WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Iowa

By species reported, the top birding spots in Iowa are John Deere Marsh, Coralville Lake, and Saylorville Recreation Area (north). John Deere Marsh has the longest list (237 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
John Deere MarshDubuque County2371,95283214130166
Coralville LakeJohnson County23273562203141147
Saylorville Recreation Area (north)Polk County2311,67362189124179
Sand Lake City ParkJohnson County2302,97972217118162
Cone Marsh Wildlife Management AreaLouisa County2251,00281211115133
Saylorville Recreation Area (Corydon (historical))Polk County2241,18638178124189
Saylorville Recreation Area (northwest)Polk County2221,54654170132169
Ada Hayden Heritage ParkStory County2161,68170192108147
Densmore LakeJackson County21651054177114128
Jester ParkPolk County21073557187131135
Little Storm Lake Wildlife Management AreaBuena Vista County20096845179108127
Coralville Recreation AreaJohnson County19853237162100140
Saylorville Recreation Area (Big Creek)Polk County1979994217194148
Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management AreaStory County1965563618310094
Lake Macbride State ParkJohnson County19489056164100153
Cedar River Crossing AdditionJohnson County19356438167100132
George Wyth State ParkBlack Hawk County1899846917184129
Swan LakeJohnson County188687411529694
Saylorville Recreation AreaPolk County1861,7237316077121
Cedar Lake ParkLinn County1861,3875613163157
Coralville Recreation Area (west)Johnson County1863292115012369
Jester Park (Andrews)Polk County1855646013382139
South Twin LakeCalhoun County1831814113118124
Timber LakeJohnson County1826399164106101
Prairie Lakes ParkBlack Hawk County1819864914676130
Jensen MarshMadison County181404161708757
Lake MacBrideJohnson County1801,0676814277143
Pleasant Creek State Recreation AreaLinn County1797183515169111
Trumbull LakeClay County179206015810268
Ledges State ParkBoone County1787543016010399

By county