Click the map above to download a printable pdf version.
The information below is a summary of birding in each county. Click here to download the birding guide.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY
Broken Kettle Grasslands is a 3,000 acre preserve owned and managed by the Iowa Nature Conservancy, featuring the largest remaining contiguous native prairie in the state. The site is designated by the Iowa DNR as a Bird Conservation Area. Visitors may also see a herd of 64 bison, which were introduced in the fall of 2008. There are no hiking trails, but the public is allowed access to hike in the preserve along the south side of Butcher Road. Butcher Road also affords spectacular views and gives a good vantage point for roadside birding.
KEY SPECIES • Black-billed Magpie
• Upland Sandpiper
• Boblink
• Western Kingbird
• Whip-poor-will
• Saw-whet Owl
• Woodland Warber
Web Site
WOODBURY COUNTY
Stone State Park, located in Sioux City, offers excellent bird watching opportunities within an urban setting. Stone Park is recognized nationally as an “Urban Wildlife Sanctuary.” The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, found within the park, features bird feeder stations, hands-on exhibits, educational programs and live raptor viewing throughout the year.
KEY SPECIES
• Turkey Vulture
• Scarlet Tanager
• Ovenbird
• Western Kingbird
• Whip-poor-will
• Black-billed Cuckoo
• Wood Thrush
• American Woodcock
• Louisiana Waterthrush
• Summer Tanager
• Kentucky Warbler
Web Site
MONONA COUNTY
Jones Creek Pond is a part of the Loess Hills State Forest, not far from the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway spine. The mix of prairies, wetland, and woodland habitats allow for a good diversity of birds. The area is managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. A hiking trail, parking lot access and picnic shelter allow visitors to explore this hidden treasure.
KEY SPECIES:
• Dickcissel
• Bobolink
• Western Meadowlark
• Loggerhead Shrike
• Western Kingbird
• Trumpeter Swan
Web Site
HARRISON COUNTY
The DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge lies in the floodplain of the Missouri River in a former bend of the river about five miles west of Missouri Valley. Each spring and fall flights of ducks and geese have marked the changing seasons by migrating along this traditional waterflow flyway.
KEY SPECIES
• Bald Eagle
• Waterfowl
• Warblers
• Gulls
• Shorebirds
• Wild Turkey
Web Site
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
At the Hitchcock Nature Center, follow signs to the Loess Hills Lodge and begin your visit in the Loess Hills exhibit gallery. Designated as Iowa’s first Important Bird Area, Hitchcock provides breeding and migratory habitat for over 240 avian species. The broad expanse of the adjacent Missouri River Valley and the updrafts created by the prevailing winds that strikes the steep, westerly face of the Loess Hills creates an ideal “hawk highway” that funnels the migrating raptors right past Hitchcock. August through December, a group of volunteers monitor the migration from the 45’ observation tower.
KEY SPECIES
• Migrating Hawks
Web Site
MILLS COUNTY
The Glenwood Archaeological State Preserve features 906 acres of grasslands, woodland, wetland, and some agricultural fields. The area is located right on the Loess Hills Scenic Byway, and is managed by the Mills County Conservation Board.
KEY SPECIES
• Eastern Bluebird
• Eastern Towhee
• Rose-breasted Grosbeak
• Dickcissel
• Bobwhite Quail
• Wood Thrush
• Brown Thrasher
• Eastern Phoebe
Web Site
FREMONT COUNTY
At around 2,700 acres, the Riverton Wildlife Area boasts a mixture of marsh and upland timber habitats that host a variety of birds. The north end of the management area includes cropland, and the crops offer migrating ducks plenty of forage. Riverton is flooded in the spring after the northern migration, allowed to dry during the summer, and then flooded again around the middle of August.
KEY SPECIES
• Waterfowl
• Bald Eagles
Web Site
PLYMOUTH COUNTY
Broken Kettle Grasslands is a 3,000 acre preserve owned and managed by the Iowa Nature Conservancy, featuring the largest remaining contiguous native prairie in the state. The site is designated by the Iowa DNR as a Bird Conservation Area. Visitors may also see a herd of 64 bison, which were introduced in the fall of 2008. There are no hiking trails, but the public is allowed access to hike in the preserve along the south side of Butcher Road. Butcher Road also affords spectacular views and gives a good vantage point for roadside birding.
KEY SPECIES • Black-billed Magpie
• Upland Sandpiper
• Boblink
• Western Kingbird
• Whip-poor-will
• Saw-whet Owl
• Woodland Warber
Web Site
WOODBURY COUNTY
Stone State Park, located in Sioux City, offers excellent bird watching opportunities within an urban setting. Stone Park is recognized nationally as an “Urban Wildlife Sanctuary.” The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, found within the park, features bird feeder stations, hands-on exhibits, educational programs and live raptor viewing throughout the year.
KEY SPECIES
• Turkey Vulture
• Scarlet Tanager
• Ovenbird
• Western Kingbird
• Whip-poor-will
• Black-billed Cuckoo
• Wood Thrush
• American Woodcock
• Louisiana Waterthrush
• Summer Tanager
• Kentucky Warbler
Web Site
MONONA COUNTY
Jones Creek Pond is a part of the Loess Hills State Forest, not far from the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway spine. The mix of prairies, wetland, and woodland habitats allow for a good diversity of birds. The area is managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. A hiking trail, parking lot access and picnic shelter allow visitors to explore this hidden treasure.
KEY SPECIES:
• Dickcissel
• Bobolink
• Western Meadowlark
• Loggerhead Shrike
• Western Kingbird
• Trumpeter Swan
Web Site
HARRISON COUNTY
The DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge lies in the floodplain of the Missouri River in a former bend of the river about five miles west of Missouri Valley. Each spring and fall flights of ducks and geese have marked the changing seasons by migrating along this traditional waterflow flyway.
KEY SPECIES
• Bald Eagle
• Waterfowl
• Warblers
• Gulls
• Shorebirds
• Wild Turkey
Web Site
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
At the Hitchcock Nature Center, follow signs to the Loess Hills Lodge and begin your visit in the Loess Hills exhibit gallery. Designated as Iowa’s first Important Bird Area, Hitchcock provides breeding and migratory habitat for over 240 avian species. The broad expanse of the adjacent Missouri River Valley and the updrafts created by the prevailing winds that strikes the steep, westerly face of the Loess Hills creates an ideal “hawk highway” that funnels the migrating raptors right past Hitchcock. August through December, a group of volunteers monitor the migration from the 45’ observation tower.
KEY SPECIES
• Migrating Hawks
Web Site
MILLS COUNTY
The Glenwood Archaeological State Preserve features 906 acres of grasslands, woodland, wetland, and some agricultural fields. The area is located right on the Loess Hills Scenic Byway, and is managed by the Mills County Conservation Board.
KEY SPECIES
• Eastern Bluebird
• Eastern Towhee
• Rose-breasted Grosbeak
• Dickcissel
• Bobwhite Quail
• Wood Thrush
• Brown Thrasher
• Eastern Phoebe
Web Site
FREMONT COUNTY
At around 2,700 acres, the Riverton Wildlife Area boasts a mixture of marsh and upland timber habitats that host a variety of birds. The north end of the management area includes cropland, and the crops offer migrating ducks plenty of forage. Riverton is flooded in the spring after the northern migration, allowed to dry during the summer, and then flooded again around the middle of August.
KEY SPECIES
• Waterfowl
• Bald Eagles
Web Site
