Cone Marsh.
Cone Marsh is approximately 25 miles south east of Iowa City, in the south eastern corner of the state. It is an excellent birding site to view migrating duck, geese and other water birds. Check the fields near the parking lot as they can produce Fox, Lincoln's, LeConte's, and Lark Sparrows, Brewer's and Rusty Blackbirds, an occasional Woodcock, and even rarer Yellow Rails. Waterfowl are usually abundant, with both American and Least Bittems, Sora, Virginia, and King Rails, which can be seen or heard, while other marsh birds such as Sedge and Marsh Wrens, Swamp Sparrow, and Common Yellowthroat can be common. There have been several Black Rail sightings in this area as well. During migration, Smith's and Lapland longspurs are sometimes found in the cultivated fields.
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.
This bird refuge is a primary stop over site for migrating wildfowl. Numbers are impressive, with over a half million Snow Geese and 75,000 ducks stopping over here during fall migration, with numbers peaking in November. Bald Eagles also arrive in winter and as many as 145 have been seen here at one time. In summer the grasslands attract a wide variety of nesting prairie birds and Red-headed woodpeckers abound along the woodland edge. Located in the south-west corner of the state, to get there from the Omaha, Nebraska, take I-29 North to Missouri Valley, Iowa. Exit at mile marker 75. Head West on US Highway 30 approximately six miles to the refuge entrance.
Hickory Hills Park.
Hickory Hills Park is a good birding hotspot in Iowa City. Mature forests and Casey Lake supply important stopover points for migrating warblers and waterfowl in search of food and rest in this 665 acre park. Trails wind through the woods and around the lake, providing access to some of the only noncultivated land in the surrounding area. Access to the park: The north entrance is at 800 Conklin, the south entrance is at 1439 Bloomington.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge.
This refuge is conveniently located just 25 minutes from Des Moines, and offers good birding for those who want to see prairie birds. It is one of the last tallgrass prairies left in the US, and the aim is to re-construct tallgrass prairie and restore oak savanna on 8,654 acres of the Walnut Creek watershed. Over 200 species of bird have been recorded here. From downtown Des Moines, take Hwy 163 to exit 18, and follow the signs along the new paved 4.5-mile entrance road.
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge.
This refuge on the Mississippi Flyway consists of 2,845 acres of marsh, grassland and timber and has attracted over 240 different species of birds. It is probably one of the most reliable places in the US to see Wood Duck. There are considerable plans for transforming the refuge, which should enhance birding over the next few years. Union Slough Refuge is about 2.5 hours southwest of Minneapolis and northwest of Des Moines. From Algona, take Highway 169 north to Bancroft; turn right (east) on county road A-42, and proceed six miles to the office.