May 30, 2015: Common Whitetail

This immature male Common Whitetail (Family Libellulidae) was found at the NW corner of the Upland Trail. 5/29/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Total Length = 42-48 mm

Hind Wing = 30-35 mm

Flight Season = May - October

May 29, 2015: Hesperis matronalis

A group of canoers floats by the south bank of the south lake, framed by the purple Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis - a non-native) on the shore. 5/23/15 (Kevin Kane)

May 28, 2015: Wet Wetlands

Pools A and B (north wetland complex) haven't had this much water in them in many months. 5/27/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 27, 2015: White-tailed Deer

You're looking at me?  Let me chew in peace! (White-tailed Deer)

5/29/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 26, 2015: A Walk in the Park

Lots of activity at the park the last couple weeks! 5/23/15 (Kevin Kane)

May 25, 2015: A Tale of Two Lakes

A panorama taken from the bridge looking east shows dramatically different lighting from the bright, sunny skies over the north lake (left) to the gloomy, rainy skies over the south lake (right).  The storm came through about 5:30 and dropped a small amount of rain over the park. 5/25/15 (Kevin Kane)

May 24, 2015: South Lake

Springing into summer over the south lake looking northeast to the bluff and bridge. 5/23/15 (Kevin Kane)

May 23, 2015: New Perspective

Ada Hayden Heritage Park taken from old Highway 69 northeast of the park looking southwest. 4/27/15 (Kevin Kane)

May 22, 2015: Trumpeter Swans

Two Trumpeter Swans made a brief appearance this afternoon on the south lake's west bay. 5/22/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 21, 2015: Wetland Dam

Dam on the central wetland. 5/23/15 (Kevin Kane)

May 20, 2015: Yellow Iris

South shore of the south lake. 5/23/15 (Kevin Kane)

May 19, 2015: Mallards in Flight

Over the south lake.  5/23 (Kevin Kane)

May 18, 2015: Colors of the Setting Sun

from cool purplish blue to...golden orange... 5/18/15 (LaDan Omidvar)

May 17, 2015: Hichin' a Ride

Mother and father Mallards with their ducklings. 5/18/15 (LaDan Omidvar)

May 16, 2015: Swallow

Tree Swallow on nest box. 5/8/15 (LaDan Omidvar)

May 15, 2015: Bur Oak

Bur Oak at sunset.
5/7/15 (LaDan Omidvar)

May 14, 2015: Mallard Duckling

A single Mallard duckling was found on Pool F.  As it swam away it squeaked constantly.  Soon a pair of adults dropped onto the water and the three swam off together. 5/13/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 13, 2015: Goldfinch

American Goldfinch. 5/13/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

 

While talking with Fritz and Susan Franzen by the savannah woods, Susan stated there was an American Goldfinch behind me.  I replied that she was right, because I could hear them singing.  She reiterated that it was right there, on the ground.  I turned around and spotted the male perched on a small branch, just inches off the ground.  The goldfinch allowed me to approach within a couple of feet.  The bird never flew off, quite content to stay on his perch.  Note the dirt on his bill.

Wolf. Oesterreich

May 12, 2015: Wild Ginger

The singular  flowers of Wild Ginger are found at the base of the stems.  Wild Ginger is generally a woodland plant. 5/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 11, 2015: Heron Rescue

An irresponsible fisherman left fishing line behind in the shrubs and trees near the shore (SW corner of the south lake) and this magnificent Great Blue Heron became entangled in the line.  In the second photo (below) the heron was able to extract itself from the tree limbs, but still had fishing line wrapped around its legs.  Photo 3 shows its struggle to get away.  Ernie Unger (a Stone Brooke resident) has arrived and cuts the fishing line (#4).  "Thanks Ernie" (#5)  Exhausted and wet (#6) the heron wanders off along the shore.

Not only did I collect a lot of fishing line from this area, but one or more fishermen had left behind their trash.  If you haul it in, you can haul it, too!  This past Winter, off of this same point, I found an immature Trumpeter Swan that had become entangled in some fishing line.  By the time I found the swan it had already perished and its body remained there, held by the line, till early Spring.  Let's be more responsible fishermen!!!

