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After returning from an annual visit to Billings, Montana to see my brother, and of course check the local hot spots for birds, I got to thinking. If the tables were turned and someone was visiting Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Black Hawk County for a few days, where would one go to find the best birding habitat? We don’t have Montana prairie dog towns and mountains in Black Hawk County, but we do have quality grassland, marsh, lake, and woodland habitats attractive to eastern birds and the occasional visitor from lands afar. Waterloo/Cedar Falls is situated basically in the center of Black Hawk County (Figure 1). Students come here to seek knowledge at the University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College, and other specialty schools. Others may come to attend a sporting event, attend a concert (the Gallager/Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at UNI is recognized as one of the finest auditoriums in the Midwest), or to recreate at one the parks, most of which are now connected by an extensive trail system. Some prefer to shop, others bird. Good birding is close at hand to most venues. Let’s go birding. Many of the best birding and recreation areas are along the Cedar River which twists diagonally through the county from the northwest corner to the southeast corner. About seven miles northwest of Cedar Falls along the Black Hawk/Butler County line on a north-south gravel road, lies the 80 acre Cedar Hills Sand Prairie (Figure 1.1). Thirty-six acres is native sand prairie and home to over 360 plant species. Owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, this unique grassland ecosystem’s diverse plant and animal life is often studied by researchers. The abundance of grassland bird species is somewhat dependant on the burn management plan. Look for Henslow’s and Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobolink, Sedge Wren, and the occasional Clay-colored and Lark Sparrow. A sure bet has been the annual American Woodcock spring aerial mating display beginning in late March and continuing into June. Park at the gate on Butler Road, check the visitor book, and walk straight east 100 yards or so out past the single tall leaning tree. Turn and face west to watch the evening curtain drop, providing the perfect canvas to watch woodcock rise and spiral in the ebbing light. The serenade of winnowing Common Snipe, peenting woodcock, whinnying Sora, Eastern Meadowlarks, the insect-like chips of Henslow’s Sparrows, various frogs, and passing waterfowl is the oddest of choruses at times.
Just a couple of miles southwest on the corner of C67 and Union Road is the 63-acre Beaver Valley Wetland (Figure 1.2). A small gravel parking lot off C67 provides public access to a wetland complex that wraps around a small lake. A grassy, rutted road leads to a long deck and viewing platform that juts out over a piece of the wetland providing a good view of the lake and some of the surrounding shallows. I enjoy spending time here during the morning hours, the sun to my back, scoping patches of mud for shorebirds and the lake for waterbirds. Once, during a time of low water levels, I recall observing White-rumped Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers plucking bloodworms from the mud only a few feet away from the deck. Passerines are found in the nearby tall trees. Eagles, Merlin, Red-shouldered Hawks, and the like may make an appearance. American Pelicans gather on the lake amid rafts of migrating waterfowl. A Brant was found here on a Christmas Bird Count a few years back. Directly east of Beaver Valley Wetland across Union Road is a short gravel road that leads to a hidden, trashy parking lot. A yellow steel I-beam gate blocks the road past the parking lot. Here begins the 489-acre Railroad Lake area. The woodlands and brush around the lake, ponds, and backwaters are quite good for warblers. Walk the narrow path north from the parking lot along the lake and through the brush for close-up birding. The area beyond the I-beam gate and over the railroad tracks is also public. Check the edges for sparrows and Black-billed Cuckoo. George Wyth State Park (Figure 2) is recognized as the crown jewel for birding and outdoor recreation in the area. The 1,100 acre park is made up of a chain of lakes and varied river bottom woodland habitats. A latticework of miles of multi-use trails allows birders excellent access to prime habitat all times of the year. The park is nestled within the Waterloo/Cedar Falls metro area, bordered by the Cedar River on the south and Hwy. 218 on the north. Designated as a National Urban Wildlife Sanctuary and Important Bird Area (IBA), this “get away” park is very busy. But the birds don’t mind the activity. Over 250 bird species have been sighted in the park. Over 80 bird species successfully nest here, including Red-shouldered Hawks and, beginning this year, Osprey.
