Photos and videos

A Green Heron hiding in the cattails  alone one of the wetlands ponds. (Paul Domoto, 4/22/25)

A Sora hides out among the new vegetation (after the burn).

Wolf. Oesterreich (4/23/25)

This photo is from April 22nd 2025 at the south loop during sunset. (Tonya Moore)

American Coot at Pond P (Greg Courtney, 24 April 2025).

An Orange-Crowned Warbler rests in a flowering tree (Tana Tesdall, 4/26/25)

We would like to thank Ames Parks and Recreation  as well as everyone who came out to help us on our second-ever park cleanup day. We got a lot of brush trimmed in the south part of the park, and cleaned up a lot of garbage in the south wetland complex.

We would like to thank Ames Parks and Recreation  as well as everyone who came out to help us on our second-ever park cleanup day. We got a lot of brush trimmed in the south part of the park, and cleaned up a lot of garbage in the south wetland complex.

We would like to thank Ames Parks and Recreation  as well as everyone who came out to help us on our second-ever park cleanup day. We got a lot of brush trimmed in the south part of the park, and cleaned up a lot of garbage in the south wetland complex.

We would like to thank Ames Parks and Recreation  as well as everyone who came out to help us on our second-ever park cleanup day. We got a lot of brush trimmed in the south part of the park, and cleaned up a lot of garbage in the south wetland complex.

We would like to thank Ames Parks and Recreation  as well as everyone who came out to help us on our second-ever park cleanup day. We got a lot of brush trimmed in the south part of the park, and cleaned up a lot of garbage in the south wetland complex.

We would like to thank Ames Parks and Recreation  as well as everyone who came out to help us on our second-ever park cleanup day. We got a lot of brush trimmed in the south part of the park, and cleaned up a lot of garbage in the south wetland complex.

These Eurasian Tree Sparrows are bringing nesting materials to their cavity nest.  The one on the left has brought plant material, while the one on the right will line the nest with feathers.

Wolf. Oesterreich (4/27/25)

Lesser Yellowlegs searching for aquatic invertebrates in a shallow embayment of South Lake (Greg Courtney, 24 April 2025).

A Sora on one of the wetland pools. (Paul Domoto, 4/23/25)

One of several shorebirds to have returned to the park, this Spotted Sandpiper was foraging (or admiring its own reflection?) at Pond P (Greg Courtney, 24 April 2025).

Bald Eagle searching for prey near Pond P (Greg Courtney, 24 April 2025).

Spotted my first male Baltimore Oriole at the Park. Wolf. Oesterreich (04/26/25)

Four Horned Grebe joined a large raft of ducks on South Lake. This photo also shows two male Northern Shovelers (left) and a single male Blue-winged Teal (right) (Greg Courtney, 24 April 2025).

Northern Rough-winged Swallows have joined the Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows swooping low over the waters.  This one was taking a rest.

(Wolf. Oesterreich, 4/26/25)

Green Heron are finally returning to the park. This individual was along the margin of Pond M (Greg Courtney, 24 April 2025).

Marsh Wrens have arrived in some of the wetlands.  I've seen up to 3 at one pond.

Wolf. Oesterreich (04/26/25)

Yellow-rumped Warblers, one of the first warblers to return to central Iowa during the spring migration, can be seen in nearly every forested area of the park. This individual was one of several near Pond P (Greg Courtney, 24 April 2025).

Pied-billed Grebe have been common in park wetlands during recent weeks. This individual was part of a pair foraging in Pond H (Greg Courtney, 24 April 2025).