September
2010
Birds of the Cedar ValleyComments Off
There’s a reason that Iowa bird lovers flock to the Cedar Valley Nature Trailit’s an Important Bird Area (IBA) recognized by the Iowa Audubon chapter. IBAs are “essential bird habitats” identified by an IBA Technical Committee, which operates throughout Iowa thanks to passionate Auuobon volunteers. So what have they found in Cedar Valley?Bald Eagles have nested along the trail sine the early 2000s. The once-endangered species has been on the upswing since the late 1990s, and was removed from the federal government’s endangered species list in 1995. Cedar Valley is a great place to observe the species at all stages of growth, from the downy eaglet chicks to the majestic adults.Grasshopper Sparrows have also been sighted in the area. You’ll know these birds by their distinctive “tik tuk zee” chirping, which you’d swear was that of a grasshopper. They are more prone to singing than other sparrows, but unfortunately their population has dropped in recent years, most likely due to the destruction of their habitats. Read the rest of this entry »