· AN 10 1986 Iowa CONSERVATIONIST JANUARY 1986 '
STATE UBRARY Of' fOWA HistGri~al Building DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 Iowa CONSERVATIONIST The Value of
\blume 45 No.1 • January 1986 STAFF
Roger Sparks. Ed11or Julie Holmes. Assistant Eduor By Ltlura Spess jackson Ron Johnson. Photographer KeMeth Fonnanek. Photographer Larry Pool. Graph1c Anist "One baste weakness m a conser wildhfe IS to consider all of 1ts "alues. CONTENTS vation system based wholly oneco Some of the pnmary values that \'\'ild 2 The Value of Wildlife norruc motives IS that most members hfe contnbutes to the human soaety 6 Planning for Urban Wildlife of the land commumty have no eco can be categonzed as btologtcal, norruc value " Aldo Leopold commeraal, recreational soenb.fic 8 Chickadee Checkoff and aesthetic 9 Conservation Update I'm standmg on a cLiff overlooking B10logtcal values mclude the role 14 They Otter be in Iowa the Mississ1pp1 R.tver wtth a dozen that each antmal plays wtthm the 16 Surviving the Challenge - other people It's fall, the surround area 1t lives Predators such as The Bam Owl mg bluffs are colorful slashes of red, wolves, hawks and owls help regu 19 Kestrel Cottages Adorn yellow and orange agamst the blue late thetr prey-deer, rabbtts and Interstate Corridors sky. Today my JOb 1s to teach these rruce Ehmmab.ng the predators can 20 The Iowa Breeding people about rap tors - what types cause the system to become unstable. Bird Atlas of areas hawks and eagles need to Populations of prey speaes could 21 County Feature survive and why these predatory bwld up to s uch high numbers that birds are valuable to us they would destroy the area m which 22 Iowa Thrt.les Suddenly, an tmmature red-tailed they live. Having little food or cover 23 Warden's Diary hawk flies into view. It's actually left, those populations would then below the cliff but SWirlmg upward crash to low numbers as starvation FRONT COVER: Whi t~·br~as ted Nuthatches bv J .F. Londenberg~r ofC edor Rap1d.s. toward us in slow, graceful arcles. It disease, reduced reproductton and keeps flying m and out of VIew. All of errugra b. on affected the ammals This THE IOWA CONSERVATION the people lean over the cliff as far as would be a continuous boom and COMMISSION they dare, thetr cameras are out and bust system wtth extreme highs Baxler Freese, W~l/man , John D. Field, Hamburg . Marian Pike, Whiting, F. Richard Thornton. D~s their binoculars hang ltmply around and lows. Moines. William B. Ridout, Esth~rville. Thoma.\ E their necks - the hawk is that close. Biologically, invertebrate and verte Spahn, Dubuqu~; and Sam Kennedy, Clear Lake . The hawk reaches our feet, knees, brate animals (insects, fish, btrds, E DIRECTOR: Larry J. Wilson. then eye level and the people and mammals) also till and aerate the SO)( DEPUTY DIRECTOR: Robert Fagerland. respond with a gasp of awe. In a soil . They pollinate plants, spread mal DIVISION CIDEFS: Allen Farns; Fish and Wildlife. single glance its eyes penetrated the plant seeds and recycle necessary ofv Stanley C. Kuhn, Division of Administration, Mtchael soul of each of us. In a fraction of a nutnents. Animals also help keep I Carrier, Lands and Mtlters. moment, the hawk taught us 1ts thmgs samtary by scavengtng on car con SECTION SUPERINTENDENTS: Tom Albnght, Engineering; Doyle Adams, Parks; Richard Bishop, value. casses and assisting the process of gul Wildlife; James Mayhew, Fisheries; Lester Flemtng, We live in a world of values. Most decomposition. By mamtauung the ~dJ Grants-in-Aid; Ge ne Hertel, S tate Forester, values are tangible and calculated in diverstty of animals and the roles Rick McGeough, Law Enforcement; Gene Geissinger, lilh Accounting; Arnie Sohn, Planning; John Beamer, dollars and cents. For example, con they fill, we help keep the system deq Land Acquisition; Judy Pawell , License, Ross struction of a mall will cost so many running smoothly. We wouldn't f· Hanison, lnformation and Education, Robert Walker, dollars, will create so many jobs and expect a car to run smoothly with ha County Conservation Activities. ••• contribute so much to the economy missing screws, clamps and parts, so IOWA CONSERVATIONIST (USPS 268-780), 1s of the comnity. Yet many things of how can we expect nature to? . published monthly by the Iowa Conservation CommiS· value cannot be adequately mea The commercial value of \vudllfe ts \VJtl~ sion. Mtlllace State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319. Second class postage paid in Des Momes, sured this way - such is the case often overlooked. Annually, Iowa exol Iowa, and additional malimg offices. POSf MASI'ER with wildlife. gams some $7 million from hunting s~ Send changes of address to the Iowa Conservationist, Wildlife and its associated natural and fishing licenses, habttat stamps Mtlllace State Office Bulldmg, Des Momes, Iowa Wilq 50319. areas have numerous values, some and donations. This money is used to con~ Send subscriptions - one y~ar; $5.00, two years. of which can be measured by dollars, purchase wildlife habitat, maintalJ1 ll $8.00, or 3 years; $10.00- to the address above some of which add to the quality of areas, and employ personnel to help calct The Iowa Conservation Commiss1on offers equal op· life or our emotional well being with manage our wildlife resources. ponunity r~gardless of raet, color. creed. national Ill or origin, or hand1cap If you feel you have been diS· out monetary recognition. Perhaps According to a 1984 survey, resident 0Utd crimrnated aga1nst, pleaJe contact us the only way we can truly appreciate and nonresident smalJ and btg game C'aJni
2 A great white egret stares out through the trees from its lofty perch while a painted turtle pops its head out of the marsh.
hunters spent approximately $82 mil often have dual purposes so make it humans in extended outer space llon in Iowa for such things as food, difficult to calculate the expenditure travel. Rattlesnake venom has taught lodgmg, ammunition, entertamment for enjoying wildlife. But even on us ways to thin blood for heart and travel. According to a sunilar something as seemingly minor and patients. Seals may teach humans survey of anglers m Iowa, sport relatively inexpensive as birdseed , how to avoid underwater diver's fisherman spend over $250 million we spend over $500 million each bends and chimpanzees are teaching annually on fishing tnps. Iowa also year. about the evolution of complex sold over $8 million worth of furs, The recreational value of wildlife behavior. making the mirumum annual value can be estimated somewhat through Birds provided the idea behind of Wlldlife nearly $350 million. its commercial value-how much human flight and much of aerody There is also the dollar value of people are willing to spend to pursue namics. They probably also inspired commercial fishmg, damming and their hobbies. However, how do you the first song. Bats meanwhile con gwdmg outfits Wildlife photo calculate the value of adventure, tinue to teach us about echolocation graphs, artwork and artifacts are also exercise, relaxation and enjoyment? while we also try to unravel the mys in high demand and big sellers for What is the value of seeing geese tery of whale sonar. decorative purposes. overhead or a bird at your feeder? Animals also provide an index of Hunters across the United States How do we weigh that value against environmental quality. When the rob ' harvest $100 million worth of deer the value of dollars and cents? ins died and the birds of prey had meat annually. Native wildlife can The scientificvalueofwildllie eggshells so thin that few ever also produce more protem per acre includes the educational aspects of hatched, we knew that pesticides with less damage to the land than wildlife. Studies of wildlife have were affecting our environment and exotic animals such as cattle in some allowed humans to extend their could affect us. Lack of native species second world areas where the native knowledge in a multitude of fields. and concentrations of exotics like wudllfe IS more adapted to arid Medically, the hibernation or sea house sparrows, starlings, pigeons, conditions. sonal torpor of animals is teaching us house mice and Norway rats indicate There are also subtle, difficult to how bodies can deal with uric and that our native habitats have calculate monetary values, such as other waste-product buildups which decreased and that we might be money spent on binoculars, books, may help us to better handle human creating crowding and noise too outdoor clothing, camping gear, or kidney problems. It may also teach great for wildlife- perhaps too great camera equipment. These items us how to slow the metabolism of for us. 3 Great blue heronnestlmgs (ngltt) anx10usly awmt the rehmt of tlzerr motlter to the nest A monarch butterfly (/ower left) feeds on nectar. A mother btHem (below) uses Iter nahtral camouflage to Jude the nest. The bobcat, ltke the flyillg sqwrrel (/ower nght) are rare members of Iowa's wzld commtmthj.
