Dec 31, 2015: Goodbye to 2015

The 2015 yearly collage made up of the year's monthly collages.

Thanks to everyone who continue to contribute to the blog!  We have had more than 99,500 pageviews  since we started at the very end of 2011 and many more at our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfAdaHaydenHeritagePark

Kevin

Thanks to the following photo contributors:
Wolf. Oesterreich
Kevin Kane
LaDan Omidvar
Erv Klaas
Tana Clark Tesdall
R.J. Gardner
Ellen Fairchild
Paul Domoto
Debbie Gray
Tom Zimmerman
Maggie Hamilton

Dec 30, 2015: December 2015 Photo Collage

December 2015 photos from the blog by Wolf. Oesterreich, Kevin Kane, and LaDan Omidvar.

Dec 29, 2015: A Winter View

From the Upland Trail, near the north trailhead, looking eastward across the plantings. 12/25/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 28, 2015: A Year in the Life of a Wetland

These photos were taken on the 15th of each month of Pool F.  Starting in January in the upper left through December in lower right, the photos show the changing seasons in the park. You can see all the individual photos here with links to years 2012-2014 also.  (All photos by Wolf. Oesterreich.)

Dec 27, 2015: South Lake View

Looking NE from the lakes trail, towards the bluff area. 12/25/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 26, 2015: Snow on the Upland Trail

The Upland Trail as it passes along the south side of Jensen Pond, looking east. 12/25/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 25, 2015: White Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.  We did get a white Christmas!

A SE and south view across the north wetland complex, as observed from the NW corner of the Upland Trail. 12/25/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 24, 2015: Snowy Stillness

A mid-afternoon Christmas Eve snowstorm blanketed the park with about 3 inches of snow. A NE view across Pond G. 12/25/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 23, 2015: Boreal Chorus Frog

Despite it being the 23rd of December, a single Boreal Chorus Frog was found on the lakes trail (south side of the north lake's west bay).  Doesn't it know that it is Winter?  This frog was found in the late am, before the rain, sleet, and snow. 12/23/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 22, 2015: Misty Winter Morning

Early morning mist highlights the bridge and its reflection in tranquil waters, looking south from north lake shore, 12/2/12 (Kevin Kane)

Dec 21, 2015: North Slope

An eastward view along the north slope, as viewed from the NW corner, on a misty day.  This photo is a day late due to my participation in the Saylorville Christmas Bird Count. 12/21/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 20, 2015: One Year Ago - Water to Ice

As the temps continued to fall this week the north lake finally froze over.  This is a view along the north shore showing the boundary between open water and ice. The south lake was still open with more and more geese and ducks congregating daily. 11/21/14 (Kevin Kane)

Dec 19, 2015: Canada Geese

From Bradley Holcomb Photography. (Bradley Holcomb)

Dec 18, 2015: Sunset

Somehow we missed this image from early November in the Iowa State Daily! ( Max Goldberg)
http://www.iowastatedaily.com/multimedia/image_b1f5bf00-8635-11e5-b4e5-f3cc0d388bcc.html

Dec 17, 2015: Reflections on Jensen Pond

North shore of Jensen pond looking south. 12/12/15 (Kevin Kane)

Dec 16, 2015: Flooded Boat Ramp

Recent rain has increased water levels in the lake causing a bit of flooding in the area of the boat ramp on the north lake. 12/16/15 (LaDan Omidvar)

Dec 15, 2015: Flooded Winter Wetlands

A NW and N view (under overcast conditions) across Pool F, towards the highlands.  Note the flooding from the recent rains. 12/15/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 14, 2015: Bare Trees

Bare trees reflected in Jensen Pond. 12/12/15 (Kevin Kane)

Dec 13, 2015: Jensen Pond

Looking southeast over Jensen Pond. 12/12/15 (Kevin Kane)

Dec 12, 2012: View from North Development

From top of northern hills looking southeast over the lakes. 12/12/15 (Kevin Kane)

Dec 11, 2015: Northern Leopard Frog

I was surprised to find this Northern Leopard Frog below Pool F's outflow culvert.  Although, with the mild temperatures we are experiencing, it should have been no surprise.  I aslo observed a Red-eared Slider yesterday at Jensen Pond. 12/11/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 10, 2015: South Lake on a Sunny December Day

A NW view across the south lake and towards the bluff area. 12/10/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 9, 2015: Z-Boat

The Iowa DOT has been taking their new Z-Boat out on the north lake the last couple of days.  They will use this machine to map lake and stream substrates. 12/9/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 8, 2015: Fading Light & Reflection

Reflections of the leafless trees in the north lake (looking to the SW) as daylight fades away. 11/28/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 7, 2015: End of Year Donations to Friends of AHHP

Please consider Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park in your end of year giving plans. There are two easy ways to help build and protect the future of our favorite park!

