Iowa RBA: 8-7-26
John and Anna Bissell
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, August 1, to Friday, August 7, 2026
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
NONE
Additional species mentioned
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Piping Plover
Marbled Godwit
Mississippi Kite
Red Crossbill
***NEW!****************
For more up to date information on rarities in the state of Iowa, visit the
Iowa Birds and Birding website at www.Iowabirds.org
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Species in ALL CAPS can be classified into three categories in the state of Iowa: 1) UNRECORDED, ACCIDENTAL or Casual; 2) A RARE but regular species; or 3) record early or late date or unusual for time of year. Any species with three asterisks (***species***) would represent a first record for Iowa (UNRECORDED) and should be observed and documented very carefully. Species with two asterisks (**species**) are species that are either ACCIDENTAL, CASUAL, or a rare regular species, and should also be documented. Species with one asterisk (*species) should have some details of the observation provided.
Please note this is an UNOFFICIAL compilation of rare bird sightings from both eBird and the IOU listserve. Data for field reports and early/late dates should not be taken from this weekly
NORTHEAST
DUBUQUE COUNTY
A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was seen at Deere Dike Park on the 1st.
SOUTHEAST
WAPELLO COUNTY
2 MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen near Memorial Park in Ottumwa on the 5th.
CENTRAL
MARSHALL COUNTY
12 RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Grammar Grove WA on the 2nd.
POLK COUNTY
10 RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the Jester Park Discovery Pond on the 4th.
MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen over Sheridan Park on the 7th.
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen at Hawkeye Park in Ankeny on the 3rd.
A PIPING PLOVER was seen at Cottonwood RA at Saylorville on the 4th.
STORY COUNTY
2 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were seen in a pasture on 295th St just west of Indian Creek and 1 mile west of 650th Ave on the 3rd.
SOUTH CENTRAL
MARION COUNTY
A MARBLED GODWIT was seen at Red Rock on the 5th.
WEST
SHELBY COUNTY
5 RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Prairie Rose SP on the 6th.
NORTHWEST
SIOUX COUNTY
2 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were seen at Sandy Hollow RA on the 5th.
DICKINSON COUNTY
9 RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Kettleson Hogsback WMA on the 3rd.
KOSSUTH COUNTY
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen over Algona on the 4th.
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The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, August 14, 2026 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
John Bissell
Grimes, Iowa