November photos from the blog by Kevin Kane, Wolf Oesterreich, Erv Klaas, and Kelly Poole.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Nov 30, 2012: November Collage
November photos from the blog by Kevin Kane, Wolf Oesterreich, Erv Klaas, and Kelly Poole.
Nov 29, 2012: The Inlet
Sunshine on a beautiful November afternoon highlights the intrigue of the inlet located in the southwest corner of the north lake. 11/20/12 (Kevin Kane)
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Nov 28, 2012: Clear Water
The low water in the lakes reveals a sand and rocky bottom that is not seen normally when the water is higher and the shore rises to the level of the rip rap. 11/20/12 (Kevin Kane)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Nov 27, 2012: Photography
I enjoy photography at the park so much that it puts me into my own little world. It wasn't until I saw this photographer last week that I remembered that others also find their recreation at the park through taking photos! 11/20/12 (Kevin Kane)
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Nov 26, 2012: Re-creation
There is nothing like sunshine to draw people out to the park, even on a chilly mid-November day. This view is from the central hill looking north over the west shore of the north lake. 11/20/12 (Kevin Kane)
Monday, November 26, 2012
Nov 25, 2012: Common Redpoll
Common Redpoll, 11/25/12 (Wolf Oesterreich)
One of the wintering finches is the Common Redpoll. Due to the crop failure up north, this has been a good year to see this species in Iowa. I have seen up to 16 individuals in one group, usually feeding on old flower heads found along the lower Upland Trail. Many times they are in the company of American tree Sparrows.
Wolf. Oesterreich
Ames
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Nov 24, 2012: White-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch, 11/24/12 (Wolf Oesterreich)
White-breasted Nuthatches are with us year-round. They work their way up and down tree trunks. Look for its cousin, the Red-breasted Nuthatch, a Winter visitor.
Wolf Oesterreich
Ames
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Nov 22, 2012: Thankful
This view of the central pond, looking south from the north end, shows just one of the many quiet spots in the park I am thankful for. 11/20/12 (Kevin Kane)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Nov 21, 2012: Temporary Art
Rock sculpture created from rip rap stones that are now on dry land, east side of north lake, 11/20/12. (Kevin Kane)
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Nov 20, 2012: Let the Trout Fishing Begin
More than a hundred people lined the north lake boat ramp to get a chance to catch trout, just released by the Iowa DNR, 11/20/12. (Kevin Kane)
On a beautiful central Iowa afternoon, upwards of 80 fishermen and women and an equal number of onlookers waited intently for the DNR hatchery truck to arrive. Just before noon the truck pulled in and within minutes was pumping the north lake with enough trout to keep them all happy. The trout looked happy to be out of the truck as well as they literally jumped out of the water after gaining their freedom. It wasn't long before they were being pulled from the lake and shouts like "Grandpa, I got one!" were heard.
On a beautiful central Iowa afternoon, upwards of 80 fishermen and women and an equal number of onlookers waited intently for the DNR hatchery truck to arrive. Just before noon the truck pulled in and within minutes was pumping the north lake with enough trout to keep them all happy. The trout looked happy to be out of the truck as well as they literally jumped out of the water after gaining their freedom. It wasn't long before they were being pulled from the lake and shouts like "Grandpa, I got one!" were heard.
Nov 19, 2012: Big Sky
The blue of the sky and the oranges and rusts of the sunlit grasses play off one another over the western prairie area, looking northeast, 10/21/12. (Kelly Poole)
Nov 18, 2012: Indian Summer
A beautiful day for a walk around the lake and the inlet southwest of the bluff on the south lake shows how low water levels are, 11/20/12. (Kevin Kane)
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Nov 17, 2012: Last of the Leaves
These young Cottonwoods are some of the last deciduous trees in the park to give up their leaves to winter, 10/21/12. (Kelly Poole)
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Nov 16, 2012: Walk at Sunset
A couple take an evening walk along the upland trail, 10/21/12. (Kelly Poole)
Nov 15, 2012: Let the Trout Rush Begin
From the Ames Tribune:
http://amestrib.com/sections/sports/outdoors/dnr-stock-trout-ada-hayden.html#small
http://amestrib.com/sections/sports/outdoors/dnr-stock-trout-ada-hayden.html#small
DNR to stock trout at Ada Hayden
A popular fishing program resumes next week as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be stocking trout at 17 urban fisheries around the state, including one here in Ames.
The DNR will stock some 2,200 11-to-13-inch rainbow trout into the north basin of Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake at noon Tuesday, Nov. 20. The DNR began stocking trout at the Ames fishery twice annually beginning in November 2010.
The coldwater fish do well in the winter months, and will be caught by the time temperatures turn upwards next spring, according to the DNR. Those that don’t get caught, typically die. However, a few of those fish appear to have made it through the summer at Ada Hayden.
“Ada Hayden is unique for urban trout fisheries primarily because of its depth,” said Ben Dodd, fisheries technician for the DNR. “We tried sampling for them this fall but didn’t find any, but from the pictures we’ve seen and from what we’ve heard from anglers, there are some that have survived from the past year that are still be caught on occasion. They must be staying cool enough and finding enough oxygen to survive.”
