Iowa RBA: 5-23-25
John and Anna Bissell
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, May 17, to Friday, May 23, 2025:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL
**LARK BUNTING**
Additional Species Mentioned
White-faced Ibis
Black-necked Stilt
Whimbrel
Marbled Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Least Tern
Mississippi Kite
Prairie Falcon
Fish Crow
Connecticut Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
***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 report.
EAST
JOHNSON COUNTY
A RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at Cedar River Access on the 18th.
5 RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen at the headquarters area of Hawkeye WA on the 17th.
A RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at Sutliff Wetlands Bank and Wildlife Area on the 17th.
A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was seen at Hickory Hill Park on the 22nd.
A HOPDED WARBLER was seen at Hickory Hill Park on the 23rd.
SCOTT COUNTY
A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was seen at Scott County Park on the 17th.
LINN COUNTY
A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was seen at Pleasant Creek SRA on the 21st.
2 CONNECTICUT WARBLERS were seen at Wickiup Hill on the 22nd.
NORTHEAST
DUBUQUE COUNTY
6 RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen at Deere Dike Park and Riverside Road on the 22nd.
A BLACK-NECKED STILT was seen at Deere Dike Park and Riverside Road on the 18th.
FAYETTE COUNTY
A PRAIRIE FALCON was seen at Sweet Marsh on the 17th.
BLACK HAWK COUNTY
A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was seen at Hartman Reserve on the 21st.
SOUTHEAST
LEE COUNTY
A PINE WARBLER was seen at the Croton Unit of Shimek SF on the 17th.
HENRY COUNTY
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at Geode SP on the 18th.
DES MOINES COUNTY
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen at Aspen Grove Cemetery on the 18th.
2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were seen at Blackhawk Bottoms on the 20th.
A FISH CROW was seen at Blackhawk Bottoms on the 20th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
11 MARBLED GODWITS were seen at the Big Creek Spillway on the 17th.
6 RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen at the Big Creek Spillway on the 21st.
2 FISH CROWS were seen at Saylorville at Sandpiper RA on the 20th.
7 RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen at Cherry Glen at Saylorville on the 22nd.
A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was seen at Ashworth and Greenwood Park on the 23rd.
GREENE COUNTY
4 RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen at Dunbar Slough on the 22nd.
HAMILTON COUNTY
2 WHIMBRELS were seen at the intersection of 370th and Hammond Ave near Stanhope on the 21st.
STORY COUNTY
A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was seen on the ISU campus between Lyon Hall and College Creek on the 22nd.
SOUTH CENTRAL
NORTHWEST
WOODBURY COUNTY
A LARK BUNTING was seen near the intersection of Benton Ave and 300th St on the 17th.
8 RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen at Snyder Bend Park on the 17th.
A LEAST TERN was seen at Snyder Bend Park on the 17th.
BUENA VISTA COUNTY
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at Storm Lake on the 18th.
CLAY COUNTY
20 WHITE-FACED IBIS were seen at Trumbull Lake on the 18th.
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The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, May 30, 2025 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
John Bissell
Grimes, Iowa