| IA-BIRD |
| Received |
From |
Subject |
| 10/13/26 5:49 am |
'RICHARD SAYLES' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Ruby Throated Hummingbird |
| 10/12/26 12:55 pm |
Kevin Crozier <croaker155...> |
[ia-bird] Ibis at Cone Marsh |
| 10/12/26 7:06 am |
'RICHARD SAYLES' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Ruby Throated Hummingbirds |
| 10/11/26 5:47 am |
'RICHARD SAYLES' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Ruby Throated Hummingbird |
| 10/10/26 6:42 am |
Ken Wiggers <ken.wiggers...> |
[ia-bird] "The problem with birding" |
| 10/10/26 6:36 am |
'RICHARD SAYLES' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Ruby Throated Hummingbirds |
| 10/9/26 9:31 am |
Karen Fieg <karenlfieg...> |
[ia-bird] First of Season |
| 10/9/26 7:17 am |
John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> |
[ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 10-9-26 |
| 10/9/26 6:13 am |
'RICHARD SAYLES' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Ruby Throated Hummingbirds |
| 10/8/26 5:55 am |
'Jill Armentrout' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Ruby-Throated Hummingbird - continuing NE Des Moines |
| 10/8/26 5:48 am |
'RICHARD SAYLES' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Ruby-Throated Hummingbird |
| 10/7/26 12:26 pm |
Wendy VanDeWalle <wtvandewalle...> |
Re: [ia-bird] Tex Sordahl - Not a sighting |
| 10/7/26 11:00 am |
Paul Skrade <skradepa...> |
[ia-bird] Tex Sordahl - Not a sighting |
| 10/7/26 5:29 am |
'RICHARD SAYLES' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Winter Wren |
| 10/7/26 5:23 am |
'RICHARD SAYLES' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Pine Siskins |
| 10/5/26 10:21 pm |
Roy Adolphson <roydjoy47...> |
[ia-bird] Glendale Merlins |
| 10/5/26 6:05 am |
jimforde via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Ibis Continue in Linn Co. |
| 10/4/26 9:43 pm |
Kevin Crozier <croaker155...> |
[ia-bird] Re: Plegadis Ibis in Linn Co. |
| 10/4/26 8:03 am |
jimforde via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Plegadis Ibis in Linn Co. |
| 10/3/26 10:03 am |
James McCoy <jgmccoy350...> |
[ia-bird] Cedar River Crossing Fieldtrip |
| 10/3/26 5:42 am |
James McCoy <jgmccoy350...> |
[ia-bird] Cedar River Crossing this a.m. |
| 10/2/26 6:05 pm |
Wendy VanDeWalle <wtvandewalle...> |
[ia-bird] Not a sighting: Leave those hummingbird feeders up |
| 10/2/26 6:22 am |
John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> |
[ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 10-2-26 |
| 10/1/26 5:54 pm |
jimforde via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] More Lesser Black-backed Gulls in Cedar Rapids |
| 10/1/26 8:18 am |
James McCoy <jgmccoy350...> |
[ia-bird] 10/3/26 Cedar River Crossing field trip |
| 9/30/26 4:17 pm |
'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Warblers |
| 9/30/26 7:09 am |
weatherbird58 <weatherbird58...> |
[ia-bird] Mixed flock 2 miles south of Boone |
| 9/29/26 4:02 am |
Rita Goranson <ritag...> |
RE: [ia-bird] Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Cedar Rapids |
| 9/28/26 5:50 pm |
jimforde via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Cedar Rapids |
| 9/28/26 1:48 pm |
'Reid & Pam Allen' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
Re: [ia-bird] RBG |
| 9/28/26 12:52 pm |
Rodger j Routh <rodgerrouth...> |
Re: [ia-bird] RBG |
| 9/28/26 10:01 am |
Rick Hollis <xiboia...> |
Re: [ia-bird] RBG |
| 9/28/26 8:28 am |
Karen Fieg <karenlfieg...> |
[ia-bird] Bay's Branch this morning |
| 9/28/26 8:14 am |
'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] RBG |
| 9/27/26 1:35 pm |
Ken Wiggers <ken.wiggers...> |
[ia-bird] Migration dashboard |
| 9/27/26 11:05 am |
Anthony Sotelo <tsotelo99...> |
[ia-bird] Pileated woodpecker |
| 9/27/26 10:14 am |
'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Pileated |
| 9/27/26 6:08 am |
jimforde via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Laughing Gull at Cedar Rapids |
| 9/26/26 5:49 pm |
Ken Wiggers <ken.wiggers...> |
Re: [ia-bird] Chimney Swifts |
| 9/26/26 4:46 pm |
Diane Dentlinger <dianedentlinger...> |
[ia-bird] Chimney Swifts |
| 9/26/26 10:02 am |
Linda Rudolph <lgrudolph...> |
[ia-bird] ICBC Field Trip- Johnson County |
| 9/25/26 10:53 am |
Merle & Marsha <mghall...> |
RE: [ia-bird] Black-throated Blue Warbler in Dickinson county |
| 9/25/26 5:42 am |
John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> |
[ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 9-25-26 |
| 9/23/26 8:28 am |
Russell Benedict <BenedictR...> |
[ia-bird] Re: Stickseed Trap |
| 9/23/26 8:23 am |
'McMullen, Catherine M [NREM]' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Stickseed Trap |
| 9/22/26 6:34 pm |
Wendy VanDeWalle <wtvandewalle...> |
[ia-bird] Buchanan Co bird walk tomorrow Wed 9-23 |
| 9/22/26 4:10 pm |
Tim Houghton <timdhoughton...> |
[ia-bird] Essay on Hudsonian Godwit |
| 9/22/26 3:38 pm |
Ed <pfalcons...> |
[ia-bird] Black-throated Blue Warbler in Dickinson county |
| 9/18/26 6:47 am |
John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...> |
[ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 9-18-26 |
| 9/17/26 6:10 pm |
Wendy VanDeWalle <wtvandewalle...> |
[ia-bird] More Broad-winged Hawks for Marshall Co! |
| 9/17/26 3:13 pm |
'Diana Pesek' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Broad-winged bonanza at Grammer Grove hawk watch today |
| 9/17/26 12:03 pm |
Elliot Young <young.elliotb...> |
[ia-bird] Broad-Winged Hawks |
| 9/17/26 11:13 am |
Jacob Newton <newtja84...> |
Re: [ia-bird] Nutcracker |
| 9/17/26 11:00 am |
Kelly Ertz <dinokelertz...> |
[ia-bird] Broad-winged hawks |
| 9/17/26 9:53 am |
Rita Goranson <ritag...> |
[ia-bird] Nutcracker |
| 9/16/26 6:05 pm |
'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Re: Sad day window strikes |
| 9/16/26 5:32 pm |
'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Sad day window strikes |
| 9/16/26 5:20 pm |
Carson Noble <mango.tux...> |
Re: [ia-bird] Re: AI - Funny Not Funny |
| 9/16/26 4:40 pm |
<eaubrey...> |
RE: [ia-bird] Re: AI - Funny Not Funny |
| 9/16/26 4:31 pm |
Carson Noble <mango.tux...> |
[ia-bird] Re: AI - Funny Not Funny |
| 9/16/26 4:06 pm |
Rita Goranson <ritag...> |
[ia-bird] Nutcracker |
| 9/16/26 3:43 pm |
<eaubrey...> |
[ia-bird] AI - Funny Not Funny |
| 9/16/26 2:30 pm |
Wendy VanDeWalle <wtvandewalle...> |
Re: [ia-bird] Not a sighting |
| 9/16/26 1:01 pm |
Paul Hertzel <phertzel...> |
Re: [ia-bird] Not a sighting |
| 9/16/26 10:34 am |
'Dinsmore, Stephen J [NREM]' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
RE: [ia-bird] Not a sighting |
| 9/16/26 8:06 am |
Rita Goranson <ritag...> |
[ia-bird] Clark's Nutcracker |
| 9/16/26 7:29 am |
Merle and Marsha Hall <mghall...> |
Re: [ia-bird] Dragonflies |
| 9/15/26 8:56 pm |
Clayton Will <willcfish...> |
[ia-bird] Not a sighting |
| 9/15/26 6:09 pm |
Clayton Will <willcfish...> |
Re: [ia-bird] Dragonflies |
| 9/15/26 5:19 pm |
Ken Wiggers <ken.wiggers...> |
[ia-bird] Dragonflies |
| 9/15/26 8:00 am |
jimforde via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Sabine's Gull at Lake Macbride |
