July 31, 2013: July Photo Collage

July 2013 photos from the blog by Kevin Kane, Wolf. Oesterreich, Erv Klaas, and Michael Martin.

July 30, 2013: Common Whitetail

Common Whitetail, 7/3/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
One of the common dragonflies found at the Park, the Common Whitetail spends a lot of time perching on the ground.  I usually flush a few from the Upland Trail, just west of the south trailhead.  The white abdomen on the male is quite distinctive.  Flight Season: May through October.

July 29, 2013: Ruddy Ducks

This pair of Ruddy Ducks was an unexpected find on the south lake on 17 July. (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 28, 2013: Dragon Boats at AHHP (Ames Tribune)

Ames Tribune Photo by Julie Ferrell, 7/27/13

Local group rows their way to dragon boat competition

Among the kayakers and canoers on the calm Ada Hayden waters, another nautical figure can be spotted on Wednesday nights this summer. The nearly 41-foot-long boat is decked out with yellow and white scales along the sides, and an intricate drum is placed at the front of the boat.

It’s the Life is Bliss dragon boat, and it’s getting ready for competition. Read more at the link above.

July 27, 2013: Drying Wetlands

A view of the north wetland complex looking east. 7/25/13 (Wolf Oesterreich).  
Pools A, B, & C are now dry, with Pool F and Pond D heading that way.

July 26, 2013: Sun on the North Lake

Golden sun reflects off the north lake and the prairie, looking northwest. 7/11/2013 (Kevin Kane)

July 25, 2013: Black-eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans are common in the prairie areas of the Park.  They are easily recognized by the yellow ray petals surrounding a brown dome-shaped disk.  Family Asteraceae.  Blooms June through September. 7/16/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 24, 2013: Mallards

This Mallard hen and her young brood were found near the spillway (south lake) on 22 July. 7/22/12 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 23, 2013: Calico Pennant

Years after Erv Klaas found his first Calico Pennant at Ada Hayden HP I have finally seen one, too. This male was found along the shore of the small cove located at the SW corner of the north lake. I believe this is also where Erv had found his specimen. Flight season for Iowa is May through September. 6/25/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 22, 2013: Storm over AHHP

A low level cloud bank begins to open revealing mammatus clouds typical of a severe thunder storm over the northern portion of the park.  High winds and rain ended a long period of drought for the park. 7/22/13 (Kevin Kane)

July 21, 2013: Compass Plant

Compass Plants (Family: Asteraceae) are in bloom in many areas of the Park. The name comes from the tendency of their foliage to align in a north-south direction. Their taproots may grow more than 9 to 14 feet deep, aiding in their drought resistance. 7/20/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 20, 2013: Iowa Games at AHHP

Various modes of water travel in the Iowa Games marathon (mixed entries) event at the Park. 7/20/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 19, 2013: Four-spotted Skimmers

Several Four-spotted Skimmers were found at Jensen Pond.  I haven't recorded this species at the Park since 2009.  Flight Season: May - July. 7/2/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 18, 2013: Rainbow Bluet

Of all the bluets (a damselfly), the male Rainbow Bluet is one of the easiest to identify.  The orange eyes (green behind), blue postocular spots, bluish-green thorax, yellowish legs, black abdomen (sides blue, with Segment 9 entirely blue), and narrow yellowish stripes on the thorax are key characteristics.  [1.2-1.5 inches]  They can be commonly found along the north lake's north shore. 6/21/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 17, 2013: Purple Coneflower

Purple Coneflower. 7/17/13 (Kevin Kane)

July 16, 2013: Hayden Park News #6

South lake looking north. 7/10/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 16, 2013.
On my visits to the park, this past month, I have observed a severe bloom of filamentous algae accumulating along the shores of the lake. Most of this is located along the west shorelines of both the north and south basins. It is growing rather rapidly and is covering up existing stands of sego pondweed, a beneficial plant that is growing there.

This algae growth is a sure sign of increasing nutrient levels in the lake, especially phosphorus. The causes of this increase are complex. Runoff from cropland and urban development, groundwater, and fecal deposition by wintering waterfowl. The constructed wetlands are supposed to help with removal of nutrients but it seems they are not functioning well.

EPA Office of Water is sponsoring a free webinar on July 25, noon to 1:30 on the dangers of algae growth to public health. You can register at this address:

http://water.epa.gov/learn/training/wacademy/webcasts_index.cfm.

If you are so inclined, call the Director of the Parks and Recreation, Keith Abraham, and voice you concern.

