Banner image copyright 2025 by Kevin Kerr, used with permission
bird hotline, saturday 31 january 2026
sioux city backyard
Have had a variety of backyard visitors lately, some usual suspects that most get, and one recurring visitor who never has any "friends" sticking around to chat.
Jerry Mennenga
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ OR https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/
Below images copyright 2026 by Jerry L Mennenga, used with permission
brown’s lake, woodbury county
A couple of shy visitors seen at Brown's Lake recently.
I also went to Snyder Bend, but it is dead. After the tall grass and shrubs was removed from that walking path patch as one heads out to the observation deck, the little birds are just gone. I did see numerous Tree Swallows tough out and about at the observation deck, but they didn't cooperate for any photo ops.
Jerry Mennenga
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ OR https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/
Below images copyright 2026 by Jerry L Mennenga, used with permission
bird hotline, friday 30 january 2026
loess hills - 4 mile nne of jefferson, sd
Was walking by my sliding glass door two days ago and saw a Rough-legged Hawk hunting over our prairie. By the time I grabbed my camera it was a long way out, near our garden. I watched it dive a couple of times and on one of those times I believe it caught a rodent. You can see it in its mouth on one of the photos. I swear in the top photo it turned its head 180 degrees to the rear of its body because you can see its eyes looking back at me. I’ll let the viewers of the photo be the judge. 4 mile NNE of Jefferson in the Loess Hills.
Jon Nylen
Below images copyright 2026 by Jon Nylen, used with permission
bird hotline, saturday 24 january 2026
Buckskin Hills WMA Dixon County NE
Northern Shrike, 1
Pine Siskin, 1
Purple Finch, several
I Avenue, NE
Short-eared Owl, 1 (photo by Richard Huser)
Reported by: Jerry Probst, South Sioux City; Robert Sopher, Sioux City; Kayla Sheehan, Sioux City; Richard Huser, South Sioux City ; Bill Huser, South Sioux City
Below images of a Short-eared Owl copyright 2026 by Richard Huser, used with permission.
bird hotline, monday-friday, 19-23 January
sioux city westside home
A heated bird bath is a great asset for the birds during winter months. It is a fantastic asset for anyone who wants to watch birds, and if you have a camera - so much the better! The only problem being - hard to get anything else done when you have Bluebirds coming regularly.
Kevin Kerr, Sioux City
(Visitors of mention photographed below include Winter visitors - Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Infrequent visitors - Eastern Bluebirds and Cedar Waxwings.)
Below images copyright 2026 by Kevin J Kerr, used with permission
bird hotline, friday, 16 january 2026
The Square, Owego Wetand Area, Woodbury County IA
More of the same. The record must be broken. But they are a delight.
Jerry Mennenga
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/OR https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/
Below images copyright by Jerry L Mennenga, 2026, used with permission
bird hotline, thursday, 15 january 2026
200th st, dakota county, ne
Beautiful Fox Sparrow seen by Bill Huser
and Richard Huser.
Image copyright 2026 by Richard Huser,
used with permission
bird hotline, thursday, 8 january 2026
Ponca State Park riverfront, Dixon County, NE
Hermit Thrush,1; Northern Bobwhite, 9 ;Spotted Towhee, female; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1
Merlin, 1; Great Blue Heron, 1; Belted Kingfisher, male
Kayla Sheehan, Sioux City, IA; Robert Sophere, Sioux City, IA; Bill Huser, South Sioux City, NE
bird hotline, tuesday, 6 january 2026
Owego Wetland Area, Woodbury County, IA
I was lucky enough to go out (again) recently on a bit of a warmer day although it was still breezy. And found a couple Northern Harriers using the wind to hover before diving for a meal. Although I didn't see them come up with anything.
I felt kind of bad about that.
And as I was leaving I saw a raptor, guessing it was a Rough-legged Hawk as I noticed a few of those flying about enjoying the sunset like me, although I wasn't perched in a tree top.
Jerry Mennenga
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ OR https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/
Below images copyright 2026 by Jerry L Mennenga, used with permission
bird hotline, thursday, 1 january 2026
owego wetland area, ia
Some pics from a recent Owego trip, when it was a tad warmer. Did see a couple, three owls after it got dark, too dark to photograph.
I think some of the birds shown are a Northern Harrier, juvenile Red-tailed Hawk and possible a Rough-legged Hawk (on the utility pole and the short scrub tree/bush and taking off flying from it.)
Also testing out some new photo editing software, so hope the images look good.
Jerry Mennenga
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ OR https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/
Below images copyright 2026 by Jerry L Mennenga, used with permission