Wolf. Oesterreich

 

May 10, 2014: Columbine

This Columbine, also found in the savannah woods area, is not quite open. 5/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 9, 2015: Virginia Rail

This Virginia Rail was found along Pond J's east shore.  The last one found at the Park was recorded two years ago, exactly to the day and at the same pond.  Same bird? Who knows?  They are only slightly larger than the Sora and have a  long reddish bill. 5/7/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 8, 2015: Black Cherry

The Black Cherry trees are in bloom.  The small flowers are clustered into columns. 5/8/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 7, 2015: Marsh Wren

Marsh Wrens do nest in Iowa, but I haven't found any nesting at the Park.  Here, they just seem to just migrate through. 5/3/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 6, 2015: American Avocets

Twelve American Avocets were found at Pool C.  They are in breeding plumage.  Note the recurved bill (below).  [These are digiscoped photographs.] 5/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

 

 

May 5, 2015: Wild Sweet William

Wild Sweet William can be found in the savannah woods. 5/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 4, 2015: American Bittern

The second American Bittern this season was found at Pond J.  When surrounded by more brown vegetation, the bittern blends in with the stems.  Bitterns have the tendency to point their bills skyward, with their chest and belly stripes aiding in the camouflage.  5/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 3, 2015: Virginia Bluebells

Groups of Virginia Bluebells are now easily found in the savannah woods, now that much of the non-native shrubs and trees have been removed. 5/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 2, 2015: First Goslings

The first goslings (7) of the season were found on Pond J today.  Later, another family with only 4 goslings was found on the same pond. 5/3/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

May 1, 2015: Wolf's April 2015 Wildlife Report

Yellow-rumped Warblers (Myrtle form) are one of the early warbler species in our area. This male was found at the bluff on the 10th. 4/24/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
=========

A total of 104 avian species (plus 2 sp.) was recorded this month, ranking this month as the 7^th highest April (tied with 2006) among 18 years of records.  So far, a total of 117 species have been recorded this year (2 species behind 2014).

Based on citations in the 3^rd Edition of “The Birds of Story County, Iowa,” by Stephen J. Dinsmore and Hank Zaletel (2001), plus my personal updates to the records, the Lark Sparrow on the 18^th may represent a new early extreme Spring record for Story County (old record set on 21 April 2013, also at Ada Hayden HP).

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, FY=front yard).  The order follows the 55^th Supplement (2014) to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds and the 14^th Supplement to the 7^th Edition (1998).

[I was in California the 2nd through the 5th, thus no or few species recorded.  I had reports of American White Pelicans, but none were present during my excursions.]

AVIAN

     GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: 11 (~125)

     SNOW GOOSE: 17 (1 w)

     CANADA GOOSE: 1, 6-30

     WOOD DUCK: 6 (5+), 7-8 (12+), 9-10, 12 (2♂ + 2♀), 13-14, 16 (10+), 17-18, 20 (2),

                                    23-24 (1♂ + 1♀), 25 (2♂ + 2♀), 26 (8), 27 (2), 28 (1♂)

     GADWALL: 1 (49+), 6 (27+), 7, 8 (49+), 9-11, 13-15, 17 (9+), 18, 23 (4♂ + 2♀), 24 (9),

                                    25 (1♂ + 1♀), 26 (6), 28 (1♂), 30 (2♂ + 2♀)

     AMERICAN WIGEON: 1 (1♂ + 1♀), 6 (12+), 10 (6♂ + 1♀), 17 (9)

     MALLARD: 1, 6-30

     BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 1 (2♂), 6 (51+), 7, 8 (50+), 9-19, 20 (30+), 21-22, 23 (20+), 24 (84+),

                                    25 (16+), 26 (13+), 27 (29+), 28 (17+), 29 (33+), 30 (11+)

     NORTHERN SHOVELER: 1 (18+), 6 (49+), 7, 8 (44+), 9-11, 12 (48+), 13-15, 16 (26+),

                                    17 (37+), 18, 19 (12+), 20 (10+), 21, 22 (1♂ + 1♀), 23 (2♂ + 2♀),

                                    24 (33+), 25 (1♂), 27 (13), 28-29 (1♂ + 1♀), 30 (8)

     GREEN-WINGED TEAL: 1 (7+), 6 (42+), 7, 8 (12+), 9-19, 23 (4), 25 (1♂ + 1♀),

                                    29-30 (1♂ + 1♀)

     REDHEAD: 1 (2♂ + 1♀), 15 (1♂ + 1♀), 26 (1♂ + 1♀), 29 (1♀)

