Starling Murmuration

Starling Murmuration

By Marty Corfman
Dubuque Audubon Society President

I will never stop being awed by this phenomenon, called a murmuration, when birds fly in synchronized patterns. This time of year, these formations can be seen most often toward dusk, when birds are looking for a roosting site, but they can be seen throughout the day as well.

Magic – Chimney Swifts

By Marty Corfman
[from fall 2024 newsletter]

My husband and I were driving past Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque at dusk, and I heard and saw many swifts hunting insects in the sky. I said, “Pull over, honey! This is gonna be cool!”

2024 Fall Raptor Watch

Thanks to everyone who came out to the raptor watch at the Mines of Spain! We counted 53 Broad-winged Hawks. When they seemed to drop down on us from above, we speculated that there may have been many more that we couldn’t see due to the cloud coverage.

Merlins Nesting in Dubuque!

Merlin

On Sunday, July 28th, Dubuque Audubon members were able to confirm Merlin nesting in Dubuque for the first time in over a century!