Erv Klaas

July 15, 2013: Dot-tailed Whiteface

Several Dot-tailed Whitefaces can be found at Jensen Pond.  The pair of yellow abdominal spots, the all-black body, and white face differentiates this male from all other dragonflies.  Flight Season: May - August. 7/4/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 14, 2013: Red-eared Slider

This Red-eared Slider was found at Jensen Pond.  However, this species shouldn't be in our area.  These turtles normally live in southeastern Iowa, along the Mississippi River and four of the large rivers that drain into the Mississippi River.  Those found in our area were introduced due to the release of pet turtles.  Red-eared Sliders are breeding at the Park as I have observed females laying eggs and have found very young turtles. 6/28/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 13, 2013: Grasses at Sunset

Grasses silhouetted by the sunset on the south shore of the south lake looking northwest to the bluff area. 7/11/13 (Kevin Kane)

July 12, 2013: Halloween Pennant

The wing color pattern of Halloween Pennants makes this species easy to identify.  They tend to perch high on vegetation, especially last year's dead stalks.  Flight Season: June - September. 7/7/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 11, 2013: North Lake

Panorama of north lake looking west-north-east from the inlet's south point. 7/11/13 (Kevin Kane)

July 10, 2013: Paddlers

A Wednesday evening paddling expedition for the Skunk River Paddlers at sunset on the north lake.  7/3/13 (Kevin Kane)

July 9, 2013: Eastern Pondhawk

Eastern Pondhawks (1.7 inches) are voracious predators, sometimes capturing other dragonflies, even their own species.  They are also one of the few skimmers that habitually chooses to perch on the ground.  Flight Season: May through October.  These Eastern Pondhawks were found at Jensen Pond. The female is mostly green with some black markings (left), while the male is blue  with a green face and eyes (right). 6/26/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 8, 2013: Northern Painted Turtle

This female Northern Painted Turtle is digging a hole in which to lay her eggs. 7/2/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 7, 2013: Bursting with Color!

If you haven't been to the park lately you need to treat yourself soon.  The prairie flowers have burst open with purples, yellows, and oranges over the last few days. This view looks over pond L in the southwest corner of the park. 7/3/13 (Kevin Kane)

July 6, 2013: Erv's Field Notes #60

Mourning Cloak catepillar. 7/5/13 (Erv Klaas)

Friday, July 5,2013, 1 pm. Sunny, southerly breeze, Temperature 86 degrees F.

I scouted the north shore of the north lake for Odonates and whatever else I could find. Walking slowly along the dirt path created by fisherman near the water’s edge, I spotted a good number of dragonflies and damselflies. These insects were slow to emerge this year but now that summer and hot weather is here, they are out in force. Today’s sightings included damselflies: Blue-fronted Dancer, Powdered Dancer, Familiar Bluet, Tule Bluet, Orange Bluet, Eastern Forktail, Rainbow Bluet, and Double-striped Bluet. Dragonflies seen were: Widow Skimmer, Common Baskettail, Common Green Darner, Calico Pennant, Eastern Amberwing, and Black Saddlebags. Many of the damselflies and dragonflies were mating and laying eggs. The Calico Pennant is worth special mention. This handsome dragonfly was first seen in 2002 when I was conducting a survey of the flora and fauna of the park soon after the city acquired the land but before any modification of the lake shoreline and before the wetlands were constructed. I recorded seeing a male at Jensen’s Pond on July 15, 2007, but the species was not seen again until this year. Wolf photographed a male in late June and I photographed another male today. With both Wolf and I surveying more intensively each year, it is unlikely that we missed this conspicuous species. It is nice to have it back.

I also saw several butterflies today: Black Swallowtail, Pearl Crescent, Eastern Tailed Blue, Orange Sulpher, and Common Buckeye. I photographed several large caterpillars feeding on Willow leaves; they were black with red spots on their back and had long bristles extending from each segment. Later with the help of the internet I identified them as the larvae of the Mourning Cloak, a common butterfly in the park. These butterflies are unusual in that they overwinter as adults and may live 10-11 months as an adult.

Erv Klaas

July 5, 2013: Pearl Crescent

One of the more common butterflies at the Park are the Pearl Crescents.  They are small (when compared to Monarchs) and so may be overlooked.  7/3/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 4, 2013: Wolf's June 2013 Species List

White-tailed Deer. 7/4/13 (Wolf Oesterreich)

Total of 79 (plus 1 sp.) avian species 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 Ring-necked Duck sightings may be the first Summer records for Story County.  The Blue Grosbeaks represent the 5th record for the Park and, perhaps, the 6th Story County record.