Membership.  Used for park improvements such as signage and plantings and to support the summer intern that organizes our interpretive programs.  Contributions are tax deductible as charitable contributions. 

Annual dues:
Student, $20
Individual/Family $35
Contributor, $50
Sustaining, $100
Patron, $500

We are a tax-exempt 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Make checks out to:
Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park

Send to:
Stephanie Fox, Treasurer
3921 Squaw Road
Ames, IA 50014




Endowment.  Funds held permanently at the Story County Community Foundation to support the long-term viability of Friends.  Contributions are tax deductible as Federal charitable contributions and also qualify for an additional 25% Endow Iowa tax credit.  For more information see http://www.storycountyfoundation.org/en/endow_iowa_tax_credit_program/

The link for direct deposits to the Foundation is https://dmf.iphiview.com/dmf/FundInformation/tabid/495/dispatch/accountselection_id$106376_hash$196ed4c411a4dd4c7a292c2f9662ca22774f0fe4/Default.aspx

Dec 6, 2015: Northern Hills

A northward view towards the north slope, from just east of the bluff spur on the lakes trail. 12/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 5, 2015: Fox Squirrel

A Fox Squirrel munching away while perched in a tree near the spillway. 12/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 4, 2015: Jensen Pond

An east view across Jensen Pond, under an overcast sky and light sprinkles. 11/30/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 3, 2015: Cooper's Hawk

Looking up at an adult Cooper's Hawk, found just past the Upland Trail's south trailhead. 12/2/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 2, 2015: Savannah Snowfall

The savannah woods after a light snowfall. 12/2/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Dec 1, 2015: Wolf's November 2015 Wildlife Report

Two Great Blue Herons have been hanging around through the end of November.  (Who knows if they'll stay into December?)  This one has been typically found along the north lake's shore, especially along the NW corner, while the other one is usually found at Pool F or Pond J.



















 

A total of 76 avian species (plus 1 sp.) was recorded this month, ranking this month as the 2^nd highest November among 18 years of records.  November 1999 with only 40 species remains as the lowest November, while Novembers 2014 and 2010 are the highest with 77 species.

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 following may represent new extreme late Fall records: 1 Great Egret on the 19^th-21st (former record set on 4 November 2004 at Ada Hayden HP), 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper on the 12^th (10 November 2010 at Ada Hayden HP), 1 Wilson’s Snipe on the 16^th-17^th (10 November 2004 at Ada Hayden HP), 1 Franklin’s Gull on the 28^th (20 November 2004 at Ada Hayden HP), and 1 Lincoln’s Sparrow on the 6^th (5 November 1986 at State Forest Nursery).  The single Common Redpoll found on the 21^st may represent a new extreme early Winter record (22 November 2001 in my backyard).

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

     GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: 24 (1), 29 (4), 30 (6)

     ROSS’S GOOSE: 14 (1)

     CACKLING GOOSE: 21 (3), 28 (4), 29

     CANADA GOOSE: 1-2, 4-11, 13-25, 27-30

     TRUMPETER SWAN: 27                                          

     WOOD DUCK: 1 (5), 2 (7), 4 (10), 5 (17), 6 (25+), 7 (32+), 8, 9 (2), 10 (3), 12 (13+), 14 (1),

          15 (1♂), 17 (1♂), 21 (2♂), 23-24 (1♀), 28 (1♂ + 1♀)

     GADWALL: 1 (19♂ + 15♀), 5 (7), 7 (12), 8 (28), 9 (6), 11 (30+), 12 (21+), 13 (5+), 14 (8),

          15 (3♂), 18 (4♂ + 1♀), 19 (13), 20 (1), 21 (5), 24 (13), 25 (4)

     AMERICAN WIGEON: 1 (5), 4 (2), 7 (6), 9 (1), 10 (2), 17 (1♂ + 1♀)

     AMERICAN BLACK DUCK: 6-13 (2), 15-17 (2), 20-23 (2), 25 (2)

     MALLARD: 1-2, 4-15, 16 (350+), 17-25, 27-30

     NORTHERN SHOVELER: 1 (7), 5 (1♂ + 1♀), 6 (7), 7 (45+), 8, 10 (1♀), 14 (8), 15 (23),

          18 (36+), 21 (12+), 22 (4), 23 (5), 24 (9), 25 (3), 28 (1♂ + 3♀), 29 (11)