Previous stockings at Ada Hayden have been met with enthusiasm from area anglers with anywhere from 50 to more than 100 showing up to see the DNR fish truck show up in the parking lot.
Dodd said Ada Hayden and the other 16 urban lakes involved in the program will receive a second shipment of trout late in the winter or in early spring.
Anglers age 16 and older who want to fish for and possess trout at Ada Hayden will be required to purchase a 2013 trout stamp in addition to a 2013 Iowa fishing license. Anglers age 15 and younger do not need either a trout stamp or fishing license, unless they intend to possess any trout, in which case they must be accompanied by an adult with a license and a trout stamp. Together they can combine to possess the one-person daily limit of five trout.
Anglers age 15 and younger also have the option to purchase their own trout stamp, which allows them to keep their own daily limit of five trout.
Information about the urban trout program is on the DNR’s website, www.iowadnr.gov. Click on Fishing, then trout fishing
The DNR will stock some 2,200 11-to-13-inch rainbow trout into the north basin of Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake at noon Tuesday, Nov. 20. The DNR began stocking trout at the Ames fishery twice annually beginning in November 2010.
The coldwater fish do well in the winter months, and will be caught by the time temperatures turn upwards next spring, according to the DNR. Those that don’t get caught, typically die. However, a few of those fish appear to have made it through the summer at Ada Hayden.
“Ada Hayden is unique for urban trout fisheries primarily because of its depth,” said Ben Dodd, fisheries technician for the DNR. “We tried sampling for them this fall but didn’t find any, but from the pictures we’ve seen and from what we’ve heard from anglers, there are some that have survived from the past year that are still be caught on occasion. They must be staying cool enough and finding enough oxygen to survive.”
Previous stockings at Ada Hayden have been met with enthusiasm from area anglers with anywhere from 50 to more than 100 showing up to see the DNR fish truck show up in the parking lot.
Dodd said Ada Hayden and the other 16 urban lakes involved in the program will receive a second shipment of trout late in the winter or in early spring.
Anglers age 16 and older who want to fish for and possess trout at Ada Hayden will be required to purchase a 2013 trout stamp in addition to a 2013 Iowa fishing license. Anglers age 15 and younger do not need either a trout stamp or fishing license, unless they intend to possess any trout, in which case they must be accompanied by an adult with a license and a trout stamp. Together they can combine to possess the one-person daily limit of five trout.
Anglers age 15 and younger also have the option to purchase their own trout stamp, which allows them to keep their own daily limit of five trout.
Information about the urban trout program is on the DNR’s website, www.iowadnr.gov. Click on Fishing, then trout fishing
Nov 14, 2012: Last of the Open Water Fishing
With temperatures dropping there will be fewer and fewer brave souls fishing from boats until finally the lake freezes over. These fishermen were spotted on the south lake on 11/3/12. (Kevin Kane)
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Nov 13, 2012: The Drought Continues...
Though the growing season is over, evidence of the continuing drought is especially evident at AHHP where the water level is several feet below where riprap was placed for erosion control. The photo shows the shoreline near the southwestern inlet of the south lake, 11/3/12. (Kevin Kane)
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Nov 12, 2012: Cyclist
A cyclclist is reflected in the west cove of the south lake as he rides the trail near sunset, 11/3/12 (Kevin Kane)
Monday, November 12, 2012
Nov 11, 2012: Downy Woodpecker
A Downy Woodpecker climbs a vine on the northwest shore of Jensen's Pond. 10/10/12 (Kevin Kane)
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Nov 10, 2012: Wolf's October Wildlife Report
Geese and Pelicans share a bright sunrise on the south lake, 10/10/12 (Kevin Kane)
A total of 95 avian species (plus 3 sp.) was recorded this month.
Based on citations in the 3rd Edition of “The Birds of Story County, Iowa,” by Stephen J. Dinsmore and Hank Zaletel (2001), plus my personal updates to the records, the Ruddy Ducks (5) on the 5th may have set a new extreme early Fall record for Story County (former record set on 7 October 2010 at this Park).
Listed below, following the species’ names, are the date(s) of sighting(s), plus the occasional miscellaneous information regarding numbers, gender (♂=male, ♀=female), age (im=immature, ju=juvenile, abp=adult breeding plumage, ad=adult, anb=adult non-breeding), color phase (b=blue, w=white), and location (BY=back yard). The order follows the 52nd Supplement (2011) to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds and the 11th Supplement to the 7th Edition (1998).