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 53rd Supplement (2012) to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds and the 12th Supplement to the 7th Edition (1998).

AVIAN
     CANADA GOOSE: 1-13, 15-30
     WOOD DUCK: 1 (1♀), 2, 4*6 (3), 7 (4), 8-11 (1♀), 12 (1♂, 3♀), 13 (2♂, 2♀), 15, 16 (2♂, 3♀), 17 (1♀),
                                    18 (13), 19 (9), 20-22 (3), 23 (4), 24 (3), 27 (2), 28 (1), 29 (2)
     GADWALL: 3-4 (1♂), 13 (2♂)
     MALLARD: 1-13, 15-30
     BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 1 (4♂), 2 (2♂), 4 (1♂, 1♀), 8 (1♂, 1♀), 10 (3♂), 13 (1♂), 15 (5♂), 16 (3♂),
                                    18 (1♂, 1♀), 19 (1♂), 20 (2♂), 23 (3♂), 27 (1♂), 28-29 (2♂)
     NORTHERN SHOVELER: 1 (1♂)
     RING-NECKED DUCK: 1-4 (1♂), 7 (1♂), 8-10 (2♂, 1♀), 12 (2♂, 1♀), 13 (3♂, 1♀), 15 (3♂, 1♀),
                                    17-18 (2♂, 1♀), 19 (3♂, 1♀), 20 (1♂, 1♀), 21 (2♂, 1♀), 23 (2♂), 24 (1♂),
                                    25 (1♂, 1♀), 26 (2♂), 27 (2♂, 1♀), 28 (1♂, 1♀), 29-30 (2♂, 1♀)
     HOODED MERGANSER: 22 (1♀ or juvenile)
     RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1-13, 15-30
     PIED-BILLED GREBE: 12 (1)
     DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 4 (1), 24 (1), 27-28 (1)
     AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 4 (14)
     GREAT BLUE HERON: 1 (5), 2 (2), 3 (1), 4 (2), 5 (3), 6 (5), 7 (4), 8 (3), 9 (4), 10-11 (6), 12 (7),
                                    13 (8), 15 (7), 16 (8), 17 (5), 18 (4), 19 (8), 21-22 (4), 23 (10), 24 (6), 25 (9),
                                    26 (10), 27 (9), 28 (10), 29 (9), 30 (12)
     GREAT EGRET: 5 (1), 6 (2), 7-9 (3), 10-11 (6), 12 (9), 13 (8), 15 (7), 16 (10), 17-18 (9), 19 (10),
                                    20 (5), 21-22 (7), 23 (8), 24 (6), 25 (4), 26 (7), 27-30 (8)
     CATTLE EGRET: 13 (1)
     GREEN HERON: 2-5 (1), 7 (1), 11 (2-3), 15-16 (1), 19-20 (1), 22 (2), 23 (1)
     BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: 15 (1 ad)
     TURKEY VULTURE: 1 (2), 2 (1), 3 (8), 4 (4), 6 (7+), 7 (3), 9 (5), 10 (3), 11 (1), 12 (3), 15 (1), 16 (6),
                                    18-19 (2), 20 (1), 22 (4), 23 (3), 24 (5), 25 (2), 26 (3), 27-28 (2), 29 (3)
     OSPREY: 1 (1), 30 (1)
     BALD EAGLE: 2 (1 ad), 5-6 (1 ad), 9 (2 ad)
     RED-TAILED HAWK: 1 (1), 6-13 (1), 15-16 (1), 17 (2), 18 (3+), 19 (2), 20-25 (1), 27 (1), 29 (1), 30 (2)
     AMERICAN COOT: 1 (1), 5 (3), 7 (1), 10 (1), 18 (1)
     KILLDEER: 1 (1), 3, 5, 8, 10-13, 15, 18, 20-28, 29 (5), 30
     SPOTTED SANDPIPER: 5 (1), 13 (1)
     ROCK PIGEON: 13 (1)
     MOURNING DOVE: 1-30
     CHIMNEY SWIFT: 2, 5, 16, 19, 23, 29
     RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: 7 (1♀), 28 (1♀)
     BELTED KINGFISHER: 5 (1), 7-8 (1), 15 (1), 23 (1), 28 (1)
     RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 9
