Iowa RBA: 9-5-25
John and Anna Bissell
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, August 30, to Friday, September 5, 2025:
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
NONE
Additional Species Mentioned
Little Blue Heron
Marbled Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Mississippi Kite
Black-throated Blue Warbler
LE CONTES SPARROW (Record early)
Red Crossbill
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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.
NORTHEAST
BLACK HAWK COUNTY
A RED CROSSBILL was heard at George Wyth SP on the 4th.
EAST
JOHNSON COUNTY
A MARBLED GODWIT was seen at the headquarters area of Hawkeye WMA on the 1st.
A MARBLED GODWIT was seen at the Curtis Bridge Access area of Coralville Lake on the 4th.
SCOTT COUNTY
A LITTLE BLUE HERON was seen at Duck Creek on the 2nd.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
A family of MISSISSIPPI KITES continues near Sheridan Park on the 4th.
MARSHALL COUNTY
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at the Grimes Farm Nature Center on the 1st.
DALLAS COUNTY
A RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at the Woodward Resource Center wastewater treatment plant on the 3rd. Birders are welcome to view from outside the fence.
NORTHWEST
POCAHONTAS COUNTY
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at Sunken Grove WMA on the 31st.
BUENA VISTA COUNTY
An early LE CONTES SPARROW was seen at Little Storm Lake on the 3rd.
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The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday, September 12, 2025 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
John Bissell
Grimes, Iowa