IBA Species Data for Lake Rathbun Reservoir

These two tables show the data collected on criteria species and species concentrations as defined by the IBA technical committee. The data comes from the original IBA data collection process, Iowa Seasonal Field Reports, and the recent Breeding Bird Atlas project (2008-2012).

Criteria Species

Species	Date	Number	Breeding Status	Comments
Black-billed Cuckoo	7/12/2012		PO-X
Black-billed Cuckoo	7/5/2012		PO-H
Black-billed Cuckoo	6/25/2011		PO-X
Black-billed Cuckoo	9/6/2010	1
Black-billed Cuckoo	6/13/2009		PO-H
Black-billed Cuckoo	5/27/2003	1
Common Gallinule	7/18/2005	1		2 on 19th
Piping Plover	8/26/2009	1		immature
Piping Plover	5/26/2007	1
Piping Plover	8/2/2006	1		1 adult.
Piping Plover	8/24/2005	1
Piping Plover	8/24/2005	1	OB-O
Piping Plover	8/24/2005	2		Immature/Adult. Adult had black markings where the immature was grey. 8/21 3 Pipings were all immatures.
Piping Plover	8/22/2005	2		juveniles
Piping Plover	8/21/2005	2
Piping Plover	8/21/2005	3		Yellow legs small bill
Piping Plover	8/20/2005	4
Piping Plover	8/20/2005	4		4 juveniles.
Piping Plover	8/8/2005	2
American Woodcock	3/8/2011	4
American Woodcock	3/15/2010	15		Numerous displaying birds along the trail at Honey Creek Resort
Least Tern	8/2/2006	1		1 molting adult, photo.
Least Tern	5/31/1998	1
Black Tern	7/20/2013	1
Black Tern	5/24/2013	4
Black Tern	5/15/2013	2
Black Tern	7/20/2010	1
Black Tern	5/12/2008	75	OB-O	At the face of the dam.
Black Tern	9/10/2006	1		immature
Black Tern	8/2/2006	190
Black Tern	8/24/2005	18
Black Tern	8/21/2005	18
Black Tern	8/21/2005	70
Forster's Tern	8/28/2015	1
Forster's Tern	7/31/2013	1
Forster's Tern	7/30/2013	2
Forster's Tern	5/24/2013	6
Forster's Tern	5/15/2013	14
Forster's Tern	5/11/2013	2
Forster's Tern	5/7/2013	12
Forster's Tern	4/17/2013	1
Forster's Tern	9/19/2012	2
Forster's Tern	8/12/2012	2
Forster's Tern	8/11/2012		OB-O
Forster's Tern	8/20/2011	6
Forster's Tern	7/20/2010	6
Forster's Tern	5/5/2007	4
Forster's Tern	9/10/2006	3
Forster's Tern	8/2/2006	96
Forster's Tern	4/26/2006	8		White breast, orange/yellow bill with black tip and shiney white primaries
Forster's Tern	4/12/2006	14		Nice early group of Forster's terns Located at SE corner of the main dam on a sand bar with ringbill gulls
Forster's Tern	10/2/2005	4
Forster's Tern	9/11/2005	60
Forster's Tern	4/16/2005	2
Forster's Tern	5/27/2003	2
Forster's Tern	4/30/2003	2
Forster's Tern	4/21/2003	2
Forster's Tern	4/27/1999	1	OB-O
Forster's Tern	5/11/1998	1
American Bittern	9/5/2009	1
Black-crowned Night Heron	6/24/2011		PO-H
Black-crowned Night Heron	7/13/2005	1		juvenile
Black-crowned Night Heron	7/13/2005	2
Northern Harrier	11/30/2022	1		CHECKLIST
Northern Harrier	8/28/2013	1
Northern Harrier	5/7/2013	1
Northern Harrier	11/25/2012	1
Northern Harrier	3/17/2012	1
Northern Harrier	11/20/2011	2
Northern Harrier	10/18/2009	1	PO-H
Northern Harrier	10/17/2009	2	OB-O
Northern Harrier	5/29/2008		PO-H
Northern Harrier	1/21/2006	3
Northern Harrier	4/21/2003	2
Northern Harrier	4/2/2003	2
Northern Harrier	11/29/2002	1
Northern Harrier	11/20/2002	3
Northern Harrier	11/13/2002	2
Northern Harrier	10/16/2002	1
Northern Harrier	3/24/2002	1
Northern Harrier	4/3/2001	1
Bald Eagle	5/31/2025	1		CHECKLIST
Bald Eagle	9/26/2024	1		CHECKLIST
Bald Eagle	4/29/2023	1		CHECKLIST