Wildhfe also has aesthetic value begun to scratch the surface of leam Most of us will ne"er see a gnzzl} mg about ""'Lldhfe, or unforeseen bear or whoopmg crane vet adrrure benefits humans may gam from wild their beauty. grace, and sheer wild life We have much to learn about the ness of thetr extstence Plulosoph mterdependency of all hfe forms To ically, wildlife has msptred preserve this opportumty to learn, be songwnters, poets, wnters and art msptred or enJOY, we must appreoate ists for eons Wildlife 1s a part of our lhe value of wildlife and be willing cultural appreoabon of art, and 15 to mamtam the habttat that wildlife seen today on everythmg from coffee needs to surviVe f cups and T-shtrts to expenstve art prints. What 15 the value of the msp1- l.Jwra Spess jackson ,..., an urlxm wildlzfe ration that wildhfe has giVen us? bwlogzst located 111 Des Moines Size holds The estunated $350 rrullion lS but a an M S degree from Colorado State Um small part of the value of wild- verszty and has been wztlt the commzsswn life here in Iowa We've JUSt barely smce january 1985
4
By lAura Spess Jackson To teach people more about wild What is urban wildlife and where life, the nongame program hos ts does it fit in our cities? This is a com public events. These mclude activi mon question asked of lowa's first bes such as Bald Eagle Days, Pelican urban biologist. Actually, the urban VVatches, Hawk VVatches plus various wildlife program is jus t two years old talks. The s pecial watches proVIde and has barely begun to scratch the people With the opporturuty to surface of its full potential. observe sometlung they rrught o ther The program was initiated as a part wise overlook or never know exis ted . of the nongame program m January The talks are to provide people with of 1984 because of the mcreased technical adVIce and mformabon on urbanization of our state. Nation subjects ranging from bird feedmg wide, over 80 percent of the people and identification to landscapmg live in some type of urban situation yards for wildlife ranging fro m s mall towns to large Although still a new concept, som e metropolitan cities. Nearly one mil Iowa cities are beginning to lead the lion acres per year are converted to way in urban wildlife plannmg For Toledo is striVIng to enhance the additional urban developm ent. example, Fort Dodge in cooperation recreational, educational and wildlife Recent history has sh own that with the urban program has desig value of Its 40-acre city park. Most unplanned urban growth creates nated a portion of its city-owned city parks consist of a few shade trees asphalt jungles, dingy slums, m onot cemetery as a bird refuge. Over 30 and mowed grass and thus lack the onous urban s prawls, and deprives bird species use the wooded ravine shrub layer d esued by many Wildlife us of natural variety and nearby rec area that is being set aside. Typical, speoes. These manicured environ reational opportunities. Urbanization sparsely vegetated urban neighbor ments seldom provide its citizens also tends to insulate people from hoods have less than a dozen bird with a feeling of seclusion, "getbng natural resources and robs them of species. Consequently not only does away from It all," or the opportumt\ the educational opportunity to study the bird refuge provide additional to pursue hobb1es such as bird and appreciate complex ecological habitat for resid ent and migrating watching, nature study and photog relationships, or simply see native wildlife, it also gives folks an oppor raphy. Toledo's park had similar wildlife. tunity to see these s pecies. problems, but they've had the destre To help cope with human, city and The cities of Ackley and Toledo to change. wildlife needs, the urban program d ecided to create wildlife habitat and To create more food and cover can be broken into three sections. save money. Ackley built a new sew areas for wildlife while VIsually block One section is to increase public age lagoon. Normally these areas ing dis tracting views such as housmg awareness of the recreational, educa look like golf course ponds and developments, highways and row tional and aesthetic value of wildlife . require costly mowing. Ins tead crops, a hedge will be es tablished People need to know the biological Ackley requested some urban around mos t of the park. This will requirements of wildlife in order to wildlife d esigns and is in the process provide a peaceful atmosphere for maintain these species. The second of planting the area to wildlife picnics and the blossoms, fruit and phase of the program is to develop habitat. Native prairie grasses will be color of the plants can provide an and enhance habitat for wildlife on established around the ponds and attractive frontis piece for th e park. private and public lands . The final some fruit-bearing shrubs and coni Toledo is also going to p lant on e area emphasis of the program is on fers will be added to provide food to native prairie grasses to preserve research. Since urban programs are a and winter cover for wildlife. With part of its native legacy, provide an new scientific field, much research is this design, the area s hould provide outdoor classroom for children and needed on human attitudes toward nesting cover for son gbirds, pheas decrease mowing costs. The river wildlife, and wildlife adaptability to ants and perhaps waterfowl, while corridor will be expanded to decrease various changes caused by urban only requiring mowing once every soil erosion along the banks and pro d evelopment two years. vide a refuge area for wildlife.
6 This backyard (top) has been devel oped to enhance wildlife habitat. Cover for wildlife is provided by an important shrub layer planted around a large tombstone at this Fort Dodge cemetary.
To help individuals establish wild life habitat in their yards, a songbird package has been created. For $10 people can obtain the package from the state forest nursery. The 20 seed ings in the package are high in food and cover value for wildlife and should grow throughout the state. Vario1.IS publications are also being developed to guide people interested in helping wildlife. Publications such as the Iowa Bird Study, Iowa Mam mals, \t\bod Duck Nest Boxes, Bluebird Nest Boxes and Barn Owls already exist, while Attracting Back yard Wildlife, Iowa Bats, Snakes of Iowa and Iowa Bald Eagles should soon be available. Urban research is still in the plan ning stage, but questions need answering. For example, how effec tive are various landscaping designs in preserving wildlife species in cities? What human activities disturb certain wildlife species? On the human side, what social stresses do sterile, crowded environments which lack open spaces or green areas fos ter? What are the consequences of raising generations of children which have little or no day-to-day contact with nature? The best option is to start planning for the future today. If the educa tional and recreational benefits that urban wildlife can provide are to be retained, potential habitat along highways, ditches, railroad rights-of way, river corridors, bike trails, busi ness grounds, golf courses, cemeteries, airports, landfills, sew age plants, empty lots and residential areas can be put to use With every new development the losses- to people and wildlife must be considered. It is much easier to set an area aside than to recreate it. To adequately plan for the future citi zens and municipal governments must be willing to establish zoning laws which consider wildlife, recrea tion and social tolerances ~well as economics. It's up to us. '? 7 Our Fourth Year By Lcnve/1 Washbum pr~ sen'i Iowa's ·ckadee purd eckoff erty Sill ~ are in our fourth year. Your help lS still needed. to come As your contributions thea Since the 1982 tax year, persons A staff of lhree b1ologJsts has been mcrease, the welfare of our nongame 1982 filing Iowa income tax forms 1040A established and lS fuUy committed to Wlldhfe resources becomes more gran and 1040 have had a unique opportu developmg and coordmating a non assured Everyone Wlth an mterest m 563,0 nity. Space has been provided on game conservation effort m Iowa. nongame Wildlife owes 1t to help piece these forms where persons may con That program, underway smce Jul.}" themselves and those preaous the J tribute to the fish and wildlife pro 1983, has made many stgruficant resources not only to help finance • tection fund ... what we call the steps forward, but for long-term suc cnas~ a nongame program through the adee "Chickadee Checkoff." All funds cesses, Iowa taxpayers must continue Chlckadee Checkoff, but to promote On given to the checkoff are earmarked therr generous support through the the effort so that others will also then for nongame wildlife conservation Chlckadee Checkoff for many years contribute ..;{ programs, administered by the Iowa to act Conservation Commission. Results beneJ for the first three years have been parnc encouraging. More than 100,000 tax are r forms have yielded more than end a $600,000 in contributions. Of the other three dozen states with some similar assist form of chickadee checkoff, Iowa Thi ranks very high in the rates of contri acre, butions. Before the checkoff, conser Prairi1 vation efforts for nongame wildlife hash were funded from revenues created Still I by hunting and fishing license sales. grass. Most of the benefits to nongame 1ng mead Thea The Chickadee era) Checkoff - -- uYour help is still needed." were indirect. For example, when habitat was purchased or managed for game species such as ducks or deer, nongame species such as herons or flying squirrels also bene fitted. Still, nongame wildlife had no direct sponsors as the game species had in sportsmen. And, there was not an indentifiable or direct non game conservation program being carried out. Thanks to the chickadee checkoff, all that is changed.
