Iowa Bed & Breakfast Caters to Bird Watchers

The Iowa Great Lakes area is noted for fishing, hunting and boating, but it is also an outstanding area for birdwatching. One local innkeeper caters to guests that come into the area seeking to get a glimpse of rarely seen birds, like the Red-Headed Woodpecker that lives in abundance in the area but is very illusive.

(PRWEB) October 1, 2005 -- When Connie Baschke first began spending hours at a time sitting very still in her garden, as she watched all the activity of the various species of birds nesting around her property, some of her neighbors didnt understand. That was two decades ago, when bird watchers were often considered eccentric.

I could hear my neighbors children say, ‘Mom, shes doing it again," says Connie, who got hooked on birding and living a life filled with nature in the early eighties when she found herself battling chronic illness.

Times have changed.

Today, Connie is among millions of Americans who bird watch in one way or another. For Connie, birding doesnt have to be a backyard affair as simple as watching chickadees and finches raise a ruckus at the feeder, because this nature lover is only minutes away from a 5,000 acre conservation area that is filled with birds.
One way she shares her bird watching passion with others is by catering to bird watchers of all ages at her cozy Bed & Breakfast in Northwest Iowa.

Children are always welcome and guests that visit for a day or the weekend will receive a special, fresh from the farm, breakfast. Many items will be organic and served in a nutritious way, fresh from Connies own garden. No smoking is allowed on the property and guests will appreciate both the water and air purification systems in place.

People of all ages watch birds. It's an activity you can keep doing all your life, in any part of the world. Birding is also the fastest-growing outdoor activity in the US. According to a survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 51.3 million Americans report that they watch birds and 70 million Americans spend more than $30 billion annually to observe, feed and photograph wildlife. And, more are taking it up all the time.

At Connies Bed & Breakfast in Northwest Iowa, birders are only 15 minutes from Lost Island Lake, Iowas sixth largest natural lake. An absolute paradise for birdwatchers, Lost Island Lake has almost 5,000 acres of surrounding wetlands and approximately 300 species of birds – it is one of the top birding areas in the Midwest.

Lost Island Lake was formed by the Des Moines Lobe of the Wisconsin glacial period approximately 12,000 to 15,000 years ago. The shallow bowl shaped basin has a surface area of 1,266 acres, a maximum depth of 14 feet and 7.5 miles of shoreline. Local conservation boards have constructed a Visitors Center, RV campgrounds, wildlife observation blinds, and a number of picnic/grilling areas.

After 9/11, many Americans flocked to urban parks in search of comfort, but even before this tragedy many, like Connie, were finding hope and tranquility in nature's beauty, rhythms, and resilience.

One of the joys of birding, and perhaps a key reason for its increasing popularity, is its flexibility: Each birder can decide how simple or involved it should be. Birding can be done from the kitchen window or in a specially designed wildlife observation blind; it can be done alone or with a partner or group, in winter or summer.

The wetlands of Iowa can get pretty muddy, so Connie encourages her birding guests to bring their boots. But, her guests dont necessarily have to leave the comfort of her country setting because just outside their quarters, the trees are dizzyingly alive with an array of birds. Hummingbirds whir through the garden area, and the resident wrens seem as contented as the sparrows splashing in the garden areas bird baths.

Birds arent the only interesting part of Connie life. She also meets a steady flow of people, and whether the visitors are amateurs or advanced-level birders, most are easily won over by Connies hospitality and terrific home cooking. Connie makes a concentrated effort to stay in touch with many of the people who have come to visit. And, Connie's recipes have gotten national attention. Readers of Bed & Breakfast America magazine can find Connie's Homemade Ice Cream on page 25 of the Fall 2005 issue. (Sold at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hastings book stores or visit the magazine online at http://www.bedandbreakfastmagazine.net.)

Thats another aspect of birding that runs counter to the old stereotypes of loners and withdrawn intellectuals; birding can be surprisingly sociable. Connie spends many an afternoon getting acquainted with guests by discussing local nesting birds and giving directions to near-by native prairies and other nature sites.

Many bird watchers keep lists of their sightings: monthly lists, annual lists, local lists, county lists, and state lists. The most competitive birders are likely to keep lists of their lists. Connie makes it easy for her guests to create even more lists by having a computer available in the guests lounge area.
Its okay to have lists. Its even okay to be good-naturedly competitive about it, as long as youre having fun," Connie says. Fun is important. But birding also is good exercise and good for your mental health. Birds capture your imagination," Connie says. They can fly; they can sign. Theyre sort of a symbol for the human spirit."

Bird Watching Basics
For a satisfying journey into the world of birds, you need a good field guide, such as the Birds of Iowa Field Guide by Stan Tekielo, and a pair of binoculars—usually 7x35 or 8x35 for backyard birding. (The first number refers to magnifying power; the second to the diameter in millimeters of the objective, or outer, lens. This determines how much light is admitted.)
The easiest way to attract birds to your yard is with one or more feeders. Hang these where you can readily watch them and keep them refilled. The best all-around feed is black-oil sunflower seed. It is high in fat and easy for small birds to crack open.

Keep in mind that some birds, such as barn swallows and purple martins, dine only on flying insects and wont be attracted to feeders.
Birds are also attracted to water, both for bathing and drinking. Your local department store will have selections in various price ranges and styles or you can go online for more choices. Connie plants Black-eyed Susans in the garden to attract seedeaters.

There are two ways of watching birds. They are by casual observation and by monitoring. The first, and most common way is through casual observation. This is done when you watch your feeders, or even when taking a walk. Casual observation implies no set routine, just basic bird watching. Keep in mind, however, that the longer you stay in one place while birding, the more used to you birds become, and the more species you are likely to see.

Monitoring birds, on the other hand, is done on a routine basis. It implies that you watch birds in the same place, at the same time, for the same amount of time, and in a manner that is not disruptive to birds, every time you watch birds. Monitoring can take place at your feeders, on a trail hike, in your backyard, on a lake, or wherever. Just remember: monitoring birds translates into routine. This routine is of your choice, of course.

The timing of bird observation depends on which group of birds you wish to monitor or observe. In general, diurnal, or daytime birds are most active at dawn and dusk. They are usually more vocal and very active in the shrub and tree canopy cover. You'll have an easier and better opportunity to see a greater variety of daytime birds at these times than at any other time of the day, however, bird-watching can be done any time of the day.

The whole point of watching birds should be because it is fun! Bird watching is a great way to take in every part of the outdoors, from the weather and other wildlife, to the wildflowers. And, dont forget that International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) is held on the second Saturday in May of every year and is an invitation to celebrate and support migratory bird conservation in your area. Good birding!

To learn more about Connie Baschkes Bed & Breakfast or Lost Island Lake, visit the Iowa Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Association's Web site at: Http://www.iabedandbreakfast.com

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