A Busy Weekend - a few events of Interest

Friends of Iowa State Parks Summit on April 9 

The Iowa Parks Foundation and IDNR's State Parks Bureau invite you to attend the first Friends of Iowa State Parks Summit

April 9, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Izaak Walton League
4343 George Flagg Parkway
Des Moines, Iowa 50321

The purpose of this meeting is to provide a forum for Friends of Iowa State Parks groups to come together and share their plans, projects, challenges and celebrate successes. This exchange will help to inspire all the Parks Friends Groups to find new methods to achieve our common goals. By working in a more collaborative manner we will be able to accomplish more for our great parks.

Display tables will be provided for groups to ‘show-off’ plans, projects and progress they have realized in your park.


Prairie Chicken Festival at Kellerton on April 9


There will be a Prairie Chicken Festival at Kellerton prairie chicken viewing site from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 9.


The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been actively managing the southern Iowa grassland landscape for this charismatic species for many years. The improvements are benefitting other species like northern harriers, short eared owls, pheasants, upland sandpipers, eastern and western meadowlarks and others. Breeding bird surveys indicate that grassland habitat is sorely lacking for many grassland nesting birds.


There will be a prairie chicken feature on Outdoor Iowa on IPTV on Thursday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Peregrine Falcon Event at McGregor on April 9


Peregrine falcon enthusiasts are invited to see and hear a nesting pair at Bunge Elevator in McGregor, on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This pair is one of the 16 nesting pairs that have established territories around the state.


It is particularly enjoyable to hear the falcon's courtship calls this time of year as this species recovers from the brink of extinction, said Pat Schlarbaum, wildlife diversity technician with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.


Experts will be on hand with information and spotting scopes during the event. Parking is available west of the elevator and a trail provides access to a public overlook of the Mississippi River where falcons can be viewed.


A web camera will be trained on these falcons when birds initiate nesting in the near future.

Annual Prairie Chicken Day Provides Unique Public Viewing

Annual Prairie Chicken Day Provides Unique Public Viewing

Story and Photos by Lowell Washburn

It's a celebration no one should miss. Iowa's seventh annual Greater Prairie Chicken Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 10 at the Kellerton Grasslands Bird Conservation Area.

Although situated a bit off the beaten trail, the event is easy to find. The prairie chicken booming grounds are located in southern Iowa two miles west of Kellerton on Highway 2, and one mile south on 300th Ave. There's easy parking and the area's public viewing platform is wheelchair accessible. The fun begins at daybreak, and DNR wildlife staff will be on hand to assist with viewing. Spotting scopes, early morning refreshments, and good conversations are provided free of charge. Excellent and affordable lodging is available at the newly constructed Mount Ayr Inn.

"Prairie chickens are amazing birds and the Kellerton area is something that all Iowans can take pride in," says field day coordinator and DNR Wildlife Biologist Chad Paup. "This is our only public [prairie chicken] booming ground and there's nothing else like it anywhere in the state. Prairie Chicken Day is highly unusual in that it's an outdoor event where people are virtually guaranteed the chance to hear and observe wild prairie chickens as they conduct their annual spring ritual in a natural setting. In many ways it's like traveling back in time and catching a glimpse of what Iowa once was.

"We held our first public field day in 2004. A handful of people turned out and the event has grown ever since," notes Paup. "Last year we had over 200 people show up for the sunrise display, and we're hoping for even more this spring."

Paup adds that April weather can be brisk and recommends dressing in layers. Once participants have a firsthand opportunity to see dancing prairie chickens for themselves, most people are reluctant to leave the site, he says. The clearer the skies, the better the show, and dancing males usually remain active until mid-morning. A more low key performance usually occurs prior to sunset.

"The prairie chickens always provide an exciting show and I seem to observe something different with each new visit," says Paup. "It's a unique viewing opportunity and I wish everyone in Iowa could see this at least once in their lifetime."