8 CONSERVATION UPDATE Nongame Program Purchases Land Songbird Wtldlife Packets Available
Recently, the nongame marshes. Wclterfowl, rap program of the Iowa Con tors, shorebirds, grassland servation Commission songbirds, the threatened The Iowa Conservation the Iowa summer, a noise purchased its first prop ornate box turtle and other Commission's State Forest buffer, wind block and can erty. rare reptiles and amphib Nursery grows tree and even function as a natural Since the initiation of ians use the unique, native shrub seedlings for con fence. The variety of the Chickadee Checkoff in habitat this area provides. servation uses on Iowa ur plants offer color and con 1982, the nongame pro The site is in the Mus ban and rural lands. The trast, sweet smells and the gram has s pent over catine County and was nursery offers two unique pleasure of seeing game $63,000 to help purchase originally discovered by wildlife packets, the song and nongame animals in pieces of property. This is the Muscatine County bird packet for urban areas your backyard. Keep in the first property pur Conservation Board . and wildlife packet for ru mind that it will be three chased solely from Chick ''Walking on the area is like ral areas. years before the seedlings adee Checkoff funds. stepping back in time," The songbird packet is reach maturity and before One of the objectives of says Doug Reeves, non composed of a mixed vari all of the benefits of the the nongame program is game biologist for the ety of 20 shrubs and trees songbird packet can be ap to acquire land which will State Conservation Com designed to attract wild preciated. benefit nongame species, mission. "The stze and life. The package includes The wildlife packet al particularly species which gently rolling topography three chokecherry trees, lows individuals to order are rare, threatened or allow you to see what two stberian crabapple more diversity for their endangered and might Iowa's landscape would trees, five ninebark acreage than regular nurs otherwise perish without have looked like a century shrubs, five gray dog ery orders. The wildlife assistance. ago." Management plans wood shrubs and five hon packet is composed of 50 This property is an 80- are now being established eysuckle s hrubs. Al conifers, 50 hardwoods acre, never-plowed, sand for the area. The site will though these are not all and 100 shrubs. When prairie. Although the area probably be burned next native species, they are planted around the has been heavily grazed, it spring to restore the native winter hardy throughout perimeter of an acreage, still hosts native prairie grasses after the heavy the state. Furthermore, these plants create natural grasses and forbs, includ grazing they've endured. they can survive poor soil fence rows which can ing the endangered The area should then conditions common to serve as windbreaks and meadow beauty flower. green up and flourish many urban areas. control erosion. A cluster The area also contains sev again, according to This combination of planting of these seedlings eral prairie pothole Reeves. plants insures thC\t food, will eventually form a winter cover and several small forest which will height strata for nesting provide habitat for wild will eventually be pro life. Conifers offer shelter Iowa Wildlife & Nature In Art duced. Mammals that are for animals in the winter likely to benefit from this and those shrubs that pro planting include cottontail duce persistent berries A full 25 percent more to the Governor's aucbon. rabbit, raccoon, opossum, will feed birds and other artists than last year, the (Look for a photo of white-footed mouse, gray animals throughout the third annual Iowa Wtldlife Benoit's piece in the squirrel, fox squirrel, red winter. Again, these & Nature in Art Exhibition coming February issue of squirrel and woodchuck. plants are hardy and and Sale is expected to top the Conservationist.) Pre As the plantings mature, adaptable to a variety of , the previous shows on al miere night festivities will the variety of wildlife us Iowan soils and weather most all fronts. occur the evening of April ing them will increase. conditions. Set for April4, 5 and 6 at 4, including the Gover Eventually, northern Individuals can pur the Palace Theater of Ad nor's auction at 7:30 p.m., orioles, rose-breasted chase a songbird packet ventureland, just off 1-35 at a get acquainted session grosbeaks, woodpeckers, for $10 and for $19 they Altoona, the show is again with the artists, hors nuthatches and other for can invest in the wildlife sponsored by the Conser d' oeuvres and more, all for est dwelling birds will be packet. Considering the vation Commission and the first 450 buyers of tick found in the larger trees. many benefits associated Iowa Natural Heritage ets at $25 each. Aside from providing with these packets, such Foundation. This year's More details on the habitat for animals, the as low cost, these packets feature artist is Art Benoit show will be announced in songbird packet offers may be the best invest of Marshalltown who has the Conservationist next many benefits to homes ment a person can make in just completed a major month. and properties. This mix their land. work that he is donating of plants offers shade in
9 Spring 1986 Environmental Education Courses Participate in the 1lus spnng the UNI In Each pre-regtstration re Costs Annual Winter Bird stitute for EnVIronmental qwres a 525 00 nonrefund TUition 563 00 Feeder Survey Educatwn, through tts able deposit AJI courses po Audit $63 00 ea Iowa EnVIronmental Edu are luruted to 30 students Meals 520 00 Each JanuCU), the Iowa \'11 cation Fteld Station Pro Rooms 54 00 (no charge Con sen atwn Commis gram, will offer a senes of Spring Courses 1986 for tuttlon aa SIOn's Nongame program Ke weekend courses for grad January 10-12 parhapants) and the Iowa Onntholo uate credit All courses Using Creab\·e Drama m Total 583 00 (87 00 gtsts Umon sponsor a win ati "-vill be offered at the Con Envuonmental Education for audit) servation Education Cen 82 233 1 credtt hour ter bud feeder sun·e\ This ob ter m Spnngbrook State Doug Larche - instructor survey depends on mter ested mdt\ tduals through Park near Guthne Center, February 7-9 Special Events ~~ out the state PartiCipants M Iowa The courses are de Life m the Dead of \\'inter Winter Solsh ce - Janual) are sent a form whtch ask!) signed to meet the needs 82 186g 1 cred1t hour 17-19 Weekend with Sylvan of teachers and na tu Gcul George - mstructor Runkle- Ma} 3-4 a few quesbons concem ~ mg the types of feeders rahsts March 7-9 For speafic mformation he Pre-regtstrahon is re Iowa HaLardous about eath of these bemg used, if water ~s e quired for all courses. Waste Disposal courses and events call the available and what kind of be Final regtstratwn and 82 133g- 1 credit hour Conservation EducatiOn habttat the surroundmg tio netghborhood has · sub dormttory asstgnment April 7-9 Center (515) 7-17-83 3 or tia take place Fnday evenmg Sou Loss Water Pollution Ui\II (800) 772-1746 (toll urban, cropland timber, \~1 from 6:30 p m to 7 30 p m 82 286- 1 cred1t hour free) or (319) 273-2122 etc. The partiapants are eil' asked to count the differ a.J ent types of buds at the r \\1 Commission on Radio Location Station Position Time Aued feeders for two consecu ea Albia KLBA 1370 A\1 Sat 6.35 a.m. tive days. da One way to keep up-to Ames KEZT 10-t 1 FM Sun bt>h\een 630-7.00 a m. In prev10us years the \\i date on outdoor Iowa ts to Bloomfield KXOF 106.3 f".1 )..1on 12·20 p.m or 5 10 p m. count was conducted onlv ell tune m to the Commis Burlington KBUR 1490 AM Thurs. 6.25 p.m. on one weekend Thb an I sion's short radio pro Centernlle KCOG 1400 AM Sat between 5:00 a.m.-6:30a.m year, to allow weekend \\1 gram, "Conservation Cap Cherokee KCHE l+K A~! Sat ~ : .30 a.m. travelers more opportu Ptl sule", heard on 34 radio Clinton KROS 1340 AM Sat 12:00 \oon n ity to partiCipate, the ' stations across the state. Davenport KRVR 106.5 FM Sun 12:00 Mtdmght count will be from Thurs Wherever you hve m Demson kDS'J 1530 A\1 Sun 10:05 a m day, January 23 through Iowa, you have a good DesMomes KWK'r 1150 .