Warblers!

Well, the warbler migration finally arrived and I managed to get out on a couple of good days.

Mini-Wakan State Park has been my favorite spot this spring with a total of 19 species of warblers.  It is nice and small, making it easy to stop by quick and check out without having to spend too much time if things are quiet.

Hales Slough and the trails of Kettleson Hogsback have been very productive also.


2014 TOTALS (as of May 12th):

World: 217
United States: 202
Iowa: 171
Dickinson Co.: 162

Things are starting to pick up a bit

The spring migration is starting to pick up a bit over the last week.

Notable new arrivals this week:

White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Black and white Warbler
Palm Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-crowned Night-heron

Green Heron - Elinor Bedell SP

Marbled Godwit
Long-billed Dowitcher
Baird's Sandpiper

Solitary Sandpiper - Elinor Bedell SP

Broad-wing Hawk (lots at Elinor Bedell SP)
Forster's Tern


While I'm starting to see new species showing up, the numbers are still low and I assume that everything is a little bit delayed this year due to the long winter and seasonally cold weather.  Southern Iowa seems to be looking good, so it should only be a few more days before migration really hits it's stride up here.


YEAR TOTALS (as of 5/3/14):

World: 179
United States: 163
Iowa: 130
Dickinson Co.: 120