Banner image by Kevin Kerr, copyright 2025, used with permission.
Show & Go Outing
saturday, january 10, 2026
owego wetland area & broken kettle grasslands area
Knowing that birds are hard to find in midwinter, we had previously decided that the January outing would be a ‘Show & Go,’ where we would decide that morning what would be the most interesting destination. Reports of Trumpeter Swans at Blue Lake, Trumpeter Swans and a Long-tailed Duck at Gavin’s Point Dam, Short-eared Owls at Owego and a Townsend’s Solitaire at Broken Kettle Grasslands were all considered, but the intrigue of raptors won out; Short-eared Owls at Owego and Golden Eagle and the Solitaire at Broken Kettle was our plan.
The eight members assembled hustled southward to try to see the Owls before they retired for the day. We apparently were too late despite the heavy cloud cover that darkened the morning. However, Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks were busy starting their day, as were Northern Harriers. Several light phase Rough-legged Hawks exhibited their standard field marks: heavy, dark belly band, dark patches at the bend of the wing, light-colored head, a white tail with a distinct dark terminal band and their hovering hunting technique. Another individual was an interesting dark phase Rough-legged Hawk with the previous marks obscured save for the tail pattern and hunting technique.
After the trip northward to Broken Kettle Grasslands we converged on the site of the Townsend’s Solitaire found earlier in the week by Tucker Lutter. We used a recording of the Solitaire’s winter call note to coax the bird from the dense stand of cedars and deciduous trees where the bird has been feeding and using for cover. Almost immediately, we noted a solitary bird at the very top of a cottonwood across the road. A quick look with binocs revealed a slender, gray bird with a relatively long tail. The bird cooperated and stayed on this perch while we set up a spotting scope for a better view that confirmed the gray color and revealed a small head and bill, eye ring and long tail. Though we did not see the salmon wing stripes on the extended wing, one of Jerry Mennenga’s photos captured that definitive field mark. The Solitaire was a life bird for 5 of the 8 participants.
While all this transpired an immature Golden Eagle soared overhead. This large dark raptor showed a smaller head and bill, relative to a Bald Eagle, and more distinct white on the base of the tail and primaries. Again, Jerry got a definitive photo!
For a complete list and Jerry’s photos of the Golden Eagle and Townsend’s Solitaire see
https://ebird.org/tripreport/462966
Participants: Sharon & John Polifka, Marla & Kevin Kerr, Kayla Sheehan, Robert Sophere, Jerry Mennenga and Bill Huser.
Twelve Species (and Meadowlarks): Rock Pigeon, Golden Eagle, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Merlin, American Crow, Townsend’s Solitaire, American Tree Sparrow.
Narrative Report by Bill Huser, Outing Coordinator and Vice-President
Jerry Mennenga: “Some photos from the LHAS outing this weekend. I brought a shorter lens with me for the trip so didn't have the reach for the Golden Eagle and the Solitaire birds. As well as for rhe Rough-legged hawks perched around The Square.
Did find some Bald Eagles along the Big Sioux River as I made my way back for lunch and upon a return, only found one willing to cooperate for a moment of two to get a couple pics of it.”
https://lostinsiouxland.wordpress.com/ OR https://www.jerrylmennengaphotographer.com/
Below images copyright 2026 by Jerry L Mennenga, used with permission
Below images copyright 2026 by Kevin J Kerr and Marla Kerr, used with permission
After leaving the Broken Kettle Grasslands area, we all headed to Harvey’s Restaurant in Riverside for lunch. Hot Beef Sandwiches and plate sized pancakes were popular lunch choices. After lunch, six birders headed to Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center to participate in the Loess Hills Wild Ones Winter Sowing Seeds Workshop (starting cold-hardy native seeds outdoors in recycled plastic containers during winter). The other two birders headed back to Highway 12 and the Big Sioux River area in search of Bald Eagles to photograph.
by Marla Kerr, Loess Hills Audubon Society President