AVIAN
CACKLING GOOSE: 21 (5)
CANADA GOOSE: 1-31
WOOD DUCK: 2 (4♂, 2♀), 22 (2), 26 (1♂, 1♀), 28 (1♂), 29 (1♀)
GADWALL: 1 (1♂, 1♀), 2 (1♂, 3♀), 9 (1♀, 8♀), 19 (1♀), 21 (1♀), 22 (30+), 23 (4), 25 (56), 26 (15)
AMERICAN WIGEON: 1 (1♂). 9 (3♀), 14 (1♂), 22 (1♂, 1♀), 26 (1♀), 28 (1♀)
MALLARD: 1-16, 17 (54), 19 (22♂, 23♀), 20-31
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 1 (150+), 2, 4 (12), 5 (47), 6 (8), 7 (1), 8 (17), 9 (20), 10 (2), 13 (20), 14 (1),
19 (11), 22 (8+)
NORTHERN SHOVELER: 3 (1♂), 5 (2), 9 (1♂, 1♀), 22 (15+), 25 (21+), 26 (10), 27 (6), 28 (1♀)
NORTHERN PINTAIL: 14 (1♀)
GREEN-WINGED TEAL: 1 (147+), 2, 3 (2), 14 (9), 19 (12), 22 (3♂, 5♀), 23 (1), 24 (28), 25 (13),
26 (166+), 27 (30), 28 (1♀), 31 (1♀)
REDHEAD: 1-16 (1 ju), 19 (1 ju), 21 (1 ju), 25 (3), 26 (1 ju), 30-31 (1 ju)
RING-NECKED DUCK: 4 (1♂), 10 (2♂), 14 (1♂), 25 (2♀), 26 (46), 28 (1♂, 1♀), 30-31 (1♂)
LESSER SCAUP: 19 (1♀), 21-22 (1♀), 26 (1♂), 27 (2♂), 28 (3♂, 15♀)
RUDDY DUCK: 1 (5), 11 (1♀), 14 (4), 22 (1), 25 (19), 26 (4), 27 (10)
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1-5, 8-11, 13, 15-17, 20-27, 28 (+ 1 BY), 29, 31
PIED-BILLED GREBE: 1 (54), 2 (14), 3 (1), 4 (64), 5 (25), 6 (10), 7 (2), 8 (3), 9 (13), 10 (9), 11 (4),
12 (24), 13 (13), 14 (14), 15-16 (1), 17 (3), 19 (3), 20-21 (2), 22-24 (6), 25 (2),
26 (27), 27 (12), 28 (4), 31 (1)
HORNED GREBE: 1 (1), 6 (3), 19 (1)
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 9-10 (1), 29 (1)
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 9 (19), 17 (1)
GREAT BLUE HERON: 1-2 (1), 3 (2), 8 (1), 12-13 (1), 15 (1), 27 (1)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: 10 (1 im), 13 (1 im), 19-20 (1 im)
TURKEY VULTURE: 1, 3, 5-6 (1), 8 (3), 9 (2), 10-11 (1), 13 (2), 14 (3), 15 (1)
OSPREY: 9 (1), 13 (1), 15 (1), 17 (2), 27 (1)
BALD EAGLE: 5 (1 ad), 28 (1 ad)
NORTHERN HARRIER: 9 (1 brown), 25 (1 brown)
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: 9-10 (1 im), 13 (1 im)
COOPER’S HAWK: 6 (1), 11 (1), 17 (1), 22-23 (1), 26-27 (1), 30 (1)
Accipiter sp.: 30 (1)
RED-TAILED HAWK: 1 (1), 4 (1), 5 (2), 8 (1), 9 (2), 10 (3), 12 (1), 14 (2), 15 (1), 16 (2), 17 (3), 19 (2), 20 (1), 21 (2), 22-23 (1 im), 25 (2), 26 (3), 27-28 (2), 29 (1)
AMERICAN KESTREL: 4 (1), 20 (1♀)
MERLIN: 25 (1)
SORA: 4-5 (1)
AMERICAN COOT: 1 (52+), 2 (21), 3 (11), 4 (35), 5 (45), 6 (2), 7 (11), 8 (16), 9 (72), 10 (17), 12 (24), 13 (13), 14 (18), 15 (5), 16 (2), 17 (1), 19 (37), 20 (12), 21 (2), 22 (31), 23 (36),
24 (41), 25 (~200), 26 (27), 27 (33), 28 (20), 29 (17), 30 (7), 31 (6)
KILLDEER: 2-3, 4 (3), 5 (13), 6 (11), 7 (7), 8 (9), 9 (3), 10 (2), 11 (8), 12 (7), 13 (6), 15 (3), 16 (23),
20 (12), 21 (8), 22 (12), 23 (13), 24 (10), 25 (1), 27 (5), 28 (4)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: 16 (2), 26 (1)
LEAST SANDPIPER: 1 (1)
WILSON’S SNIPE: 3 (2)
BONAPARTE’S GULL: 12 (1), 16 (2), 20 (~30)
FRANKLIN’S GULL: 1 (75+), 24 (1)
RING-BILLED GULL: 5 (1), 14 (3), 21 (6)
