July 30, 2015: Iowa Conservationist Interpretive Program

Jim Pease leads the group along the park trails to discuss the famous Iowa conservationists pictured on the stones in the park.. 7/30/15 (R.J. Gardner)


See all of R.J.'s photos here.

July 29, 2015: Gray Treefrog

Two species of Gray Treefrog (Cope's & Eastern) could be present at the Park.  The only way to distinguish one species from the other is by call, chromosome count (diploid in Cope's & tetraploid in Eastern), and the number and size of red blood cells.  This Gray Treefrog was found in Prairie Dogbane. 7/6/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 28, 2015: Restoration Ecology Interpretive Program

Dr. Brian Wilsey (ISU Dept of Ecology, Evolution, & Organismal Biology) presented a program on "Restoration Ecology" for the Friends Thursday evening's Interpretive Program (7/23).  He discussed successful and failed prairie restorations, carbon sequestration in prairies verses forests, and annual verses perennial plants.On a short walk we examined a couple of areas located in the north end of the Park. 7/23/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 27, 2015: Erv's Field Notes #82

Flagtailed Spineyleg dragonfly with an Orange Sulpher butterfly in its mouth. 7/26/15 (Erv Klaas)

Sunday, July 26, 2015, 2-3 pm. Sunny, slight westerly breeze, Temperature, 87 degrees F.

I walked the north shore along my usual path looking for dragons and damsels. On the walk out, I spotted what I thought was a Jade Clubtail dragonfly but it flew before I got a good look at it. I was especially looking for another Clubtail, the Flagtailed Spineyleg. I saw four male and 1 female Widow Skimmers. A male Prince Baskettail was patrolling the shoreline and harassing the Widow Skimmers.

Several large fish were surfacing about 30 yards off shore causing schools of smaller fish to jump ahead of them. These were probably large hybrid striped bass that the DNR stocked a couple of years ago. These fish grow very fast and are known to feed on shad that are over abundant in the lake.
As I continued on I photographed two pairs of damselflies which I believe were Blue-tipped Dancers. An Eastern Pondhawk landed in front of me on a large rock and a Blue-fronted Dancer flitted around in the vegetation near my feet. A Halloween Pennant perched near me on a willow tree.
I noticed a large clump of Swamp Milkweed in bloom along the trail and I smiled hoping that Monarch Butterflies would find it and lay their eggs on its leaves.

I decided to retrace my steps and look for that Jade Clubtail. About one-third of the way back, I spotted a Flagtailed Spineyleg perched on a rock near the water. When I raised the binoculars to my eyes I could see a Jade Clubtail on another rock just beyond it. I walked carefully around the two dragonflies so as not to disturb them.

When I neared the fishing dock at the end of the path, I saw another Jade Clubtail and as I was watching it, a Flagtailed Spineyleg dashed in front of me and nabbed an Orange Sulfur butterfly. The Spineyleg immediately landed on the ground in front of me and I was able to take several photos of it with the butterfly securely in its mouth. After a few minutes it flew off carrying its prey.
Before going home, I drove down Grant Road along the west boundary of the park. Grant Road has been under construction for several months, in preparation for paving it to enable new housing developments on the west and north side of the park. A small temporary pond was located next to the road at the site of a future small parking lot for the park. This pond was teeming with life. I counted 35 Canada Geese, mostly families of adults and young, undoubtedly broods raised on the park this summer. Four Mallard ducks were dabbling in the shallow water. Nine Killdeer, two yellowlegs (probably Lesser), one Spotted Sandpiper, and one Pectoral Sandpiper were feeding on the edge of the pond. Dragonflies and Damselflies included Common Whitetail, Common Green Darner, Wandering Glider, Black Saddlebag, and several unidentified Bluets.
You never know what you will see at the park on a hot day.

Erv Klaas

July 26, 2015: Eastern Kingbird

An Eastern Kingbird fledgling, one of three found along the Upland Trail (west slope).  An adult would pluck a mulberry, fly across the trail, and then give it to one of the fledglings. 7/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 25, 2015: Great Spangled Fritillary

A Great Spangled Fritillary on Butterfly Weed. 7/3/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 24, 2015: Cup Plant

Cup plants reache for the sky in the open prairie of the park. 7/18/15 (Kevin Kane)

July 23, 2015: Northern Painted Turtle

This female Northern Painted Turtle was digging a hole in which to lay her  eggs.  (It was difficult the next day to find the exact location.) 7/2/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 22, 2015: Wolf's June 2015 Wildlife Report

I believe this to be a female Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis), a member of the Lestidae Family and a damselfy. 6/26/15 (Wolf Oesterreich)

Total Length = 37-53mm

Hindwing Length = 20-25mm

Flight Season = May -October

June Field Report for Ada Hayden Heritage Park:

A total of 70 avian species was recorded this month, ranking this month as the 9^th lowest June among 18 years of records.

