Iowa RBA: 5-8-26
John and Anna Bissell
Iowa RBA birds reported from Friday, May 2, to Friday, May 8, 2026
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
NONE
Additional species mentioned
Red-necked Grebe
Black-necked Stilt
Ruddy Turnstone
California Gull
Snowy Egret
Glossy Ibis
White-faced Ibis
Neotropic Cormorant
Pine Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Lazuli Bunting
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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 WORM-EATING WARBLER was seen at Parker’s Woods on the 4th.
NORTHEAST
DUBUQUE COUNTY
A NEOTROPIC CORMORANT was seen at Deere Dike Park and Riverside Road on the 5th.
A PINE WARBLER was seen at Mines Of Spain RA on the 6th.
EAST
BUCHANAN COUNTY
A PINE WARBLER was seen at Fontana County Park on the 2nd.
JOHNSON COUNTY
2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were seen at the Headquarters Area of Hawkeye WA on the 7th.
A HOODED WARBLER was seen at Hickory Hill Park on the 5th.
SOUTHEAST
HENRY COUNTY
A WORM-EATING WARBLER was seen at Geode SP on the 3rd.
VAN BUREN COUNTY
2 WORM-EATING WARBLERS were seen at the Farmington Unit of Shimek SF on the 6th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
A HOODED WARBLER was seen at Ashworth and Greenwood Park on the 7th.
4 RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen at the Big Creek Spillway on the 5th.
A CALIFORNIA GULL was seen at the Big Creek Spillway on the 6th.
A SNOWY EGRET was seen at the Big Creek Spillway on the 6th.
BOONE COUNTY
A PINE WARBLER was seen at Ledges SP on the 2nd.
STORY COUNTY
2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were seen at Ada Hayden Park on the 4th.
A LAZULI BUNTING was seen at a feeder at 2111 North Dakota Ave in Ames on the 8th. Please only view from the side of the road.
GREENE COUNTY
34 WHITE-FACED IBIS were seen at Dunbar Slough on the 5th.
A GLOSSY IBIS was seen at Dunbar Slough on the 5th.
SOUTH CENTRAL
DECATUR COUNTY
A RED-NECKED GREBE was seen at Lake LaShane on the 2nd.
WARREN COUNTY
A BLACK-NECKED STILT was seen at the Runnells overlook on the 2nd.
APPANOOSE COUNTY
A BLACK-NECKED STILT was seen at Dean Wetlands on the 7th.
SOUTHWEST
UNION COUNTY
A RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at Twelve Mile Lake on the 4th.
MADISON COUNTY
2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were seen at Jensen Marsh on the 2nd.
WEST
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
A HOODED WARBLER was seen at Smith WMA on the 2nd.
NORTHWEST
SAC COUNTY
A RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at Kiowa Marsh on the 2nd.
36 WHITE-FACED IBIS were seen at Kiowa Marsh on the 2nd.
EMMET COUNTY
A SNOWY EGRET was seen at High Lake on the 5th.
LYON COUNTY
7 RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen along 260th St near George on the 5th.
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The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, May 15, 2026 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
John Bissell
Grimes, Iowa