Jan 31, 206: January 2016 Photo Collage

January 2016 photos from the blog by Wolf. Oesterreich, Kevin Kane, and Tana Tesdall.

Jan 30, 2016: Cattail Silhouettes

The sun rises over cattails on the frozen north lake. 12/31/16 (Kevin Kane)

Jan 29, 2016: Salmon Sunrise

The sun rises over the park illuminating the low clouds on a cold, but bright winter morning. 1/29/16 (Kevin Kane)

Jan 28, 2016: Having Fun at the Park!

Sharing from the Ada Hayden Park Facebook page, 1/28/16 (Edward Lee Hendrickson Jr.)

Jan 27, 2016: Pheasant Tracks

Ring-necked Pheasant tracks have been more readily observed at the Park than the birds themselves.  These were found on the west side of Jensen Pond. 1.27.16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 26, 2016: Thin Ice

"In skating over thin ice, our safety is our speed." -Ralph Waldo Emerson. 1/26/16, (Hailey Grell) shared from the Ada Hayden Park Facebook Page.

Jan 25, 2016: Winter Drapes the Park

A composite photo looking SE and south across the north wetland complex (before the snowfall) from the NW corner of the Upland Trail. 1/25/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 24, 2016: Fishing on Ice

Chris Tilley, of Ames, waits for the fish to bite while he fishes on the ice on Thursday at Ada Hayden Park. Photo by Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune - See more at: http://amestrib.com/news/chilling-and-fishing#sthash.TsxEoQvO.dpuf

Jan 23, 2016: Lake Mist

"Mist over the lake. Love the texture." 1/9/16 (Tana Tesdall) shared from the  Ada Hayden Park Facebook Page.

Jan 22, 2016: Time for Hockey!

Now that the ice is thick enough, all kinds of activities are happening on the ice including hockey near the north lake fishing pier. 1/22/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 21, 2016: Trout Release Update

From the Ames Tribune: http://amestrib.com/sports/more-ice-needed-trout-release-ada-hayden
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake will once again be the location for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' popular urban trout stocking program at noon, Saturday, Feb. 6. Photo by Todd Burras/Ames Tribune.

By Todd Burras, Outdoors Editor

Central Iowa needs more cold temperatures if a popular ice fishing event is going to take place in two weeks.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to stock 2,200 rainbow trout Saturday, Feb. 6, at Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake in Ames as long as ice conditions on the north basin are adequate.

Andy Otting, a fisheries management technician for the DNR, said Wednesday that last week, the ice was 4 to 5 inches thick at Ada Hayden and that he estimated the ice this week to be in the range of 6 to 8 inches.

“Everything is still on track for the Feb. 6 event, depending on ice conditions,” he said. “We will hold the event if we get to 12 inches or more.”

The stocking, weather pending, will start at the boat ramp sometime between 11:30 a.m. and noon. However, unlike previous stockings, Otting said the DNR plans to stock at two locations along the north shore to spread out the crowd.

For the entire story see: http://amestrib.com/sports/more-ice-needed-trout-release-ada-hayden

Jan 20, 2016: North Slope

An eastward view along the north slope, as viewed from the NW corner of the Upland Trail (on an overcast day).  Just after taking this shot I found #270 for the Park, a Townsend's Solitaire, which are normally found in the Rockies and to the west (although 1 or 2 can be found in NW Iowa during the Winter months).  Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain a good photograph. 1/20/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 19, 2016: Cattails on Ice

These cattails poke through the ice and snow of the north lake. 12/31/15 (Kevin Kane)

Jan 18, 2016: Frozen Wetland

A west to north view across Pool F towards the highlands.  Water is still flowing out through the channel in the center of the photo. 1/15/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 17, 2016: Ice Boat

Here's one way to ignore the frigid temperatures and have some fun outdoors!  ("Sailing" on the south lake ice.) 1/17/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 16, 2016: Bird's Eye View

Saw this hawk last weekend at the park. 1/16/16 (Tana Tesdall)

Jan 15, 2016: Icing Over

Earlier in the month, the frigid water slowly turned to ice as the temperatures declined. 1/1/16 (Kevin Kane)

