*Image by Marla Kerr, used by permission*

Outing to Southwood & Oak Ridge Conservation Areas

Saturday, september 27, 2025

meet at the nw corner of southern hills walmart parking lot at 7:00 am

Stalwart members Sharon & John Polifka of rural Smithland, IA (they drive nearly 100 miles for each LHAS event!) have invited Chapter members to their home for lunch and fellowship on Saturday, September 27. In conjunction with this fine offer, the Chapter will lead bird walks at the nearby natural areas, including Fowler Forest Preserve and Southwood and Oak Ridge Conservation Areas, all Woodbury County Conservation Board holdings.

We have spent little time in these areas in the past and will use this opportunity to explore the differences between the Little Sioux River watershed and the more familiar sites along the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers. Some things to consider are the more varieties of oaks, hickory trees, Eastern Chipmunks, American Toads and more migrating warblers.

The day will begin by gathering at the Southern Hills Walmart parking lot, NW corner (near Four Brothers Grill) at 7am. From there we will caravan the 40 miles to Fowler Forest Preserve via the Scenic Loess Hills Byway.

Those wishing to partake in the Polifka’s hospitality should RSVP Sharon at 712-212-5395 or jpospo141@gmail.com or Bill at 712-574-3107 or billfhuser@gmail.com by Tuesday, 9/23.

From what I have heard, I believe we can leave the sack lunches at home this time. However, do bring your litter pick-up gear (grabbers, plastic shopping bags, gloves) as we will briefly pick up litter at each parking area we visit that morning.

For more information contact Bill Huser at 712-574-3107 or billfhuser@gmail.com.

Remember: all LHAS outings are open to the public and offer an inviting way to begin birding and meet others with similar interests.

Fall World Migratory Bird Day!

saturday, october 11, 2025

meet at 7:00 am at chris larsen Park boat ramp

To document the southward movements of our avian fauna, this Fall’s World Migratory Bird Day is scheduled for Saturday, October 11. LHAS will be participating in this world-wide citizen science effort by visiting the area’s very best migratory stopover sites. Rather than splitting into groups to cover more sites, this group effort will focus on reaching out to the public, inviting beginning birders, showing how to use eBird and showcasing the area’s very best birding sites. These will include Stone State Park, Bacon Creek Park, Snyder’s Bend and Owego Wetlands and perhaps a few others.

Those interested should gather at the public boat ramp in Sioux City’s Chris Larsen Park at 7am, Saturday, October 11. Though you may leave at any time, as your schedule dictates, many of us will continue into the afternoon and will bring sack lunches to enjoy wherever we are at noon.

Also, please bring your litter pick-up gear (grabbers, plastic shopping bags, gloves) as the Chapter will conduct a brief litter pick-up at each parking area we visit during the day.