     RING-NECKED DUCK: 1 (4+), 6 (2), 7 (1♂), 8 (2♂ + 1♀), 9, 10 (2♂ + 1♀), 11-14 (1♂)

     LESSER SCAUP: 1 (17+), 6 (43), 7, 8 (6), 9-11, 12 (2♂ + 1♀), 13, 14 (2♂ + 1♀), 16 (12),

                                    17 (5), 23 (29), 24 (2), 27 (3♂), 29 (3♂ + 3♀)

     BUFFLEHEAD: 6 (2♂), 7 (2♂ + 4♀), 8 (4♂ + 5♀), 9 (5♂ + 3♀), 10 (5♂ + 4♀),

                                    11 (1♂ + 2♀), 12 (1♀), 13 (4♀), 14-15 (1♀), 16 (1♂ + 1♀)

     HOODED MEGANSER: 1 (1♂ + 1♀), 10, 11 (1♀), 18 (4♀)

     RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: 20 (5♀), 21 (1♂), 25 (3♀), 26-27 (2♀), 29-30 (2♀)

     RUDDY DUCK: 6 (5), 8 (26), 9, 12-13 (9), 23 (55), 27 (11), 29 (1♂), 30 (10)

     RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 6-23, 24 (1 BY +), 25-30

     COMMON LOON: 9 (1), 18 (1 im), 24 (1 ad)

     PIED-BILLED GREBE: 1 (2), 6 (1), 7 (3), 8 (1), 9 (65+), 10 (41+), 11 (11), 12 (8), 13 (10+),

                                    14, 15 (1), 16 (8+), 17 (11), 18 (12+), 19 (13+), 20 (8+), 21 (1), 22 (3),

                                    23 (24+), 24 (28+), 25 (5), 26-27 (3), 28 (6), 29 (20+), 30 (13+)

     HORNED GREBE: 13 (1 abp), 20 (1 abp), 26 (2 abp)

     EARED GREBE: 14 (1 abp)

     WESTERN GREBE: 13 (1)

     DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 1 (1), 6 (4), 14 (3), 15 (1), 21 (17), 22 (39), 23 (4),

                                      24 (12)

     AMERICAN BITTERN: 22-23 (1)

     GREAT BLUE HERON: 6 (2), 7 (3), 8 (4), 9-10 (2), 12 (2), 13 (1), 14 (3), 16 (1), 17-19 (2),

                                    20 (1), 21 (2), 22 (1), 23-26 (2), 27-28 (1), 29 (2), 30 (1)

     GREAT EGRET: 14 (2-4)

     BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: 13-15 (1 ad), 26 (1 ad)

     TURKEY VULTURE: 1 (4), 5, 7 (6), 8-9 (1), 10 (11), 11 (3), 12 (2), 13 (10+), 14 (8+), 15 (2),

                                    16 (6), 18 (6), 19 (1), 20 (4), 21 (1), 22 (7), 23 (1), 25-26 (3), 27 (6),

                                    28 (2)

     OSPREY: 8-9 (1), 10 (2), 11-13 (1), 16 (1), 20 (1), 22 (1), 23-24 (2), 25-27 (1), 30 (2)

     BALD EAGLE: 1 (1 ad), 9 (1 im + 1 ad), 10-11 (1 ad), 12 (1 im + 1 ad), 15 (1 ad + 1 im),

                                    20-21 (1 ad), 24 (1 im), 25 (1 ada), 28 (1 ad)

     SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: 27 (1 im)

     COOPER’S HAWK: 1 (1), 6-7 (1), 9 (2), 15 (1 ad), 19 (1), 26 (1)

     BROAD-WINGED HAWK: 19 (1)

     RED-TAILED HAWK: 1 (2), 6 (2), 7-9 (1), 10 (2), 11 (1), 12 (2), 13 (1), 14-15 (2), 16 (1),

                                    17 (2), 18-20 (1), 21 (2), 22 (1), 23 (2), 24 (1), 25-26 (2), 27 (1),

                                     28-29 (2), 30 (1)

     SORA: 15 (1), 25 (4), 26 (3), 27 (2), 28-30 (1)

     AMERICAN COOT: 1 (13), 6 (13+), 7 (30+), 8 (148+), 9 (1100-1500), 10 (600+),

                                    11 (<300), 12 (99+), 13-17, 18 (50+), 19, 20 (30+), 21, 22 (20+),

                                    23 (24+), 24-25 (35+), 26 (16+), 27 (15+), 28 (21+), 29 (47+), 30 (19+)