\M Sat 6.C5 a m Sunda)" January 26 Peo chance of being withm the Elkader KADR 1400 AM At dtfferent hmes ple are still asked to count broadcast area of one of Emmetsburg KEMB 98.3 fM Sal 10:05 a.m. only on two consecubve the stations listed on the EstheMile KILR 1070 AM Sat 5 10 p m davs, howe\ er, so that th1s "Conservation Capsule" Forest Ctl\ KIO\\ 1023FM Sat 11 ·-IOa .m. years results w ill sttll table located on thts page. Fort Dodge KVFD 1400AM Sat lO:lOa m. be comparable to previous The five minute pro Fort Madison KBKB 1360 AM One weekday l'UU·H:UU a m. years. gram features host Bob Hampton KWGG 104 9FM Sat 710a m The btrd feeder sun e\ Runge intervtewing out Humboldt kHBT 97 7 FM Sun 12:30 p.m. is useful for measun ng door experts on a wide Ida Grove KID A 92.7 FM Sat. 7 30 a m w heth er the n umber of Jefferson /Perry KDLS range of subjects. Some 1310 AM Tue 1·20 p m. various common birds are Le Mars KLEM 1410 AM Sat 9 15 a m topics discussed include: up or down in different Maquoketa KMAQ 1320 AM Fn 1:05pm parts of the state. With the fishing hotspots, hunting Mount Pleasant KILJ 1130 AM Tues. 5 30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. season outlooks, state Newton KCOB 1280 AM Sat 6:20a.m. habita t q uestion, bwlo park information, a nd Osage KOSG 92 HM Sat lO 15 a m gists h ope to determine general outdoor subjects. Oskaloosa kBOE 740 AM Sat 6.35 a m. which birds are more fre· If your local sta bon does Prairie du Cluen WPRE 980 AM Sat. 5 05 p m. quently seen m d tfferent not carry "Conservation Sheldon KIWA 1550 AM Sun 7:05a.m. types of areas. Capsule", you might let Shenandoah KYFR 920 AM Sat 1100 a m If you are interested m them know you would be Sioux Ctt} KSCJ 1360 AM At dtfferent hme) participating, call or .,.,·nte mterested in hean ng it. Spirit Lake KUOO 103.9 FM At dtfferent ttmes Laura Jackson, Urban BIOl The show ts provided free Waslungton KCII 1380 AM Sal 8.15 a.m. ogist, WalJace State Office of charge to any station Waukon IG"JEI 1140 AM Fn 5 15 p.m. Bldg., Des Mom es, lA Wislung to au 1t. \Akbster City KQWC 1570 AM Sat 8:45 a m. 50319, 515-281-4815
10 1985 Bald Eagle Appreciation Days
To give people an op river tends to keep the Hawk Watch portunity to view bald water open so the eagles eagles first-hand, there have an area to hunt for A Success will be Bald Eagles Appre food. The Ilhn01s s1de of ciation Days, Jan. 17-19 at the river 1s forested, Keokuk, Iowa. providing perchmg and The first Nongame 3,000 raptors will ffilgrate The Bald Eagle Appreci overnight roosting sites Hawk Watch was held this through the Effigy ation event will include for the eagles if left undis past fall at Effigy Mounds Mounds area. observation areas at the turbed by human activity. National Monument. On the day the hawk river and indoor sessions The Saturday and Sun Over 600 people attended watch was held, 15 imma at the Keosippi Mall on day programs are open to the event and had the op ture and six adult bald Main Street. Spottmg everyone In addition, portumty to observe some eagles flew past the obser scopes will be furrushed at there w11l be a lecture of the 79 raptors that flew vatiOn point. Sharp the observation areas to senes to ·provtde more de overhead dunng the shinned hawks, red-tailed help the public view the tails on bald eagle b1ology, course of the day. hawks, kestrels, vultures eagles. Biologists will also plus extra slide shows and Effigy Mounds was a and the rare red be on hand at the observa movies on eagles. There perfect place to host the shouldered hawk were al tion areas to answer ques will also be eagle d1splays event since it has observa so observed. A raptor dis tions. The indoor sessiOns and artwork exh1b1ts at hon pomts which over play and a slide/ talk show will include an hourly bald the mall throughout the look the MISSISSippi River was also available at the eagle program from 8:00 event. valley and surrounding Vis1tor Center. In coopera a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Bald Eagle Appreaahon bluffs Hawks and eagles tiOn with the Effigy with a film and a live bald Days are bemg sponsored use th1s type of topog Mounds personnel, the eagle called Pat. On Fri by the U.S. Army Corps of raphy during their fall mi Nongame program hopes day, Jan. 17, the program Engineers and the Non grations since updrafts of to have the Hawk Watch will be primarily for school game Programs of the wind allow them to soar again this fall- be watch children, senior citizens Iowa Conservation Com with little effort. During a ing for it around mid and the handicapped, but mission and Illinois De single fall season over October. will be open to the general partment of Conservahon. public as space allows. For additional mforma Each winter 100 to 400 tion call: Laura Jackson, BOOK REVIEW bald eagles winter along Iowa Conservation Com the Mississippi River at mission, 515/ 281-4815; Iowa Birds by fames f. Dins photographs and maps. Pub Keokuk. This is one of the Jim Mergen, Illinois De more, Thomas H. Kent, Oar lished by Iowa State Universi major wintering areas for partment of Conservation, win Koenig, Peter C. ty Press, 2121 South State bald eagles in the Mid 217 /785-8691; or Lester Petersen and Dean M. Roosa Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010; west. The birds stay near Wadzinski, U.S. Army 356 pages. Illustrated with 1984. Price $27.50 Keokuk during the winter Corps of Engineers, 309/ because the dam on the 788-6361. This book reviews, con About the Authors: James J. solidates and updates all Dinsmore is professor of previous information on animal ecology, Iowa State occurrPnce and distribu University. Thomas H. tion of every known spe Kent, M.D., is professor of cies of bird in Iowa. It also pathology, University of summarizes abundance Iowa, and a well-known and occurrence patterns of Iowa birder. Darwin the past, offers tips on spe Koenig is executive direc cies identification, and tor, Poweshiek County provides other valuable Conservation Board. Peter data to supplement illus C. Petersen is editor of trated field guides current Iowa Bird Life. Dean M. ly available. It features an Roosa is state ecologist, easy-to-read text, many Iowa State Preserves Ad maps, extensive refer visory Board and State ences to other literature Conservation Commis and appendices. ston.
11 )anu.uyS X-Country Skuz\s. Loot IslAnd· )anuazy23 Rapto" of Iowa !in.K>n I. 81trt Communtry Room 1.30-3 JO p D\ • H~t~tonParlt 130 p m ~th County C&IJ to ~· S1us Palo Alto County SIS /29S-21 l
)&nU&I)' 21. Noture Night II the Kennedy Park February9 "Sleeping Beauties•, lndla.nola Pubhc Library on their income tax form is ffbnwyl8 Moviea, 7 00 p m Rtctption Ctt ~nter Botany. Indianola andMuchl8 Fort Dodge IOOpm 1'4rrtn County to some extent a volunteer Webster County 5 1 5/961~ 1 69 5151516-4258 for the nongame program. February 10 Anncha.Jr Adventures umtCreel. )anu.uy21, T R E A T S (Thescl.oy R«· Harruhon County andMilch3 700-e OOp m Nature Ctnttr To everyon e who has ffbnwy4 18, reatton Educauonand l&Ut 5151832·1994 C. no Gordo County Mucb4and l8 ~).700pm 5151423-530'1 helped the nongame pro-
12 management decisions re the otters developed com garding the two species. plications as a result of the In addition to being an surgery. The volunteer ef By Doug Reeves avid birder, Barb is also a forts of Carolyn Runyan prairie enthusiast. She has and Sue Barrows have done plant inventories of been the heart of our rap s :N CONSERVATION several prairies in south tor rehabilitation program, 1 west Iowa and probably and we hope will continue gram in any way, we offer effort that Wayne and understands the remain to be. a special thanks. Millie contributed on ing native prairie there as Rick Hollis of Iowa City Some volunteers have behalf of the bam owl in well as anyone. is another exceptional gone so far out of their Iowa was especially im Barb spends consider volunteer who has made a way on behalf of nongame portant to our research able time and effort help contribution to nongame wildlife that they deserve project. Wayne remains ing children learn about wildlife in Iowa. An avid special recognition. Here dedicated to the conserva wildlife. Helping the next birder, Rick has taken a are just a few examples: tion of wildlife and a per generation understand particular interest in bird Wayne and Millie sonal friend of the non the outdoors is a terrific feeding and the use of bird Schmidt of VVilliamson of game program. Although investment and bodes feeder surveys to provide fered the use of their bam a thank you is hardly well for Barb. information about winter for our bam owl project. enough, it