Gazetteer of Iowa Birding Locations
- North Central
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Many thanks to Mike Dooley for creating this important tool!
Click on the map or select an area in the dropdown box to find
directions to frequently mentioned birding areas in Iowa. Looking
for something in particular? Choose from this dropdown (all areas
are in alphabetical order).
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| County | Site Name | Directions |
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| Butler | Big Marsh, including Short-eared Owl fields | In southern Butler Co. Go north on Hwy. 14 out of Parkersburg about five miles to C-51. Take C-51 west three miles to Jay Ave., then north on Jay one mile to 260th St. Follow 260th east into the marsh area. At the east end of 260th, where it turns left, there are dike walks straight ahead (east) and to the right (south). There is also parking for the north-south dike walk off of C-51, just east of the HQ building, 1.5 miles either way from Jay Ave. or from Hwy. 14. SHORT-EARED OWL FIELDS: Drive one mile north on Jay from 260th and where 260th turns right, instead take the B-maintenance road, which starts zig-zagging west and north. When it straightens out and becomes 245th, the DNR parking lot is about one mile west. There are fields the whole length of the B-maintenance road; all those to the south are public, up to roughly across from the parking area; about the first half mile on the north side, going west, is private--generally, look for DNR signs. | | Wright | Big Wall Lake | in southern Wright Co. Just north of the Hamilton Co. border, take R-59/330th St. four miles west off I-35, to U.S. 69. The lake is 2.5 miles north on U.S. 69 and one access is just west on 305th St. there. | | Hamilton | Bjorkboda Marsh | In southwestern Hamilton Co., at the Boone Co. border, one mile west of Hwy. 17, although there is no road directly west to the marsh from 17. FROM THE SOUTH in Boone Co., take Hwy. 17 north two miles past E-18/130th St. to 110th St. Proceed west one mile on 110th to S Ave., and then one mile north to the marsh. FROM THE NORTH in Hamilton Co., take Hwy. 17 south four miles out of Stanhope to 390th St. Proceed one mile west on 390th to Inkpaduta Rd., and then one mile south to the marsh. | | Cerro Gordo | Blackmore Sod Farm | just outside Mason City in Cerro Gordo Co. To find the sod farm take U.S. 65 north out of Mason City. A little more than a mile past Lime Creek Conservation Area, immediately after crossing a bridge over a creek, turn right (east) on 310th St. After about one half mile you will cross railroad tracks, and the sod farm is on your left. | | Cerro Gordo | Bluewing Marsh | In Cerro Gordo Co., just south of Clear Lake (the lake itself). Near Ventura, take S-14/Balsam Ave. about three miles south from U.S. 18 to 220th St. Go two miles east on 220th where the marsh is at Dogwood Ave. | | Cerro Gordo | Clear Lake - Cedar Ave. Access | On the western half of the south shore of Clear Lake. Along B-35, 1.5 miles east of Balsam Ave., or 1/2 mile west of Dogwood Ave., take Cedar Ave. about 1/3 mile to the access at the lake. Walking the shore, Farmer's Beach is about 1/4 mile west, and Lone Tree Pt. another 1/4 mile beyond this. | | Cerro Gordo | Clear Lake - Farmer's Beach & Lone Tree Point | On the western half of the south shore of Clear Lake. Along B-35, 1.5 miles east of Balsam Ave., or 1/2 mile west of Dogwood Ave., take Cedar Ave. about 1/3 mile to the lakeshore. Walking the shore, Farmer's Beach is about 1/4 mile west, and Lone Tree Pt. another 1/4 mile beyond this. | | Cerro Gordo | Clear Lake - main water viewing (Elm St. Access) | On the southeast shore of Clear Lake. Along B-35, either 0.7 miles east of Evergreen Ave. or 1/4 mile west of Finch Ave., follow South Shore Dr. northwest past several streets mostly with tree names. After Hill St. come to Elm St. and turn right, toward the lake. At the access is a raised platform, on a bluff, for scoping the lake. | | Cerro Gordo | Clear Lake - sandbar | The sandbar juts off the extreme south end of McIntosh S.P., in the western half of the north shore of Clear Lake. | | Cerro Gordo | Clear Lake - Ventura Marsh | At the far west end of Clear Lake. Viewing is to the west from S-14/Main St., one half mile south of U.S. 18 at Ventura. | | Hancock | Eagle Lake | From Highway 69, turn west on County Road B30. Take B30 for about 5 miles to Lake Road and turn south. | | Worth | Elk Creek Marsh: Grouse, Finch, & Dogwood waters | In western Worth Co. Take the A-38 exit off I-35, west as if to the town of Joice, and very soon take the first road north, S-28/Wheelerwood Ave. Proceed north on S-28 two miles to A-34/430th. GROUSE AVE. WATER: Go west one mile to Grouse Ave., and a little over one half mile north to the water. FINCH AVE. WATER: Return south to A-34/430th. Proceed west one mile to Finch Ave., and then 1.5 miles north to the water, past 440th. DOGWOOD AVE. WATER: Return south one half mile to 440th, on your right. Proceed west on 440th two miles to Dogwood Ave., and then just under one mile north to the water. | | Wright | Elm Lake | About 5 miles west of Highway 69. Take Highway 69 to 200th St and turn west until you get to Elm Lake. 200th St turns north and is renamed Elm Lake Dr and travels the east end of the lake. | | Floyd | Floyd County Snowy Owl | an area south of the town of Floyd and on the Avenue of
the Saints that is open fields. This is before one gets to the wooded
areas before Charles City. The open area is the area that the Owl was
seen in. (From Floyd to Charles City is four miles.)