| 9/15/26 4:33 am |
Clayton Will <willcfish...> |
[ia-bird] Re: 2 Greater Black-backed Gulls at Oak Grove this morning. |
| 9/14/26 7:48 am |
Clayton Will <willcfish...> |
[ia-bird] Re: 2 Greater Black-backed Gulls at Oak Grove this morning. |
| 9/14/26 7:45 am |
Clayton Will <willcfish...> |
[ia-bird] 2 Greater Black-backed Gulls at Oak Grove this morning. |
| 9/13/26 6:03 pm |
Colleen <cradebaugh10...> |
Re: [ia-bird] Birdiful day in/near Ledges State Park |
| 9/13/26 5:29 pm |
weatherbird58 <weatherbird58...> |
[ia-bird] Birdiful day in/near Ledges State Park |
| 9/13/26 7:05 am |
jimforde via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> |
[ia-bird] Sabines Gull at Coralville Lake |
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Date: 10/9/26 7:17 am
From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 10-9-26 |
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, October 3, to Friday, October 9, 2026
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
NONE
Additional species mentioned
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Glossy/White-faced Ibis
White-faced Ibis
Sabines Gull
Red Crossbill
***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
<http://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
NORTHEAST
BREMER COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the Waverly Bike Trail on the 6th.
EAST
LINN COUNTY
GLOSSY/WHITE-FACED IBIS were seen at Pleasant Creek SRA on the 5th.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was seen at Lewis Bottoms Marsh on the 4th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Glendale Cemetery on the 4th.
A SABINES GULL was seen at Saylorville on the 4th.
TAMA COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Hickory Hills Park on the 3rd.
DALLAS COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Kuehn Conservation Area on the 3rd.
STORY COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the ISU Arboretum on the 4th.
SOUTH CENTRAL
WARREN COUNTY
3 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were seen at Bank Swallow Bend WA on the
7th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday,
October 16, 2026 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL
species be reported, an update will be posted.
John Bissell
Grimes, Iowa
<John.annabissell...>
515-423-6108
--
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This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union - https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
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Date: 10/5/26 10:21 pm
From: Roy Adolphson <roydjoy47...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Glendale Merlins |
I saw one report of a Merlin at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines on Sunday,
so I went there before sunset (s.s. 6:49 pm) on Monday (10/5) and had two
FOS sightings. They were not seen at the same time, but they appeared to
be different birds. The first was seen atop a spruce tree in Block 16 NE
of the pond at about 6:20 and appeared to be a male Taiga (it was bathed in
very warm light by the low sun). It did not stay long as it was being
challenged for its perch by a Northern Flicker. The second was seen at the
top of an English oak in Block 37 between 6:40 and 6:50 and appeared to be
a female Taiga. I could not relocate either one after they flew away.
Roy Adolphson
Polk County (DSM)
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This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union - https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
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Date: 10/3/26 10:03 am
From: James McCoy <jgmccoy350...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Cedar River Crossing Fieldtrip |
We had eight birders on a wet walk at Cedar River Crossing this morning.
We even had a Virginia birder here for the Iowa/Ohio State game (rooting
for Ohio State). I think she saw her first Eurasian tree sparrow in North
America. The weather was absolutely beautiful. We had 43 species with
song, swamp, white throated, white crowned and Lincoln sparrows. Another
highlight was a couple of red breasted nut hatches. we ended up walking 1
1/2 miles covering the north and eastern sides of the property. The part of
the drainage where the Lecontes and Nelson’s sparrows usually are was
completely flooded and inaccessible. I’m not sure where we would find those
currently in Johnson County.
Jamie McCoy.
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This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union - https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
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Date: 10/2/26 6:22 am
From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 10-2-26 |
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, September 26, to Friday, October 2,
2026
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
CASUAL
*MOTTLED DUCK*
Additional species mentioned
Ruddy Turnstone
Laughing Gull
Sabines Gull
Glossy/White-faced Ibis
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Red Crossbill
***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
<http://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
NORTHEAST
BLACK HAWK COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Fairview Cemetery on the 29th.
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Cedar Ridge Christian School on the 1st.
DUBUQUE COUNTY
A MOTTLED DUCK was seen at Bergfeld RA on the 30th.
EAST
JOHNSON COUNTY
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at Sugar Bottom RA on the 27th.
LINN COUNTY
A LAUGHING GULL was seen at Cedar Lake on the 27th.
CENTRAL
BOONE COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at North Ledges SP on the 27th.
DALLAS COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Kuehn Conservation Area on the 28th.
POLK COUNTY
A SABINES GULL was seen at Saylorville on the 1st.
A flock of GLOSSY/WHITE-FACED IBIS were seen at the Big Creek Spillway on
the 1st.
STORY COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the ISU Arboretum on the 1st.
NORTHWEST
BUENA VISTA COUNTY
A RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at Storm Lake on the 28th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday,
October 9, 2026 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL
species be reported, an update will be posted.
John Bissell
Grimes, Iowa
<John.annabissell...>
515-423-6108
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This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union - https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
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Date: 10/1/26 5:54 pm
From: jimforde via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] More Lesser Black-backed Gulls in Cedar Rapids |
Tonight a pair of juvenile LBBGs landed at Cedar Lake. After a short time they flew west and I was puzzled to think of a landing spot in that direction. To my surprise I found them, only after walking to the highest point of the new massive dike. See the photo for the spot.