is all we can Sue Barrows, D.V.M. populations of birds in They also put up with the offer. and Carolyn Runyan, Iowa. In fact, Rick was an additional bother of our re Barbara VVilson of rural D.V.M., both of the Iowa initial participant in the search project. Most peo Hastings is another special State University Veteri planning of the coopera ple would not take kindly nongame volunteer. Barb nary Medicine Clinic have tive winter bird feeder sur to having someone driv is one of the most active provided primary care and vey. He has handled all of e ing around the farm in the members of the Iowa Or surgery for many injured the data analysis and tabu middle of the night trying nithologists Union, and hawks and owls. They lation of the survey. The to locate bam owls, but when it comes to projects have done it on a volun process has included ini Wayne and Millie did not involving birds, she has teer basis. Their efforts tial sorting of survey mind. fact, they kept helped us with them all. have returned unusual forms, entry of data on a ' In up to date on each one of She has provided more species such as a long personal computer, writ the owls after the release. nest record cards than any eared owl, a short-eared ing programs to analyze Also, the adult female owl other single individual in owl, an arctic great homed the data, and then doing r· was setting on eggs when Iowa. She was one of the owl and a bald eagle to the the numerical analysis. wild. Both Dr. Barrows 0 we released the first bunch first volunteers to offer a Rick's efforts during the of young ones so Wayne's bam for our bam owl res and Dr. Runyan have tak last two years have al 'I involvement didn't end toration project. Since the en an active role in teach lowed us to gain a better there. He fed the owls and release of the owls from ing raptor rehabilitation to understanding of the watched over them an ad her bam, she has checked students at Iowa State Uni numbers and distribution ditional six weeks until we on reports of bam owls in versity. This effort may of popular songbirds like released the second batch her area and is more than well provide the most sig cardinals and chickadees of young birds together willing to investigate pos nificant dividends as more during the winter. During with the adults. sible bam owl sightings. veterinarians with experi the next several years, we While that alone repre At the present time, Barb ence caring for injured will be able to compare his sents a tremendous com is one of the regional coor wildlife take positions data with data from other mitment on the part of the dinators for the Iowa around the state. years and be able to see Schmidt's, another re breeding bird atlas. She Another project that how weather and other markable point is that they has recruited other volun Drs. Runyan and Barrows factors affect winter bird did it while under consid teers and now has the volunteered to help with is populations in Iowa. erable duress. When we most active group of bird the river otter research There are many other placed the adult owls in ers in the state helping her. project. The two assem volunteers who could be their bam, Wayne was re During spring and sum bled a very capable volun singled out as leaders in covering from major sur mer, Barb spends a good teer team of surgeons, Iowa conservation but gery. Still, he took ex share of her time studying anesthesiologists, a nd space limits the ability cellent care of the owls. piping plovers and least assistants who did a to recognize them. The im Then during the summer, terns (both endangered tremendous job of surgi portant point is they are Millie became ill and after species in Iowa) near cally implanting radio doing a tremendous job fighting cancer, died in Council Bluffs. Her re transmitters in the otters. and we would be lost September. search has provided nec As a result of their experi without them. Indeed, the volunteer essary information for ence and ability, not one of On Ylarch 19, 19 5, lO\\a recel\ed vetennan· medicme under the guid a shipment of somethmg that mo~ t ance of Dr Carol\ n Rum an, each Iowans have not seen- otters River otter was tmplanted w1th a rad10 ~ ·-- ....: :.•••> . otters \vere brought to lO\\ a through transnutter and came through the the nongame program to help re.,tore surgery \\·ith flying colors P. them Other states which had performed Ill 1-ltstoncalh, otters \\ere among the stmllar surgery on otters found that Ira most Widely distnbuted mammals there was less mortaht\ If the otters an and occurred along waten' avs were released the da.~ after surge0 throughout most of the Umted States Thu., on \1arch 20, one research tech and Canada However, bv the turn of moan and 16 otters were released m the centun thev \\ere ehmmated the back\\ ater area of Red Rock reser .. from much of the Central and \\est votr The techmoan was m charge ot em Umted States Some loss of otters radio trackmg the otters to morutor was due to unregulated market hunt thetr sun'l\ al, movement and hab1tat mg and trappmg that occurred dur use mg the late 1 OO's But, loss of The otter ha\ e sun wed amaz brnbered areas, channel1.1ahon of inglv well Each rad1o transmitter has streams, dramage of wetlands, a mortalth mode which turns on tf .:r mcreased stltahon and chenucal con the aruma! d1es \I though h\O otter" tammants from agncultural pracltces were never found after the release contnbuted to the loss of otters (probably rad!o transnutter fatlu re) These prachces, \\ hiCh so drastically the remammg ammals \\ere found altered Iowa's landscape after the throughout most of the summer. tum of the centun, also ehrnmated ~ow some rad1o transmitters are fad much of the habitat necessary for den mg out, but the otters ha\ e proven sites and rearing voung, decreased that given any yet unforeseen Cir ''l the avat.labthty, of food and rna\ ha\·e cumstances, thev can sun'lve m nc had cherrucally tox1c effects on the Iowa ott otter's abil1ty to survlVe or reproduce Up until late summer, most of the ad Although there are some otters m otter remamed m the Red Rock area the northeastern portion of the state Backwater areas, oxbO\vs and gravel along the Mississippi River, the last ptt were the most frequently used record of an otter bemg trapped m habitat. \'\'hen the lack of ram began central Iowa was in 1913 Smce then drymg up some of these areas, fish there has o rt.l y been one venfiable kills of carp and bullhead prO\ 1ded report of an o tter m central Iowa. an ample source of food HO\'\'e\ e ~ Otters are consequently Its ted in when these areas became too dn~ the Iowa as a threatened speoes w hose otters began to head to'" ard more
survival may be endangered if permanent sources of water such as 0~ habitat condihons become worse and the nver or gravel pits They con eo no management action 1s taken hnued to find rough fish an abun to In an initial attempt to restore dant source of food. Ai otters to Iowa, eight male and eight Some of the otters whiCh used the \ female otters were released at Red river areas moved quite a distance en Rock reservoir last March. Iowa from the release site. Earl\' on, one llli traded 32 turkeys to Kentuck)~ who male otter moved 60 nver m1les '>outh then purchased the 16 otters for us along the Des Momes River toward
from Louisiana which s ttll has a large Eddvv ille Later, two otters traveled Sl\ population. up the Skunk River. One stopped at a!) To monitor the s uccess or failure of Galesburg and the other continued r.( • releasmg otters m Iowa, all 16 were toward Colfax. Another otter has C'Q equipped with rad iO transmitters. been keepmg the techntCJan busy as an Since a collar or backpack transmitter it commutes at irregular inten,als IN was not suited to the otter's lifestyle between Des MOines and Hartford Beaver lodges have been the favor lll By Laura Spess jackson or body shape, the transm itters had Be to be surgically implanted in the ite den s1 te Over 60 percent of the As body cavity. Thanks to the personnel radio reloca llons of the otters have CII of Iowa State University's school of been pinpotnted 1n either achvc or Pr 14 abandoned beaver lodges The otters have also used brush piles, bank dens or dense vegetation for rest sites. To still allow the recreational opporturuty of trappmg, yet protect the otters on the Red Rock area, no traps can be set within 10 yards of any beaver lodge.