Gull sp.: 13 (1), 21 (1)
MOURNING DOVE: 2-4, 6-7, 10 (30+), 11 (50+), 12, 14-15, 21-22, 24, 27-29
BELTED KINGFISHER: 1-2 (1), 7 (1), 9 (2), 10-12 (1), 13 (1♂), 14 (2), 15 (1♂), 16-17 (1), 19 (1♂),
22 (1♂), 23-25 (1), 28 (1♂), 31 (1)
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 1-4, 7, 15-17, 19, 22-24, 26-28, 30-31
DOWNY WOODPECKER: 3-6, 10-14, 18, 20-24, 27-29
HAIRY WOODPECKER: 1, 7, 11, 16, 19, 26, 28
NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 1-2, 5-6, 8 (2), 9 (3), 10 (2), 11, 12 (2), 14 (1), 17 (1), 19 (1), 28 (1)
EASTERN PHOEBE: 2 (3), 3-4 (2), 5-6 (3), 8 (2), 10-11 (1), 15 (2), 16 (1)
BLUE JAY: 1-7, 9-13, 17, 19-24, 26-31
AMERICAN CROW: 1-31
TREE SWALLOW: 5 (3)
BARN SWALLOW: 8 (3)
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1-31
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 1-3, 7, 12-13, 15, 17, 20-24, 26-30
BROWN CREEPER: 24 (1)
WINTER WREN: 27 (1),
HOUSE WREN: 4
MARSH WREN: 9 (1), 15 (1), 23 (1)
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET: 2 (1), 5 (1), 8 (1), 14 (1), 20 (1), 21 (4), 24 (9), 25 (4), 26 (3)
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: 1 (2), 2 (3+), 5 (1), 7 (3), 9 (2), 10 (6), 11 (1), 14 (2), 16 (1), 17 (5),
19-20 (3), 23 (4), 25 (1), 28 (3)
EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 2-3, 4 (6♂, 4♀), 5 (1), 6 (11), 7, 9 (4), 10, 12 (2), 13 (5), 14, 15-17 (1), 19 (5), 20-21 (3), 26, 27 (2), 28 (5)
SWAINSON’S THRUSH: 2-4 (1), 6 (2), 7 (1)
HERMIT THRUSH: 2-3 (2), 4-6 (1), 9-10 (1), 12-13 (1), 17 (1), 19 (2), 21-22 (1)
AMERICAN ROBIN: 1-13, 16-17, 19-22, 28
GRAY CATBIRD: 1 (1)
EUROPEAN STARLING: 2-3, 7-8, 10-12, 19, 21, 24, 27-29
AMERICAN PIPIT: 8 (2), 17 (3), 26 (2)
CEDAR WAXWING: 2 (13), 3
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: 2 (3), 17 (2), 20 (1), 28 (2)
NASHVILLE WARBLER: 11 (1♂)
PALM WARBLER: 2 (3+), 3 (1), 5 (1), 6 (2), 9 (1)
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (Myrtle): 1 (4), 2-8, 9 (2), 10 (6), 11 (3), 12 (4), 13 (1), 14 (3), 23 (3), 24 (2), 25 (1), 26 (3)
EASTERN TOWHEE: 21 (1♀ BY), 27 (1 BY)
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: 21-22 (1), 26 (1), 27 (18+), 28-29, 31
CHIPPING SPARROW: 1, 4-6, 9-10, 13, 17 (4)
FIELD SPARROW: 2 (1), 10 (1), 22 (1)
VESPER SPARROW: 25 (1)
SAVANNAH SPARROW: 2 (3), 3 (1), 6 (1), 8 (1), 10 (1)
LE CONTE’S SPARROW: 23 (1)
FOX SPARROW: 2 (2), 3 (3), 7 (1), 10 (4), 11 (2), 13 (1 BY), 15 (3), 16-17 (1), 19-20 (1), 21 (3),
26 (3 BY), 27 (1 BY + 2), 29 (1), 31 (1)
SONG SPARROW: 1-17, 19-31
LINCOLN’S SPARROW: 1, 2 (5+), 3 (9+), 4 (4+), 5-7 (1), 8 (3), 9 (1), 10 (5), 11 (3), 12 (2), 15 (2),
16 (3), 17 (1), 19 (3), 21 (2), 27 (1)
SWAMP SPARROW: 1 (1), 2 (3+), 3-4 (6), 5 (5), 6 (6), 7 (4), 8 (35+), 9-10 (9+), 11 (7+), 12 (3), 13 (1), 15 (1), 16 (5), 17 (2), 19 (6), 20 (2), 21 (7), 23 (3), 24 (2), 25 (1), 27 (4), 28 (9+), 31 (3)
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: 2-6, 8-22, 25