| | Franklin | Franklin County Snowy Owl | 7.5 miles SW of Sheffield.
About 3/4 of a mile south from the main blacktop going west out of
town, on Indigo Ave. | | Franklin | Franklin County Snowy Owl | seen at the NW corner of Cardinal Ave and 220th St. | | Hancock | Garner Cemetery | The Garner cemetery is in the southeast corner of the town, on B36
immediately east of the railroad tracks.
| | Hamilton | Goose Lake (Anderson Lake) | On the west side of Jewell in southwest Hamilton Co. A private lake with viewing to the west from along Saratoga Ave. north of Hwy. 175. | | Hamilton | Graceland Cemetary | In southern Webster City: Take Highway 17 to Ohio St., and turn west. The cemetary is on the south side of the road. The address is 1000 Ohio St. | | Franklin | Hampton Cemetery | The cemetery at Hampton is to the north on Highway 65 about a block
south of the Casey's on the northern end of Hampton. It is located east
of the highway and is an old established cemetery with lots of very old
pines. | | Worth | Hanlontown Slough | In southwest Worth Co. From Hwy. 9 at Hanlontown, take Grouse Ave. north two miles to the slough, which runs for about a mile along the east side of the road, with three small pull-offs along the way. | | Winnebago | Harmon Lake | From Forest City: Take Highway 69 north out of town about 10 miles to 450th St. Turn right on 450th for about 1/4 mile. Turn north again on 180th Ave for about 5 miles until you get to 490th St. Turn left on 490th St for about 6 miles, and the lake is on the south side. | | Cerro Gordo | Indigo Rd. pond | - a pond in central Cerro Gordo Co., 3/4 of a mile east off the U.S. 18 exit from I-35, on the north side of the highway, at Indigo Rd. | | Cerro Gordo | Knutson Pond | In western Cerro Gordo Co. (private property, viewable from road). From I-35, take the B-43 exit five miles west to Dogwood, or from S-14, take B-43 two miles east to Dogwood. The pond is north on Dogwood less than one mile, on the west side. | | Cerro Gordo | Lake Cona Toma | In the northwest part of Mason City, in the Lakeview Dr. residential area. 1.5 miles west of U.S. 65 along U.S. 18, follow Winnebago Way north and Lakeview Dr. is found where Winnebago curves east and becomes 1st St. NW. | | Wright | Lake Cornelia | Northeast of Clarion, take Highway 69 to County Rd C25 and turn left for about 5 miles. | | Cerro Gordo | Lime Creek Conservation Area | - at the north edge of Mason City in Cerro Gordo Co. Take U.S. 65 north and look for signs to the park on the east. | | Hamilton | Little Wall Lake | - in southern Hamilton Co. The lake is two miles south of Jewell along U.S. 69. | | Cerro Gordo | Mallard Marsh | In the northwest corner of Cerro Gordo Co. From I-35 take B-20 west 7.5 miles to S-14/Balsam Ave. 1.5 miles north on S-14 turn east on 325th St. to the marsh parking area shortly on your left. | | Cerro Gordo | Mason City (Click for details) | Private residence. Email Paul Hertzel at phertzel@rconnect.com for more specific location information including obtaining permission to get to the property and view the bird. | | Cerro Gordo | Mason City Eurasian Collared-Dove | - In the 100 block of Lakeview Dr. on the far west side of the city. Follow Winnebago Way north from U.S. 18 and Lakeview Dr. is found where Winnebago curves east and becomes 1st St. NW. | | Cerro Gordo | McIntosh W.A. | - on the western north shore of Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo Co. A little more than five miles west along U.S. 18 from I-35, take Cardinal Ave. south one half mile to Lake St. and look for the sign to the area. | | Hardin | Meier Wildlife Refuge | - in Hardin Co. Meier W.R. is about one mile west of Hubbard along Hwy. 175, right along the south side of the road. | | Winnebago | Myre Slough | From Forest City, head west on County road A42 for about 8 miles. Turn north at 100th Ave. and you are there. | | Cerro Gordo | NIACC Campus | In Mason City: NIACC is about 2 miles east of the Mason City urban area on 4th St SE (State highway 18)Turn north onto College Dr. | | Cerro Gordo | Parker’s Woods | In Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co. One half mile north of U.S. 18 along U.S. 65, go west on 1st St. NW just past the railroad yard to