I Continuing on through the winter, rn· various snow-tracking or scent m station surveys will be tested. Then ~r· when the radio transmitters cease to :01 function, otter numbers can be r estimated. This w1ll also help m doc lila umentingreproductionthatrrught occur. Although otters have a 61-day gestation penod, they hold the embryo for rune months before 1t IS implanted on the utenne wall and grows. None of the females released , last March were pregnant and they !) were probably too busy learning a 3 new territory to breed last spring. Hopefully, they will breed this spring fad· and produce young in 1987. n Since the otters have survived so well in their new home, there are now plans to acquire another 120 otters in the next three years. These !he additional otters will be released in uea groups of ten males and ten females t\·el at sites in each quarter of the state. kl Most of these otters will not be equipped with rad1o transmitters, ~ ;hJ but will be monitored through tech led niques developed th1s wmter and er, through reports by the public and the comrrussion personnel. Although it 1s unlikely that the otter population will reach high enough numbers in the near future to allow trapping, the Iowa lrappers Association, the lSU Fisheries and the Wildlife Biology Club and the Furtak :e ers of America have been raising oe , money to help the otters through ;outh selling T-shirts and sweatshirts. The ,rd T-shirts are blue or gold and the sweatshirts are gray. They are avail ?led able in both children and adult sizes. at a T-shirts cost $6.50 and sweatshirts ,eJ cost $14 (include $1.00 for postage) \ c; and have an attractive otter logo with \'a~ the slogan, "They Otter Be In Iowa." c; These may be ordered directly from rd Bernie Barringer, Iowa lrappers · \or· 3 Associaion, RR #2 Box 153, Forest e City, IA, 50436 (checks payable to Artwork complrments of Lmda I..nffitte of South Cnrol111n Wildlife '\ e Project Otter). ~ Mngnzi11e. or 15 predahon Smce the bam owl main· 0( Surviving the Challenge tams the least body fat of all owls ma whtch ha"e been exarruned, and tht smce thetr feathers are of low msula 0\1' bve value, the bam owl probably reli carmot survwe more than several \\3; T e Ba111 days Without feeding. Thts is espe Ari By Bruce Ehresman oally true dunng penods of sub-zero Cal temperatures Several bam owl mor pit Amenca's changmg landscape ts 30 years, ho\1\-ever, there has been a taltties reported m Iowa the last nvo rap challengmg vet another Wlldhle spe- marked change m land use patterns years are attnbuted to starvation dur pia aes to Survt\e The beautiful, com- throughout Iowa Marshes were mg severe weather mon bam owl (Tyto Alba pratmcola), dramed and today only a small frac- Pes bade and rodenbode use flymg rodent trap extraordmcure, was bon of Iowa's wetland hentage undoubtedly have some negabve placed on the Iowa endangered spe- remcuns Crop ro tations that effects on the bam owl. However, the aes list m 1977, and IS also classtfied mduded about 25°'c meadow are organochlonne pesticides that are so as endangered m M1ssoun, llhnms, now replaced by nvo-year rotabons harmful to fish- and bird-eabng rap Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsm of com and soybeans througho ut tors like eagles, ospreys, and pere In Iowa, the bam owl was never much of the state As crop fields are gnnes, probably have not played a considered common, but rather a enlarged, brushy fencerow s, vacant maJor role m bam owl populabon rare, permanent resident Records of bwldingc;, woodlots and tdle areas reducbon smce thts owl's diet IS 95 to bam owls, as far back as 1909, meL- are elunmated And so go the trees, 9 percent rodents. Because the bam cate that they were Widespread here bwldmgs and grasslands that preVI- owl's preferred prey is the meadow at that bme. However, 1t was noted ously proVIded bam owls' nest and vole, a grassland speaes, It probably that "trus peculiar owl is counted rare roost sites as well as forag:tng areas lS not affected to a great degree by m Iowa because of 1ts stnctly noctur- Another factor affectmg bam owl rodenbades whtch are placed Withm nal habits." abundance IS predabon. Raccoons bwldmgs on the farmstead. How Because Iowa's bam owl popula- also mhabit old buiJdmgs and hollow ever, dunng the Winter when the bon has apparently been decreasmg trees, and eat eggs, nestlmgs and snow cover IS deep, the bam owl for several decades, and smce the probably even nesting adult bam may be forced to seek out the rats bam owl breeds readiJy m caphVIty, owls. Great homed owls very llkely and rruce mside these farm bwldmgs recommendations were made by pose a serious threat to the bcun owl's Economically, the bam owl proves Iowa's State Ecologtst, Dean Roosa, eXIStence in Iowa today. As part of very benefiaal to farmers because of to embark on a captive breeding and the restorabon program, a bam owl 1ts hunbng ability. A single bam owl restoration program Common bam study usmg radio telemetry was car- can consume nearly 2,000 rodents owl restoration in Iowa began as an ned out by nongame techmcian Pat each year. Hungry, fast-growing owl offshoot of the Conservabon Com- Schlarbaum near Chariton during the ets can consume their weight in mission's raptor rehabilitahon prOJect summer of 1985. Of seventeen bam rodents each day, and for a six-week at the wildlife research station near owls which had radio transmitters old owlet, tlus amounts to 10 to 12 Boone. Raptor rehabilitabon at the placed on them, at least 8 were killed mice datly. The last four documented, station still continues, bul since the and eaten by great homed owls. This Wlld bam owl nesbngs have been fall of 1982, more emphasis ts on phenomenon IS also documented in associated with southern Iowa farm captive breeding, rehabilitation, and other states. A study in eastern steads. Economically and environ restoration of the common bam owl. Washington indicated thal, "Com- mentally, a successful barn owl Reasons for restoration include Its mon Bam owls are the fourth most restoration program would have a economic value as a destroyer of important prey item in the diet of positive impact. grain-eating rodents, and 1ts aesthetic great homed owls." Iowa Conservation Commission value to humans. It seems only fair Certainly collisions with automo- and county conservation board per that humans play a role m helpmg btles, trains and power lines take a sonnel as well as private cooperators restore a species that we are directly toll on Iowa's bam owl population. are erecting nest boxes to provide responsible for decimating An Iowa The 1985 study found that 2 of 16 nest sites for future generations of income tax refund checkoff, "Chtck- owls were killed by automobiles in a the free-flying cavity nesters. The adee Checkoff," initiated in tax-year three-month period. Other studies commission also hopes to increase 1982 for Iowa's nongame program have found bam owl collision mortal- the population by placing and releas now funds the restoration project. ity between 11 and 23 percent. ing mated barn owl pairs with Dechne of the bam owl can proba- Severe winter weatl1er also affects young, and fledglings reared by 14 bly be attributed to a combination of survival of the bam owl. Although captive pairs at the Boone facility. factors. The habitat the bam owl pre- some bam owls probably do fly To initiate the restoration program, fers is best described as open country south during winter months, many bam owls were needed for the cap with an interspersion of grasslands, do not. Snow cover at a depth of 5 tive breeding program. Since it was wetlands, pastures, hayfields, open inches provides cover for small mam- virtually impossible to locate native woodland and cropland. In the last mals and protects them from owl bam owls, the nongame staff looked
16 to outside sources. Contacts were Nongame staff members choose Once a suitable release site with a made and donors were found. So far, sites primarily from areas volun large building or silo is selected, the the commission has received 93 bam teered by the public and commission site must be prepared for the owls. owls by air-freight shipment from and county conservation board per The structure is made "owl tight'' rehabilitation centers and zoos in sonnel. Interested volunteers who and then a nest box is attached near Wcishington, Oregon, California, feel they have adequate release sites the top of this enclosed building. The Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, South and are willing to feed captive bam site is then ready to hold bam owls. Carolina and illinois. The nongame owls should contact the nongame Nongame personnel place bam program uses these owls either for staff. owls at release sites as mated pairs in captive breeding at Boone or for These volunteers are sent a form to January, pairs with young in April placement at selected release sites. complete and return with an aerial and May, and groups of immatures photograph of the proposed site, from May through October. They obtained from their local ASCS office. supply the cooperators with labora Staff members evaluate and rate each tory mice from the Iowa State Diag the returned form and choose release nostic Laboratory and culled cockerel so sites from those forms indicating the chicks from a local hatchery to feed f best habitat for bam owls. the owls. These people feed the con .. Evaluation of the proposed release fined owls daily and monitor food a site includes the area withm a one consumption. Cooperators continue mile radius of the release stte struc to feed the owls after their release ture (roughly 2,000 acres), based on until the birds are catching live prey. the owls' hunting behaviOr. The Each year from 1983 through 1985, release site structure must be undis four to six mated pairs were placed at turbed, and able to be made "owl release sites prior to the main breed tight'' and predator proof with a few ing season. In captive owls, this sea hours' work. Basically, areas needed son is from January through March. have a large (30-50%) proportion of In wild bam owls it is normally April permanent grassland, several undis through June. Bam owls nest earlier . turbed potential nesting sites, and in captivity because they have a J few great homed owls present. plentiful food source. Lllg5· Dense grasses provide good habitat Within two months after place t\'e) for small mammal prey. O ld vacant ment, the female owl is sitting on eof buildings or large hollow trees pro usually five to seven creamy-white JWI vide adequate nest sites. Most release eggs. These eggs are normally laid at :s sites are in areas where bam owls are two-day intervals with incubation 0wl- present, or were present within the beginning with the first egg laid and last twenty years. This habitat exists ending in about 30 days. After hatch eek· primarily in the hilly southern, west ing, the owlets are fully feathered l2 ern and eastern portion of the state. and flying by eight to ten weeks of nted n An aggressive program to lf]ll' reestablish the beautiful n- bam owl to Iowa has been undertaken. If successful, scenes like these may once again be common on in rural areas. ?fr ~tors le of te l.Se ~ea s·
