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.
View
Neal Smith NWR in a larger map
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
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