Iowa RBA: 12-26-25
John and Anna Bissell
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, December 20, to Friday, December 26, 2025
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL
**BARROWS GOLDENEYE**
CASUAL
*FERRUGINOUS HAWK*
Additional Species Mentioned
American Barn Owl
Townsend’s Solitaire
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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.
NORTH CENTRAL
CERRO GORDO COUNTY
A TOWNSENDS SOLITAIRE was seen at Mike Zack WA on the 20th.
EAST
JOHNSON COUNTY
A TOWNSENDS SOLITAIRE was seen along Seneca Rd on the 22nd.
CENTRAL
DALLAS COUNTY
A BARROWS GOLDENEYE was seen at Maffitt Reservoir on the 23rd.
SOUTH CENTRAL
RINGGOLD COUNTY
An AMERICAN BARN OWL was seen at Kellerton WMA on the 21st.
NORTHWEST
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
A TOWNSENDS SOLITAIRE was seen at Gotch SP on the 20th.
BUENA VISTA COUNTY
A FERRUGINOUS HAWK was seen in Storm Lake near the wastewater treatment plant on the 24th.
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The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, January 2, 2026 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
John Bissell
Grimes, Iowa