Happy 2018 from Iowa Young Birders! We hope your new year (and new birding year) is off to a great start! What a year we had in 2017 - 10 field trips across Iowa including our Shorebird ID Workshop in Ames, building Barn Owl nest boxes in Lucas County, and canoeing at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt among many others. You can read more about our exciting year in our 2017 Year-End Report. We can't wait for what 2018 will bring!
We started our year with an exciting Junior Duck Stamp event at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge on January 27. Award-winning wildlife artist and Iowa native Brian Murillo joined us to share tips about sketching and painting for the Junior Duck Stamp Contest, and young birders practiced their skills by sketching their favorite bird. We also learned how the Duck Stamp Program uses art to contribute to conservation. It was a fun day, and we're grateful to Brian and Doreen Van RysWyk with Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge for helping make this unique event a success!
Did you forget to renew your membership with Iowa Young Birders at the end of the year? No problem, you can still do it! Not yet a member of Iowa Young Birders? We'd love to have you join in our effort to engage young Iowans in the outdoors through birds and birding! Your support is what made 2017 an exciting year for us. Help us make 2018 more exciting with your gift today! You can start a new membership, renew an existing one, or simply give a gift on our website.
As always, we have a number of exciting trips plan to welcome spring migration. Check them out on our events calendar, and register to join us today!
Take care,
Tyler Harms
Executive Director
Iowa Young Birders
Don't Miss These Upcoming Young Birder Events!
February 10: George Wyth State Park - That's right, we're returning to this fantastic winter birding location! Our targets will be three birds traditionally found at this location: Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Saw-whet Owl, and Pileated Woodpecker. We'll practice the strategies and good field etiquette in searching for the owls; if we're lucky enough to find one, we'll enjoy it briefly, quietly, and from a distance! Our last winter visit to this location yielded at least 3 different owls! This trip is free but advanced registration is required.
March 24: Cone Marsh - Spring migration is a great time to see shorebirds and waterfowl, and Cone Marsh is one of the best places to experience spring migration in Iowa! Join us as we experience the onset of spring at this phenomenal wetland area along the Iowa River in southeast Iowa. This trip is free but advanced registration is required.
April 28: Des Moines Water Works Park - Des Moines Water Works Park lies at the upper end of the Lower Raccoon River Corridor Important Bird Area and has hosted more than 200 species of birds throughout the year. Join us as we enjoy the outdoors during the heart of spring by searching for migrating songbirds and other birds at this central Iowa bird hotspot. If time allows, we may visit a nearby Bald Eagle nest. You won't want to miss this exciting trip! This trip is free but advanced registration is required.
May 19: Dudgeon Lake - Composed of a variety of habitats along the Cedar River, more than 100 species have been recorded at Dudgeon Lake Wildlife Area and the quality of habitat has the potential to host a diversity of birds and even a rarity. We hope you can join us for a morning of outdoor fun at this unique area in eastern Iowa! 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.
Junior Duck Stamp Day
We had a great time learning about wildlife art and conservation from artist Brian Murillo and Doreen Van RysWyk at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge! READ MORE HERE!
Saylorville Dam
It was a great fall morning at the Saylorville Dam in November, and the birds were great too! CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP AND A SPECIES LIST HERE!
Terry Trueblood Recreation Area
Pelicans and gulls galore at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area on October 15. VIEW PHOTOS AND A SPECIES LIST FROM OUR TRIP 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!
