Date: 8/11/25 1:41 pm From: Doug & Nina Harr <dnharr...> Subject: [ia-bird] Willets & Bobolinks in southern Hamilton Co.
Returning from Saturday's Okoboji Blue Water Festival at Arnolds Park, yesterday we were looking for migrating shorebirds E of Spencer. We found a flooded field with some Dunlins in fall plumage, one Short-billed Dowitcher still in breeding color, plus some least Sandpipers. But we were soon hit by such tremendously heavy rain that we quit birding and headed home.
This morning I went back up to the private wetland on the S side of 390th St., a mile north of Bjorkboda Marsh. There weren't many shorebirds, except 4 Willets. One posed nicely before they jumped up and flew south, showing those striking B&W wing patterns, but I was not able to get in-flight photos. Then, right on the N side of 390th St., 3 immature Bobolinks popped up in roadside plants and managed to also pose for some portraits. So, this still turned out to be a good birding and photo day!