     NORTHERN PINTAIL: 1 (1♂), 5 (5), 6 (1♂ + 5♀), 7 (2♂), 8, 9 (1♂ + 2♀), 10 (2♀),

          12 (3♂ + 2♀), 15 (2♂ + 1♀), 18 (2♂ + 3♀), 19 (1♂ + 2♀), 28-29 (1♂)

     GREEN-WINGED TEAL: 1 (9), 2 (4), 4 (7), 6 (8+), 8, 9 (13+), 12 (23+), 13 (42+), 19 (1♀),

          22 (3), 23 (5)

     CANVASBACK: 16 (1♂ + 2♀), 28 (1♂)

     REDHEAD: 1 (1♂), 22 (1♂ + 1♀)

     RING-NECKED DUCK: 1 (4♂ + 2♀), 7 (20), 10 (4♀), 19 (2♂), 21 (2), 28 (1♂)

     LESSER SCAUP: 7 (26+), 9 (2♂), 15 (14♂ + 11♀), 19 (9), 20 (1), 21 (5), 25 (4), 27-28 (1♂)

     BUFFLEHEAD: 19 (1♂), 20 (1♂ + 2♀), 21 (18), 22 (1♀), 24 (1♂ + 2♀)

     COMMON GOLDENEYE: 23 (1♂)

     HOODED MERGANSER: 6 (1♀), 19 (1♂ + 5♀), 20 (3♀), 22 (3♀), 28 (2♀), 29 (1♀)

     COMMON MERGANSER: 15 (1♀), 28 (1♀)

     RUDDY DUCK: 1 (7), 21 (5), 27 (1♀)

     RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1, 4-7, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20-23, 24 (10♂), 25, 30

     PIED-BILLED GREBE: 1 (4), 2 (2), 4 (3), 5-6 (1), 20 (1), 22 (2), 23-25 (1), 27-30 (1)

     HORNED GREBE: 13 (1), 21 (1), 24 (1), 30 (1)

     DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 27 (2)

     AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 10-11 (3), 13 (1), 14 (8), 17-18 (2), 19 (1)

     GREAT BLUE HERON: 1 (3), 2 (4), 4 (3), 5-7 (4), 8 (2), 9-10 (5), 11 (6), 12 (4), 13-14 (3), 

          15 (1), 16-17 (2), 18-19 (1), 20-22 (2), 23 (3), 24-25 (1), 27-30 (2)

     GREAT EGRET: 1-2 (1), 4 (1), 5 (2), 6-7 (1), 8-12 (2), 13-15 (1), 17 (1), 19-21 (1)

     BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: 2 (1 im), 6 (2 im), 15 (1 im)

     BALD EAGLE: 4 (1 ad), 7 (1 ad), 15 (1 im), 16 (1 ad), 19 (1 ad), 20 (1 ad + 1 im), 22 (1 ad),

          28 (1 im), 29 (1 ad)

     COOPER’S HAWK: 1 (1), 13 (1 ad)

     RED-TAILED HAWK: 4-6 (1), 8-11 (1), 13 (1), 17 (1), 19 (1), 20-25 (2), 27 (1), 28 (3), 29 (1),

          30 (2)

     AMERICAN COOT: 1 (5), 2 (4), 6 (1), 7 (8), 9 (2), 10-13 (1), 14 (2), 15-18 (1), 21 (21),

          22 (12), 23 (9), 24 (23), 25 (22), 27 (24), 28-29 (16), 30 (17)

     KILLDEER: 10 (2)

     SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: 12 (1)

     WILSON’S SNIPE: 8 (2), 9-12 (1), 14-15 (2), 16-17 (1)

     RING-BILLED GULL: 11-12 (1),

     FRANKLIN’S GULL: 25 (1), 28 (1)

     MOURNING DOVE: 19 (3), 21 (2), 27 (1)

     BELTED KINGFISHER: 6 (1), 11 (1), 14 (1), 17 (1), 25 (1), 27 (1)

     RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 5-11, 15, 20, 22, 24-25, 27-29

     DOWNY WOODPECKER: 1-2, 5, 7, 9-11, 13, 15-17, 20-30

     HAIRY WOODPECKER: 4, 7, 9-10, 22-23, 25, 29

     NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 7 (1)

     MERLIN: 24 (1♀ prairie race)

     BLUE JAY: 1, 7-9, 11, 15-16, 20-23, 25-30

     AMERICAN CROW: 1-2, 7-11, 13-18, 20-30

     BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1-2, 4-30

     WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 1-2, 4, 6-11, 13-16, 20, 25

     WINTER WREN: 4 (1)

     GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET: 1 (2), 5 (1)

     RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: 2 (1)

     EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 1, 6 (4), 7 (6), 9 (2), 11, 27 (4)