Also tonight, a lot of Chimney Swifts but where's the chimney?
Jim Forde
Cedar Rapids
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IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
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Date: 10/1/26 8:18 am
From: James McCoy <jgmccoy350...>
Subject: [ia-bird] 10/3/26 Cedar River Crossing field trip |
Birders,
I scouted out Cedar River Crossing last night. The water is high. To access
even a third of the area it will require walking short distances through a
couple of inches of water. That will be the plan. It would require wading
through foot deep water to access larger areas which we won’t plan to do.
Bring boots or plan on wet feet. We may check out Lake McBride or some
other areas if we have extra time.
Jamie McCoy
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IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
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Date: 9/30/26 4:17 pm
From: 'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Warblers |
Just as I sat down to eat dinner tonight I saw a flash of yellow in our white pine tree off our patio.
It was full of tiny birds flitting about.
Multiple Black throated greens, Nashville, Tennessee, and Chestnut sided warblers as well as at least two Blue headed vireo were seen in just a couple minutes before they were gone
Awesome to see on this dreary day!
Art Check
Nevada
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 9/30/26 7:09 am
From: weatherbird58 <weatherbird58...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Mixed flock 2 miles south of Boone |
Around 8 am this morning, a nice mixed treetop flock appeared out of the
foggy dankness. They stayed quite awhile, but still ID was difficult as
they moved around quickly in the dull light.
5 warblers included Black-throated Green, Bay-breasted, B&W, Nashville plus
American Redstart.
Also picked out a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, yellow
Scarlet Tanager, Blue-headed Vireo and 3 Red-eyed Vireos that eBird said
was a high count for this date.
Lots of flickers lately, still saw 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (im. or female
plumage) and 5 Ruby-throated hummingbirds that are guarding the feeders and
enjoying the red sage flowers.
Red Crossbills are still active here. 15 appeared out of the fog while I
was following the flock around the yard.
Gloomy weather is holding some nice bird activity.
Karl Jungbluth, 2 miles south of Boone
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Date: 9/28/26 1:48 pm
From: 'Reid & Pam Allen' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: Re: [ia-bird] RBG |
Hi all,
Reid and I will join the crowd. We had a juvenile male Rose-breasted Grosbeak on Sunday morning.
Pam & Reid Allen
West Des Moines, IA
Sent from Reid & Pam’s iPad
> On Sep 28, 2026, at 10:14 AM, 'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> wrote:
>
> Had this interesting looking juvenile male Rose Breasted Grosbeak at the feeder this weekend.
> Kind of like awkward puberty🤣
> Art Check
> Nevada
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
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> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
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> <IMG_2863.jpeg>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
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Date: 9/28/26 12:52 pm
From: Rodger j Routh <rodgerrouth...>
Subject: Re: [ia-bird] RBG |
Sub adults. They migrate together.
On Mon, Sep 28, 2026 at 12:01 PM Rick Hollis <xiboia...> wrote:
> Funny thing. I had one yesterday, also. Imm. Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
> First one at the feeders for several months
>
> Rick Hollis
> Rural North Liberty
>
> > On Sep 28, 2026, at 10:14 AM, 'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <
> <ia-bird...> wrote:
> >
> > Had this interesting looking juvenile male Rose Breasted Grosbeak at
> the feeder this weekend.
> > Kind of like awkward puberty🤣
> > Art Check
> > Nevada
> >
> > --
> > Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> > To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx
> > This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx
> .
> > IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
> > ---
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> .
> > <IMG_2863.jpeg>
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > --
> > Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
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> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx
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> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx
> .
> > IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
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>
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> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
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Date: 9/28/26 10:01 am
From: Rick Hollis <xiboia...>
Subject: Re: [ia-bird] RBG |
Funny thing. I had one yesterday, also. Imm. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. First one at the feeders for several months
Rick Hollis
Rural North Liberty
> On Sep 28, 2026, at 10:14 AM, 'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> wrote:
>
> Had this interesting looking juvenile male Rose Breasted Grosbeak at the feeder this weekend.
> Kind of like awkward puberty🤣
> Art Check
> Nevada
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
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> <IMG_2863.jpeg>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
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Date: 9/27/26 11:05 am
From: Anthony Sotelo <tsotelo99...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Pileated woodpecker |
In response to Art Check's question about the actively vocalizing pileated
woodpecker, perhaps it is a first year bird that wandered into new
territory after leaving its sibling group. I've noticed that around the
fall equinox, an adult bird would encounter an environment that mimics the
springtime and this may cause the hormonal reaction that will soon fade as
the daylight hours decrease. This is one reason we occasionally hear birds
sing courting/territory songs in the fall.
Tony Sotelo
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Date: 9/27/26 10:14 am
From: 'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Pileated |
Birders
As I have reported before, I have a periodic pileated woodpecker visitor to the woods by my house. Sometimes it’s many weeks in between visits or even longer at least that I witnessed. The last couple of weeks I’ve been off and on working on a patio behind my house and almost daily I hear it chattering and being very vocal near the house. This is unusual and I’m curious if anyone has any ideas what this might mean. Anyway, it’s interesting to hear it and certainly a pleasure. right now it’s focalizing and will sometimes vocalize continuously for several minutes at a time.
Art Check
Nevada
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 9/26/26 10:02 am
From: Linda Rudolph <lgrudolph...>
Subject: [ia-bird] ICBC Field Trip- Johnson County |
8 birders from the Iowa City Bird Club enjoyed a walk along the Riverwalk Trail by the Coralville Dam. The walk was notable because we did NOT get rained on. Also, we had 39 species. Interesting observations were were:
.
Chris Edwards spotted a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. It was unbelievably cooperative, allowing everyone prolonged looks. It's getting a little late in the season for this species.
We also had several flocks of Franklin's Gulls going over head on their way South. We estimated that we saw 325 individuals.
We saw a Red-headed Woodpecker caching an acorn. We weren't sure we had seen that behavior before, but I easily found that this is a known behavior for this species.
We had a nice warbler morning, seeing 6 species: Nashville Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Wilson's Warbler.
