About Driftless Area Bird Conservation

Driftless Area Bird Conservation is dedicated to promoting bird research, bird conservation, and public education about critical species and their habitats in the Driftless Area of the Upper Midwest. Funds raised are used to maintain our ongoing bird monitoring projects in cooperation with state, federal and private conservations organizations. Our studies involve Red-shouldered Hawks and Cerulean Warblers, both species of conservation concern. Jon Stravers is the director of DABC. Dr. Paul Skrade of Upper Iowa University, serves as advisor and is involved in the field work. Kathleen Carlyle manages our database, edits reports and assists with field projects. Erik Murry, Sophia Landis and Kat Busse assist in fieldwork. DABC is also supported by proceeds from musical events performed by Big Blue Sky.  We are grateful for a strong group of volunteers and supporters who assist us, and for those wise and dedicated birders who have mentored us in the past.

Inspiration
Gladys Black
Gladys Black, Iowa's Bird Lady
Jon-Jon Stravers photo by Aaron Barna
Jon-Jon Stravers

Photo Galleries

Raptor Banding
Young Red-tailed hawk at the trap, 10/25/2021.
photo by Kathleen Carlyle
Erik Murry with young Red-tailed Hawk, 10/25/2021.
photo by Kathleen Carlyle
Jon Stravers with young Red-tailed Hawk, 10/25/2021.
photo by Kathleen Carlyle
Adult Red-tailed Hawk with multiple generations of flight feathers, 10/25/2021.
photo by Kathleen Carlyle
Jon Stravers releasing banded adult Red-tailed Hawk, 10/25/2021.
photo by Kathleen Carlyle
Erik Murry measures young Red-tailed Hawk leg for correct band size, 10/25/2021.
photo by Kathleen Carlyle
Measuring for correct band size, 10/31/2021.
photo by Kathleen Carlyle
Jake Stevens releases young Red-tailed Hawk, 10/31/2021.
photo by Kathleen Carlyle
Young Red-tailed Hawk, 10/31/2021.
photo by Kathleen Carlyle
Jon Stravers with young Goshawk, October, 2018.
photo by Kathleen Carlyle
Jon releases Red-tailed Hawk
photo by Erik Murry
Erik Murry with juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk.
photo by Sophia Landis
Erik Murry with adult RT Hawk and students.
photo by Sophia Landis
Student bander and Coopers Hawk
photo by Sophia Landis
Red-tailed hawk with body and flight feather molt.
photo by Dave Kester
Wing chord measurement in RT adult
photo by Dave Kester
Krider's (Red-tailed) Hawk
photo by Dave Kester
Krider's (Red-tailed) Hawk and Sophia Landis.
photo by Dave Kester
Brynn Olsen (student bander) and Sharp-shinned Hawk adult.
photo by Dave Kester
Dave Kester and Kindergarten class releasing RT.
RT juvenile with blue eyes.
photo by Dave Kester
Brynn Olsen and adult Red-tailed hawk.
photo by Jon Stravers

Our Partners and Funders

Upper Iowa Audubon
Prairie Rapids Audubon
Quad-Cities Audubon