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 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).

AVIAN

     CANADA GOOSE: 1-10, 12, 14-15, 17, 18-19, 21-24, 26-28, 30

     WOOD DUCK: 1 (1♀), 2 (1♂ + 1♀), 4 (1♂ + 2♀), 5 (1♀), 6 (2♂ + 1♀), 7-8 (1♀),

          9 (1♂ + 2♀), 13 (1♀), 14 (2♀), 17-24, 29, 30 (4)

     MALLARD: 1-10, 12-19, 21-29

     BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 4 (1♂)

     NORTHERN SHOVELER: 10 (1♂)

     HOODED MERGANSER: 12 (4 im), 13 (2 im), 14 (1 im)

     RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1-10, 12-30

     GREAT BLUE HERON: 1 (3), 2 (1), 3 (2), 4 (4), 5-8 (2), 9 (4), 10 (2), 12 (4), 13 (2),

          14 (4), 15 (5), 16-18 (2), 19 (1), 20 (2), 21 (3), 22 (1), 23-25 (3), 26 (5), 27 (2), 28 (1),

          29-30 (2)

     GREAT EGRET: 3 (1)

     GREEN HERON: 3 (1), 5 (1), 8 (1)

     BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: 5 (1 im)

     TURKEY VULTURE: 2 (2), 4 (1), 7 (9+), 9 (17), 15 (1), 16 (2), 18 (1), 20 (1), 22 (3),

          25 (1), 28-29 (2)

     BALD EAGLE: 7 (1 ad), 14-15 (1 ad), 21 (1 ad), 24 (1 ad), 26-27 (1 ad), 29 (1 ad)

     RED-TAILED HAWK: 1-4 (2), 5 (3), 6-9 (2), 12 (2), 13-14 (1), 15-19 (2), 20 (1), 23 (2),

          24-25 (1), 26 (2), 28 (2), 29-30 (1)

     AMERICAN COOT: 6 (1), 25 (1)

     KILLDEER: 2-5 (1), 8-10 (1), 13 (1), 14-15 (2), 16 (1), 17 (2), 18 (3+), 23 (1), 24, 27

     CASPIAN TERN: 13 (5), 26 (1)

     BLACK TERN: 8 (2)

     ROCK PIGEON: 14 (1)

     MOURNING DOVE: 1-10, 12-15, 17-25, 27-30

     YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO: 23 (1)

     GREAT HORNED OWL: 25 (1)

     COMMON NIGHTHAWK: 10

     CHIMNEY SWIFT: 3 (1), 9-10, 19 (2), 21, 27, 30

     RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: 5 (1), 14 (1), 25 (1), 27 (2)

     BELTED KINGFISHER: 2 (1), 13-14 (1), 25-26 (1)

     RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 1, 7, 27, 30

     DOWNY WOODPECKER: 5-6, 12, 14, 16, 18-22, 27-30

     HAIRY WOODPECKER: 12

     NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 2 (1), 6 (1), 12 (1), 15 (1), 22 (1), 24 (1), 30 (2)

     EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE: 3-4 (1), 21 (1), 25 (1), 28 (1)

     WILLOW FLYCATCHER: 4 (1), 7 (1), 21 (1), 27 (1)

     EASTERN PHOEBE: 29 (1), 30 (2)

     EASTERN KINGBIRD: 1 (2), 2-3 (1), 7 (2), 8-9 (1), 10 (2), 12 92), 13 (5), 14 (1), 15 (2),

          16 (3), 17 (1), 19 (2), 21 (4), 22 (3), 23 (2), 24 (3), 25 (4), 26-27, 28 (1),

          29 (3 + 3 nestlings), 30 (3)

     BELL’S VIREO: 2 (2), 3-7 (1)

     WARBLING VIREO: 1-10, 12-30

     RED-EYED VIREO: 9

     BLUE JAY: 2, 5, 10, 12-15, 17-18, 20-21, 25-27, 30

     AMERICAN CROW: 1, 3, 5-7, 13-14, 17, 21, 24, 26-30

     PURPLE MARTIN: 1-30

     TREE SWALLOW: 1-10, 12-30

     NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: 13, 28-29

     BARN SWALLOW: 1-10, 12-19, 21-29

     BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1-4, 8, 12, 14-15, 18, 20-26, 29-30

     WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 4-6, 21-23, 28

     HOUSE WREN: 1-10, 12-30

     EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 9 (1♂), 12 (1♂), 15 (1♂), 20-21 (1♂), 22 (2♂), 26 (1♂ + 1♀),

          30 (1♂)

     WOOD THRUSH: 7 (1)

     AMERICAN ROBIN: 1-30

     GRAY CATBIRD: 1, 3-6, 8, 10, 12-13, 15-23, 25-30

     BROWN THRASHER: 7 (2), 9 (1), 12 (3), 15 (1), 17-18 (1), 22 92), 24-25, 26 (1),

          27-28, 29 (3)

     EUROPEAN STARLING: 3, 5-10, 12, 14-15, 20, 24-25

     CEDAR WAXWING: 8 (1), 12 (3), 25 (1), 28 (3), 29-30 (2)

     COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: 1-10, 12-30

     CHIPPING SPARROW: 1-5, 7-13, 15-20, 22-30

     FIELD SPARROW: 1 (1), 3 (2), 6 (1), 10 (1), 12-13 (1), 15-19 (1), 22-24 (1), 25 (2),

          26-29 (1)

     SONG SPARROW: 1-10, 12-30

     NORTHERN CARDINAL: 1-30

     INDIGO BUNTING: 1, 5-7, 9-10, 12, 14-20, 23, 25, 30

     DICKCISSEL: 1-10, 12-30

     BOBOLINK: 13-14 (1♂), 23 (1♂), 29 (1♂ + 1♀), 30 (1♂)

     RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 1-10, 12-30

     EASTERN MEADOWLARK: 1-3, 7, 13, 26-27

     COMMON GRACKLE: 1-30

     BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: 1-3, 5-10, 12-22, 24, 26-30

     ORCHARD ORIOLE: 2-3, 7, 19 (1♂), 22, 25-28, 29 (1♂ + 1♀), 30

     BALTIMORE ORIOLE: 1-10, 12-30

     HOUSE FINCH: 1-15, 17-30

     AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1-10, 12-30

     HOUSE SPARROW: 1-10, 12-30

    

MAMMALIAN

     WHITE-TAILED DEER: 7-8 (1), 9 (2), 10 (1), 12 (1), 14 (1), 15 (2), 16 (1), 18 (3), 22 (1),

                                    23 (1 & 1♀ with 1 fawn), 26 (1), 30 (1♀ with 1 fawn)

     FOX SQUIRREL: 12, 14, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29

     THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL: 2, 8, 12-13 (2), 15 (3), 16 (2), 18, 20 (1),

                                    24-26 (1), 29-30 (1)

     EASTERN CHIPMUNK: 1, 16-18, 21, 27

     MUSKRAT: 4 (1), 9 (1), 23 (1), 27 (1)

     EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 1-30

REPTILIAN

     NORTHERN PAINTED TURTLE: 1-3, 5-9, 12-15, 17-21, 25-26, 28-30

     RED-EARED SLIDER: 14 (1), 18 (1), 26 (1)

     SPINY SOFTSHELL TURTLE: 4 (1), 13 (1), 26 (1)

AMPHIBIAN

     AMERICAN TOAD: 2-4, 7, 12, 14, 16, 18, 24-26, 28-29

     BLANCHARD’S CRICKET FROG: 2-10, 12-13, 15-20, 22, 25-30

     BOREAL CHORUS FROG: 1, 3-5, 12, 24-27

     AMERICAN BULLFROG: 1-10, 12-25, 27-30

     NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG: 5, 8, 30

LEPIDOPTERA

     BLACK SWALLOWTAIL: 13 (1), 18 (1), 26 (3), 29, 30 (1)

     EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL: 7 (1), 18 (1), 19 (2)

     CHECKERED WHITE: 23

     CABBAGE WHITE: 1, 3-8, 10, 12-23, 25-26, 28-30

     ORANGE SULPHUR: 1, 5, 7, 13-14, 17-20, 22-23, 25-26, 28-30

     Sulphur sp.: 12-15, 17-22, 25-26

     GRAY COPPER: 16, 19, 22

     SPRING AZURE: 5-10, 12-19, 21-23, 25, 29

     AMERICAN SNOUT: 14 (1)