After entering the park from the east, follow the curvy pavement three miles to the end of the road at the lodge where the Brian Gienau bird observation blind is located. A small sign marks the trail to the feeding station set back into the cedars and brush. Tom (saw-whet) Stone, a local bird expert, maintains the feeders and monitors bird activity in and around the park. His size-12 boot prints in the winter snow can often be tracked to Saw-whet Owls hidden in the cedars near the blind. The only Boreal Owl photographed in Iowa was found in this area (Garrett 2005). Tom welcomes inquiries about bird sightings at kstone5502ATaolDOTcom or at 319-235-6157. The habitat around the blind area is a mix of dense and open woodland cover. Fingers of water, ephemeral pools, and fruiting shrubs are particularly attractive to migratory and nesting birds, all found within a short walk from the blind parking area. Connecticut and Mourning Warblers can be found between the blind and Alice Lake to the southwest. Other favorite walks in the park include the trails around the Canfield area and the trail along the top of the dike overlooking the backwaters of George Wyth Lake. Raptors and cormorants often perch on the branches of dead trees. Good maps of the park and the trail systems of Black Hawk County are available at the kiosk at the entrance of the park or at the park office. The Cedar Valley Trails and Recreation Guide and Cedar Valley Paddlers Trail pamphlets provide excellent detailed maps to help you find your way around the George Wyth area and Black Hawk County. South of George Wyth Park, on the other side of the Cedar River, is Hartman Reserve (Figure 3), another large block of similar river habitat. Hartman Reserve Interpretive Center is placed high on a bluff in Hartman Bluff State Preserve, the largest block of upland forest area in the county. Feeders at the nature center seem to attract at least one Common Redpoll and Pileated Woodpecker each year during the early March maple syrup festival. Hiking trails abound between the center and the Cedar River. The paved bike trail that runs through George Wyth connects the Hartman side of the river by a pair of pedestrian bridges on the east and west ends of the state park. Birding from all of the bike trails is quite good. In recent years, Summer Tanagers and Tufted Titmouse have been newcomers to the trails on the Hartman side of the river.
Over 106 miles of paved bicycle trails crisscross the county. A high percentage of these are on old railroad beds that are often lined with prairie remnants, fruiting shrubs, creeks, wetlands, and other woodland habitats. A prime example is the Cedar Valley Nature Trail (Figure 1.3), another IBA, which begins southwest of Waterloo at Evansdale and leaves the county near McFarlane Park outside of LaPorte City. Aside from the excellent habitat perspective, the trail is straight, flat, safe, quiet, paved, and free in Black Hawk County. My favorite section is accessed off of Hwy. 218 at Gilbertville, southwest of Waterloo. Parking can be found next to the trail at the old depot or across the road next to Cedar River Milling (one of the finest birding stores in the region). About a mile up the trail, on the depot side, a gazebo overlooks a bend in the Cedar River. Bell’s Vireos, Orchard Orioles, Grasshopper Sparrows, Sedge Wrens, and Red-headed Woodpeckers commonly nest along this short trail segment leading to the gazebo. The first time I birded this mile stretch, a few years back, was with a friend hobbled by a foot injury. We found 50 species, from the trail, on that short walk in early June. Returning often after that day, I found that the trail passes through the most varied and productive of birding habitats between mile markers 3 and 8. Over 150 species have been recorded from the trail on this section alone. Plant and insect enthusiasts will find the trail attractive as well. Glade Mallow (not in your trusty field guide) or a singing prairie mole cricket may tickle your fancy. It is comforting to know that whatever mobility issues a person may have, the layout of the trail accommodates everyone. Other access points are located further southeast at the 593-acre Cedar River Natural Resource Area (Figure 1.4), LaPorte City, and McFarlane Park. Those with wanderlust may want to venture off the trail and explore the 1,000 acre Brett