Spring brings Jasper County birds — and their watchers — back to their natural habitats

When the spring weather arrives to thaw the final layers of Iowa frost, the first wave of birds will have returned from their migration to seek shelter in the calm prairies, thick forestry or vast ponds in Jasper County’s parks; and the people who get up early to watch these feathered creatures from their binoculars or behind a camera lens will have stirred from their hibernation, too.

Katie Cantu, a naturalist at Jasper County Conservation, said bird watching is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, and might be second to gardening. Whether people are observing bird from a feeder in their front yard or venturing out to conservation land to find the rarer breeds of fowl, the activity is highly accessible to bird watchers of any level.

Jasper County is part of the Tallgrass Prairie Audubon Society, a private nonprofit affiliated with the National Audubon Society that has nearly 150 members. According to county conservation, the mission of the Audobon is to “conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats.” The chapter often sponsors bird watching outings.

“In our area we do have some very active birders,” Cantu said. “Personally, I love kids. Kids usually ask me my favorite animal and I usually can’t pick, but it would probably be a bird. I think there’s something about watching them and being out in nature and hiking and exploring and catching a glimpse of a flash of color in the trees or in the grass. Or even hearing the birds’ songs come back.”

After a long winter, Iowans like Cantu welcome the sweet songs of the local birds come springtime. The naturalist is looking forward to the Goldfinches returning to her bird feeder come early spring when they’re still “patchy, scruffy little things.” By the end of March they will have grown into their vibrantly colored feathers and will be singing their sweet tunes.

“It’s almost like a nature’s clock when the birds are changing color and singing and getting ready for the nesting season,” Cantu said. “I just think it’s exciting for people. There are also some more rare birds to spot. Some of the birders, I think, look forward to the challenge to be out at the right location at the right time of day at the right time of year.”

In Jasper County, the Bobolink is just one of those rare birds found in tall grasses. Cantu said there have been sightings near the South Skunk River area, the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge and the Uhlenhopp Arboretum. Saw-Whet Owls, a a very tiny species of owl, are also rare around these parts. Barn owls, too, are tough to find in the county, but they’ve been spotted by local bird watchers

Northern Harriers, Henslow’s Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrows are fairly rare, too, but Cantu said they’re found at the Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve.

“You could go to any of our county parks this time of year in the spring and be able to find a lot of cool things,” Cantu said. “Spring is a really exciting time any way because people are out and enjoying the weather. You will never know what else you’ll find. There are going to be all kinds of things happening at a park as you’re hiking along.”

While many bird watchers will resort to camera equipment and binoculars to see their winged friends, it truly costs nothing to take part in the activity. Even something as simple as watching the bird feeder at home is a good way to start out and get to know birds’ calls and habits and personalities. But of course the best places to bird watch are in our own parks in Jasper County.

To help the bird watching communities, Jasper County has birding trails. While there are some designated parking areas, there are not established walking trails. So conservation sees these areas can cater more to a birder wishing to experience the wilder side of Iowa. To learn more where these birding trails reside, contact conservation at 641-792-9780.