Prairie Rapids Audubon Society

06/12/2026

This young Mourning Dove had recently fledged. The Mourning Dove parents will continue to bring food for up to two or three weeks helping the young one build strength, learns to fly and forage on its own. Did you know Mourning doves feed their babies with “pigeon milk,” a rich fluid made in their crops that both parents regurgitate directly into the chicks’ mouths? Photo by Charlene Heiar.

06/02/2026

WOOD DUCK: A female Wood Duck with her four ducklings. The morning after hatching, the hen will leave the nest to feed and make sure it is safe for her ducklings. When she decides it is safe, she uses a maternal call to call the ducklings out. The ducklings can jump from as high as 50 feet, surviving by landing either in water, or on top of soft material such as leaf litter. The mother calls them to her and guides them to water. The ducklings can swim and find their own food by this time. The mother protects them from predators such as snakes, raccoons, and hawks while they grow and develop survival skills. Photo by Tom Schilke.

05/29/2026

The School of the Wild, at Gladbrook-Reinbeck Community Schools recently received a grant from PRAS. Following is a message from Lindsay Plett the coordinator of the program.

"We just wrapped up a wonderful week at School of the Wild at Gladbrook-Reinbeck Community Schools, and I wanted to share a few photos from our bird study activities at Union Grove State Park.
The binoculars made an incredible difference for our students this year. Students learned how to identify birds using field marks, behavior, habitat clues, and bird calls while observing birds in their natural habitats. The excitement when students spotted birds through the binoculars was priceless, and many students were surprised by how much they enjoyed birding. Several students even mentioned wanting binoculars of their own for birthdays or Christmas after our week together.
Thank you again for supporting outdoor learning and bird education opportunities for our students. Your encouragement and involvement have helped make this experience truly meaningful."

05/29/2026

It was a hot muggy morning, with thirteen birders present for the PRAS, Wednesday, Morning Birding on May 27th at the Robertson Bird Sanctuary. Only thirty bird species were spotted but a good time was had by all with cookies and laughs. At the present there are no field trips planned until fall but if one does get scheduled it will be posted on Facebook and the PRAS webpage.

05/27/2026

On Monday, May 25th, the Tallgrass Prairie Center hosted an Irvine Prairie Walk with PRAS Board Member Candace Havely leading the group. Candace discussed native bird conservation along with pointing out birds seen on the prairie. The most popular bird seen was the Dickcissel. The Dickcissel is a small, sparrow like grassland bird known for its yellow chest, black throat patch, and distinctive “dick-dick-cissel” song. Thank you Candace for sharing your knowledge.

05/27/2026

REMINDER: May 27th will be the last PRAS, Wednesday Morning Birding for our WMB for this spring. We will be meeting at Robertson Bird Sanctuary. Waterloo at 8:30 a.m. Pull into the parking lot on the left, it is located on south side of the road. No restroom facilities. GPS point:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zkvN5oaYzsTUVPg69

Hope to see you all. Oh by the way there will be cookies!

★★★★★ · Wildlife refuge

05/23/2026

AMERICAN AVOCET: Did you know the American Avocet chicks leave the nest within 24 hours of hatching. Day-old avocets can walk, swim, and even dive to escape predators. This photo was taken on May 19th as it took off from a wet field on Newell St. Behind Warren transport loading service. Photo by Tom Moon.

05/21/2026

Fourteen birders were present for the PRAS Wednesday Morning Birding on May 20th at the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Gilbertville. Forty-eight bird species were spotted.

The upcoming WMB will be on May 27 at 8:30 AM - Robertson Bird Sanctuary. Waterloo. Pull into the parking lot on the left, it is located on the south side of the road. No restroom facilities. This is our last WMB Field Trip for Spring 2026. Hope to end the season with a large group for great birding. A little birdie has told us there will be cookies. See you on the 27th!

05/20/2026

This nesting Eurasian Tree Sparrow has brought a taste of Europe to the Heiar backyard. The parents have kept busy going back and forth to their nest by providing nourishment for their young. Photo by Ken Heiar.

05/18/2026

REMINDER: The Wednesday Morning Birding Field Trip is May 20 at 8:30 AM - Cedar Valley Nature Trail. Gilbertville. Meet at the depot west of Gilbertville off Washburn Road. Paved trails; restroom facilities at Gilbertville Depot, LaPorte City baseball park, & McFarlane Park. GPS point: https://goo.gl/maps/q9pSn2UEVw4zVAwP7
See you on Wednesday!

★★★★★ · Museum