Third Annual High Trestle Hawk Watch

By Taylor on October 10, 2013 in Blog

Iowa DNR Bird Biologist Bruce Ehresman, shown here at the first High Trestle Hawk Watch, will be one of the expert interpreters counting and identifying the various species of migrating raptors at the event on Oct. 12, 2013.
Photo courtesy of Iowa Wildlife Center

Join experts and birding novice at the family-friendly Third Annual High Trestle Hawk Watch. The event is this Saturday, October 12 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The hawk watch will be at the High Trestle Trail's main viewing platform on the west side of the bridge.

The day will also include several educational opportunities at the Woodward Depot located at the High Trestle Trailhead on Hwy 210. Some of the planned activities include: an introduction to identifying flying raptors at 10 a.m.; a program at the depot about the raptors that Iowans have brought back to the state at 11:30 a.m. and a live raptor program at 1 p.m.

The first year of the event, bird watchers visually took in 171 raptors (represented by eight different species) and 36 additional bird species, including more than 800 American White Pelicans. During last year's hawk watch, attendees saw 169 raptors (represented by 8 different species) were identified, with 45 additional species of birds seen.

There will be plenty of naturalists and bird experts on hand to offer information to beginning hawk watchers about the bird they see this Saturday!

Participants should bring their own binoculars, refreshments, and lawn chairs if they plan to stay awhile. They should also dress for the weather. The event will be held rain or shine.

For more information, contact Marlene Ehresman of the Iowa Wildlife Center at mehresman@iowawildlifecenter.org or (515) 233-1379. You can also visit the Iowa Wildlife Center website.

INHF is one of the sponsors of this event.