Ione

Habitat and Birds

Small towns in Morrow County provide migrants with sought after resting places. Fall, winter, and spring provide opportunities to find rare birds in these locations and their limited size allows for thorough coverage in a short period of time. In spring and fall, watch for migrant warblers, buntings, sparrows, and other passerines. Winter rarities here might include Bohemian Waxwings, longspurs, Snow Bunting, American Tree Sparrow, Harris’s Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, or even Common Redpoll. California Scrub-Jays have been seen in the community of Ione and may have even nested. Be sure to check out the surrounding agricultural lands. During the winters of 2007-08 and 2008-09, Snowy Owls were found east of Ione. Don’t expect to find any of these but you never know. Few people bird these regions so please publish your findings if you happen to bird in one of these remote locations.