A field trip to the Loess Hills
Over the weekend, we drove out to the Loess Hills for the grand opening of their new lodge and the annual Hawkwatch. The Loess Hills in Western Iowa consist of a geologically unique stretch of yellow loess which follows the Missouri River from Westfield, IA to Mound City, MO. The only other place in the world where this type of soil can be found compacted in this way is along the Yellow River in China. Loess soils are important to this region’s economy because it is a very fertile soil. It is soft to the touch and spongy. Even the packed soil on the trails has a certain give to it.
It is an important region to our birds for an interesting reason: the winds which blow along the central plains are forced upward by the hills, creating strong updrafts. Thus migrating raptors are able to ride these thermals for many miles while exerting very little energy.
This region was first described during the expedition of Lewis and Clark as “bald” due to the lack of trees. It was covered by mixed grass prairie, and an occasional burr oak. Meriwether Lewis describes the view thus:
“From the Bluff on the 2nd rise immedately abour our camp, the most butifull prospect of the River up & Down and the Country Presented itself which I ever beheld: The River meandering the open and butifull plains.” In the Footsteps of Lewis and Clark
This is the view today:
The prairie was maintained by fire, but when the area was settled, the fires were controlled. This allowed trees to take over. In the picture above, you can see a stretch of the original prairie on the slope. This is part of a fifty year conservation plan to return this section of the Loess Hills to prairie. Annual controlled burning will gradually broaden the prairie.
We were under heavy wind advisories during our hike and really only got to see turkey vultures riding on the strong winds. Raptor Recovery was there as well, however, so we got to see a few more birds up close.
A male Great Horned Owl.
A Red-Tailed Hawk.
And a Peregrine Falcon.
When we went on our hike, there were a number of signs posted warning hikers to wear brightly colored clothing and be noisy. That may not be much help in looking for birds, hunting is allowed in this particular park. And yesterday was Opening Day.
birding, backyard birding, birdwatching, raptor, migration, Loess Hills
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Wow! What a wonderful field trip! Can we come next time? I am always ready for a hike.
I had to look twice at the picture of the hawk. It looks huge in comparison to the lady behind it. I thought it might be Godzilla bird.
October 2nd, 2007 at 7:18 pm
These are so cool! I may have to make it a point to get to that side of Iowa this time next year! That would be neat to see.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Godzilla bird! That is funny. It is just the camera angle. My daughter was standing on a picnic table taking the picture. There is another one I like in which you can see me on the other side video taping at the same time! And you are welcome to join us any time…we have a small house, but we might be able to squeeze you in somewhere.
Melisa, it is really neat. And the eagle migration peaks in November. So you know where we will be then. I probably won’t have anything more than a blurry black dot in the sky to share if we even see that much, but I am hopeful. I went to see them during migration in Northern Missouri a couple of years ago and we saw 33 bald eagles in one day!