Jackson Ave. and the park. | | Hancock | Pilot Knob State Park | From Interstate 35, take the Highway 9 exit (Manly/Forest City) and turn west. Take highway 9 to 210th Ave. and turn south. There are signs to guide you. | | Hardin | Pine Lake S.P., Lower and Upper Lakes | In eastern Hardin Co. Go east on Hwy. 175 one mile from its intersection with Hwy. 215 in Eldora, to S-56. The southwest end of the Lower Lake is 1/4 mile north on S-56. Turning right here, a boat launch is a short distance; continuing northward instead leads to a beach area at the northwest corner of the lake. Upper lake: Continue north on this road from the beach area a little more than half a mile, to a campground and other accesses at the south end of the long, narrow Upper Lake. | | Mitchell | Pioneer Park | The park is located one mile west of
Highway 9 (where it runs north/south after leaving Riceville) on 400th
Street, or four miles north of Highway 9 (where it runs east/west after
leaving Osage) on Shadow Avenue. NOTE: The 2006 Sportsman's Atlas has
the park location one mile northwest of its actual spot, and the 2002
issue is a bit closer, but still not accurate.
| | Winnebago | Rice Lake S.P. | Straddling the border between Winnebago and Worth Counties. From the east side of Lake Mills, take R-74 south almost three miles from its intersection with Hwy. 105 to A-34/425th St. Going east on 425th, approaches north to the lake are found at one and two miles. | | Worth | Rice Lake S.P. | - straddling the border between Winnebago and Worth Counties. From the east side of Lake Mills, take R-74 south almost three miles from its intersection with Hwy. 105 to A-34/425th St. Going east on 425th, approaches north to the lake are found at one and two miles. | | Cerro Gordo | Shellrock River Greenbelt | - in Cerro Gordo Co. east of Mason City. Take Hwy. 122 east about 2.5 miles past the edge of Mason City to Warbler, the next road after Vine. Take Warbler 2.5 miles north to 290th and look for the parking area. | | Cerro Gordo | Spring Park | - just north outside Mason City in Cerro Gordo Co. Follow U.S. 65 north out of town, and past Lime Creek Conservation Area look for B-20/300th St. to the right (east). Go east on B-20 and quickly come to Spring Park on your right. | | Cerro Gordo | Sunset Lake | - in the northwest part of Mason City, in the Lakeview Dr. residential area. 1.5 miles west of U.S. 65 along U.S. 18, follow Winnebago Way north and Lakeview Dr. is found where Winnebago curves east and becomes 1st St. NW. | | Cerro Gordo | Teal Basins | In the northwest corner of Cerro Gordo Co., 5.5 miles west of I-35 along B-20. | | Winnebago | Thorpe Park | - in southern Winnebago Co. The park is at the end of 345th, five miles west out of Forest City (start with I Ave. in Forest City). | | Hardin | Union Cemetery | In Iowa Falls: Take Oak St. (Highway 65)north to the intersection with North St. Turn left on North St all the way to the T-Intersection with River St. Turn right on River St, and go about 600 ft to the intersection with Siloam Ave. Turn left on Siloam Ave and travel about 500 ft. The cemetery is on the left side of the road. | | Cerro Gordo | Ventura Marsh | At the far west end of Clear Lake. Viewing is from S-14/Main St., one half mile south of U.S. 18 at Ventura. | | Winnebago | Winnebago County Snowy Owl | 2 miles east of Highway 69 along County Road A34. | | Cerro Gordo | Winnebago River along Birch Dr. | just southeast of Mason City in Cerro Gordo Co. Birch Dr. is two miles east of U.S. 65 along Hwy. 122 out of Mason City, on the south side of the road. | | Grundy | Wolf Creek RA | To find Wolf Creek Recreational Area from Hwy 20 follow 14 south through Grundy Center. Two miles west of Grundy Center turn left (south) onto T29 (K Ave) to Beaman. At the north edge of Beaman turn left onto 330th Street, go two miles on gravel and turn right onto M Ave. Wolf Creek is 1/2 mile south on the right side. | | Cerro Gordo | Zirbel Slough | In central Cerro Gordo Co. Two miles south of U.S. 18, take the B-43 exit off I-35 and go two miles west to Hwy. 107. Go south one mile on 107 to 200th St., and west on 200th one mile to the slough, past Heather Ave. |
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