Upcoming Outings
Birding outings occur monthly.
Migrating Shorebirds
save the date: Saturday, april 18, 2026
7:30 am meeting time
destination and location determined 3 days before outing on wednesday, april 15
read information below and check with bill huser*
After several years of sub-normal precipitation, the area has experienced grave effects on its wetlands. While other factors have contributed, scant snowfall resulting in minimal Spring runoff and non-existent ‘April Showers’ have eliminated shorebird habitat during the shorebird migration window (April – May). Even the catastrophic rains that caused the Big Sioux River flood of June, 2024 and the good rains of June, 2025 have come too late in the season to entice migrating shorebirds to stop.
This has meant that many of our new birders have never seen the roadside flooded fields which can attract hundreds of shorebirds, often viewable at short range. Beginners are still missing many of the species that us older types took for granted each Spring in the past.
*Therefore, for our April 18 outing we will make a concerted effort to find those species. Just where such habitat may be at the time is unknown, but we will make a timely decision 3 days previous as to our destination and appropriate meeting time and place. As I write this, Snyder Bend Lake has been deprived of power plant cooling water and has receded a great deal, leaving broad mudflats and muddy shorelines... great shorebird habitat! A few of the early migrants have stopped there, but in two weeks’ time the lake may be completely dry based on its current rate of decline, so we cannot predict its suitability by the 18th.
If Snyder Bend or another local site is suitable, we will meet at Singing Hills Walmart, NW corner of their parking lot, at 7:30am, Saturday, April 18. 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. Should Snyder Bend be too dry, we will post an alternate destination, and perhaps an adjusted meeting place, on April 15.
This outing may include short walks on established trails with crushed rock surfaces. Should this create mobility issues for you, please call me in advance to discuss practical accommodation. (Feel free to text and leave your number.)
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.
Remember: all LHAS outings are open to the public and offer an inviting way to begin birding and meet others with similar interests.
Bill Huser, LHAS Outings Coordinator, 712-574-3107 or Billfhuser@gmail.com
Future Prairie Envisioned!
wednesday, april 22, 2026
1 - 3 pm
15384 n ridge rd, westfield, ia
Join us for an amazing experience! Bill Zales will be leading a tour of his newly acquired 80 acres of land near his property and discussing the process that will be involved in restorating this land to a native Loess Hills Prairie. This program is a co-sponsored event by the Loess Hills Audubon Society and the Northwest Iowa Group of Sierra Club.
The tour begins at 1:00 pm. Meet outside the Zales Prairie Hills homestead.
Before this adventure, Don’t miss the 10-11 am at Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center - Prairie Reborn! with Brodie Skinner. This program fits nicely with the information that Bill Zales will be sharing! Be sure to enjoy both programs on Wednesday, April 22.
April 22 is Earth Day! What a perfect way to celebrate and learn about the world around us.
Contact Outing Coordinator and VP - Bill Huser for more information at 712-574-3107 Talk/Text.
World Migratory Bird Day
saturday, may 9, 2026
8:00 am - 2:30 pm
bacon creek park, Shelter 2, sioux city, IOWA
Sioux City is a Bird Friendly City - help celebrate World Migratory Bird Day!
VISIT OUR WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