Linda Rudolph
Coralville
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Date: 9/25/26 10:53 am
From: Merle & Marsha <mghall...>
Subject: RE: [ia-bird] Black-throated Blue Warbler in Dickinson county |
Ed, Been meaning to respond. We're in Arnolds Park this week. Saw a similar mix in the cedar right outside our unit front door about 2:00 that afternoon. They were back this morning, though not as many. Thanks! Merle
-------- Original message --------From: Ed <pfalcons...> Date: 9/22/26 5:38 PM (GMT-06:00) To: ia-bird <ia-bird...> Subject: [ia-bird] Black-throated Blue Warbler in Dickinson county Hello,About an hour ago, I had a nice group of warblers drop in on the creek in my back yard - among the 7 species were 2 bay-breasted warblers, a yellow warbler, 2 Tennessee's, a Canada warbler, 5 Nashvilles, a chestnut-sided and a beautiful male black-throated blue warbler. Only the 3rd one I’ve seen in Dickinson county.Good Birdin’,Ed ThelenSpirit Lake“Keep Looking Up” Marty Thelen 2014Sent from my iPhone-- Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...> search for an unfamiliar location, go to https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspxThis list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union - https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx. IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6--- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "IA-BIRD" group.To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...> view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<DS5PR14MB958062F81E421EEC7050D8692FC5832...>
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Date: 9/25/26 5:42 am
From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 9-25-26 |
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, September 19, to Friday, September
25, 2026
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
NONE
Additional species mentioned
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
White-faced Ibis
Ruddy Turnstone
Sabines Gull
Mississippi Kite
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Red Crossbill
***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
<http://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
NORTHEAST
DUBUQUE COUNTY
A SABINES GULL was seen at Mud Lake County Park on the 19th.
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at Mines of Spain SRA on the 22nd.
BLACK HAWK COUNTY
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at Brinker Lake on the 20th.
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen over Waterloo on the 20th.
RED CROSSBILLS were seen around Cedar Ridge Christian School on the 23rd.
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Fairview Cemetery on the 24th.
FAYETTE COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the UIU Central Campus on the 22nd.
EAST
JOHNSON COUNTY
A SABINES GULL was seen at the south arm of Lake McBride on the 19th.
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at the south arm of Lake McBride on
the 20th.
SOUTHEAST
JEFFERSON COUNTY
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at Jefferson County Park on the 21st.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Glendale Cemetery on the 19th.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was seen at the basin north of Moeckley Prairie on the
24th.
DALLAS COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Kuehn Conservation Area on the 20th.
STORY COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the ISU Arboretum on the 22nd.
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at McFarland Park on the 23rd.
SOUTH CENTRAL
5 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were seen at Bank Swallow Bend on the 19th.
WEST
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen at Hitchcock NA on the 22nd.
NORTHWEST
BUENA VISTA COUNTY
RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen at Storm Lake on the 23rd.
SABINES GULLS were seen at Storm Lake on the 20th.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Camp Joy Hollow on the 19th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday,
October 2, 2026 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or ACCIDENTAL
species be reported, an update will be posted.
John Bissell
Grimes, Iowa
<John.annabissell...>
515-423-6108
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Date: 9/23/26 8:28 am
From: Russell Benedict <BenedictR...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Stickseed Trap |
Thanks for the observation, Cathy. I once found a long-since-dead Gray Catbird stuck in stickseed. It made me wonder if that is how carnivorous plants get their start. Russ.
Russ Benedict
Professor of Biology
Director of Prairies For Agriculture Project
Department of Biology, Central College
812 University Street | Campus Box 09 | Pella, Iowa 50219
Office: 641-628-5173
[http://departments.central.edu/centralcommunications/files/2012/09/centralCollegeEmailLogo.png]
________________________________
From: 'McMullen, Catherine M [NREM]' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 10:23 AM
To: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Stickseed Trap
Caution: The e-mail below is from an external source to Central College. Please do not open attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious origin. Report suspected phishing emails using the “Phishing Alert Report” button.
Yesterday walking on the Clive Greenbelt Trail I came across a sight that startled me. There was a tiny bird flapping its wings, stuck in the fruits of a large, tall and dense patch of stickseed (Hackelia virginiana). I cupped my hand under the bird and picked it up. The bird was a blue-gray gnatcatcher… almost immediately it slipped out of my hand and flew over the patch of stickseed and away.
It was a magical moment holding this beautiful little bird so fleetingly in my hand and watching it fly away.
Back in 1994 in The Vascular Plants on Iowa Eilers and Roosa described stickseed’s habitat as “open woods and alluvium,” and as "common in the Paleozoic Plateau and east, and infrequent to frequent elsewhere.” Thirty-two years later stickseed seems to be everywhere, and especially abundant along woodland edges.
Although it is native, I would classify it as “native but opportunistic" (takes advantage of human disturbance). It is a biennial and easy to pull.
Cathy McMullen
Des Moines
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Date: 9/23/26 8:23 am
From: 'McMullen, Catherine M [NREM]' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Stickseed Trap |
Yesterday walking on the Clive Greenbelt Trail I came across a sight that startled me. There was a tiny bird flapping its wings, stuck in the fruits of a large, tall and dense patch of stickseed (Hackelia virginiana). I cupped my hand under the bird and picked it up. The bird was a blue-gray gnatcatcher… almost immediately it slipped out of my hand and flew over the patch of stickseed and away.
It was a magical moment holding this beautiful little bird so fleetingly in my hand and watching it fly away.
Back in 1994 in The Vascular Plants on Iowa Eilers and Roosa described stickseed’s habitat as “open woods and alluvium,” and as "common in the Paleozoic Plateau and east, and infrequent to frequent elsewhere.” Thirty-two years later stickseed seems to be everywhere, and especially abundant along woodland edges.
Although it is native, I would classify it as “native but opportunistic" (takes advantage of human disturbance). It is a biennial and easy to pull.
Cathy McMullen
Des Moines
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Date: 9/22/26 3:38 pm
From: Ed <pfalcons...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Black-throated Blue Warbler in Dickinson county |
Hello,
About an hour ago, I had a nice group of warblers drop in on the creek in my back yard - among the 7 species were 2 bay-breasted warblers, a yellow warbler, 2 Tennessee's, a Canada warbler, 5 Nashvilles, a chestnut-sided and a beautiful male black-throated blue warbler. Only the 3rd one I’ve seen in Dickinson county.
Good Birdin’,
Ed Thelen
Spirit Lake
“Keep Looking Up” Marty Thelen 2014
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 9/18/26 6:47 am
From: John and Anna Bissell <john.annabissell...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Iowa RBA: 9-18-26 |
Iowa RBA birds reported from Saturday, September 12, to Friday, September
18, 2026
RARE Species Mentioned (documentation required)
ACCIDENTAL
**CLARKS NUTCRACKER**
Additional species mentioned
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Neotropic Cormorant
Ruddy Turnstone
Sabines Gull
Red Crossbill
Pine Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
***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
<http://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
NORTH CENTRAL
FRANKLIN COUNTY
A CLARKS NUTCRACKER was seen at Benning Blooms Flower Farm on the 12th.
HANCOCK COUNTY
2 RUDDY TURNSTONES were seen at Hawkeye Pride Compost Piles on the 14th.
CERRO GORDO COUNTY
A CLARKS NUTCRACKER was seen in Mason City along Grant Ave on the 16th.
NORTHEAST
FAYETTE COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the UIU campus on the 13th.
EAST
JOHNSON COUNTY
A SABINES GULL was seen at Coralville Lake on the 17th.
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at the south arm of Lake McBride on
the 16th.
LINN COUNTY
A PINE WARBLER was seen at Morgan Creek Park on the 15th.
