Welcome to the Driftless Region! We are thrilled to invite you to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union (IOU) 2026 Spring Conference, hosted at Upper Iowa University in Fayette from April 24–26. This corner of Northeast Iowa offers a stunning backdrop for our spring gathering, characterized by rugged limestone bluffs, cold-water seeps, and diverse wetlands. Late April is a magical window in the birding calendar—a time when the "winter residents" are joined by a rushing tide of migrants. We’ll be heading out to some of the region's most iconic birding hotspots to search for early spring migrants and regional specialties like the Ruffed Grouse. We are honored to welcome Dexter Patterson as our keynote speaker. Known to many as "Wiscobirder," Dexter is a transformative voice in the birding community. He is the co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, co-host of the Bird Joy Podcast, and author of the recently published book, Birds of the Great Lakes. Whether you’re coming for the elusive Ruffed Grouse, the camaraderie of fellow birders, or the insights of our guest speakers, we look forward to seeing you in Fayette.