HARRIS’S SPARROW: 2 (7+), 3 (5), 5-7 (3), 8 (2), 9 (7), 10 (28+), 11 (17+), 12 (3), 13 (4), 14 (1),
15 (2), 16-17 (1), 18-19 (2), 20 (10), 21 (6), 22 (4), 23 (6), 24 (7), 25 (2), 26 (6),
27 (4 BY + 1), 28 (6 BY), 29 (1 + 5 BY), 30 (1 BY + 10)
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: 2 (1), 3-4 (2), 5 (1), 7 (1), 8 (2), 9 (5), 10 (3), 11 (5), 12 (2), 13-14 (3), 15 (6), 16 (1), 17 (2), 19 (6), 20-22 (2), 23 (1), 25 (1), 26 (5), 27 (4), 28 (1), 29 (3)
DARK-EYED JUNCO (Slate-colored): 2 (20+), 3-31
NORTHERN CARDINAL: 2-3, 8-11, 13, 15, 17-18, 21-31
INDIGO BUNTING: 2 (1 im)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 1-2, 3 (4), 6, 10-13, 16, 19-23, 26. 28-30
Meadowlark sp.: 21 (1)
RUSTY BLACKBIRD: 2 (1), 20 (3♂, 2♀), 21 (1♂)
COMMON GRACKLE: 2 (1), 7, 15 (1), 21-22, 26-27
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: 2, 3 (2), 8 (2), 12 (2), 17 (1♂), 21 (1♂), 23 (3)
HOUSE FINCH: 2-29, 31
PINE SISKIN: 10 (2), 17 (34), 19 (~75), 20 (~130), 21, 23 (30+), 24 (12+)
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1-17, 19-29, 31
HOUSE SPARROW: 2-18, 20-31
MAMMALIAN
WHITE-TAILED DEER: 2 (♀ w/2 Y), 7 (8), 10 (♀ w/1 Y), 12 (4), 14-15 (2), 20 (2), 26 (♀ w/2 Y, 1♂),
28 (1♂, ♀ w/2 Y, ♀ w/1 Y), 29 (1), 30 (♀ w/1 Y), 31 (♀ w/2 Y)
FOX SQUIRREL: 1-2, 8, 10, 13-14, 17, 20, 23-29, 31
THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL: 3-4, 10 (1), 13-14
EASTERN CHIPMUNK: 2, 27-28, 30
NORTH AMERICAN BEAVER: 21 (1)
EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 1-6, 9, 13-14, 16-17, 20-23, 27-30
REPTILIAN
EASTERN GARTER SNAKE: 8 (2), 16 (1), 24 (2)
NORTHERN PAINTED TURTLE: 1-4, 8 (2), 10, 12-17, 22, 24, 29 (1)
AMPHIBIAN
AMERICAN TOAD: 11 (1)
BULLFROG: 1-10, 12-13
LEPIDOPTERA
BLACK SWALLOWTAIL: 3 (1)
CABBAGE WHITE: 2-3, 15-16
ORANGE SULPHUR: 1-4, 8 (2), 13 (1), 15-16, 20, 22-24
DAINTY SULPHUR: 2
PAINTED LADY: 1-3, 21 (1)
COMMON BUCKEYE: 3
Skipper sp.: 16, 24
ODONATA
Mosaic Darner sp.: 1 (1♀), 2 (1♂)
SAFFRON-WINGED MEADOWHAWK: 2
CHERRY-FACED MEADOWHAWK: 1-4
WHITE-FACED MEADOWHAWK: 1
RUBY MEADOWHAWK: 4
Meadowhawk sp.: 1-4
Wolf Oesterreich, Ames
A total of 95 avian species (plus 3 sp.) was recorded this month.
Based on citations in the 3rd Edition of “The Birds of Story County, Iowa,” by Stephen J. Dinsmore and Hank Zaletel (2001), plus my personal updates to the records, the Ruddy Ducks (5) on the 5th may have set a new extreme early Fall record for Story County (former record set on 7 October 2010 at this Park).
Listed below, following the species’ names, are the date(s) of sighting(s), plus the occasional miscellaneous information regarding numbers, gender (♂=male, ♀=female), age (im=immature, ju=juvenile, abp=adult breeding plumage, ad=adult, anb=adult non-breeding), color phase (b=blue, w=white), and location (BY=back yard). The order follows the 52nd Supplement (2011) to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds and the 11th Supplement to the 7th Edition (1998).
