Iowa RBA: 11-28-25
John and Anna Bissell
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, November 22, to Friday, November 28, 2025:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
CASUAL
*EVENING GROSBEAK*
Additional Species Mentioned
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Pacific Loon
Western Grebe
Glossy/White-faced Ibis (2nd latest)
Golden Eagle
Varied Thrush
***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
LINN COUNTY
A WESTERN GREBE was seen at Cedar Lake on the 22nd.
2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen at Pleasant Creek SRA on the 28th.
BENTON COUNTY
A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen at Wildcat Bluff RA on the 22nd.
NORTHEAST
JONES COUNTY
A VARIED THRUSH was seen at Wapsipinicon State Park on the 23rd.
SOUTHEAST
JEFFERSON COUNTY
An EVENING GROSBEAK was seen at a feeder near Fairfield on the 26th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
A PACIFIC LOON was seen at Saylorville on the 22nd.
A late GLOSSY/WHITE-FACED IBIS was seen at Ada Hayden Park on the 23rd.
SOUTH CENTRAL
MARION COUNTY
A WESTERN GREBE was seen at Red Rock on the 22nd.
NORTHWEST
BUENA VISTA COUNTY
A WESTERN GREBE was seen at Storm Lake on the 22nd.
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen at Storm Lake on the 27th.
2 SURF SCOTERS were seen at Storm Lake on the 23rd.
A BLACK SCOTER was seen at Storm Lake on the 27th.
A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was seen at Storm Lake on the 27th.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY
A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen near Westfield on the 26th.
SOUTHWEST
UNION COUNTY
A WESTERN GREBE was seen at Twelve Mile Lake on the 23rd.
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The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, December 5, 2025 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
John Bissell
Grimes, Iowa