Whiterock Conservancy Blog

Like a photograph, scientific research captures many details of a place and time and allows us to examine a subject from different perspectives.  For example, studying bird response to lands enrolled in the Wetland Reserve Program provides a better understanding of how management plans benefit game species and the species of greatest conservation need.

Since April, I have been helping implement Iowa’s Wildlife Action Plan, which aims to conserve all wildlife in Iowa before they become rare and more costly to protect.  Through my observations on Whiterock Conservancy land I have captured a snapshot of information that shows how species have responded to habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement efforts resulting from the Wetland Reserve Program.  This program, with technical and financial support from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, offers landowners an opportunity to  achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled.

During the monitoring season I recorded a total of 133 bird species on the Whiterock Conservancy land, including 14 new additions to the WRC Master Bird List.  On one very memorable day in October I saw a Peregrine Falcon and Short-eared Owl.

The lack of species specific information on the abundance and distribution of species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) was one of the concerns highlighted in the Iowa Wildlife Action Plan.  I’m happy to report seeing a few of these SGCN birds, which prefer wetland and/or grassland habitat.

When I step back and view the big picture it is plain to see that this beautiful landscape truly is one of Iowa’s “Great Places”.

	SGCN Breeding Bird Records: Trumpeter Swan, Least Bittern, American Bittern, Bald Eagle, Upland Sandpiper, Black Tern, Red-headed Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Sedge Wren, Dickcissel, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink, and Eastern Meadowlark.
	SGCN Migratory Bird Records: American White Pelican, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper, and Le Conte’s Sparrow.