Bald Eagle	4/29/2023	1		CHECKLIST
Bald Eagle	12/9/2022	9		CHECKLIST
Bald Eagle	12/7/2022	2		CHECKLIST
Bald Eagle	11/30/2022	15		CHECKLIST
Bald Eagle	3/18/2013	40
Bald Eagle	3/17/2013	12
Bald Eagle	3/16/2013	5
Bald Eagle	8/11/2012		OB-O
Bald Eagle	7/9/2012	1
Bald Eagle	7/7/2012		PO-H
Bald Eagle	7/7/2012	1
Bald Eagle	7/5/2012		CO-FL
Bald Eagle	6/5/2012		PO-H
Bald Eagle	3/31/2012		CO-UN
Bald Eagle	4/29/2011		CO-ON
Bald Eagle	4/29/2011		CO-UN
Bald Eagle	3/31/2011		CO-ON
Bald Eagle	3/30/2010		CO-NB
Bald Eagle	10/17/2009	1	OB-O
Bald Eagle	6/4/2009		OB-O
Bald Eagle	5/13/2009		OB-O
Bald Eagle	4/26/2009		CO-UN
Bald Eagle	11/9/2008	13
Bald Eagle	5/29/2008		OB-O
Bald Eagle	2/4/2006	60
Bald Eagle	10/22/2005	7
Bald Eagle	10/16/2002	1
Red-shouldered Hawk	4/6/2025	1		CHECKLIST
Red-shouldered Hawk	7/19/2019	1
Red-shouldered Hawk	5/5/2017	1
Red-shouldered Hawk	8/11/2012		PO-H
Red-shouldered Hawk	9/6/2010	1		1 adult
Red-shouldered Hawk	8/14/2010	1		Juvenile.
Red-shouldered Hawk	7/25/2009	1		Adult
Red-shouldered Hawk	3/21/2009	2		1 adult, 1 juvenile
Red-shouldered Hawk	1/31/2009	2
Red-shouldered Hawk	1/31/2009	2		Adults
Red-shouldered Hawk	7/16/2008	3		adult with two begging fledgling
Red-shouldered Hawk	7/15/2008		CO-FL
Red-shouldered Hawk	6/25/2008		CO-FL
Red-shouldered Hawk	6/23/2008		PO-H
Red-shouldered Hawk	6/19/2008		PR-A
Red-shouldered Hawk	6/21/2006	1	PO-H	this adult flew in and perched on a stump in the same open pond as the night-herons
Red-shouldered Hawk	5/11/2006	1
Red-shouldered Hawk	7/13/2005	1
Broad-winged Hawk	4/19/2025	1		CHECKLIST
Broad-winged Hawk	4/29/2023	1		CHECKLIST
Broad-winged Hawk	4/29/2023	1		CHECKLIST
Broad-winged Hawk	5/7/2013	1
Broad-winged Hawk	4/17/2011	1
American Barn Owl	11/14/2014	4		2 adults and at least two young fledged from corncrib
American Barn Owl	6/28/2014	5		2 adults and 3 young that fledged in a corncrib
American Barn Owl	8/7/2009		CO-FL
Long-eared Owl	12/14/2008	1
Long-eared Owl	11/13/2008	1	OB-O	In the usual grove at Island View Park by the group campground
Long-eared Owl	11/10/2007	1
Long-eared Owl	3/5/2006	4
Long-eared Owl	11/14/2004	6
Long-eared Owl	1/5/2002	5
Long-eared Owl	12/1/2001	4
Long-eared Owl	3/10/1998	25
Short-eared Owl	1/18/2009	1		In a pine grove in the Prairie Ridge area of Rathbun Lake Area
Pileated Woodpecker	4/29/2023	1		CHECKLIST
Pileated Woodpecker	4/29/2023	1		CHECKLIST
Pileated Woodpecker	11/9/2020	1
Pileated Woodpecker	7/13/2012		PO-X
Pileated Woodpecker	7/13/2012		PR-A
Pileated Woodpecker	7/12/2012		PO-H
Pileated Woodpecker	7/12/2012		PR-A
Pileated Woodpecker	7/5/2012		PR-A
Pileated Woodpecker	5/20/2008		PO-H
Pileated Woodpecker	4/13/2008		PR-P
Pileated Woodpecker	3/22/2008	2
Pileated Woodpecker	6/18/2005	2
Pileated Woodpecker	6/4/2005	2
Pileated Woodpecker	7/31/2004	1		along Chariton River
Pileated Woodpecker	5/3/2004	1
Pileated Woodpecker	7/12/2002	3
Pileated Woodpecker	5/13/2002	1
Pileated Woodpecker	5/4/2002	1
Pileated Woodpecker	5/1/2002	1
Peregrine Falcon	10/14/2006	1
Peregrine Falcon	10/4/2006	1
Peregrine Falcon	10/2/2005	1
White-eyed Vireo	9/3/2012	2
White-eyed Vireo	7/12/2012		PO-X
White-eyed Vireo	6/15/2011		PO-X
White-eyed Vireo	7/8/2009		PO-X
Bell's Vireo	6/4/2015	5		All heard birds along or near the entrance road to Honey Creek SP. Probably a conservative count.
