Next IOU Meeting 

2010 IOU Fall Meeting
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, Jasper County
22 - 24 October 2010

The Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Fall Meeting will be held October 22 - 24, 2010 near Prairie City, Iowa. Our hosts for the meeting will be the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. All meeting activities will take place at the Prairie Learning Center on the refuge.  Be sure to plan some time to explore the exhibits and learn more about our state's natural heritage.  Lodging will be available a short drive to the west on four-lane highway 163 in Pleasant Hill.

Neal Smith NWR is comprised of several thousand acres of tallgrass prairie and oak savanna and provides a look at what Iowa was before settlers discovered the rich soil beneath.  Bison and Elk, both native to the area, have been reintroduced.  As some of the lands have been restored, birding has become more and more interesting.  Winter drives often find Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls cruising over the grasses.  The area has a remarkable population of Ring-necked Pheasants, never as evident as opening day of pheasant season when birding the area becomes a bit more difficult!  The oak savannas hold numerous woodland species and one never knows when a surprise may be lurking.   

In fall the grasslands harbor numerous sparrows and the area has become a regular stopover for Smith's Longspurs, a target for our weekend.  LeConte's Sparrow may be found as close as the Prairie Learning Center for those who prefer to stay near the action.

In addition to looking for the prairie species on the refuge, other field trips will be centered on Red Rock Reservoir.  October is the best time of year to find the rare Sabine's Gull on the reservoir and waterfowl numbers should begin to build.  One never knows what surprise is just around the corner at Red Rock in the fall.

Schedule

All activities take place at the Prairie Learning Center at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Friday, October 22 - 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
     Informal reception and registration

Saturday, October 23

7:30 AM - Field trips leave (box lunch)

1:00 PM - IOU Board Meeting

2:00 PM - Field trips return for afternoon programs

About Neal Smith NWR - Karen Viste-Sparkman
Blurring the Lines Between Conservation and Agriculture: Bird use of prairie strips in crop fields - Anna MacDonald

3:15 PM - IOU Membership Meeting

6:00 PM - Fall Banquet and Keynote Address - Umbrella for the Prairie: Prairie Chickens in Southern Iowa

Sunday, October 24

7:30 AM - Field trips leave

NOON - Lunch and Compilation

Keynote Speaker

Umbrella for the Prairie: Prairie Chickens in Southern Iowa
Stephanie Shepherd, Iowa DNR Wildlife Diversity Program

In the late 19th century the Greater Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido cupido) was a popular and common game bird on Iowa's landscape. The 1950's saw the demise of this charismatic bird in the state with the last nesting attempt recorded in 1952.  Roughly 30 years later efforts began to bring this iconic symbol of prairie grassland back and while success has been questionable many positive and unexpected things have arisen from this bird's return to Iowa.   And the story continues with plans for a future effort to bring the boom back to southern Iowa's prairies.  

Field Trips

Field trips will center around two areas:
    * Neal Smith NWR where we hope to find a few Smith's Longspurs moving through as well as fall sparrows
    * Red Rock Reservoir for water-related species which could include Sabine's Gull, a stray jaeger, or who knows what

How To Get There

Neal Smith NWR is located in Jasper County just southwest of the town of Prairie City.  Take the Prairie City exit on Hwy 163 and follow the signs through the refuge or consult your Sportsman's Atlas.

Lodging

Lodging options are 15 - 20 minutes from the refuge.  All offer a continental breakfast.  For those desiring a bigger breakfast, Hy-Vee and McDonald's are both located in Pleasant Hill just west of the Sleep Inn. For those planning a later birding excursion the Five & Diner (opens 7:00 am) is also just west of the motel on the north side of University.

Sleep Inn & Suites - $74.99 double or king until October 1st (mention you are with the Iowa Ornithologists' Union)
5850 Morning Star Court, Pleasant Hill
Highway 163 Exit of Hwy 65 Bypass
Phone: (515) 299-9922
http://www.sleepinn.com/hotel-pleasant_hill-iowa-IA112

Comfort Inn
1402 N Walnut St, Colfax
Phone: (515) 674-4455
http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-colfax-iowa-IA095

Microtel Inn
11000 Federal Ave, Colfax
Phone: (515) 674-0600
http://www.microtelinn.com/MicrotelInn/control/home

Heartland Inn
300 34th Ave NW, Altoona
Phone: (515) 967-2400
http://www.heartlandinns.com/loc_Altoona.php