The 2017-2018 CBC included 33 counts from Iowa. The count period was unseasonably warm to start. Usual temperatures arrived on the 22nd and continued to decline through the count period. Counts after the 30th reported single digits to below zero. Snow was only a factor in the north and northeast, Neal Smith N.W.R. being the exception. The species count was 148, a new count record, and overall numbers were exceptional. Davenport had 100 species, which tied Saylorville’s record from two years ago. This year Saylorville found 95. Other high counts were Clinton (91), Keokuk (88), and Burlingon (86).
Burlington added a new bird to the Iowa CBC when a Dickcissel was found coming to a feeder. A Virginia Rail was found at Keokuk. An alternate plumage Franklin’s Gull was at Saylorville. Davenport had a Great Egret and two Great Black-backed Gulls. It was an eruption year for Snowy Owls and two were found at both Iowa City and Red Rock. Perhaps more impressive was that this coincided with the occurrence of Eastern Phoebes on six counts. Additionally, Palm Warblers were at Muscatine and Lost Nation and an Orange-crowned Warbler was at Clinton. Notable misses included Northern Goshawk, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and White-winged Crossbill.
Waterfowl were tallied in excellent numbers. Trumpeter and Tundra swans were both in record numbers. For geese, Greater White-fronts and Snows were widespread. American Black Ducks, Northern Pintails, and Gadwalls were in relatively high numbers. Diving ducks were in average numbers, but all three mergansers were twice theirs. Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, and Long-tailed Ducks were all at Keokuk. American White Pelicans were on 13 counts. A Common Loon was at Jamaica. Sandhill Cranes were on six counts.
Iceland Gulls were well reported with all apparently of the thayeri subspecies. It was a record year for Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Glaucous Gulls were at Davenport and Saylorville. Northern Bobwhite had their best year in a decade. Northern Harriers and Cooper’s Hawks were in record numbers. Red-shouldered Hawks were on 14 counts. Merlins and Peregrine Falcons were in record numbers. Prairie Falcons were at DeSoto and Neal Smith N.W.R.s.
Barred, Short-eared, and Northern Saw-whet owls set new records. It was a very good count for Red-headed Woodpeckers, while Red-bellied and Pileated woodpeckers set new records. Northern Shrikes were average. Red-breasted Nuthatches approached invasion numbers. Carolina Wrens were in record numbers. Marsh Wrens were at Keokuk and Shenandoah. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were again on three counts. Townsend’s Solitaires were at SE Clayton County and Green Island. A Gray Catbird was at Cedar Rapids and a Northern Mockingbird was also at Green Island. Yellow-rumped Warblers were plentiful.
A Spotted Towhee was at Shenandoah and an Eastern Towhee was at Neal Smith. Except for Harris’s, all the sparrows were in very good numbers. A LeConte’s Sparrow was at DeSoto. A Great-tailed Grackle was at Saylorville and a Brewer’s Blackbird was at Boone County. Common Redpolls were widespread. American Goldfinches were at an 18-year low. Red Crossbills were on four counts. Lastly, Eurasian Tree Sparrows were found north to SE Clayton County and west to Neal Smith N.W.R. and Dallas County.