     GREAT SPANGLED FRITILLARY: 28, 30

     QUESTION MARK: 18 (1)

     EASTERN COMMA: 16 (1), 28

     Anglewing sp.: 23

     PEARL CRESCENT: 17, 19, 23, 25-26, 29-30

     MOURNING CLOAK: 7 (1), 8 (2), 9 (1), 13 (2), 17 (2), 18 (4), 22-23 (1), 26 (1), 29 (1)

     RED ADMIRAL: 1-6, 13-19, 21-25, 27-30

     RED-SPOTTED PURPLE: 9 (1)

     VICEROY: 3 (1), 13 (1), 16-17 (1), 18 (2), 19 (1), 22 (1), 25

     MONARCH: 2 (1), 4 (2), 5-6 (1), 7 (4), 8-9 (2), 13-14 (3), 15 (2), 16 (3), 17 (2), 18 (4),

                19 (5), 20 (1), 21-23 (3), 25 (6), 26 (3), 28 (2), 29 (4), 30 (3)

     LEAST SKIPPER: 13-15, 17-19, 22-23, 25-26, 29-30

     Skipper sp.: 7, 29

     REVERSED HAPLOA: 26 (1), 29 (2), 30 (5)

ODONATA

     AMERICAN RUBYSPOT: 16 (1♀)

     SLENDER SPREADWING: 23, 26, 29

     BLUE-FRONTED DANCER: 1, 2 (1♀), 14 (1♀), 17, 19, 22-23, 25-26, 28-30

     RAINBOW BLUET: 13 (1), 18-19, 23, 26, 29

     DOUBLE-STRIPED BLUET: 5, 17, 23, 29

     TULE BLUET: 7

     FAMILIAR BLUET: 9, 15, 30

     SKIMMING BLUET: 22 (1)

     ORANGE BLUET: 9, 13, 16

     EASTERN FORKTAIL: 1-9, 12-19, 22-23, 25-26, 28-30

     COMMON GREEN DARNER: 1, 3-5, 7-10, 13-23, 25-26, 28-30

     FLAG-TAILED SPINYLEG: 23 (1)

     PLAINS CLUBTAIL: 3 (1), 13 (1), 25

     COMMON BASKETTAIL: 3 (3), 4-6, 8-9, 13-14, 16-17, 19, 22, 28

     PRINCE BASKETTAIL: 14, 18-19, 22-23, 25, 29-30

     EASTERN PONDHAWK: 8, 14, 16, 18-19, 22-23, 25-26, 29-30

     DOT-TAILED WHITEFACE: 18, 26

     WIDOW SKIMMER: 14-16, 18-20, 22-23, 25-26, 28-30

     COMMON WHITETAIL: 4-6, 8-9, 13, 16-20, 22-23, 25-26, 28-30

     TWELVE-SPOTTED SKIMMER: 4-5, 7-10, 13-14, 16-20, 22-23, 25-26, 28-30

     BLUE DASHER: 8, 16-20, 22-23, 25-26, 29-30

     EASTERN AMBERWING: 22 (1)

     RUBY MEADOWHAWK: 14, 18, 21-23, 26, 28-30

     BLACK SADDLEBAGS: 5-10, 13-16, 18-20, 22-23, 25-26, 28-30

     RED SADDLEBAGS: 17, 19-20, 22-23

Wolf. Oesterreich

July 21, 2015: Eastern Phoebe

The Eastern Phoebe, a flycatcher, probably nests in the Park.  This one was hawking for insects in the same mulberry tree where another flycatcher, the Eastern Kingbird, has a nest. 6/30/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 20, 2015: Prairie Fleabane

Large stands of Daisy or Prairie Fleabane (Erigeron stigosus) can be found throughout the Park. 6/26/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 19, 2015: Erv's Fieldnotes #81

Grey Coneflower and grasses with the northern hills in the background. 7/18/15 (Kevin Kane)

Sunday, July 19, 2015. Sunny, no wind, temperature, 83 degrees F.

Today, I used the city's ATV to traverse the park's trails and take photo's of the heritage rocks for a presentation I am preparing. The vegetation this year is robust. Native prairie plants are nearly in full bloom providing lots of color.

One of the wetlands in the middle complex is 90 percent covered with sago pondweed. This is the way the wetlands should look. These plants will take up nitrogen from the water and help to keep it out of the lake. This plant also produces a winter tuber in the bottom sediment that is a favorite food of diving ducks.