A PINE WARBLER was seen at Chain O Lakes WMA on the 16th.
CENTRAL
POLK COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the Jester Park Discovery Pond on the 13th.
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at Ashworth and Greenwood Park on
the 14th.
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Glendale Cemetery on the 17th.
BOONE COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Ledges SP on the 12th.
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at McHose Park on the 17th.
DALLAS COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Kuehn Conservation Area on the 17th.
NORTHWEST
BUENA VISTA COUNTY
A NEOTROPIC CORMORANT was seen at Storm Lake on the 15th.
A RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at Storm Lake on the 12th.
A BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK was seen at Storm Lake on the 14th.
A SABINES GULL was seen at Storm Lake on the 13th.
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Oak Grove and Big Sioux Park on the 12th.
DICKINSON COUNTY
RED CROSSBILLS were seen at Turtle Lake on the 15th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next scheduled report of the Iowa Rare Bird Alert will be for Friday,
September 25, 2026 for the weekly report. Should any UNRECORDED or
ACCIDENTAL species be reported, an update will be posted.
John Bissell
Grimes, Iowa
<John.annabissell...>
515-423-6108
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Date: 9/17/26 6:10 pm
From: Wendy VanDeWalle <wtvandewalle...>
Subject: [ia-bird] More Broad-winged Hawks for Marshall Co! |
At 10 am I was about 30 minutes SW of Grammer Grove “as the crow flies”. I
was at Hendrickson Marsh on the border of Story and Marshall co. I
witnessed 2 large groups of at least 100 Broad-winged Hawks each get up and
kettle about a mile east of my position. I assume they were coming down
Clear Creek. A few stragglers continued to show up after that. I was not
expecting to see that many hawks since I was not along a major river
system. Pretty cool!
Wendy VanDeWalle
Buchanan Co
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Date: 9/17/26 3:13 pm
From: 'Diana Pesek' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Broad-winged bonanza at Grammer Grove hawk watch today |
Mark Proescholdt and I had non-stop kettles of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS from about 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today at the Grammer Grove hawk watch in Marshall County. When I left at 2:30, the total was around 900 Broad-wingeds. Mark may have more by the end of the day.
If you want to see today's final totals, or follow the hawk reports from Grammer Grove in 2026, here is the website:https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=171
You can also use the above link to navigate to Hitchcock and other hawk watch sites.
We had only a few other raptors moving, with the most notable being a PEREGRINE FALCON and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. Broad-wingeds were definitely the stars of the show today.
Diana PesekCedar Rapids
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Date: 9/17/26 11:13 am
From: Jacob Newton <newtja84...>
Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Nutcracker |
As of 1 PM today, the bird has not been located in the area that it was
previously reported from. That doesn't necessarily mean the bird, isn't
there; it just is not being very charismatic if it is there.
On Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 6:06 PM Rita Goranson <ritag...> wrote:
> At 5:52 pm the Nutcracker was at 7th and Grant Ave, Mason City, Iowa.
>
> --
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Date: 9/16/26 6:05 pm
From: 'Art Check' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Re: Sad day window strikes |
Wow
Once again, sorry about voice recognition. So handy, so unpredictable. Please forgive spelling and grammatical errors in my previous post.
Art Check
Sent from my iPhone
> On Sep 16, 2026, at 7:32 PM, Art Check <artsbirdbrain...> wrote:
>
> Birders
> I came home to find these two dead birds near my son porch. I suspect window strikes. I believe the one on the left is a Nashville war war? The one on the right which has been heavily eaten I believe is a Philadelphia Vireo? I welcome everyone’s thoughts.
> Thanks
> Art Check,
> Nevada
>
> <IMG_2622.jpeg>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 9/16/26 5:20 pm
From: Carson Noble <mango.tux...>
Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Re: AI - Funny Not Funny |
Yeah, that's a question I'm sure plenty of people are spending a lot of
time trying to figure out, and some posts in a message board probably won't
uncover what all of them have overlooked.
To loop it back to a more relevant topic, though, AI language models aren't
the first instance of this sort of phenomenon (nor will they be the last,
I'd wager)! I'm sure most of the people reading this are familiar with
Merlin's audio detection, and what impact that may have on people recording
observations. Even if the end result is (often) the same, there's a strong
distinction between:
"I heard a call I didn't recognize and Merlin said it was [species], so I
put it on my checklist"
and something like:
"I heard a call I didn't recognize and Merlin picked up [species] a few
times, so I quietly listened to some recordings, tracked down where the
calls were occurring, and between visual and audio cues can confidently say
it's a [species]"
I know I've been tempted towards the first option! Personally, the
willpower and motivation to be diligent, omit the observation, and/or leave
it as a checklist note (even if it would be a lifer) fluctuates over time,
and I have to consistently stay aware that these are tools and assistants;
not replacements for my own confidence/learning opportunities. That works
well enough for me, and there may be other things people do that promotes
their own vigilance in the face of (frankly, very technologically
impressive) new tools.
On Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 6:40:49 PM UTC-5 eaubrey wrote:
> So, the packaging looks authentic, but the contents could be garbage.
> That’s my fear, as well as my observation of how some folks use AI search
> engines. How do we teach people to be vigilant? Probably not a question
> for the listserv.
>
>
>
> *From:* <ia-......> <ia-......> *On Behalf Of *Carson
> Noble
>
>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 16, 2026 18:31
> *To:* IA-BIRD <ia-......>
>
> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Re: AI - Funny Not Funny
>
>
>
> Thanks for bringing these things up!
>
> While I've seen people make competent use of these tools, it's important
> to acknowledge that they are first and foremost a language model - they're
> really good at producing content that sounds (more or less) like the type
> of stuff that fluent speakers would create, but that's only because they're
> trained on a corpus that's been written by real people. This *can* mean
> they produce statements and claims that are accurate, but it's certainly
> not a guarantee.
>
> Vigilance is required when using AI systems because they will almost
> always *sound* cohesive and confident, even if the content of the output is
> incorrect.
>
> On Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 5:43:29 PM UTC-5 eaubrey wrote:
>
> Birders, please indulge me. I watch Bald Eagle cams on the internet and
> participate in Facebook groups that monitor and comment on breeding
> activities at various nests. Last February, I watched a Bald Eagle female
> at a nest in Fort St. Vrain, Colorado lay her first egg of the season. The
> nest has 2 live streaming cameras pointed at the nest, one of them above
> the nest giving a more-or-less overhead view, the other on a limb adjacent
> to the nest, giving a side view. Each cam includes a timestamp. Viewers
> of Bald Eagle nests on the internet know all this. I was watching the side
> cam view when the female (whom we call “Mom”) laid her egg, and I posted
> the news in the Fort St. Vrain Eagles Facebook group, telling viewers which
> cam I was watching, and what timestamp they could rewind to so they could
> watch:
>
>
>
> "Mom has laid her first egg, 2/23/2006, at 20:03 on the side cam."