     AMERICAN ROBIN: 1-2, 4-11, 23, 25 (4 + 11 BY), 28 (1 BY)

     EUROPEAN STARLING: 1, 6-12, 14, 22, 28-29

     CEDAR WAXWING: 2 (~20)

     AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: 1 (12+), 2 (9+), 4 (2+), 5 (3+), 6 (9+), 7 (6), 8-30

     FIELD SPARROW: 1 (1)

     FOX SPARROW: 2 (1), 7 (3), 9 (1), 11-12 (1)

     SONG SPARROW: 1 (22+), 2 (5+), 4 (7+), 5 (11+), 6 (4+), 7 (1), 8 (3), 9 (2), 11, 13 (1),

          15-16 (1), 22 (4), 23 (2), 25 (2), 28-29 (1)

     LINCOLN’S SPARROW: 1 (1), 6 (1)

     SWAMP SPARROW: 4 (1), 9 (1), 27 (1)

     WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: 5 (1), 8 (1), 25-26 (1 BY)

     HARRIS’S SPARROW: 1 (3), 4 (2), 5 (1), 6 (18+), 7 (6+), 10 (6), 11-12 (3), 13 (6), 14 (2),

          15 (1), 16 (3), 17 (1), 18 (3), 20 (2), 21 (4)

     WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: 1 (9+), 2 (4+), 4 (5+), 5 (9+), 6 (2+), 7 (2), 8 (1), 11 (2),

          12 (4), 13-16 (1), 20 (1)

     DARK-EYED JUNCO (Slate-colored):1 (10+), 2 (15+), 4 (15+), 5 (3+), 6 (58+), 7 (22+),

          8-18, 20-30

     NORTHERN CARDINAL: 1, 4, 6, 8-12, 14-16, 18-30

     RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 1-2, 6 (5), 10, 13 (~50), 19 (3), 20 (1), 24

     RUSTY BLACKBIRD: 1 (10+), 8 (1), 9 (3)

     COMMON GRACKLE: 1, 12 (~30)

     BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: 22 (1♂ + 1♀)

     blackbirds sp: 2

     HOUSE FINCH: 1-2, 4-5, 7, 10-11, 13-18, 20-30

     COMMON REDPOLL: 21 (1)

     AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1-2, 4-9, 11, 24-26, 29-30

     HOUSE SPARROW: 1, 4-30

Unless indicated otherwise, the White-tailed Deer were antlerless.  The yearlings were just about the same size as the adults.  One magnificent male (8-pt) has been regularly seen by many.  The other male that I have observed is just a "spike male".

MAMMALIAN

     AMERICAN MINK: 18 (1), 30 (1)

     WHITE-TAILED DEER: 4 (1), 8 (2), 9 (1♂), 12 (1♂ + 2 + 3 BY), 13 (1♂), 18 (2 BY), 19 (2),

          22 (3 BY), 23 (6), 24 (6 + 1♂), 25 (2), 28 (1♂), 29 (2), 30 (3 BY)

     FOX SQUIRREL: 2, 7-8, 11-29, 22-30

     THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL:

     MUSKRAT: 10 (5), 11 (2), 12-16 (1), 20 (1), 21 (2), 22 (4), 23 (2), 24 (3), 25 (4), 27 (2),

          28 (4), 29 (2)

     EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 11, 13-14, 17, 20, 22-24, 27-28, 30

REPTILIAN

     PLAINS GARTER SNAKE: 12 (1)

     NORTHERN PAINTED TURTLE: 1 (6), 2 (16), 4 (12), 5 (6), 6 (2), 7 (3), 8 (1), 13 (1)

     RED-EARED SLIDER: 2 (1), 4 (1)

AMPHIBIAN

     BOREAL CHORUS FROG: 1-2, 5, 8

     AMERICAN BULLFROG: 4 (2), 11 (1), 17 (3)

     NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG: 5 (4)

An unidentified light-colored moth was seen briefly on the 29th.

LEPIDOPTERA

     ORANGE SULPHUR: 1 (2), 5 (1), 7 (2), 11 (1)

     Sulphur sp.: 1 (1), 2, 4 (2), 5 (3), 7 (3)

     PEARL CRESCENT: 8 (1)

     RED ADMIRAL: 4 (1)

     COMMON BUCKEYE: 4 (1), 8 (1)

     MONARCH: 7 (1)

     WOOLLY BEAR (ISABELLA TIGER MOTH): 1-2, 4-5, 7-8, 11, 13-15, 24-25

ORTHOPTERA

     CAROLINA GRASSHOPPER: 1 (1)

Wolf. Oesterreich