,}4 y. ~ · ::ar \.,,as tive oked 17 age It is at t:lus hme that lJve rmce are approXImately 100 more barn owls program IS growmg, and some released Withm the release-s1te struc and a continua bon of the radio tele encouragmg events have taken place ture to hone the young owls' hunhng metry study. The nongame personnel Bam owl nestings (the first smce instinct. hope these efforts are sigruficant 1982) were confirmed in Wayne and When these youngsters are flymg enough to have bencfiaal effects Oarke Counbes tlus surruner well and catclung hve rruce profi on future Iowa wtld breedmg Another pos1bve mdicator IS the fact aently, lt 1s time for gentle release populations that 33 venfied bam owl stghtmgs The structure 1s opened so the owls As part of the restoration program, have been made tlus year, pnmarily ove can hunt natural prey m the area near the comrruss10n 1s promoting the usc m areas where the owls have been SUll the release site By allowing the owls of nest boxes to mcrease the Wlld released, and numerous bmes m foU to reuse young at a stte, a bond m1ght population As a cooperative effort areas where bam owls have not been of a be established so that etther the nest between commlSSton personnel and seen for many years. Only a decade thn mg parr or theu young will retu m to the publJc, over 80 nest boxes have ago, SIX bam owl s1ghtmgs m one t:'J nestagam been erected In Utah, man area year would have been considered • At11 A second method of owl place lackmg m nest s1tes, 30 nest boxes excellent So 1ts future may now be a Ire! ment- plaong palrS With young were used by 24 bam owl paus to little bnghter, and with everyone's ofn is done with a stmtlar plulosophy produce 154 young m two years For help, the "spmt owl," the suent Tius method works well at Sites those mterested m bulldmg nest hunter of Iowa prames, may survive an~ where cooperators do not WISh to boxes, the commlSSIOn dtstnbutes another tomorrow. y{ l!vJ feed capbve owls daily for more than bam owl hle lustory brochures \'\'h1ch 1:2\ 2 months. Each year several patrs are mdude nest box mstructions. ~ placed with theu half-grown young, The success of Iowa's common fire which they hatched at the Boone bam owl restorabon program IS bigj facility. greatly dependent on publJc involve Bruce Ehresman zs a nongame wzldlife hal: Beside the bam owl famlly uruts, ment and education Each year, technLCiflll located m Boo11e. He holds a F immature owls are also released. enthustasm for involvement with the B.S degree from Iowa State U11iverszty ada and has been wzth the commzsszon smce stru atia 1977. TraJ tior ~ pro pile m~ Balr Nongame cno Support Certificates mg
In addition to participahng m the Chickadee Checkoff, the public can also help wildlife by purchasing non game support certificates. The full color, limited-edition p hotographs are indiVIdually numbered and ready for an 8- by 10-inch frame. The 1986 certificate features a bam owl family in a next box. The beauti ful ph oto was taken and donated by Jim Messina of Cedar Raptds. Groups of young owls hatched at Some 1985 certificates are stilJ avail Boone are placed at sites for gentle able. That photograph, taken by release several weeks later. Lowell Wash bum of Clear Lake, fea To d ate, 245 bam owls have been tures an American kestrel feeding on banded with traditional leg bands a deer mouse. and released. These owls found their Nongame support certificates freedom at twenty-six release sites in may be obtamed by writlng the twenty counties in eastern, western Iowa Conservation Commiss10n, and southern Iowa. Nearly 100 of Wallace Building, Des Moines, Iowa these same owls also are wearing 50319-0034, or from other field more visible red plastic leg bands. offices. The cost is $5. Plans for 1986 mdude placement of
18 lace es nd Adorn :act The American kestrel, commonly way in these areas. In 1985, a total of called a sparrow hawk, is common 22 boxes were used by kestrels. Elev- 5 Interstate Corridors en of these in Cerro Gordo County over the entire state in the spnng, By Ron Andrews n summer and fall. The kestrel is about produced about 50 young. The boxes four ounces in weight and is the size placed on the back side of the large in the other areas had lower use, but of a robin or mourning dove. Up directional sign posts along the high- will likely pick up considerably with through the 1960's and 1970's this way. They are predator proof from next spring's migration. little guy was blue-listed by the squirrels and raccoons because the One adult kestrel pulled off two Audubon Society, meaning that kes- posts are metal. The grassland migra- broods of young. Sixteen adults and trel numbers were declirung because tion corridor that they are erected on nearly 110 young have been banded ~ a of reduced and deteriorating habttat. is teeming with kestrel food mclud- in Cerro Gordo County. Three bands Kestrels are the smallest falcons ing grasshoppers, mice, voles, and have been recovered. One was a in rive and are unusual that they are cav- other small mammals. Because of roadkill, one was an injured bird that ity nesters, using hollow trees, cliff their high metabolic rate, kestrels was rehabilitated and one was the cavities, buildings or nest boxes. Tim- have a vociferous appetite in propor adult caught and banded with her ber removal and increasing use of tion to their size and weight. Some first brood and recaptured on the sec- firewood have probably had the two scientists estimate that a typtcal kes- ond nest. biggest impacts on kestrel nesting trel eats over 300 mice, voles and As far as we know, this is the first habitat. other rodents m a single year. time that an effort of this magnitude, -' e Fortunately the American kestrel In 1983, kestrels nested in 8 of 20 utiliringe~ s tlrlg structuresalong an sa adapts readily to man-made nesting boxes. SIX nests were successful and interstate, has been used for nest fY structures. With the excellent cooper- 26 young were produced . In 1984, 15 boxes. The Iowa Conservation Com- ation of the Iowa Department of out of 25 boxes were used. Thtrteen mission's nongame program can be li'ansportation, the Iowa Conserva- of these were successful, producing proud of this first-in-the-nation effort tion Commission's nongame pro- about 60 young. to help out the American kestrel as it gram is now funding a nest box In 1985, because of the tremendous stages a comeback. y{ project along Interstates 35 and 29. A success in Cerro Gordo County, the pilot project was initiated along 1-35 nest box program was expanded to Ron Andrews IS a research biologist in Cerro Gordo County in 1983. li'ent include Story, Hamilton and Decatur located in Clear Lake. He holds a B.S. Bales, an Eagle Scout &om Clear Lake Counties along 1-35 and Fremont and degree from Iowa State University and cooperated on this project by build- Mills County along 1-29. Currently has been with the commisswn since 1968. ing 20 nest boxes. Nest boxes were there are 110 boxes along the right-of- ~s
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!) Conservation workers Oeft) place ~ a kestrel nest box along a highway. (1, ... .. This Jo\'r'a "Q program has already shown ~ .2 great results . ~ Nongame wildhfe researchers m be searched for evtdence of bud nest agement areas, state parks, pre area. A Iowa are often asked simple ques mg Thus, an aggregate of7,740 serves, county conservation board tlusprc tions that are not easy to answer square miles of Iowa wul be search ed areas and other protected habitats the stet Although we do have a pretty good dunng the five-year penod There They are often the favorite birding person understandmg of the range of some are two types of blocks set up m the areas for many of the observers who get JIW common btrd speaes m Iowa, we survey. Standard blocks are located m are domg the proJect. Pnority blocks phase• know very llttle about dozens of the southeast comer of every second are mcluded in tlus project because The others. Because some 190 different township. They were set up this way many of them are home to uncom son bej species of btrds have nested m Iowa, to ensure a systematic coverage of all mon, rare, or endangered speaes great-b it is not surprising that we do not regtons of the state. Tlus will proVJde ~expect to learn more about btrd all the1 have complete mformabon about all the real basellne mformation about life m these protected places dunng Septen of them. The breeding bird atlas, lowa birdlife Most of these areas are tlus study. andnu which IS a cooperative venture on private property so 1t ts necessary Although the analysis of data from Durin~ between the Iowa Conservation for obsetvers to get a landowner's each of the blocks IS handled m a • several Comnusston and the Iowa Ornitholo perrruss10n to do the atlas work; but simtlar manner, the two types of a~ gist's Uruon, is des1gned to provtde so far there have been no problems blocks will allow a comparison of kindsc the information needed to answer If your farm IS m an atlas block and information on pnvate versus publtc lheyUJ some of these questions. someone approaches you about look areas. In addition, each park or wild 1luring In adctition, wildltfe managers can mg for nesting btrds, please help out life area will have a ltst of the btrds ~ use the mformabon from the atlas by letting the obsetvers do some that nest there so future management The fin when they draft hab1tat management birdwatchmg on your place. They can be taUored to benefit those atlas w plans for wildlife areas. The unpacts will be happy to tell you what they speaes. ~r 1991 of proposed development acbvtties find and