A Beginner's Guide to Birding in Iowa

Hendrickson Marsh, Collins

Located near Collins, Hendrickson Marsh is a great place to view birds from the car. It boasts 850 acres of wetland, forests and prairies that act as an important fueling spot for migrating birds every spring and fall, including thousands of ducks, geese, herons and egrets.
 

Coon Creek Wildlife Management Area, Decorah

Boasting nearly 1,000 acres, Coon Creek and its surrounding landscape offers nature lovers the chance to experience a largely untouched and rarely visited gem in Iowa. Wander the dirt paths and roads to admire the Decorah area’s thick forests and open meadows for the chance to see a variety of birds and other wildlife.
 

Maynes Grove, Hampton

Located near Hampton, Maynes Grove offers 280 acres of upland timber complete with a 12-acre pond and grasslands. The woods and its evergreen trees have made this spot popular for northern saw-whet and long-eared owls, who create cavities in tree trunks for their homes.
 

Ham Marsh, Independence

Comprised of wet meadows, glacial marshes and reconstructed prairies, Ham Marsh near Independence welcomes a parade of diverse nesting and migrating bird species throughout the year. Its 54 acres provide excellent opportunities to catch glimpses of waterfowl during the spring migration and summer nesting seasons. For easier viewing, visit the onsite observation blind.
 

Kellerton Grasslands Bird Conservation Area, Kellerton

Recognized as Iowa’s first official Bird Conservation Area, the Kellerton Grasslands are home to the state’s largest lek site for greater prairie chickens. The area near Kellerton also provides critical habitat for northern harriers, short-eared owls, Henslow’s sparrows and more. Be sure to visit the bird observation deck, where a commercial spotting scope allows visitors to easily see the birds’ spring rituals that occur late March through early May.
 

Wanatee Park, Marion

A popular Marion destination for outdoor recreation, Wanatee Park boasts 998 acres of land named after Adeline Wanatee, a local artist and Native American and women’s rights advocate. To see the birds and other wildlife, set off on the four-mile trail that winds through a variety of vegetation types, from open meadows to brushy creek bottoms and mature timber. Note that the trail is closed annually from October to January.
 

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, Maxwell

Part of the expansive Chichaqua-Neal Smith Bird Conservation Area, this outdoor oasis near Maxwell is an excellent birding spot. Its 10 square miles of prairie, woodlands and wetlands attracts bottomland forest birds like prothonotary warblers and wood ducks, and grassland birds like Henslow’s and grasshopper sparrows, Bell’s vireos, eastern meadowlarks and more. Be sure to check out the campground area on NE 126th Ave and the grasslands along 118th Ave for the best viewing opportunities.
 

DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri Valley

Due to its location in the migratory bird corridor of the Missouri River floodplain, this bird refuge provides essential habitats for resident, migratory and endangered species. The area features various access points around the water, where visitors can admire birds in the sky or in the river. It’s especially busy during the beginning of March when hundreds of thousands of snow geese pass through the Missouri Valley area.
 

Riverton Wildlife Area, Spencer

Situated just three miles outside of Spencer, the Riverton Wildlife Area features river bottom grassland, wetland, marsh and timber areas that excite birders year-round. During the migration seasons, waterfowl flock to the area and the Ocheyedan River that runs through it. Hike the area’s trail or stop by the observation deck for some of the best bird watching opportunities.

Soiree with the Swans, Atlantic

January - Learn everything there is to know about swans with this event at the Schildberg Recreation Area near Atlantic. It features 10-minute presentations offered every half-hour along with the opportunity to admire the trumpeter swans through spotting scopes and witness feeding sessions. Hot chocolate, cookies and other snacks are provided free of charge, though donations are accepted for swan care.
 

Bald Eagle Appreciation Days, Keokuk

January - Keokuk’s Bald Eagle Appreciation Days connect curious visitors and locals with professionals to admire our country’s national bird. Join trained spotters along the Mississippi River shoreline for the best views of the area’s eagles, then head inside to enjoy educational appearances from the World Bird Sanctuary and the Iowa State University Insect Zoo, shop various vendors and see Native American displays and artifacts.
 

Quad City Bald Eagle Days, Quad Cities

January - This event invites visitors to spend two days in the Quad Cities admiring the magnificent eagles of the Mississippi River. Attend various educational programs to learn Iowa’s diverse bird species, birds of prey and even bats, then head indoors to enjoy bird and wildlife exhibits.
 

Pelican Festival, Oxford

August - Held at the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area, this festival invites visitors to admire hundreds of local and migrating American white pelicans in the sky and on the water near Oxford. Learn about their breeding, foraging and conservation efforts from expert-led educational programs throughout the day. The event also includes a live raptor program, a spotting scope, games, wildlife and nature exhibits, and food to purchase.
 

High Trestle Hawk Watch, Madrid

October - Expert birders provide bird watching tips and tricks. Start the day with the 6 a.m. early bird hike, then come back at 10 a.m. for the hawk watch. The main event is held at the High Trestle Trail’s main viewing platform on the west side of the bridge, where visitors can see hundreds of hawks, falcons, eagles and turkey vultures as they follow the Des Moines River. This Madrid event is free and occurs no matter the weather, so dress appropriately, bring your binoculars and, if you plan to make a day of it, pack snacks and a lawn chair.
 

Iowa Young Birders

Founded in 2011 to inspire kids ages 8-18 to enjoy birding, this organization offers field trips throughout the year. Check their event calendar to get your kids excited about seasonal migrations, Iowa’s many bird species, conservation efforts and more. The field trips are free and family members are encouraged to tag along. Advance registration is required.