AVIAN
CACKLING GOOSE: 21 (5)
CANADA GOOSE: 1-31
WOOD DUCK: 2 (4♂, 2♀), 22 (2), 26 (1♂, 1♀), 28 (1♂), 29 (1♀)
GADWALL: 1 (1♂, 1♀), 2 (1♂, 3♀), 9 (1♀, 8♀), 19 (1♀), 21 (1♀), 22 (30+), 23 (4), 25 (56), 26 (15)
AMERICAN WIGEON: 1 (1♂). 9 (3♀), 14 (1♂), 22 (1♂, 1♀), 26 (1♀), 28 (1♀)
MALLARD: 1-16, 17 (54), 19 (22♂, 23♀), 20-31
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 1 (150+), 2, 4 (12), 5 (47), 6 (8), 7 (1), 8 (17), 9 (20), 10 (2), 13 (20), 14 (1),
19 (11), 22 (8+)
NORTHERN SHOVELER: 3 (1♂), 5 (2), 9 (1♂, 1♀), 22 (15+), 25 (21+), 26 (10), 27 (6), 28 (1♀)
NORTHERN PINTAIL: 14 (1♀)
GREEN-WINGED TEAL: 1 (147+), 2, 3 (2), 14 (9), 19 (12), 22 (3♂, 5♀), 23 (1), 24 (28), 25 (13),
26 (166+), 27 (30), 28 (1♀), 31 (1♀)
REDHEAD: 1-16 (1 ju), 19 (1 ju), 21 (1 ju), 25 (3), 26 (1 ju), 30-31 (1 ju)
RING-NECKED DUCK: 4 (1♂), 10 (2♂), 14 (1♂), 25 (2♀), 26 (46), 28 (1♂, 1♀), 30-31 (1♂)
LESSER SCAUP: 19 (1♀), 21-22 (1♀), 26 (1♂), 27 (2♂), 28 (3♂, 15♀)
RUDDY DUCK: 1 (5), 11 (1♀), 14 (4), 22 (1), 25 (19), 26 (4), 27 (10)
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1-5, 8-11, 13, 15-17, 20-27, 28 (+ 1 BY), 29, 31
PIED-BILLED GREBE: 1 (54), 2 (14), 3 (1), 4 (64), 5 (25), 6 (10), 7 (2), 8 (3), 9 (13), 10 (9), 11 (4),
12 (24), 13 (13), 14 (14), 15-16 (1), 17 (3), 19 (3), 20-21 (2), 22-24 (6), 25 (2),
26 (27), 27 (12), 28 (4), 31 (1)
HORNED GREBE: 1 (1), 6 (3), 19 (1)
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 9-10 (1), 29 (1)
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 9 (19), 17 (1)
GREAT BLUE HERON: 1-2 (1), 3 (2), 8 (1), 12-13 (1), 15 (1), 27 (1)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: 10 (1 im), 13 (1 im), 19-20 (1 im)
TURKEY VULTURE: 1, 3, 5-6 (1), 8 (3), 9 (2), 10-11 (1), 13 (2), 14 (3), 15 (1)
OSPREY: 9 (1), 13 (1), 15 (1), 17 (2), 27 (1)
BALD EAGLE: 5 (1 ad), 28 (1 ad)
NORTHERN HARRIER: 9 (1 brown), 25 (1 brown)
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: 9-10 (1 im), 13 (1 im)
COOPER’S HAWK: 6 (1), 11 (1), 17 (1), 22-23 (1), 26-27 (1), 30 (1)
Accipiter sp.: 30 (1)
RED-TAILED HAWK: 1 (1), 4 (1), 5 (2), 8 (1), 9 (2), 10 (3), 12 (1), 14 (2), 15 (1), 16 (2), 17 (3), 19 (2), 20 (1), 21 (2), 22-23 (1 im), 25 (2), 26 (3), 27-28 (2), 29 (1)
AMERICAN KESTREL: 4 (1), 20 (1♀)
MERLIN: 25 (1)
SORA: 4-5 (1)
AMERICAN COOT: 1 (52+), 2 (21), 3 (11), 4 (35), 5 (45), 6 (2), 7 (11), 8 (16), 9 (72), 10 (17), 12 (24), 13 (13), 14 (18), 15 (5), 16 (2), 17 (1), 19 (37), 20 (12), 21 (2), 22 (31), 23 (36),
24 (41), 25 (~200), 26 (27), 27 (33), 28 (20), 29 (17), 30 (7), 31 (6)
KILLDEER: 2-3, 4 (3), 5 (13), 6 (11), 7 (7), 8 (9), 9 (3), 10 (2), 11 (8), 12 (7), 13 (6), 15 (3), 16 (23),
20 (12), 21 (8), 22 (12), 23 (13), 24 (10), 25 (1), 27 (5), 28 (4)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: 16 (2), 26 (1)
LEAST SANDPIPER: 1 (1)
WILSON’S SNIPE: 3 (2)
BONAPARTE’S GULL: 12 (1), 16 (2), 20 (~30)
FRANKLIN’S GULL: 1 (75+), 24 (1)
RING-BILLED GULL: 5 (1), 14 (3), 21 (6)
Gull sp.: 13 (1), 21 (1)
MOURNING DOVE: 2-4, 6-7, 10 (30+), 11 (50+), 12, 14-15, 21-22, 24, 27-29
BELTED KINGFISHER: 1-2 (1), 7 (1), 9 (2), 10-12 (1), 13 (1♂), 14 (2), 15 (1♂), 16-17 (1), 19 (1♂),
22 (1♂), 23-25 (1), 28 (1♂), 31 (1)
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 1-4, 7, 15-17, 19, 22-24, 26-28, 30-31
DOWNY WOODPECKER: 3-6, 10-14, 18, 20-24, 27-29
HAIRY WOODPECKER: 1, 7, 11, 16, 19, 26, 28
NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 1-2, 5-6, 8 (2), 9 (3), 10 (2), 11, 12 (2), 14 (1), 17 (1), 19 (1), 28 (1)
EASTERN PHOEBE: 2 (3), 3-4 (2), 5-6 (3), 8 (2), 10-11 (1), 15 (2), 16 (1)
BLUE JAY: 1-7, 9-13, 17, 19-24, 26-31
AMERICAN CROW: 1-31
TREE SWALLOW: 5 (3)
BARN SWALLOW: 8 (3)
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1-31
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 1-3, 7, 12-13, 15, 17, 20-24, 26-30
BROWN CREEPER: 24 (1)