>
>
>
> Immediately, Facebook’s AI offered readers of my post a question that they
> might like to ask about this, which made clear its complete
> misunderstanding of my post, and included its own answer to its own
> ridiculous question:
>
> [image: May be an image of text that says 'OMet Meta AI Why is the egg
> laid on the side cam? X That's a great question! Eagles often choose
> nesting sites based on safety, comfort, and visibility. In this case, the
> side cam might provide a suitable spot for the eagle mom to lay her egg,
> possibly due to the angle offering some protection from potential threats
> or harsh weather conditions. It could also simply be a preferred spot for
> her to nest. Why is the egg laid on the side cam? Ask something else... How
> long will the mom ir > tt']
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Over the next half hour, Meta AI edited its answer to its idiotic
> question, maybe because it got some feedback that it wasn’t quite getting
> the context right (not to mention some critical thinking, perception of
> grammar in my original post, and propensity to just make things up). Here
> are some of its “corrected” answers to its question:
>
> [image: May be an image of text]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [image: No photo description available.]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Meta AI finally gave up, ending its last attempt with the observation Mom
> “likely” laid her egg in the nest, not on the cam. It stopped offering the
> question “Why is the egg laid on the side cam?”
>
>
>
> IMO AI is a menace.
>
>
>
> Elizabeth Aubrey
>
> Iowa City
>
> --
>
> Post by sending an email to <ia-......>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx
> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
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>
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> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/<fd534752-7182-4937-87b7-3c4a8c7ca09an...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>
> .
>
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Date: 9/16/26 4:40 pm
From: <eaubrey...>
Subject: RE: [ia-bird] Re: AI - Funny Not Funny |
So, the packaging looks authentic, but the contents could be garbage. That’s my fear, as well as my observation of how some folks use AI search engines. How do we teach people to be vigilant? Probably not a question for the listserv.
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> On Behalf Of Carson Noble
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 18:31
To: IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Re: AI - Funny Not Funny
Thanks for bringing these things up!
While I've seen people make competent use of these tools, it's important to acknowledge that they are first and foremost a language model - they're really good at producing content that sounds (more or less) like the type of stuff that fluent speakers would create, but that's only because they're trained on a corpus that's been written by real people. This *can* mean they produce statements and claims that are accurate, but it's certainly not a guarantee.
Vigilance is required when using AI systems because they will almost always *sound* cohesive and confident, even if the content of the output is incorrect.
On Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 5:43:29 PM UTC-5 eaubrey wrote:
Birders, please indulge me. I watch Bald Eagle cams on the internet and participate in Facebook groups that monitor and comment on breeding activities at various nests. Last February, I watched a Bald Eagle female at a nest in Fort St. Vrain, Colorado lay her first egg of the season. The nest has 2 live streaming cameras pointed at the nest, one of them above the nest giving a more-or-less overhead view, the other on a limb adjacent to the nest, giving a side view. Each cam includes a timestamp. Viewers of Bald Eagle nests on the internet know all this. I was watching the side cam view when the female (whom we call “Mom”) laid her egg, and I posted the news in the Fort St. Vrain Eagles Facebook group, telling viewers which cam I was watching, and what timestamp they could rewind to so they could watch:
"Mom has laid her first egg, 2/23/2006, at 20:03 on the side cam."
Immediately, Facebook’s AI offered readers of my post a question that they might like to ask about this, which made clear its complete misunderstanding of my post, and included its own answer to its own ridiculous question:
<https://groups.google.com/group/ia-bird/attach/1766b71d4fb3c/image008.jpg?<part...>
Over the next half hour, Meta AI edited its answer to its idiotic question, maybe because it got some feedback that it wasn’t quite getting the context right (not to mention some critical thinking, perception of grammar in my original post, and propensity to just make things up). Here are some of its “corrected” answers to its question:
<https://groups.google.com/group/ia-bird/attach/1766b71d4fb3c/image010.jpg?<part...>
<https://groups.google.com/group/ia-bird/attach/1766b71d4fb3c/image011.jpg?<part...>
<https://groups.google.com/group/ia-bird/attach/1766b71d4fb3c/image012.jpg?<part...>
Meta AI finally gave up, ending its last attempt with the observation Mom “likely” laid her egg in the nest, not on the cam. It stopped offering the question “Why is the egg laid on the side cam?”
IMO AI is a menace.
Elizabeth Aubrey
Iowa City
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Date: 9/16/26 4:31 pm
From: Carson Noble <mango.tux...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Re: AI - Funny Not Funny |
Thanks for bringing these things up!
While I've seen people make competent use of these tools, it's important to
acknowledge that they are first and foremost a language model - they're
really good at producing content that sounds (more or less) like the type
of stuff that fluent speakers would create, but that's only because they're
trained on a corpus that's been written by real people. This *can* mean
they produce statements and claims that are accurate, but it's certainly
not a guarantee.
Vigilance is required when using AI systems because they will almost always
*sound* cohesive and confident, even if the content of the output is
incorrect.
On Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 5:43:29 PM UTC-5 eaubrey wrote:
> Birders, please indulge me. I watch Bald Eagle cams on the internet and
> participate in Facebook groups that monitor and comment on breeding
> activities at various nests. Last February, I watched a Bald Eagle female
> at a nest in Fort St. Vrain, Colorado lay her first egg of the season. The
> nest has 2 live streaming cameras pointed at the nest, one of them above
> the nest giving a more-or-less overhead view, the other on a limb adjacent
> to the nest, giving a side view. Each cam includes a timestamp. Viewers
> of Bald Eagle nests on the internet know all this. I was watching the side
> cam view when the female (whom we call “Mom”) laid her egg, and I posted
> the news in the Fort St. Vrain Eagles Facebook group, telling viewers which
> cam I was watching, and what timestamp they could rewind to so they could
> watch:
>
>
>
> "Mom has laid her first egg, 2/23/2006, at 20:03 on the side cam."
>
>
>
> Immediately, Facebook’s AI offered readers of my post a question that they
> might like to ask about this, which made clear its complete
> misunderstanding of my post, and included its own answer to its own
> ridiculous question:
>
> [image: May be an image of text that says 'OMet Meta AI Why is the egg
> laid on the side cam? X That's a great question! Eagles often choose
> nesting sites based on safety, comfort, and visibility. In this case, the
> side cam might provide a suitable spot for the eagle mom to lay her egg,
> possibly due to the angle offering some protection from potential threats
> or harsh weather conditions. It could also simply be a preferred spot for
> her to nest. Why is the egg laid on the side cam? Ask something else... How
> long will the mom ir > tt']
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Over the next half hour, Meta AI edited its answer to its idiotic
> question, maybe because it got some feedback that it wasn’t quite getting
> the context right (not to mention some critical thinking, perception of
> grammar in my original post, and propensity to just make things up). Here
> are some of its “corrected” answers to its question:
>
> [image: May be an image of text]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [image: No photo description available.]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Meta AI finally gave up, ending its last attempt with the observation Mom
> “likely” laid her egg in the nest, not on the cam. It stopped offering the
> question “Why is the egg laid on the side cam?”
