Pella —
Snowy Owls are appearing all over the state of Iowa. At least 100 sightings of these arctic wanderers have been reported. Although it’s not all that unusual to have these owls appear in Iowa on occasion, this year has gotten the feathers ruffled of birders, hunters and landowners.
Snowy Owls are an Arctic resident that, live where there are not many trees and human occurrences are minimal. Normally, Arctic temperatures are cold, along with snow and ice, and their light colorations blend in their frigid environment and are considered a “diurnal” owl. Their plumage is inches thick, with layers and layers of down and specialized feathers covering their legs and feet. Their hunting habits in their environment is much like the strategies that our Iowa owls have, powerful feet and talons being their choice of hunting tool, exceptional hearing and eyesight. Their main food is a small rodent called a “lemming”. When populations of the lemming are high, reproduction of the snowy owls can be high and survival strategies are good. When the lemming populations are low, such as this year, competition strategies kick in, they begin moving southward hundreds and even thousands of miles from home leading them on a food driven journey. The Snowy Owls behavior puzzles many onlookers. They conserve energy over the course of a day, preening and resting. In their home environment, they would be camouflaged and, again, human interaction would be very minimal. They tend to stay put, appearing to not be afraid of us until they feel threatened. They may, or may not, be afraid of people, but they really have not ever dealt with two-legged, upright predators.
Marion County residents have reported two snowy owls. One was a car strike, the other was retrieved extremely hungry, an abrasion on the foot and some other concerns. Most of the reports coming in around Iowa from licensed rehabilitators are receiving birds extremely emaciated. (Their weight being one-half of what it is supposed to be). Males should weigh around 3.5-4 pounds and females around 5 pounds. They are hungry birds finding themselves around roadside ditches where hunting for rodents may be easier, but totally unaware of the danger that lurks along car travelled roads.
Some Marion County residents may remember when Gladys Black, our well known ornithologist and educator and licensed rehabilitator, received “Nikki”, an injured snowy owl found in Clarke County by a hunter. That was 30 years ago. Nikki was publicly recognized and considered a miracle bird by many. Gladys nursed the owl every few hours with bites of rabbit, night and day. When it was time for Nikki to be released, a kind person with a Leer Jet headed for a Canada fishing trip, loaded up Nikki and took it back north. The small community held quite a celebration for the Snowy Owl’s return and even held a parade.
This is a very strange winter, and should probably only expect the unexpected. Having a rare opportunity to see such a beautiful bird as this is a memory not easily forgotten.
Outdoors
January 13, 2012
Snowy Owls, The Arctic Wanderers on a Food-Driven Journey
- Outdoors
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Fish at Central Park
The Pella Parks and Recreation Department has created a new flower bed at Central Park, in which they hope to take you under the sea.
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Vision Iowa grant sought for sports park
City Administrator Mike Nardini reported at Friday's Community Services Board meeting that negotiations with the Vision Iowa Board will begin next week, regarding funding assistance for the Fields of our Future Sports Park.
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Weather forces road closures
Marion County Engineer Roger Schletzbaum has closed several area roads around the county, due to concern of flooding.
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Ice Fishing Tourney Cancelled
Poor ice conditions
- 2013 Central Iowa Delta Waterfowl Chapter Heritage Fund Dinner planned
- Iowa taxpayers increase donations to wildlife in 2012
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Much to see at annual Bald Eagle Days in Pella - See slideshow
Get an up-close look at a live bald eagle and other raptors. Eagle shows will be presented hourly until 4 p.m. (last program starts at 3:00 p.m.) today (Saturday). Staff from the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center will share amazing details about how these birds "make a living." After that, more live birds await you as Environmental Educator Mike Havlik presents programs about owls, hawk identification and conservation. Other event highlights include wildlife photographer and author Ty Smedes, an environmental fair, wildlife photographer Ron Huelse, and nature crafts. Travel to the Red Rock Dam to spot eagles fishing and flying in the wild. Volunteers will be on hand with spotting scopes in the North Tailwater Recreation Area to assist you. The Red Rock Visitor Center, located on the south side of the Red Rock Dam, will feature showings of bald eagle videos produced right here in Iowa. Admission to Bald Eagle Day is free of charge and is presented by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Marion County Conservation Board, Central College and the Red Rock Lake Association.
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Neal Smith NWR Celebrates Anniversary of King Holiday with Service Project
Volunteers help with tallgrass prairie reconstruction as part of the National Day of Service
- Snowshoe Hike at Neal Smith NWR
- Conservation partners take next step in habitat restoration near Pella
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