Jan 14, 2016: Wolf. Oesterreich Receives Olav Smedal Conservation Award

A familiar sight on the trails around Ada Hayden Heritage Park as Wolf Oesterreich rides along the south lake trail.  1/1/16 (Kevin Kane)

Wolf. Oesterreich receives Olav Smedal Conservation Award
The Olav Smedal Conservation Award is given annually in honor of the late Tribune outdoors editor by the Ames Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America and Story County conservation.  The award goes to an individual or individuals who, by their actions or  communications, has or have done the most to accurately present to the public of central Iowa excellence in the conservation of natural resources and outdoor pursuits while representing the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship. Congratulations Wolf!

See the whole story here in the Ames Tribune!

http://amestrib.com/sports/wolf-pedia

Jan 13, 2016: American White Pelican

Shortly after I arrived home (at 1430), I looked out the back and saw a large white bird fly across the south lake.  At first I thought "a swan", but when I put my binoculars onto it, I said, "damn, it's a pelican!"   During the 1st lap I relocated the American White Pelican.  He (I'm assuming it's a male since it's lost and he probably didn't ask for directions to nearest open water) was among the congregation of Canada Geese on the south lake ice.  This is a digiscoped photograph.1/14/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 12, 2016: Late Afternoon Ice Fishing

The sun sets over the north lake, while ice-fishermen hope for a catch by the fishing pier. 1/14/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 11, 2016: Geese Across the Ice

A dense line of Canada Geese on the south lake ice. 1/13/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 10, 2016: 100% Ice

Today is the first day this Winter season when nearly 100% of the south lake is ice-covered.  This is a NW view across the south lake, towards the bluff area. 1/10/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 9, 2016: Icy Trails

Get out and the enjoy the trails!  The lakes trail is mostly free of snow and ice.  The worst patch of ice is located at the NW corner of the north lake, just east of the Upland Trail's north trailhead.  The trail is not crowded this time of year. 1/5/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 8, 2016: Canada Geese

These Canada Geese are heading out to lunch (under an overcast sky).  They took off from the south lake and flew off to the NW. 1/4/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 7, 2016: Goose Island

While looking for the Great Blue Heron I trudged through the snow to Pond G, but only found Canada Geese and a1 American Coot.   This is a NW view across the pond. 1/1/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 6, 2016: Snowy Jensen Pond

An eastward view across Jensen Pond, during the brief period of sunshine this morning. 12/30/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 5, 2016: Western Wetlands

A SW view across the west side of the Park and towards the Ames water tower, taken from the Upland Trail, by Jensen Pond. 12/30/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 4, 2016: Swans a' Swimming

These two swans were on the south lake this afternoon. 1/2/16 (Tana Clark Tesdall)

Jan 3, 2016: On Ice

These 5 Canada Geese are standing on a small and thin ice sheet on the south lake as 2 female Mallards pass them by. 1/1/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Jan 2, 2016: Wolf's December 2015 Wildlife Report

 

This Great Blue Heron was observed almost every day this month.  The last confirmed sighting was on the 31st.  I searched for it on the 1st of January, but was unable to locate it.  However, it may still show up again, as there are 2 ponds that are still open, along with most of the south lake and a part of the north lake. 12/29/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

A total of 57 avian species (plus 1 sp.) was recorded this month, ranking this month as the 2^nd highest December (although tied with December 2005) among 19 years of records.

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 male Northern Shoveler, still being seen through the 31^st, may represent a new extreme late Fall record for Story County (former record set on 29 December 2011 at AHHP).  Other new extreme late Fall records include the male Green-winged Teal, last seen on the 24^th (former record set on 21 December 2014 at AHHP), the female Hooded Merganser seen on the 30^th (former record set on 29 December 2007 at AHHP), and the Franklin’s Gull observed on the 3^rd (former record set on 28 November 2015 at AHHP).  Great Blue Herons have been recorded on several Ames Christmas Bird Counts (usually held mid-month) and the only mid-Winter record is that of 2 on 22 January 1998 found near Gilbert, so the one being seen almost every day this month, up through the 31^st, is quite rare.

