Nearly 70 birders gathered at the historic Eagle Point Park Lodge in Clinton, Iowa, for the annual Spring Meeting of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. The venue, with its breathtaking views overlooking the Mississippi River, provided a perfect backdrop for a weekend filled with birding activities and camaraderie.

The meeting featured a fantastic keynote address by Gunnar Kramer, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Iowa State University, on tracking migratory songbirds to inform conservation. His presentation was both fun and informative, covering various aspects of his research and even included some engaging discussion on hybrid warblers he’s encountered in his research.

Saturday afternoon included two informative programs. Johanna Ford, Iowa State University graduate student, presented her research investigating the effects of Northern Bobwhite habitat management on Species of Greatest Conservation Need birds in Iowa, and Ed Britton, Refuge Manager for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, shared with us the 100-year history of the Refuge. We’re grateful to these two presenters for a great afternoon of programs!

Over the course of two days, participants enjoyed field trips on both the Illinois and Iowa sides of the Mississippi River, exploring different birding hotspots in the area. These excursions provided excellent opportunities to observe a variety of bird species. Birders recorded a total of 161 species, including 26 warbler species and 13 shorebird species. Many thanks to our field trip leaders Tony Moline, Eric Ollie, Francis Moore, and Anna Buckardt Thomas for making these trips fun and memorable for all.

Overall, the annual Spring Meeting was a resounding success, bringing together birders for a weekend of learning, exploration, and appreciation of the birdlife on the eastern shore of the state. Many thanks to the staff at Eagle Point Lodge for hosting us!