Iowa RBA: 1-16-26
John and Anna Bissell
Iowa RBA birds reported from Friday, January 9, to Friday, January 16, 2026
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL
**SLATY-BACKED GULL**
Additional Species Mentioned
Iceland Gull
American Goshawk
Golden Eagle
Townsend’s Solitaire
Lecontes Sparrow
Redpoll
***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
***********************
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.
NORTHEAST
DUBUQUE COUNTY
An ICELAND GULL was seen along the Dubuque River Walk on the 15th.
A SLATY-BACKED GULL was seen at the Dubuque River Walk on the 13th.
BLACK HAWK COUNTY
A REDPOLL was seen at George Wyth SP on the 16th.
EAST
JACKSON COUNTY
An ICELAND GULL was seen at South Sabula Lakes Park on the 9th.
SCOTT COUNTY
An ICELAND GULL was seen at Lock and Dam 15 on the 16th.
SOUTH CENTRAL
RINGGOLD COUNTY
A LECONTES SPARROW was seen at Kellerton WMA on the 9th.
DECATUR COUNTY
An AMERICAN GOSHAWK was seen along Highway 69 near Lamoni on the 11th.
NORTHWEST
PLYMOUTH COUNTY
A TOWNSENDS SOLITAIRE was seen at Broken Kettle Grasslands on the 10th.
A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen at Broken Kettle Grasslands on the 12th.
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
A TOWNSENDS SOLITAIRE was seen at Gotch SP on the 11th.
PALO ALTO COUNTY
A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen at Robert Mulroney WA on the 14th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, January 23, 2026 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
John Bissell
Grimes, Iowa