Erv Klaas

July 18, 2015: Great Blue Heron

A Great Blue Heron takes flight from the north lake. 7/18/15 (Kevin Kane)

July 17, 2015: Swallowtail

Swallowtail on Milkweed. 7/10/15 (R.J. Gardner)

July 16, 2015: Red-winged Blackbird

Talkin' and a squakin'. 7/9/15 (Kevin Kane)

July 15, 2015: Great Spangled Fritillary

A worn Great Spangled Fritillary on a Purple Coneflower. 6/29/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 14, 2015: Eastern Kingbird

I know of at least 2 Eastern Kingbird nests.  This one is located in a mulberry tree, near the Upland Trail's north trailhead.  These hungry nestlings are waiting to be fed.  Soon an adult arrives with a Common Green Darner.  The parent tried to stuff this large dragonfly down one throat, then another.  Finally, the adult was able to get one nestling to accept the dragonfly. (Both are digiscoped photographs.) 6/29/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 13, 2015: Red Milkweed Beetle

Another insect that can be found on milkweeds is the Red Milkweed Beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus), a member of the Cerambycidae Family.  In many longhorn beetles the antenna are situated near the eye.  However, for this species, the antennal bases actually bisect the eyes. 6/23/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 12, 2015: Monarch

While pulling Musk Thistles from the slope immediately to the north of the maintenance building I came across this female Monarch nectaring on a Red Clover.  A male Black Swallowtail  was also in the area.  A pair of Bobolinks appeared to be courting and will hopefully nest here. 6/29/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 11, 2015: Dragon Boats

Cancer survivors practice in their "dragon boat" on the north lake.  They compete in events across the region.  "Life is Bliss" is a program sponsored by McFarland Clinic and the Bliss Cancer Center (Mary Greeley Hospital). 7/2/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 10, 2015: Reversed Haploa

The Reversed Haploa (Haploa reversa) is a moth in the Erebidae Family).  Another version of this species is all white.  The photo on the right shows a face-on view. 6/26/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 9, 2015: Ducky

A lone Mallard swims through the still water at sunset. 7/9/15 (Kevin Kane)

July 8, 2015: Dragonflies & Damselflies Walk Thursday Evening (7/9/15)

Blue-fronted Dancers (Argia apicalis) are becoming common at the Park.  This male was found near Pool F. 6/26/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Total Length = 33-40mm

HIndwing Length = 20-25mm

Flight Season: May - September

 

Reminder: Dragonflies & Damselflies Walk Thursday Evening (7/9/15)

Join Dr. Erv Klaas & Wolf Oesterreich for a walk and talk on the Odonates (Dragonflies & Damselflies) of Ada Hayden Park. Meet ant the north shelter by the main parking area at 5:30. Part of the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park Interpretive Program Series, Summer 2015.

July 7, 2015: American Goldfinch

This male American Goldfinch is eating Canada Thistle seed. 6/30/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 6, 2015: Dark Clouds

Dark clouds pass over the Park, just before the last rainfall of the day.  Looking NE across the prairie of the north wetland complex. 7/6/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 5, 2015: Sunset over the Northwest Hills

The sun sets over the north lake through clouds and trees on the northwest hills. 7/5/15 (Kevin Kane)

July 4th, 2014: Nature's Fireworks

This sumac, planted along the northwest path on the way to Jensen Pond, has started turning color very early - nature's fireworks! 7/4/15 (Kevin Kane)

July 3, 2015: Line 'em Up

Mallards have been congregating in the southeast corner of the south lake where several tree limbs sitting on the lake bottom allow them an excellent perch. 7/1/15 (Kevin Kane)

July 2, 2015: Butterfly Interpretive Program

Tyler Harms presented a program on butterflies Thursday night.  After a discussion about these fascinating insects Tyler led the group on a walk to find some local species.  Unfortunately, with cooler temperatures, few butterflies were flitting about.  We did observe a Gray Copper, an Eastern Tailed Blue, a Red Admiral, and a Monarch. 7/2/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

July 1, 2015: Large Milkweed Bug

This Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus), a member of the Lygaeidae Family, was found on Common Milkweed.  They feed on the seeds, sometimes forming dense feeding aggregations.  The bright colors serve to warn potential predators of their bitter taste. 6/26/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

June 30, 2015: June 2015 Photo Collage

June 2015 photos from the blog by Wolf. Oesterreich, Kevin Kane, and Erv Klaas.