Bell's Vireo	7/31/2013	5
Bell's Vireo	5/15/2013	2
Bell's Vireo	8/11/2012		PO-H
Bell's Vireo	7/13/2012		PO-X
Bell's Vireo	7/13/2012		PR-A
Bell's Vireo	7/12/2012		CO-FL
Bell's Vireo	7/12/2012		PR-A
Bell's Vireo	7/7/2012		PO-X
Bell's Vireo	7/6/2012		PO-X
Bell's Vireo	7/5/2012		PR-A
Bell's Vireo	8/20/2011	2
Bell's Vireo	6/25/2011		PO-X
Bell's Vireo	6/15/2011		PO-X
Bell's Vireo	6/23/2010		PR-M
Bell's Vireo	6/12/2010		PO-X
Bell's Vireo	9/5/2009	1
Bell's Vireo	8/22/2009	6
Bell's Vireo	7/11/2009		CO-FL
Bell's Vireo	7/8/2009		PO-X
Bell's Vireo	6/27/2009		PO-X
Bell's Vireo	7/10/2008		PO-X
Bell's Vireo	5/6/2006	1
Bell's Vireo	8/28/2005	2
Bell's Vireo	8/27/2005	2
Bell's Vireo	8/24/2005	1		singing
Bell's Vireo	5/10/2004	2
Bell's Vireo	5/27/2003	2
Bell's Vireo	5/19/2003	3
Bell's Vireo	7/12/2002	2
Bell's Vireo	7/6/2002	2
Bell's Vireo	7/4/2002	1
Loggerhead Shrike	10/7/2017	1
Loggerhead Shrike	10/3/2007	2		Saw two one half mile North of Highway J5T on 170th Ave. One was a juvenile.
Loggerhead Shrike	7/14/2007	1		on J5T
Loggerhead Shrike	10/15/2006	1
Loggerhead Shrike	3/5/2006	1
Loggerhead Shrike	1/21/2006	1		Black across bill eye within the black
Loggerhead Shrike	8/27/2005	1
Loggerhead Shrike	7/31/2004	1
Loggerhead Shrike	5/1/2004	1
Loggerhead Shrike	11/13/2002	2
Loggerhead Shrike	7/6/2002	1
Wood Thrush	5/18/2023	2		CHECKLIST
Wood Thrush	7/13/2012		PR-A
Wood Thrush	7/12/2012		CO-FL
Wood Thrush	7/12/2012		PO-X
Wood Thrush	7/12/2012		PR-A
Wood Thrush	7/9/2012		PO-X
Wood Thrush	7/9/2012	2
Wood Thrush	7/5/2012		PR-A
Wood Thrush	7/5/2012		PR-T
Wood Thrush	8/9/2009		PR-A
Wood Thrush	6/23/2008		PO-X
Wood Thrush	6/21/2006	1	PO-X	singing male
Wood Thrush	6/21/2006	3	PO-X	singing males
Wood Thrush	4/29/2006	6
Wood Thrush	6/15/2005	6
Wood Thrush	5/12/2003	1
Wood Thrush	7/19/2002	1
Wood Thrush	7/12/2002	1
Wood Thrush	5/19/2002	2
Wood Thrush	5/5/2002	3
Wood Thrush	5/4/2002	2
Grasshopper Sparrow	7/13/2012		PO-X
Grasshopper Sparrow	7/12/2012		PR-M
Grasshopper Sparrow	7/9/2012		PO-X
Grasshopper Sparrow	7/9/2012	1
Grasshopper Sparrow	7/5/2012		PO-X
Grasshopper Sparrow	7/5/2012		PR-M
Grasshopper Sparrow	8/20/2011	1
Grasshopper Sparrow	6/25/2011		PO-X
Grasshopper Sparrow	6/23/2010		PR-M
Grasshopper Sparrow	8/9/2009		PO-X
Grasshopper Sparrow	8/7/2009		PO-H
