The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Birding Near Des Moines, IA

29 birding locations within 50 miles

Iowa · United States

29

Locations

49+

Species

6

Habitats

2

Peak Seasons

Loading map...

Birding Locations Near Des Moines

Urban Park birding habitat

Iowa

1.6 mi away

Easy

Water Works Park, Des Moines

Urban Park birding hotspot in Iowa with 226 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Iowa

6.7 mi away

Easy

Terra Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Iowa with 209 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

8.2 mi away

Moderate

Saylorville Reservoir - overflow spillway and Bob Shetler Recreation Area

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 233 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

8.3 mi away

Moderate

Purple Martin Lake Water Resource Area

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 202 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

9.5 mi away

Moderate

Saylorville Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 305 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

10.5 mi away

Moderate

Saylorville Reservoir - Cherry Glen Recreation Area

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 266 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Iowa

10.8 mi away

Moderate

Banner Flats Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Iowa with 214 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

11.8 mi away

Moderate

Saylorville Reservoir - Sandpiper Recreation Area

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 263 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Iowa

13.1 mi away

Moderate

Errington Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Iowa with 201 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

13.4 mi away

Moderate

Saylorville Reservoir - Lincoln Access

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 234 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

14.7 mi away

Moderate

Saylorville Reservoir - Big Creek spillway area

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 259 recorded species.

LakeRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

15.7 mi away

Easy

Saylorville Reservoir - Jester Park

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 279 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Iowa

16.5 mi away

Easy

Big Creek State Park

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Iowa with 240 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Iowa

17.3 mi away

Moderate

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

Grassland birding hotspot in Iowa with 230 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Iowa

18.2 mi away

Moderate

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Iowa with 223 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Iowa

19.9 mi away

Moderate

Jensen Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Iowa with 223 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

20.2 mi away

Moderate

Red Rock Reservoir - Pinchey Bottoms

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 212 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

20.8 mi away

Easy

Lake Ahquabi State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 202 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

22.8 mi away

Moderate

Red Rock Reservoir - Boxcars area

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 203 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Iowa

28.1 mi away

Moderate

Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor

Grassland birding hotspot in Iowa with 203 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Iowa

31.0 mi away

Easy

Hickory Grove Park

Forest birding hotspot in Iowa with 207 recorded species.

ForestUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Iowa

31.2 mi away

Easy

Ledges State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Iowa with 233 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Iowa

31.4 mi away

Moderate

Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Iowa with 263 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Iowa

33.6 mi away

Easy

Ada Hayden Heritage Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Iowa with 274 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

34.9 mi away

Moderate

Red Rock Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 284 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

36.9 mi away

Moderate

Red Rock Reservoir - below dam (North and South Tailwater, Ivan's, and Howell Station recreation areas)

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 220 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Iowa

37.2 mi away

Moderate

Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Iowa with 203 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Iowa

41.8 mi away

Easy

Rock Creek State Park

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Iowa with 238 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Iowa

47.2 mi away

Moderate

Little Wall Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Iowa with 210 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall

Top Species Near Des Moines

Notable birds found at locations within 50 miles:

Canada GooseMallardRing-billed GullBald EagleAmerican RobinBarred OwlRed-bellied WoodpeckerDowny WoodpeckerNorthern FlickerMourning DoveCommon GoldeneyeAmerican CrowCommon LoonDouble-crested CormorantBuffleheadRed-headed WoodpeckerDark-eyed JuncoSong SparrowGreat Blue HeronRed-winged BlackbirdGreen HeronVirginia RailCommon MerganserRed-breasted MerganserRing-necked Duck+24 more

Habitats & Seasons

Habitat Types:

Lake14 locations
Wetland9 locations
Urban Park5 locations
River/Riparian3 locations
Grassland3 locations
Forest1 location

Best Seasons:

Spring29 locations
Fall29 locations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots near Des Moines, IA?▼
Top birding locations within 50 miles of Des Moines include Water Works Park, Des Moines, Terra Park, Saylorville Reservoir - overflow spillway and Bob Shetler Recreation Area, Purple Martin Lake Water Resource Area, Saylorville Reservoir. These spots offer urban park, lake, wetland habitats.
What birds can I see near Des Moines?▼
Birders near Des Moines can spot species including Canada Goose, Mallard, Ring-billed Gull, Bald Eagle, American Robin, Barred Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker. The area's 6 habitat types support diverse birdlife year-round.
When is the best time for birding near Des Moines?▼
The best seasons for birding near Des Moines are Spring and Fall. Spring migration is particularly rewarding. Fall brings migrating raptors and songbirds.
How many birding locations are near Des Moines?▼
There are 29 documented birding locations within 50 miles of Des Moines, IA, ranging from 1.6 to 47.2 miles from the city center.

Nearby Cities

Birding Near Omaha, NE

Birding Near Lincoln, NE

Birding Near Kansas City, MO

Explore Iowa

See all birding locations across Iowa.

All Iowa LocationsFull Directory