>
>
>
> IMO AI is a menace.
>
>
>
> Elizabeth Aubrey
>
> Iowa City
>
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Date: 9/16/26 3:43 pm
From: <eaubrey...>
Subject: [ia-bird] AI - Funny Not Funny |
Birders, please indulge me. I watch Bald Eagle cams on the internet and participate in Facebook groups that monitor and comment on breeding activities at various nests. Last February, I watched a Bald Eagle female at a nest in Fort St. Vrain, Colorado lay her first egg of the season. The nest has 2 live streaming cameras pointed at the nest, one of them above the nest giving a more-or-less overhead view, the other on a limb adjacent to the nest, giving a side view. Each cam includes a timestamp. Viewers of Bald Eagle nests on the internet know all this. I was watching the side cam view when the female (whom we call “Mom”) laid her egg, and I posted the news in the Fort St. Vrain Eagles Facebook group, telling viewers which cam I was watching, and what timestamp they could rewind to so they could watch:
"Mom has laid her first egg, 2/23/2006, at 20:03 on the side cam."
Immediately, Facebook’s AI offered readers of my post a question that they might like to ask about this, which made clear its complete misunderstanding of my post, and included its own answer to its own ridiculous question:
Over the next half hour, Meta AI edited its answer to its idiotic question, maybe because it got some feedback that it wasn’t quite getting the context right (not to mention some critical thinking, perception of grammar in my original post, and propensity to just make things up). Here are some of its “corrected” answers to its question:
Meta AI finally gave up, ending its last attempt with the observation Mom “likely” laid her egg in the nest, not on the cam. It stopped offering the question “Why is the egg laid on the side cam?”
IMO AI is a menace.
Elizabeth Aubrey
Iowa City
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Date: 9/16/26 2:30 pm
From: Wendy VanDeWalle <wtvandewalle...>
Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Not a sighting |
Given this discussion, I wanted to share my husband’s recent experience
with AI as it pertains to science and research. He is working on his latest
book and was experimenting with Google AI to look up references. (He is not
using it to write the book).
He has double checked AI’s answers and have found some to be wrong. He
“called” AI on it and I’m fascinated at the response. My husband’s comments
are in green and AI’s are in red. Anyway the moral of the story is that you
can’t trust AI and AI has no morals.
Wow.
I find it quite difficult to trust it for any scientific information now.
Wendy VanDeWalle
On Wed, Sep 16, 2026 at 3:01 PM Paul Hertzel <phertzel...> wrote:
> Steve is right - the IOU Records Committee has almost no choice except to
> consider the nutcrackers different birds, different records. It may be fun
> to speculate about this, but scientifically, we have to keep an open mind
> to the possibilities. So we will undoubtedly treat them as different
> records, and if they are all accepted, we will let the Field Report Editors
> explain their respective presences in the journal.
> Paul Hertzel, Secretary
> IOU Bird Records Committee
> Mason CIty, IA
>
>
> On 9/16/2026 12:34 PM, 'Dinsmore, Stephen J [NREM]' via IA-BIRD wrote:
>
> I have a hard time imagining that this isn’t a different Clark’s
> Nutcracker from the one seen in Ames in August. I think most birders vastly
> underestimate the number of unusual birds out there that are never
> detected, while at the same time overestimating our ability to detect an
> individual bird. Consider an example – Smith’s Longspur. Virtually all
> individuals of this species are thought to pass through Iowa in spring and
> fall and the world population is believed to number no more than 75,000
> individuals. What fraction of that population is seen each year in Iowa?
> Maybe 1-2% in most years, not a high proportion. At its simplest this is a
> probability issue. But short of marking the bird in a unique way, or noting
> some plumage characteristic that is unique, we’ll never really know the
> truth. The IOU Records Committee evaluates all reports of rare birds in
> Iowa and is probably in the best position to determine the uniqueness of
> individual records of the same species.
>
>
>
> I also fail to see the relevance or utility of using AI to address a
> question it is (a) not at all equipped to answer, and (b) can never be
> answered with certainty without the uniqueness I noted earlier. Another in
> a growing list of examples where AI is 100% wrong…
>
>
>
> Steve
>
> **********
>
> Stephen J. Dinsmore
>
> Professor and Chair
>
> Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
>
> Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
>
> Iowa State University
>
> 209 Science II
>
> Ames, IA 50011
>
> Phone: 515-294-1348
>
> E-mail: <cootjr...>
>
> Web: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/cootjr/
>
>
>
> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
> <ia-bird...> *On Behalf Of *Clayton Will
> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 15, 2026 10:56 PM
> *To:* IA-BIRD <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...>
> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Not a sighting
>
>
>
> I did an AI search on the odds of a Clark's Nutcracker seen in Ames Iowa
> and Mason City Iowa a few weeks apart being the same bird. The answer was
> 100% the same bird because of the rarity of this bird in Iowa. Also that
> IOU would accept it was the same bird unless there were signficant physical
> differences.
>
>
>
> Clayton Will
>
> Madrid
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx
> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
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> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sjHza3p%3D%<3DX8LVXZtv2MknLa6jHaASPN2npvUU6bYsGwJQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>
> .
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
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>
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> .
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
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> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested in
> the birds of Iowa. Join today at https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
>
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>
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Date: 9/16/26 1:01 pm
From: Paul Hertzel <phertzel...>
Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Not a sighting |
Steve is right - the IOU Records Committee has almost no choice except
to consider the nutcrackers different birds, different records. It may
be fun to speculate about this, but scientifically, we have to keep an
open mind to the possibilities. So we will undoubtedly treat them as
different records, and if they are all accepted, we will let the Field
Report Editors explain their respective presences in the journal.
Paul Hertzel, Secretary
IOU Bird Records Committee
Mason CIty, IA
On 9/16/2026 12:34 PM, 'Dinsmore, Stephen J [NREM]' via IA-BIRD wrote:
>
> I have a hard time imagining that this isn’t a different Clark’s
> Nutcracker from the one seen in Ames in August. I think most birders
> vastly underestimate the number of unusual birds out there that are
> never detected, while at the same time overestimating our ability to
> detect an individual bird. Consider an example – Smith’s Longspur.
> Virtually all individuals of this species are thought to pass through
> Iowa in spring and fall and the world population is believed to number
> no more than 75,000 individuals. What fraction of that population is
> seen each year in Iowa? Maybe 1-2% in most years, not a high
> proportion. At its simplest this is a probability issue. But short of
> marking the bird in a unique way, or noting some plumage
> characteristic that is unique, we’ll never really know the truth. The
> IOU Records Committee evaluates all reports of rare birds in Iowa and
> is probably in the best position to determine the uniqueness of
> individual records of the same species.
>
> I also fail to see the relevance or utility of using AI to address a
> question it is (a) not at all equipped to answer, and (b) can never be
> answered with certainty without the uniqueness I noted earlier.