     DOWNY WOODPECKER: 3, 5-6, 8, 11, 15-16, 19-20, 22, 24, 28
     HAIRY WOODPECKER: 20-21
     NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 2, 5, 7, 11, 15, (1), 30 (1)
     OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: 6 (1)
     EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE: 3 (1), 8-9 (1), 11 (2), 12, 23 (1)
     ALDER FLYCATCHER: 2 (1), 5 (1), 8 (1), 16 (1)
     Empidonax sp.: 1-3, 4 (2), 5 (1), 6-7 (2)
     EASTERN PHOEBE: 9 (1)
     GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER: 23 (1)
     EASTERN KINGBIRD: 4 (2), 5-6 (3), 8 (1), 9 (2), 11 (4), 12 (3), 13 (1), 15 (2), 16 (3), 18 (1), 19 (2),
                                    21 (1), 23-24 (1), 25 (2), 26-28 (1), 29 (2), 30 (4)
     YELLOW-THROATED VIREO: 12 (1)
     WARBLING VIREO: 1-13, 15-30
     RED-EYED VIREO: 5
     BLUE JAY: 2, 8, 21, 30
     AMERICAN CROW: 1-13, 15-21, 23-30
     PURPLE MARTIN: 1-30
     TREE SWALLOW: 1-13, 15-30
     NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: 2, 20 (2), 23, 26
     CLIFF SWALLOW: 2, 4
     BARN SWALLOW: 1-13, 15-16, 18-30
     BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1, 3, 5-9, 11, 15-16, 18, 22, 25-30
     WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 25
     HOUSE WREN: 1-13, 15-30
     SEDGE WREN: 8 (1)
     EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 3 (1♂), 4 (1♂, 1♀), 6 (1♀), 8 (1♂, 1♀), 9 (1♀), 12-13 (1♂, 1♀), 15, 17, 19 (1♂),
                                    20 (1), 21 (1♂), 22 (3), 23 (1♀), 24 (4), 25 (1), 26, 27 (1), 29 (1♂), 30
     AMERICAN ROBIN: 1-30
     GREAY CATBIRD: 1-4, 7-11, 13, 15-17, 19-21, 23-30
     BROWN THRASHER: 5 (1), 8 (2), 10-11 (1), 12 (2), 13 (1), 19 (1), 21 (1), 23 (2), 24 (1), 28 (3), 29 (2),
                                    30 (3)
     EUROPEAN STARLING: 1-13, 15-30
     CEDAR WAXWING: 4 (2), 5 (9), 7 (2), 10 (2), 13 (1), 18 (1), 20 (5), 22 (5), 23-24 (4), 25 (7), 26 (5),
                                    27 (1), 28 (9), 29 (2), 30 (4)
     COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: 1-13, 15-30
     AMERICAN REDSTART: 1 (1), 5 (1♀), 9, 11, 15, 16 (1♀)
     YELLOW WARBLER: 16 (1♂), 19 (1♂), 20-21, 24
     CHIPPING SPARROW: 1-30
     FIELD SPARROW: 8 (1), 29 (1)
     SONG SPARROW: 1-13, 15-30
     NORTHERN CARDINAL: 1-30
     BLUE GROSBEAK: 22-23 (1♂), 24 (1♂, 1♀), 26-27 (1♂)
     INDIGO BUNTING: 5, 7-13, 15, 17-30
     DICKCISSEL: 1-13, 15-30
     BOBOLINK: 8 (1♂), 20 (1♂), 23 (1♂)
     RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 1-13, 15-30
     EASTERN MEADOWLARK: 6-8, 11, 13, 15, 21-26, 28
     COMMON GRACKLE: 1-30
     BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: 1-5, 7-12, 15-19, 21-23, 25-30
     ORCHARD ORIOLE: 5-6 (1♂), 20 (1♂), 23-25 (1♂), 26 (2♂), 30
     BALTIMORE ORIOLE: 1-13, 15-30
     HOUSE FINCH: 1-30
     AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1-13, 15-30
     HOUSE SPARROW: 1-30
    