WINTER WREN: 27 (1),
HOUSE WREN: 4
MARSH WREN: 9 (1), 15 (1), 23 (1)
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET: 2 (1), 5 (1), 8 (1), 14 (1), 20 (1), 21 (4), 24 (9), 25 (4), 26 (3)
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: 1 (2), 2 (3+), 5 (1), 7 (3), 9 (2), 10 (6), 11 (1), 14 (2), 16 (1), 17 (5),
19-20 (3), 23 (4), 25 (1), 28 (3)
EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 2-3, 4 (6♂, 4♀), 5 (1), 6 (11), 7, 9 (4), 10, 12 (2), 13 (5), 14, 15-17 (1), 19 (5), 20-21 (3), 26, 27 (2), 28 (5)
SWAINSON’S THRUSH: 2-4 (1), 6 (2), 7 (1)
HERMIT THRUSH: 2-3 (2), 4-6 (1), 9-10 (1), 12-13 (1), 17 (1), 19 (2), 21-22 (1)
AMERICAN ROBIN: 1-13, 16-17, 19-22, 28
GRAY CATBIRD: 1 (1)
EUROPEAN STARLING: 2-3, 7-8, 10-12, 19, 21, 24, 27-29
AMERICAN PIPIT: 8 (2), 17 (3), 26 (2)
CEDAR WAXWING: 2 (13), 3
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: 2 (3), 17 (2), 20 (1), 28 (2)
NASHVILLE WARBLER: 11 (1♂)
PALM WARBLER: 2 (3+), 3 (1), 5 (1), 6 (2), 9 (1)
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (Myrtle): 1 (4), 2-8, 9 (2), 10 (6), 11 (3), 12 (4), 13 (1), 14 (3), 23 (3), 24 (2), 25 (1), 26 (3)
EASTERN TOWHEE: 21 (1♀ BY), 27 (1 BY)
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: 21-22 (1), 26 (1), 27 (18+), 28-29, 31
CHIPPING SPARROW: 1, 4-6, 9-10, 13, 17 (4)
FIELD SPARROW: 2 (1), 10 (1), 22 (1)
VESPER SPARROW: 25 (1)
SAVANNAH SPARROW: 2 (3), 3 (1), 6 (1), 8 (1), 10 (1)
LE CONTE’S SPARROW: 23 (1)
FOX SPARROW: 2 (2), 3 (3), 7 (1), 10 (4), 11 (2), 13 (1 BY), 15 (3), 16-17 (1), 19-20 (1), 21 (3),
26 (3 BY), 27 (1 BY + 2), 29 (1), 31 (1)
SONG SPARROW: 1-17, 19-31
LINCOLN’S SPARROW: 1, 2 (5+), 3 (9+), 4 (4+), 5-7 (1), 8 (3), 9 (1), 10 (5), 11 (3), 12 (2), 15 (2),
16 (3), 17 (1), 19 (3), 21 (2), 27 (1)
SWAMP SPARROW: 1 (1), 2 (3+), 3-4 (6), 5 (5), 6 (6), 7 (4), 8 (35+), 9-10 (9+), 11 (7+), 12 (3), 13 (1), 15 (1), 16 (5), 17 (2), 19 (6), 20 (2), 21 (7), 23 (3), 24 (2), 25 (1), 27 (4), 28 (9+), 31 (3)
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: 2-6, 8-22, 25
HARRIS’S SPARROW: 2 (7+), 3 (5), 5-7 (3), 8 (2), 9 (7), 10 (28+), 11 (17+), 12 (3), 13 (4), 14 (1),
15 (2), 16-17 (1), 18-19 (2), 20 (10), 21 (6), 22 (4), 23 (6), 24 (7), 25 (2), 26 (6),
27 (4 BY + 1), 28 (6 BY), 29 (1 + 5 BY), 30 (1 BY + 10)
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: 2 (1), 3-4 (2), 5 (1), 7 (1), 8 (2), 9 (5), 10 (3), 11 (5), 12 (2), 13-14 (3), 15 (6), 16 (1), 17 (2), 19 (6), 20-22 (2), 23 (1), 25 (1), 26 (5), 27 (4), 28 (1), 29 (3)
DARK-EYED JUNCO (Slate-colored): 2 (20+), 3-31
NORTHERN CARDINAL: 2-3, 8-11, 13, 15, 17-18, 21-31
INDIGO BUNTING: 2 (1 im)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 1-2, 3 (4), 6, 10-13, 16, 19-23, 26. 28-30
Meadowlark sp.: 21 (1)
RUSTY BLACKBIRD: 2 (1), 20 (3♂, 2♀), 21 (1♂)
COMMON GRACKLE: 2 (1), 7, 15 (1), 21-22, 26-27
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: 2, 3 (2), 8 (2), 12 (2), 17 (1♂), 21 (1♂), 23 (3)
HOUSE FINCH: 2-29, 31
PINE SISKIN: 10 (2), 17 (34), 19 (~75), 20 (~130), 21, 23 (30+), 24 (12+)
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1-17, 19-29, 31
HOUSE SPARROW: 2-18, 20-31
MAMMALIAN
WHITE-TAILED DEER: 2 (♀ w/2 Y), 7 (8), 10 (♀ w/1 Y), 12 (4), 14-15 (2), 20 (2), 26 (♀ w/2 Y, 1♂),
28 (1♂, ♀ w/2 Y, ♀ w/1 Y), 29 (1), 30 (♀ w/1 Y), 31 (♀ w/2 Y)
FOX SQUIRREL: 1-2, 8, 10, 13-14, 17, 20, 23-29, 31
THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL: 3-4, 10 (1), 13-14
EASTERN CHIPMUNK: 2, 27-28, 30
NORTH AMERICAN BEAVER: 21 (1)
EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 1-6, 9, 13-14, 16-17, 20-23, 27-30
REPTILIAN
EASTERN GARTER SNAKE: 8 (2), 16 (1), 24 (2)
NORTHERN PAINTED TURTLE: 1-4, 8 (2), 10, 12-17, 22, 24, 29 (1)
AMPHIBIAN
AMERICAN TOAD: 11 (1)
BULLFROG: 1-10, 12-13
LEPIDOPTERA
BLACK SWALLOWTAIL: 3 (1)
CABBAGE WHITE: 2-3, 15-16