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: 1-3 (5), 4 (6)

     SNOW GOOSE: 3 (8), 18 (1)

     ROSS’S GOOSE: 10 (1)

     CACKLING GOOSE: 1, 3 (3+), 4-5, 8, 9-10 (2+), 11-12, 17 (2), 19 (12), 22, 24

     CANADA GOOSE: 1-31

     TRUMPETER SWAN: 19 (3 ad), 25 (4 ad + 3 im)

     GADWALL: 2 (4), 3 (2♀), 4 (1♂ + 2♀), 8 (2♂), 11 (8), 14 (1♀), 15 (2♂), 17 (7),

          18 (1♂ + 3♀), 19 (7), 21 (1♀), 23 (6♂ + 4♀), 26 (2♂ + 1♀), 29-30 (2♀)

     AMERICAN WIGEON: 18 (2♂ + 1♀)

     AMERICAN BLACK DUCK: 18-19 (2), 27 (2)

     MALLARD: 1-19, 21-27, 29-31

     NORTHERN SHOVELER: 1 (3♀), 4-5 (1♀), 11 (5), 17 (1♂ + 1♀), 18 (2♂ + 2♀), 19 (2),

          21 (2), 29-31 (1♂)

     NORTHERN PINTAIL: 7-8 (1♂), 18-19 (2♂ + 1♀), 21 (1♂), 26 (1♂)

     GREEN-WINGED TEAL: 4 (4), 14 (1♂), 18 (4♂ + 2♀), 19 (2♂), 24 (1♂)

     CANVASBACK: 4 (1)

     RING-NECKED DUCK: 1 (1♂), 2 (2♂ + 1♀), 3-4 (1♂ + 1♀), 5 (1♀), 6 (1♂), 8 (1♂), 

          9 (1♂ + 1♀), 16 (2♂), 19 (1♂ + 1♀), 22 (1♂), 23-24 (2♂), 25 (1♂), 26-27 (2♂),

          30-31 (1♂ + 2♀)

     LESSER SCAUP: 2 (2♂ + 2♀), 3-4 (7), 9 (10), 17 (1♂), 19 (2♂ + 1♀)

     BUFFLEHEAD: 3 (4♀), 17 (1♂), 30 (1♀)

     COMMON GOLDENEYE: 2 (3♀), 3 (3♂ + 1♀), 19 (1♂ + 2♀)

     HOODED MERGANSER: 3 (1♀), 4 (2♀), 5 (1♀), 6 (7♀), 7 (4♀), 8-9 (8♀), 10 (7♀),

          11-12 (6♀), 15 (1♀), 18 (1♀), 30 (1♀)

     COMMON MERGANSER: 2 (2♂ + 1♀), 7 (3♂)

     RUDDY DUCK: 3 (6)

     RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1-2, 4, 6, 8-9. 16. 18, 22-25

     PIED-BILLED GREBE: 1-2 (1)

     HORNED GREBE: 1 (1)

     GREAT BLUE HERON: 1-6 (2), 7 (1), 8 (2), 11-12 (1), 14-15 (1), 17-19 (1), 21 (1), 24 (1),

          26-27 (1), 29-31 (1)

     BALD EAGLE: 2 (1), 8 (1 ad), 10 (1 ad), 11 (1 im), 14 (1 ad), 15 (1 im), 17 (2 im),

          18-19 (1 ad), 22 (2 ad + 1 im), 24-25 (1 ad), 26 (2 ad + 1 im), 30 (1 ad)

     SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: 7 (1 im BY), 10 (1 ad), 16 (1 ad), 25-26 (1 ad BY), 31 (1 ad)

     COOPER’S HAWK: 2 (1 ad), 6 (1 im BY), 10-12 (1 ad), 25 (1 ad)

     RED-TAILED HAWK: 1 (1), 2 (2), 3 (1), 4 (2), 5-6 (1), 8 (1), 9 (2), 10-12 (1), 14 (1), 15 (2),

          16-17 (1), 18 (2), 19 (3), 21-22 (1), 23-25 (2), 26 (3), 27 (1), 29-31 (2)

