Bird Friendly Iowa

10/10/2026

High Trestle Hawk Watch in Madrid today! Boone County Conservation Programs at the Library and viewing at the HTT Bridge!

10/09/2026

Thirty people representing designated Bird Friendly Iowa cities and counties attended a great workshop today at Fontana Park in Buchanan County, Iowa. Attendees learned about and participated in sessions related to creating wildlife habitat; reducing threats to bird populations; developing outreach, education, and tourism to improve their communities; and enjoyed a birding walk through the park.

Participants also were treated to lunch catered by the local, Amish-owned Dutchman’s Chuckwagon Pizzas/ https://dutchmanschuckwagonpizzas.com

The workshop was offered as a benefit to communities that have been designated as Bird Friendly or are working towards meeting requirements to become designated as a Bird Friendly Iowa community. Thanks to staff at Fontana Park for providing this great venue!

10/07/2026

Cedar Falls is soaring as the city earns the ‘High Flyer’ Bird-Friendly Community award! 🐦 Presented by Bird Friendly Iowa - part of the Bird City Network - Cedar Falls has maintained its bird-friendly status since 2019. We are now proud to add the ‘High Flyer’ accolade, which is bestowed on communities that go ‘above and beyond for birds, including protected habitats such as native plants in public landscaping and education’. 💚

We thank everyone who helped make this achievement possible, including our City Parks team, the North Cedar Neighborhood Association, and the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society!

As Audubon member and local citizen Lorene Wellnitz says, "Birds are a window that tells us how our environment is functioning. Birding involves a love of nature, and it is physically, mentally, and emotionally stimulating. Cedar Falls has done a lot of work in recent years growing native planting areas...this High Flyer status is just the latest feather in our cap!" 🪶

ℹ️ Interested in becoming a birder? Visit bit.ly/CFHighFlyer to learn more about the award, get birding tips, best locations, and more!

09/16/2026

Heavy bird migration tonight. Dim the lights!!!

During periods of seasonal bird migration, "live" migration maps show where nocturnal bird migration is occurring in near real-time, as detected by the U.S. weather surveillance radar network between local sunset to sunrise. The maps show how many birds are present and in what direction they are mov

09/15/2026

An opportunity for communities to learn more about ways to lessen bird collisions.

The Bird Collisions Prevention Alliance (BCPA) in-person summit workshop will be held in Chicago (free registration). Registration deadline is September 30.

This form is collecting registration information for the Bird Collisions Prevention Alliance (BCPA) in-person summit scheduled for Wednesday November 4 through Friday November 6, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. Each of these days will be full (estimated 8:30 am–5:00 pm with scheduling to be confirmed)....

09/14/2026

Everyone is invited!! Join us at the Madrid Library for morning presentations on October 10, 2026 starting a 9am. Tell us your favorite bird and receive a "bird buck" coupon for use at Cup of Joy, Sisters in Cheese or the Flat Tire in Madrid!

High Trestle Hawk Watch is flying back! Join fellow birders at 10am on the High Trestle Trail Overlook on October 10th to witness raptors migrating south. New this year, we are hosting three educational programs at the Madrid Library from 9am to 12pm. Bring the whole family to have a hooting good time!

09/14/2026

Attention all BFI Communities! We are now 10 days away from the deadline to register for Fall 2026 Bird Friendly Iowa Workshop. This is a free benefit for Bird Friendly Iowa Communities, and we also are inviting communities working toward being designated Bird Friendly (lunch included)!

You must be a member of a BFI City or County, or actively working to become designated as Bird Friendly to attend. If you have any questions. Message us with any questions.

Attached is the workshop agenda. The simple link to get registered is https://form.jotform.com/262244683052051
Please register now, and be sure to invite anyone who has been helpful in your Community’s Bird Friendly efforts!

09/11/2026

08/01/2026

Many BFI-designated Bird Friendly Communities take steps to educate their residents about the threats outdoor cats pose to birds and other wildlife.

06/17/2026

Bird Friendly Iowa was a proud sponsor of this great birding tourism effort. Check out the birding guide!
https://www.visitboonecounty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Madrid-Birding-Itinerary.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMABhZGlkAas0sh-Wzm9zcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6vdU9GEmUKXtng77V0TJDa2cwzPzHU6Czhshwv7iZRqQB2XYXRD4ce6OsRbA_aem_9ClO6_vFSUe-l-qGbzS0MQ

Plan your next birding getaway with our new 2-Day Boone County Birding Tour!

Follow a curated route through some of central Iowa's premier birding destinations, including Ledges State Park, Iowa Arboretum, Swede Point Park, and High Trestle Trail. Explore woodlands, prairies, river corridors, and wetlands along the Des Moines River flyway, where billions of birds migrate each spring and fall. The itinerary highlights key species to watch for, suggested stops, and opportunities to experience the best of Boone County along the way.

Whether you're a seasoned birder or simply looking for a unique weekend adventure, Boone County offers unforgettable wildlife viewing, scenic landscapes, and small-town charm.

View the full itinerary:
https://www.visitboonecounty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Madrid-Birding-Itinerary.pdf