ORANGE SULPHUR: 1-4, 8 (2), 13 (1), 15-16, 20, 22-24
DAINTY SULPHUR: 2
PAINTED LADY: 1-3, 21 (1)
COMMON BUCKEYE: 3
Skipper sp.: 16, 24
ODONATA
Mosaic Darner sp.: 1 (1♀), 2 (1♂)
SAFFRON-WINGED MEADOWHAWK: 2
CHERRY-FACED MEADOWHAWK: 1-4
WHITE-FACED MEADOWHAWK: 1
RUBY MEADOWHAWK: 4
Meadowhawk sp.: 1-4
Wolf Oesterreich, Ames
Nov 9, 2012: Autumn Shadows in the Prairie
Shannon and I pose for a shadow portrait in the NW prairie area. Seems like yesterday I stood in the same spot watching the prairie fire consume last year's grasses. 11/3/12 (Kevin Kane)
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Nov 8, 2012: Lone Kayaker
A lone kayaker on the still waters of the north lake, near dusk on the 7th. 11/7/12 (Wolf Oesterreich)
Wolf
Friday, November 9, 2012
Nov 7, 2012: Pine Siskins
Pine Siskins have "invaded" in high numbers this season. I have seen more this season than the total number of siskins seen in the past 20 years. This was one was found feeding on sunflower heads along the Upland Trail (southern end), 11/7/12 (Wolf Oesterreich)
Wolf
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Nov 6, 2012: Sunflowers at Sunset
Remnants of this seasons sunflowers stand tall over the west prairie as the sun sets, 11/3/12 (Kevin Kane)
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Nov 5, 2012: Reflections at Sunset
Bare trees are reflected over the western cove of the south lake at sunset, 11/3/12 (Kevin Kane)
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Nov 4, 2012: Beavers at Work
.JPG)
I found these new Beaver cuttings up on top of the bluff, near the end of the east arm of the bluff spur. 11/04/12 (Wolf Oesterreich)
Wolf
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Nov 3, 2012: Turtles?
Yesterday, Erv posted regarding the unique behavior of a group of American Coots on the lake, Today, Shannon and I observed something I had never seen before -- a group of animals in the water grouped together (3 groups of about 10 each) bobbing up and down until they all dove under together. The photo aove shows the dive and how the water "boiled up" around them. Another photo of one of the groups is shown below. 11/3/12 (Kevin Kane).
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Nov 2, 2012: Erv's Field Notes #47
American Coots huddled on the south lake, 11/2/12 (Erv Klaas)
Friday, November 2, 2012, ll:30am-12:30pm, Cloudy, east wind, Temperature 44 degrees F.
Walked around the south lake starting at Calhoun Park next to Conley's Trucking Co. The first thing I saw as I got out of the car was two Bald Eagles soaring overhead. As I watched they drifted off to the south. As I walked west along the south shore I saw a large black object in the water moving towards the west shore. When I looked through the binoculars, I could see that the object was actually a flock of American Coots, swimming so close together that they seemed to be touching each other. When I reached the west side of the lake they were near shore and I was able to take a picture of them. In the field I estimated there was about 30 birds. When I got home and enlarged the photo on the computer screen, I counted 58. I have not seen coots do this before and I cannot explain why. By the time I completed the walk around the lake the flock was back along the south shore and still swimming close together.
Other birds seen on the walk: Canada Goose (1), Mallard (95 on Pond N near Stonebrooke), Hooded Merganser (4), Bufflehead (2), Ring-necked Duck (2), Pied-bill Grebe (5), American Crow, Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, Tree Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and American Goldfinch.
Erv Klaas
Nov 1, 2012: Goldenrod Seed
The goldenrod's yellow flowers have given way, now displaying these fluffy seed heads, 10/21/12 (Kevin Kane)
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