> Another in a growing list of examples where AI is 100% wrong…
>
> Steve
>
> **********
>
> Stephen J. Dinsmore
>
> Professor and Chair
>
> Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
>
> Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
>
> Iowa State University
>
> 209 Science II
>
> Ames, IA 50011
>
> Phone: 515-294-1348
>
> E-mail: <cootjr...>
>
> Web: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/cootjr/
> <https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/cootjr/>
>
> *From:* <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> *On Behalf
> Of *Clayton Will
> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 15, 2026 10:56 PM
> *To:* IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
> *Subject:* [ia-bird] Not a sighting
>
> I did an AI search on the odds of a Clark's Nutcracker seen in Ames
> Iowa and Mason City Iowa a few weeks apart being the same bird. The
> answer was 100% the same bird because of the rarity of this bird in
> Iowa. Also that IOU would accept it was the same bird unless there
> were signficant physical differences.
>
> Clayton Will
>
> Madrid
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx
> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested
> in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
> https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "IA-BIRD" group.
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> an email to ia-bird+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
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> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ia-bird/CAHX11sjHza3p%3D%<3DX8LVXZtv2MknLa6jHaASPN2npvUU6bYsGwJQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.
>
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
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> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people interested
> in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
> https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
> ---
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Date: 9/16/26 10:34 am
From: 'Dinsmore, Stephen J [NREM]' via IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: RE: [ia-bird] Not a sighting |
I have a hard time imagining that this isn’t a different Clark’s Nutcracker from the one seen in Ames in August. I think most birders vastly underestimate the number of unusual birds out there that are never detected, while at the same time overestimating our ability to detect an individual bird. Consider an example – Smith’s Longspur. Virtually all individuals of this species are thought to pass through Iowa in spring and fall and the world population is believed to number no more than 75,000 individuals. What fraction of that population is seen each year in Iowa? Maybe 1-2% in most years, not a high proportion. At its simplest this is a probability issue. But short of marking the bird in a unique way, or noting some plumage characteristic that is unique, we’ll never really know the truth. The IOU Records Committee evaluates all reports of rare birds in Iowa and is probably in the best position to determine the uniqueness of individual records of the same species.
I also fail to see the relevance or utility of using AI to address a question it is (a) not at all equipped to answer, and (b) can never be answered with certainty without the uniqueness I noted earlier. Another in a growing list of examples where AI is 100% wrong…
Steve
**********
Stephen J. Dinsmore
Professor and Chair
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Iowa State University
209 Science II
Ames, IA 50011
Phone: 515-294-1348
E-mail: <cootjr...><mailto:<cootjr...>
Web: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/cootjr/
From: <ia-bird...> <ia-bird...> On Behalf Of Clayton Will
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 10:56 PM
To: IA-BIRD <ia-bird...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Not a sighting
I did an AI search on the odds of a Clark's Nutcracker seen in Ames Iowa and Mason City Iowa a few weeks apart being the same bird. The answer was 100% the same bird because of the rarity of this bird in Iowa. Also that IOU would accept it was the same bird unless there were signficant physical differences.
Clayton Will
Madrid
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Date: 9/16/26 7:29 am
From: Merle and Marsha Hall <mghall...>
Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Dragonflies |
Thanks, Ken! They came through Granger late afternoon of the 9th;
appeared to be feasting on gnats or mosquitoes. Lots of nighthawks
overhead at the same time.
Merle
Granger, Dallas County
On 9/15/26 8:09 PM, Clayton Will wrote:
> Two days ago we drove through blocks of dragonflies an hour before
> sunset in Madrid. It was remarkable at ground level. I've seen
> Nighthawks and Flycatchers feasting on swarms up high numerous times
> as would be expected. Why they were at ground level I don't know for
> sure but would suspect winds aloft or food source.
>
> Clayton Will
> Madrid
>
> On Tue, Sep 15, 2026 at 7:19 PM Ken Wiggers <ken.wiggers...> wrote:
>
> Many birders have an interest in dragon flies.
>
> Several days ago I encountered a swarm of Common Green darner
> dragonflies migrating. Others that I've met recently have seen
> these swarms and were curious but did not realize what they were
> seeing. A helpful link:
> https://thedragonflywoman.com/2010/08/24/commonmigratorydragonflies/
>
> *Ken*
> *
> *
> *"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only
> what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been
> taught" ---**Baba Dioum***
> --
> Post by sending an email to <ia-bird...>
> To search for an unfamiliar location, go to
> https://iowabirds.org/Places/FindLocation.aspx
> This list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union -
> https://iowabirds.org/ - with membership open to all people
> interested in the birds of Iowa. Join today at
> https://iowabirds.org/IOU/Membership.aspx.
> IOU Code of Birding Ethics - https://iowabirds.org/Pages.aspx?pg=6
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Date: 9/15/26 4:33 am
From: Clayton Will <willcfish...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Re: 2 Greater Black-backed Gulls at Oak Grove this morning. |
Thank you to all who helped come to a decision on the ID of these two
Lesser Black-backed gulls. I appreciate all your input. Without clear view
of the legs I'm told the red/orange on the Lesser's bill is blobby compared
to the more defined on the Great Black-backed Gull.
Good birding,
Clayton
On Mon, Sep 14, 2026 at 9:44 AM Clayton Will <willcfish...> wrote:
> There were 2 Greater Black-backed Gulls at Oak Grove swim beach this
> morning. Saylorville Lake, Polk County. They were only here for a short
> time and flew out onto the lake. I hope they stay around for a while.
>
> Clayton Will
> Madrid
>
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Date: 9/13/26 6:03 pm
From: Colleen <cradebaugh10...>
Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Birdiful day in/near Ledges State Park |
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Date: 9/13/26 5:29 pm
From: weatherbird58 <weatherbird58...>
Subject: [ia-bird] Birdiful day in/near Ledges State Park |
With cool temperatures and intermittent rain showers, the warbler and vireo
watching was quite good in the Ledges State Park canyon during the morning
hours. After patiently waiting, I think our group saw 9 warbler species,
including nice, close, low-level looks at Black-throated Green,
Bay-breasted, Golden-winged and Black and White Warblers.
As the IOU field trip group was leaving after a yard tour, a flock of Red
Crossbills made a nice appearance, landing in the neighbor's trees.
Warblers and vireos continued to filter through my yard adjacent to the
park well into the afternoon. Around 2 pm, I wandered out to the back yard
garden to pick tomatoes to find the garden and surrounding trees buzzing
with warblers at all levels. These included 6-8 Nashville Warblers,
several Tennessee Warblers, plus a Golden-winged, Bay-breasted and Cape May
Warbler. The best warbler activity in my yard in years!
Just before 7 pm, a large group of Common Nighthawks appeared and
disappeared quickly, followed by another 16 a few minutes later.
Karl Jungbluth, 2 miles south of Boone
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