Klima Wildlife Area (Figure 1.5) near LaPorte City. Improved grassland management of the area has led to recent discoveries of Henslow’s Sparrow, Black-billed Cuckoo, Little Blue Heron and possible Yellow Rail. Occasional gunfire echoes from the safe firing ranges at the Cedar River Natural Resource Area. Look for the brown signs off Hwy. 218 directing you to all these places. Back in Cedar Falls, a short distance south of the UNI dome on Hudson Rd. and directly east of the one-million-square-foot Target distribution center (visible from Hwy. 20), is Prairie Lakes. Surrounded by commercial development, this small oasis remains a hot spot for birds, particularly during migration. While Horned Grebes, loons and other waterfowl enjoy the larger lake, Least Bittern, snipe, and the like prefer the smaller marshy pond over the berm and to the east of the main lake. The grasses and cattails are good for LeConte’s and Sharp-tailed Sparrows in the fall without having to trudge through a lot of vegetation to find them. Access the lake parking lot from the north off of Viking Road. Although Hickory Hills Park (Figure 4) is located in the far northeast corner of Tama County, the park is owned and managed by the Black Hawk Co. Conservation Board. For many in the metro area, the 20-mile drive south on V37 to the park entrance means happy times exploring 723 acres of wonderful bird habitat wrapped around the 39-acre Casey Lake. The hills are a unique windswept geologic feature called a paha, which as the Native Americans called it, meant “high ground.” Unless you are out for some serious exercise, the best birding can be found right around the lake. I really enjoy hanging out by the footbridge at the far southwest corner of the lake. Park by the archery shelter, cross the short steel bridge, turn left, and follow the wide path to the bridge with binoculars in the ready position. Imagine a Hooded Warbler hidden in a thicket, an Osprey pulling a fish from the lake, Scarlet Tanagers at eye level, towhees noting your presence, and a pair of kingfishers flying by in perfect synch. The thought of it makes me want go there tomorrow––I think I will.
Almost all of the Iowa warblers have been seen at the park and all of our woodpeckers. A serious compilation of all the birds seen in the park would certainly well exceed 200 species. Golden Eagle, Sandhill Crane, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck have made recent appearances. No unusual bird sighting would surprise me. After all, a Forked-tailed Flycatcher and Snowy Owl were found not far to the south. A good portion of the west end of the park is public hunting ground. The wildlife refuge sections of the park are loaded with deer during the shotgun deer season and should be avoided until after the season is closed. Several large stands of evergreens scattered through the park are good for owls. Long-eared and Saw-whet Owls are usually found in pines and/or cedars on what once was the ski hill located northwest of the archery shelter. Look for owls in the spruce and pines east of the ranger’s residence as well. The rows of dogwood and cedars on the ski hill have paths and lanes mowed for the placement of archery targets. This allows easier access to thick cover for birders. The uphill walk is usually worth it. Just remember, it is downhill back to the car! To find longspurs, Snow Buntings, and Gray Partridge in the winter, drive the grid of gravel roads north of the park, particularly Hess Rd. that leads back to Waterloo. Wherever I choose to go birding, whether it is in Montana, Iowa,
Australia, you name it, I will first look for quality, diverse habitat,
and go there to find birds. When quizzed, the experienced local birders
all agree that the previously mentioned areas are favorites for quality
birding and a quality outdoor experience in Black Hawk County. Good
planning and management of our natural areas has enabled Osprey to return,
(at least three active nests in the county), Trumpeter Swans to nest,
grassland birds to flourish, and migratory birds to find food and shelter.
Hopefully, this brief overview of some of the prime spots in Black Hawk
County will lead you to locate other budding hotspots in the area and
report your findings on the IA-Bird Listserv LITERATURE CITED © 2009 Iowa Ornithologists' Union |
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