you can get a hst of the btrds With a project as large and complex mnuaJ on local btrd life can be more eastly that occur on your farm from them. as tlus one, the personnel involved apprai! determined when local mformation is Although many of the standard must also be orgaruzed into groups Resu available from the breeding bird blocks do not occur in favored bird with separate tasks. There is a hier work a atlas. ing areas, they nevertheless are the archy of people involved with the mg~ The breeding bird atlas is a very core of the proJect. breeding bird atlas. At the top is the Anort) extensive project that will involve The other type of atlas block is the steenng committee representing the nest\\, hundreds of Iowans over the next so-called "priority block." Pnority Iowa Ornithologist's Union, Iowa aresull four years. There are 860 areas, each blocks are located so they include State University, the State Presetves aUasw three miles by three rrules, that will special habitats such as wildlife man- Board, Iowa county conservation O'Nfs in boards, and the nongame wildlife Iowa. ( program. At the second level are gersan nongame personnel who send out an atlal The Iowa the atlas materials to participants, birdsn collect annual results, and analyze River a the data. The third level includes ties we many regional coordinators, most of ~0 Breeding Bird Atlas whom coordinate activities in just By Doug Reeves Park m one county. They have area maps gathen showirtg the locations of atlas blocks Mourning dove nestlings. ilPaksa in their region. They help other ndJ>ed observers decide w hich areas to work rangec in so efforts are not duplicated, oneoh gather the results at the end of the rubv-fr nesting season and send the data atJas bl from their region to nongame wildlife The ! staff. Incidentally, many counties do now he not have coordinators yet.~ are IS Prov seeking volunteers. IIlgpn: The fourth personnel level the neJ includes a few hundred avid birders atrernt who actually do the searching for !Shed bird nests. Together with their loa kin regional coordinators they decide hlth~ which blocks they will work in and You an then go about finding nesting birds. tnvolve Most of these obsetvers know their birds quite well and are very consci "'ho art entious about bird identification. ~ntact rt Often they work in teams on a given ~t. ~15)43 area. Almost everyone involved in this project, including members of the steering committee, nongame personnel and regional coordinators get involved with the field work County Conservation Board Feature phase of the project. The breeding bird atlas field sea Wmnebago and Hancock Counties son begins in early February when great-homed owls nest. It continues all the way through the middle of THE BLUEBIRDS OF THORPE PARK September when the last goldfinches and mourning doves finish nesting. By LISll Schoning, Naturalist During this period, observers make Winnebago and Hancock Counties several trips to the atlas blocks and attempt to find as many different kinds of nesting and singing birds as Years ago, bluebirds dotted the sparrows from moving in. Also, their b!X: they can. They send their results in Iowa sky. But, because of the mten placement in grassy areas has pro lild Juring October and data analysis sive agriculture that has developed vided the bluebirds with excellent .s begins in November and December. in Iowa, fe ncerow trees that once feeding habitat. i!lefll The final report on the breeding bird provided plentiful homes for cavity It is hoped that this program will atlas will probably come out in 1990 nesters are now quite scarce in some not only allow the public the rela or 1991. In the meantime, several areas. As a result, bluebirds are tively rare opportunity to view large annual reports will keep observers becoming rare numbers of bluebirds, but will also appraised of statewide progress. But, the bluebirds are begmrung to illustrate the importance that habitat Results from the first year of field make a comeback in one place in holds for wildlife. It is also hoped work are just now in and a few excit Iowa - Thorpe Park m Wmnebago that the program will create an inter ., ing observations have been recorded. and Hancock counties. The come est among landowners in establish the A northern harrier (marsh hawk) back is largely due to a nesting box ing nesting boxes of their own for the nest was found in Kossuth County as program initiated by the county con bluebirds as well as for other cavity ! a result of atlas activities. In addition, servation boards. The nesting boxes nesters such as wood ducks, kestrels, wes atlas workers discovered burrowing act as artificial tree cavities and wrens and owls. Through programs l owls in two locations in northwest this past summer, most of the boxes such as this, county conservation e Iowa. Observations of summer tana were used. Their placement away boards are helping increase wildlife gers and Louisiana waterthrushes by from brushy areas has kept wren use populations and also increase the ut an atlas observer indicate that the to a minimum and the absence of public's awareness of the needs of birds nest as far up the Des Moines wildlife. ,,' perches on the boxes has prevented River as Fort Dodge. These two spe cies were previously believed to I A fledgling bluebird looks out occur only as far north as Ledges ;tof from its box as the male ;t Park in Boone County. Information gathered this year about blue gros guards from above. These s birds are making good use )cks beaks and orchard orioles has also helped to better delineate the nesting of their man-made home. range of these two species. At least one observer discovered a nest of ruby-throated hummingbirds in an 1e atlas block. ~d)ife , The breeding bird atlas project is ;do nowhere near completed and already is providing useful results. This excit- -e ing project will continue for at least the next four years and will produce a tremendous data base when fin ished. Meanwhile we are always looking for more observers to assist with the project. If it sounds fun to le you and you would like to become lfld involved, you can talk to local birders tds· who are helping with the project or 1eir contact the nongame wildlife biolo 'IS()' gist, rt. 1, Boone, Ia. 50036, or call ::::] ______(515) 432-2823. 'I' 21 ments. At the edge of one of these pot holes, a hen mallard appeared After B.-ms ~?~ cautiously searchmg the area she Butr began to paddle across the openmg. Ten fuzzy ducklrngs soon formed a meano attractr parade behind her. As the mallard family moved nght er ashy ti1 across the shallow water, a V-shaped wake gently nppled the surface to pun tee watery mark theu passage. The hen remamed constantly alert for danger ~• as her offspring eagerly consumed 110\b the smorgasbord of mmute plant and turtles r aruma} hfe the wetland offered cer Half buned m the mud below, a • Pamtec pnnutive creature stirred to hle as the and at I movements of the feedmg mallard unUSUi family attracted lus attention lhewa Suddenly, the tranqwhty of the Iowa scene was mterrupted by a dull pop tl\mm pmg sound. The ducklmg at the trail ~vesc mg end of the parade uttered a qUick cCtivitiE peep of surprise and disappeared oold b}( beneath the surface of the pool In a ally lln! sudden and explosive flurry of activ lllaJor c Ity, the brood and theu mother ment. ~ scrambled for safety. But all that llesare remamed of the last duckling was a ~ys o-wa es slight boil on the water and a floating pa!ntec fragment of yellow down. Curn turtles, By Lawell Washburn The hapless duckling had JUSt had Jts first and last encounter with one endan~ The sun appeared as a wrute hot Because most marsh dwellers are of the most fonrudable predators of :romtn ball over the eastern edge of lhe wet early risers, this complex ecosystem the marsh - the snapping turtle. CI'eatuzi land. Although still low on the hon was already a beeruve of activity. The snapper IS one of the most lothec zon, its appearance was sWiftly felt Perched atop bowtng cattails, a common and perhaps best known of hrtoise on the marsh, bringmg the promise group of yellow-headed blackbirds the several speaes of turtles wluch these sl of yet another m a series of hot, squabbled over a mmor terntorial make Iowa theu home. It is also one the loss hurrud July days. dispute. Obhv10us to the problems of of the most aquatic of th1s repbhan habitat. The thick blanket of mist that had others, an energetic little marsh wren family, rarely venturing onto land TurtJE shrouded the marsh during the busily schuttled bills full of insects to except for the purpose of egg laying. asampl that Ina nighttime hours raptdly began to dis her ever-hungry nestlings. Huge Most of the snapper's time is spent I' sipate, lending an eerie quality to the dragonfues cruised low over the lymg m ambush for fish on the bot illOUgh scene, as the suspended droplets open potholes, their large compound toms of marshes, lakes, or rivers. ln nents t( glowed with the light of the rismg eyes searching the sky for the lesser fact, the snappmg turtle spends so ·:lie A! sun. insects. much time in its dun, underwater lllay lac environments that the upper surface the per A snapping turtle (top) is of its shell often supports a substan lend an a formidable creature in tial growth of algae, givmg it the divers it the water, or rarely, on common name of "Old Mossback". conunt land. A painted turtle Another extremely aquatic mem Unt (bottom) prepares to ber of Iowa's turtle family 1s the spmy at leas~ escape from the intruding softshell. Softshelled turtles are espe enect~ photographer. cially fond of stream hab1tats, but appear although they may be very common, 15 the t· the species is rarely sighted due to its lolvan; secretive nature. Both the snapping and softshelled turtles grow to hefty proportions. Snappers may attain weights of 30 pounds or more. Both species come fully eqwpped with powerful jaws and vicious temper-
22 ments. Handling them, espeoally the larger specimens, can become an unpleasant or even dangerous task. WARDEN'S DIARY But not all Iowa turtles are so big, mean or ugly as these. Most are I attractive, dodle, and even down- THE WORDS ARE HARD TO FIND right endearing. One such example is a shy little creature known as the painted turtle. Painteds also hve in watery environs where they feed My family and I would W .iJl cialist located in Clear Lake. He joined the .."~ ..," 3