     KILLDEER: 1 (4), 6-8 (3), 9, 10 (2), 11 (3), 12-13 (2), 16-17 (3), 18, 19 (2), 21 (1), 22-23 (2),

                                    24 (1), 26 (1), 28 (2), 29 (1)

     SPOTTED SANDPIPER: 24 (1), 25 (2), 30 (1)

     SOLITARY SANDPIPER: 17 (1)

     GREATER YELLOWLEGS: 16 (2), 17 (1), 25 (2)

     LESSER YELLOWLEGS: 13 (15), 14 (3), 16 (5), 18 (1), 25 (1), 27-29 (2)

     PECTORAL SANDPIPER: 15 (7)

     SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: 15 (1)

     Sandpiper sp.: 28 (1)

     AMERICAN WOODCOCK: 9 (1)

     RING-BILLED GULL: 7 (2), 8-9 (1), 10 (56), 11 (4+), 12, 15 (4), 18 (1), 25 (1), 27 (1)

     BONAPARTE’S GULL: 1 (1), 7 (1), 9 (1), 12 (4), 15 (15)

     FRANKLIN’S GULL: 8 (5), 20 (1)

     FORSTER’S TERN: 29 (1)

     EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE: 16-17 (2), 24 (1)

     MOURNING DOVE: 1, 6-13, 15-28, 30

     CHIMNEY SWIFT: 19 (1)

     BELTED KINGFISHER: 20 (1), 30 (1)

     RED-HEADED WOODPECKER: 18 (1 ad)

     RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 11-13, 16-19

     YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: 9-11 (1♂)

     DOWNY WOODPECKER: 1, 6-15, 17-21, 24-25, 28, 30

     HAIRY WOODPECKER: 11, 17-18

     NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 6-7 (5), 8 (4), 9 (14), 10 (8), 11 (13), 12, 13 (1),

                                    14-15, 17 (3), 18-19, 24 (2), 29-30 (1)

     MERLIN: 8 (1)

     EASTERN PHOEBE: 8 (2), 9 (1), 10 (3), 11 (1), 13 (1), 17 (1), 25 (1)

     BLUE JAY: 8-9, 11-12, 15-20, 23-30

     AMERICAN CROW: 1, 6-30

     PURPLE MARTIN: 11 (3), 12-14 (4), 15 (6), 16-23, 25-30

     TREE SWALLOW: 1, 6-30

     NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: 15 (1), 18-21, 24-25, 27

     BANK SWALLOW: 20 (1), 25 (1)

     BARN SWALLOW: 19 (1), 20-25, 28-30

     BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1, 6-19, 21, 23-28, 30

     WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 1, 7, 24

     HOUSE WREN: 18 (1), 26 (1), 29 (1)

     MARSH WREN: 26 (2)

     GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET: 10 (3), 11 (1)

     RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: 9 (3), 10 (6), 11 (3), 18 (3), 20-21 (2), 22 (7), 23 (1), 24 (9+),

                                    25 (1 BY + 7), 26-27 (2), 29 (2)

     EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 6 (1♂ + 1♀), 7 (1♀), 8 (1♂). 10 (2♂ + 1♀), 14-15 (1♂ + 1♀),

                                    17 (2♂), 20 (1♂), 23 (2), 24 (1♂), 28-29 (1♂), 30 (1♂ + 2♀)

     HERMIT THRUSH: 9 (1 BY + 8), 10 (5), 11 (2), 13 (1), 19 (1), 21 (1), 23 (1), 26 (4), 29 (2),

                                    30 (1)

     Thrush ap.: 18 (1)

     AMERICAN ROBIN: 1, 5-30

     BROWN THRASHER: 14 (1), 16 (3), 17 (1 BY + 3), 18 (3), 19 (1 BY + 2), 20 (1 BY), 22 (1),

                                    24-25 (1 BY), 27-28 (1), 29-30 (2)

     EUROPEAN STARLING: 1, 6-9, 11-15, 17-24, 26-28

     CEDAR WAXWING: 12 (2), 13 (1)

     ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: 24 (2)

     PALM WARBLER: 24 (3), 29 (1)

     YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (Myrtle): 9 (3+), 10 (21), 11 (5+), 13 (2), 14-16 (1), 17 (4+),

                                    18, 19 (20+), 21 (1), 22 (3), 23 (5+), 24, 25 (2), 26 (1), 27 (3), 29 (1)

     EASTERN TOWHEE: 24 (1♂ BY), 25 (1♂ BY + 1♂), 26 (1♂ BY)

     CHIPPING SPARROW: 13-14 (1), 17-26, 28-30

     FIELD SPARROW: 11 (1), 16 (1), 17 (3), 18-19 (2), 20 (1), 26 (1), 28 (2), 30 (1)

     VESPER SPARROW: 1 (3), 10 (2), 24 (1)

     LARK SPARROW: 18 (1)

     SAVANNAH SPARROW: 29 (1)

     FOX SPARROW: 9 (14+), 10 (4 BY + 3), 11 (2 BY + 3)

     SONG SPARROW: 1, 6-30

     SWAMP SPARROW: 1 (3), 7-8 (1), 9-10 (2), 11 (1 + 1 BY), 15 (4), 16 (1), 17 (8+), 18 (3+),

                                   19 (2), 20 (1), 23 (4+), 24 (8+), 25 (4), 26-27 (2), 29-30 (2)

     WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: 18 (3 BY), 19 (2 + 2 BY), 23 (1 BY), 24 (12+ BY + 4+),

                                    25 (9 BY + 12+), 26-30

     DARK-EYED JUNCO (Slate-colored): 1, 6 (2), 7, 8 (1 BY), 9-12, 13 (2)

     NORTHERN CARDINAL: 1, 5-30

     RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 1, 6-30

     EASTERN MEADOWLARK: 6, 8 (3), 9-11, 13-14, 16, 18-20, 23-28, 30

     RUSTY BLACKBIRD: 1 (7), 7 (8), 8 (1), 13 (2)

     COMMON GRACKLE: 1, 5-30

     BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: 6 (1♂ BY), 9 (43+), 11-14, 16-19, 21, 24-30

     PURPLE FINCH: 1 (1♀ BY), 8 (1♀ BY), 16 (1♀), 25 (2♀ BY)

     HOUSE FINCH: 1, 6-30

     AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1, 6, 8, 10-21, 23-30

     HOUSE SPARROW: 1, 6-30

MAMMALIAN

     WHITE-TAILED DEER: 6 (4), 7 (5), 10 (10), 13 (1), 16 (17), 17 (9 + 4 BY), 21 (5), 23 (10),

                                    27 (3), 30 (1)

     FOX SQUIRREL: 1, 7-12, 16-20, 23-24, 26, 29

     THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL: 11 (1), 18-19 (1), 22 (1), 27 (1)

     EASTERN CHIPMUNK: 14 (1), 26 (1)

     MUSKRAT: 7-8 (1)

     EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 1, 6-30

REPTILIAN

     PLAINS GARTER SNAKE: 13 (1), 15 (2), 17 91), 20 (1), 28 (2)

     COMMON SNAPPING TURTLE: 1 (1), 13 (1)

     NORTHERN PAINTED TURTLE: 1, 10-23, 26-30

     SPINY SOFTSHELL TURTLE: 27-28 (1), 30 (1)

AMPHIBIAN

     AMERICAN TOAD: 13, 16-19, 28-30

     BOREAL CHORUS FROG: 1, 6-7, 9-30

     NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG: 10, 12 (1), 13, 15-19, 21, 28, 30

     AMERICAN BULLFROG: 8 (5+), 12 (1), 13-17, 19-20, 22-23, 26-30

LEPIDOPTERA

     BLACK SWALLOWTAIL: 17 (1)

     CABBAGE WHITE: 13 (1), 16-17, 23, 26-30

     Sulphur sp.: 27, 29

     PEARL CRESCENT: 30 (1)

     EASTERN COMMA: 1 (1), 13 (1)

     MOURNING CLOAK: 1 (1), 11 (1), 27-29 (1), 30 (2)

     RED ADMIRAL:

     WOOLLY BEAR (Isabella Tiger Moth): 1 (1)

ODONATA

     COMMON GREEN DARNER: 1 (1 tandem pair + 2♂), 11 (2), 13 (1), 14-18, 23, 27-30

     VARIEGATED MEADOWHAWK: 15 (1)

Wolf. Oesterreich