MAMMALIAN
     COYOTE: 13 (howling)
     RED FOX: 18 (1)
     WHITE-TAILED DEER: 1 (1), 3 (1 BY), 5 (1), 8 (1), 10 (1♀ w/1 fawn), 15 (2 fawns), 16 (1), 18-19 (1),
                                    21 (1♀ w/1 fawn), 25 (1 fawn), 26 (2), 29-30 (1)
     FOX SQUIRREL: 2, 6, 15-17, 24, 30
     THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL: 13, 20, 23, 26-27, 30
     EASTERN CHIPMUNK: 7, 10, 16, 25
     EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 1-13, 15-30

REPTILIAN
     WESTERN FOXSNAKE: 17 (1)
     EASTERN GARTER SNAKE: 7 (1), 19 (1)
     NORTHERN PAINTED TURTLE: 1-13, 15, 17-18, 20-21, 23-30
     RED-EARED SLIDER: 5 (1), 26 (1)
     EASTERN SPINY SOFTSHELL: 15 (1), 20 (1), 25 (1)

AMPHIBIAN
     AMERICAN TOAD: 4-6, 15-16, 18, 21, 23-29
     BLANCHARD’S CRICKET FROG: 2-3, 5-7, 9-13, 15-30
     EASTERN GRAY TREE FROG:
     BULLFROG: 1-2, 5-6, 10-13, 15-19, 21-27, 30

LEPIDOPTERA
     BLACK SWALLOWTAIL: 6, 15, 20-22, 25, 28
     EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL:
     CABBAGE WHITE: 7, 15, 17-30
     Sulphur sp.: 1-3, 5-7, 9-13, 15, 21-22, 24-30
     GRAY COPPER: 24-25, 27, 29
     GRAY HAIRSTREAK: 21-22, 29-30
     EASTERN TAILED-BLUE: 12, 17, 19-30
     QUESTION MARK: 27 (1)
     PEARL CRESCENT: 27-28, 30
     MOURNING CLOAK: 1-2 (2), 10 (5), 11 (2), 12 (5), 15 (4), 17 (2), 18-19 (1), 25 (1), 26 (3), 27 (1),
                                    30 (1)
     PAINTED LADY: 30
     RED ADMIRAL: 11, 23, 26, 28
     COMMON BUCKEYE: 21-22, 25-27, 30
     MONARCH: 1-2, 5-11, 13, 15, 17-21, 26-30

ODONATA
     Spreadwing sp.: 12 (teneral)
     BLUE-FRONTED DANCER: 25, 27-30
     RAINBOW BLUET: 17, 21, 26-29
     DOUBLE-STRIPED BLUET: 18-19, 21-22, 25-29
     TULE BLUET: 26-30
     FAMILIAR BLUET: 17-18, 20, 22, 26-28
     STREAM BLUET: 21-22, 29-30
     ORANGE BLUET: 17, 19-22, 28-29
     EASTERN FORKTAIL: 7 (1♀), 11-12, 15, 17-22, 24-29
     COMMON GREEN DARNER: 1, 3, 7, 9-13, 15-21, 23, 27-29
     MIDLAND CLUBTAIL: 18 (1), 21 (1)
     COMMON BASKETTAIL: 15, 17-21, 24-27, 29-30
     PRINCE BASKETTAIL: 26-28, 30
     CALICO PENNANT: 25 (1♂)
     HALLOWEEN PENNANT: 25 (1)
     EASTERN PONDHAWK: 22, 25-30
     WIDOW SKIMMER: 20, 22-23, 25-30
     COMMON WHITETAIL: 21-22, 25-30
     TWELVE-SPOTTED SKIMMER: 11-13, 15, 17-19, 21-22, 25-30
     BLUE DASHER: 19-20, 22-23, 25-27
     EASTERN AMBERWING: 27-29
     VARIEGATED MEADOWHAWK: 2-3, 7, 21, 24
     BLACK SADDLEBAGS: 11-13, 15, 17-23, 25-27, 29-30
     RED SADDLEBAGS: 17-21, 25-28
Wolf. Oesterreich

July 3, 2013: Sunset Over South Lake

Sunset from the access in the southeast corner of the south lake looking west nothwest.  7/3/13 (Kevin Kane)

July 2, 2013: AHHP Over Time

Jensen Pond. 6/30/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

We are beginning to post the photos that Wolf has diligently taken of the park over time in the photos section of the blog (see tab "Photos" tab above).  There you will see a section called "Wolf's Habitat Photos (taken once per month from these spots).  Wolf has taken these photos monthy in the same spots and you can see how the park changes over time.  For example, the first 5 months of 2013 look like:

So, check it out! I'll be adding more as Wolf takes them and adding those that go further back in time.
Kevin

July 1, 2013: Setting Sun

The setting sun @ Ada Hayden Heritage Park last night. 6/30/13 (Michael Martin)

June 30, 2013: June Photo Collage

We had more photo contributers to the blog than any other month so far!  Thanks to Kevin Kane, Wolf. Oesterreich, Gregg Hadish, Erv Klaas, Kelly Poole, and Michael Martin.