I hope you and your family had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Fun fact - did you know that the Wild Turkey was extirpated from Iowa in 1910? Thanks to many years of restoration efforts by the Iowa Conservation Commission (now Iowa Department of Natural Resources), we can now enjoy this iconic bird in Iowa again.
We've had a very fun and exciting fall! Young birders enjoyed learning about raptor migration at Hitchcock Nature Area in September and were treated with a fly-by Sabine's Gull, which was our best bird of the day. In October, we visited Ada Hayden Park near Ames where we searched for fall sparrows and other migrants. We concluded our fall season at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge for our Waterfowl Migration and Conservation Day where thousands of ducks put on quite the show for young birders and their families. We can't wait to assist with the Red Rock Christmas Bird Count in December, and you can join us by registering here!
None of these exciting field trips would be possible without your support. As we near the close of 2016, please consider Iowa Young Birders in your year-end giving. Your tax-deductible contribution will help us provide another year full of unforgettable birding experiences for Iowa's young birders and their families in 2017!
Thank You!
Tyler Harms
Executive Director
Iowa Young Birders
Don't Miss These Upcoming Young Birder Events!
December 17: Red Rock Christmas Bird Count - We're assisting with the Audubon Christmas Bird Count at Red Rock Reservoir again this year! Young birders will join experienced trip leaders as we count birds in a 15-mile radius around Red Rock Reservoir. Count for the morning or for the entire day. We would love to have you join us! This trip is free but advanced registration is required.
January 21: Dale Maffitt Reservoir - Dale Maffitt Reservoir hosts a diversity of waterbirds each winter, often including a large group of Trumpeter Swans, and allows for great looks at these birds at close range. The upland habitats surrounding the reservoir are also great for winter songbirds. Join us for a fun morning of birding near Des Moines! This trip is free but advanced registration is required.
February 18: Eagles and Gulls on the Mississippi River - Some of the best winter birding in Iowa can be found along the Mississippi River. Join us as we look for Bald Eagles, rare gulls, and other waterbirds at Credit Island Park near Davenport. An island in the Mississippi River, Credit Island Park is a unique area that hosts up to 50 species in winter. If time allows, we will also visit nearby Fairmount Cemetery to look for winter finches such as crossbills and redpolls. This trip is free but advanced registration is required.
All of our field trips are open to young birders ages 8-18. Parents are encouraged to attend. No cost to participate (except for special events) but advance registration is required. For more details and to register, visit our Events page.
In 2016, we offered our first ever Bird Sketching Workshop, an educational morning of bird capture and handling, an unforgettable three day trip to Colorado, and 10 exciting field trips across Iowa. Your year-end gift to Iowa Young Birders will help us continue to offer these memorable experiences in 2017. Please help us strengthen the birding and conservation community of tomorrow with your gift today!
HITCHCOCK HAWK WATCH
We very much enjoyed learning about the importance of counting and banding raptors at Hitchcock Nature Area on September 24! READ MORE HERE!
ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK
We can never complain about a beautiful fall day outside, and the birds at Ada Hayden Heritage Park made it even better! READ MORE HERE!
WATERFOWL MIGRATION AND CONSERVATION DAY
Thousands of ducks, a small group of Sandhill Cranes, and cooperative American Bittern are only a few of the highlights from our visit to Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge. READ MORE HERE!
Become a Member!
Young birders ages 8-18 can connect with new friends from across Iowa, get the inside scoop from our e-newsletters, and have the opportunity to contribute and participate. Youth members also receive a discount for any of our special events which may have a registration fee. An annual youth membership is only $10.What a great gift idea for your young birder!
Have up to four young birders in your family? Consider our new family membership ($40 annually). Up to two adults and four related young birders will become members of Iowa Young Birders, and all young birders will receive the same benefits as an individual youth membership!
Adults (age 19+) can support Iowa’s young birders by becoming an Adult Member ($35 annually.) Your support will help us to encourage young Iowans to develop and interest in Iowa’s birdlife and conservation issues. Plus, your Adult Membership helps keep our Youth Membership dues very low.
You can also use this same link to renew your current membership!