     AMERICAN COOT: 1 (16), 2 (18), 3 (16), 4 (15), 5 (18), 6-7 (15), 8 (16), 9 (15), 10 (17),

          11-12 (12), 14 (10), 15-16 (11), 17 (12), 18 (9), 19 (13), 21 (13), 22 (12), 23 (11),

          24-27 (13), 29 (15), 30 (16), 31 (27)

     FRANKLIN’S GULL: 3 (1)

     RING-BILLED GULL: 7 (1), 22 (1), 25 (1)

     EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE: 18 (1)

     MOURNING DOVE: 11 (1 BY), 12 (2), 17 (1 BY), 19, 25 (2 BY + 1), 26 (1), 29 (2),

          30 (1 BY)

     BELTED KINGFISHER: 2 (1), 6 (1), 15 (1), 26 (1)

     RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 1, 4-11, 13-15, 18-19, 21-22, 24, 30

     DOWNY WOODPECKER: 1-2, 4, 6-19, 21, 23-31

     HAIRY WOODPECKER: 2, 5, 8, 15-16, 18-19, 21, 23-26

     NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 3 (1)

     falcon sp: 3 (1), 23 (1)

     BLUE JAY: 2-5, 7-15, 17-19, 21-25, 27-31

     AMERICAN CROW: 1-9, 11-12, 14-16, 18, 21-27, 29-31

     BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1-19, 21-31

     WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 1, 3-7, 9, 11-12, 19, 21-24, 30

     BROWN CREEPER: 4 (1)

     EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 1 (7), 6 (5), 16 (4), 24 (4)

     AMERICAN ROBIN: 2 (7 BY), 3 (3), 8 (1 BY), 12 (1), 14 (2 BY), 15-16 (1 BY), 17 (2 BY),

          19, 24 (~30 BY), 25 (15+ BY), 26 (77+ BY), 27 (4+ BY), 28 (14+ BY), 29 (1)

     EUROPEAN STARLING: 2-3, 7-9, 11-12, 14-15, 17-19, 21, 25-29, 31

     AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: 1-12, 14-19, 21-31

     SONG SPARROW: 4 (1), 6

     SWAMP SPARROW: 1 (1), 31 (1)

     HARRIS’S SPARROW: 3 (1), 6 (1 BY), 7 (1), 9 (1 BY)

     DARK-EYED JUNCO (Slate-colored): 1-19, 21-31

     NORTHERN CARDINAL: 1-19, 21-31

     RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 9 (3)

     HOUSE FINCH: 1, 3, 5-19, 21-31

     AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1 (50+), 3-12, 15, 19, 22, 24, 26, 30

     HOUSE SPARROW: 1-19, 21-31

Unless indicated otherwise, the White-tailed Deer were antlerless.  The yearlings were just about the same size as the adults.  The Least Weasel was in Winter plumage (all white), the first I've ever seen in this condition.

MAMMALIAN

     LEAST WEASEL: 11 (1)

     AMERICAN MINK: 4 (1)

     WHITE-TAILED DEER: 6 (1), 9-10 (2), 11 (1), 14 (3 BY), 16 (5), 18 (3), 22-23 (1 BY),

          24 (1 + 1 BY), 25 (1), 27 (1 BY), 29 (3 BY), 30 (2 BY + 1♂ BY + 2), 31 (3 + 5 BY)

     FOX SQUIRREL: 1-19, 22-31

     MUSKRAT: 1 (6), 3 (1), 4 (3), 5 (1), 7 (1), 8 (2), 11 (1), 15 (1), 18-19 (1), 26 (3), 29 (2),

          30 (1), 31 (2)

     EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 3, 6-7, 14, 17, 28, 31-31

REPTILIAN

     RED-EARED SLIDER: 10 (1)

I was really surprised to find two amphibian species this month.

AMPHIBIAN

     BOREAL CHORUS FROG: 23 (1)

     NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG: 11 (1)

LEPIDOPTERA

     WOOLLY BEAR (Isabella Tiger Moth): 10 (1)

Wolf. Oesterreich

Jan 1, 2016: Welcome 2016!

Where will your path take you this year? Looking east from the center path over the bridge with the frozen north lake on the left and the open south lake on the right. 1/1/16 (Kevin Kane)