Saturday, July 10. Those unable to make such an early meeting, may catch up with the group at the Broken Kettle Grasslands’ Butcher Road or the Zales’ Prairie Hills at 15384 North Ridge Road around 9:30 AM. Text Jerry at 712-490-8256 or Dotty at her number below to check on the group’s status.

After a tour of Broken Kettle’s Loess Hills Prairie, participants may move on to the Zale’s Guest House for a lunch of Dotty’s ham & cheese sliders. Please bring your own favorite snacks, drinks or desserts to complement the sandwiches … maybe even enough to share! Those wishing to rendezvous at noon for sliders should RSVP Dotty to reserve your share of this fare.

For more information, contact Bill Huser at 712-574-3107 or billfhuser@gmail.com.