Grasshopper Sparrow	7/8/2009		PR-M
Grasshopper Sparrow	6/4/2009		PO-X
Grasshopper Sparrow	7/23/2008		PO-X
Grasshopper Sparrow	4/23/2006	2
Henslow's Sparrow	7/19/2012		PO-X
Henslow's Sparrow	7/12/2012		PO-X
Henslow's Sparrow	7/5/2012		PO-X
Henslow's Sparrow	7/5/2012		PR-M
Henslow's Sparrow	6/25/2011		PO-X
Henslow's Sparrow	7/10/2008		PO-X
Henslow's Sparrow	6/18/2005	2
Henslow's Sparrow	5/1/2002	1
Yellow-breasted Chat	6/21/2005	1
Yellow-breasted Chat	6/18/2005	1
Bobolink	5/7/2017	4
Bobolink	8/28/2013	150
Bobolink	8/12/2012		PO-H
Bobolink	8/11/2012		PO-H
Bobolink	8/1/2012		PO-H
Bobolink	8/1/2012	4
Bobolink	7/13/2012		PR-A
Bobolink	7/12/2012		CO-AY
Bobolink	7/12/2012		PR-P
Bobolink	7/5/2012		CO-AY
Bobolink	7/5/2012		CO-FL
Bobolink	6/15/2011		PO-X
Bobolink	5/22/2011		PO-H
Bobolink	6/11/2010		PO-X
Bobolink	6/13/2009		PR-P
Bobolink	5/6/2009		PO-X
Bobolink	8/16/2006	21
Bobolink	5/2/2006	1	OB-O	Male in breeding plumage. Beautiful!
Bobolink	8/22/2005	5		singles
Bobolink	5/1/2002	1
Kentucky Warbler	6/4/2015	2		Dueling males singing in Honey Creek SP. One briefly seen.
Kentucky Warbler	7/12/2012		PR-A
Kentucky Warbler	7/5/2012		PO-X
Kentucky Warbler	6/5/2012		PO-X
Kentucky Warbler	6/23/2008		PO-X
Kentucky Warbler	6/23/2008	1

Species Concentrations

Species Name/Group	Date	Number
American Coot	10/29/2011	7,000
Double-crested Cormorant	10/21/2006	4,500
Double-crested Cormorant	4/18/2006	5,000
Double-crested Cormorant	11/5/2005	2,500
Double-crested Cormorant	10/16/2005	6,327
Gulls	3/17/2013	1,000
Gulls	12/29/2012	1,100
Gulls	12/29/2012	1,400
Gulls	3/12/2011	1,500
Gulls	12/11/2010	3,000
Gulls	12/14/2008	5,000
Gulls	2/4/2006	5,000
Terns	9/8/2006	381
Waterfowl	2/10/2017	1,233
Waterfowl	1/28/2017	2,700
Waterfowl	12/16/2016	4,535
Waterfowl	2/20/2015	3,500
Waterfowl	3/29/2014	10,050
Waterfowl	12/14/2012	50,082
Waterfowl	3/17/2012	1,434
Waterfowl	11/19/2011	6,052
Waterfowl	3/12/2011	6,045
Waterfowl	3/8/2011	1,960
Waterfowl	3/5/2011	3,500
Waterfowl	12/11/2010	10,161
Waterfowl	12/13/2008	6,009
Waterfowl	11/10/2008	2,725
Waterfowl	3/22/2008	5,738
Waterfowl	11/12/2007	1,540
Waterfowl	12/14/2006	532
Waterfowl	1/21/2006	4,213
Waterfowl	11/12/2005	4,012
Waterfowl	12/12/2002	9,000
Waterfowl	12/5/2001	7,000
Waterfowl	12/9/1999	6,300
Waterfowl	11/12/1998	13,500