Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - James. NW

Iowa · Midwest

ModerateView on eBird

Habitat

Wetland

Best Seasons

Spring Fall

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - James. NW is a productive birding destination in Iowa, with 248 species recorded on eBird. This wetland habitat attracts Canada Goose, Wood Duck, and Mallard among many others. Spring migration along the Mississippi and Central Flyways makes this a vital stopover for diverse species.

Location

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Notable Species

Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard Killdeer Red-bellied Woodpecker

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/6/2026Morfsylvania (private land)1 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/6/2026Terry Trueblood RA3 observed

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

3/3/2026Us bank1 observed

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

3/3/2026Lake Macbride SP3 observed

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

3/2/2026Lake Macbride--North Arm1 observed

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

2/28/2026Two Horse Farm1 observed

American Woodcock

Scolopax minor

2/27/2026Waterworks Prairie Park1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

2/27/2026Hawkeye WMA (general location)5 observed

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

2/27/2026Hawkeye WMA--Sand Point1 observed

Franklin's Gull

Leucophaeus pipixcan

2/26/2026Terry Trueblood RA1 observed

Iceland Gull

Larus glaucoides

2/25/2026Roller Dam (S-Curve)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

23/4/2026

Wood Duck

13/4/2026

Mallard

63/4/2026

Killdeer

13/4/2026

Red-bellied Woodpecker

13/4/2026

Downy Woodpecker

33/4/2026

Blue Jay

23/4/2026

American Robin

83/4/2026

American Tree Sparrow

13/4/2026

Fox Sparrow

13/4/2026

Dark-eyed Junco

23/4/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

73/4/2026

Yellow-rumped Warbler

13/4/2026

Northern Cardinal

33/4/2026

Bald Eagle

122/28/2026

Black-capped Chickadee

12/28/2026

White-breasted Nuthatch

12/28/2026

European Starling

202/28/2026

Eastern Bluebird

12/28/2026

White-throated Sparrow

52/28/2026

Birding Tips

1
Bring waterproof boots for marsh trails and muddy edges.
2
Scan the edges of open water for herons, egrets, and rails at dawn.
3
Time your visit during the first week of May for maximum species diversity.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

More in Iowa

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge

Missouri River refuge with spectacular fall Snow Goose migration and year-round birding.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Iowa with 274 recorded species.

Amana - Lily Pond

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 210 recorded species.

Iowa Birding Guide

Complete guide to birding in Iowa →

Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City: The Complete Urban Migration Guide

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - James. NW for birding?▼

The best months to visit Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - James. NW for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - James. NW?▼

Notable species at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - James. NW include Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Killdeer, Red-bellied Woodpecker. The area supports wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - James. NW?▼

Birding at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - James. NW is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - James. NW?▼

Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - James. NW offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.