Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - James. NW

Iowa · Midwest

ModerateView on eBird Directions

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

Loading map...

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

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

4/19/2026Amana--Lily Pond2 observed

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

4/19/2026Hawkeye WMA--Greencastle Ave. causeway1 observed

Caspian Tern

Hydroprogne caspia

4/19/2026Hawkeye WMA--Amana Rd.4 observed

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

4/17/2026Hawkeye WMA--Gunclub Ponds6 observed

Henslow's Sparrow

Centronyx henslowii

4/17/20262758–2864 James Ave NW, Tiffin US-IA 41.73028, -91.661472 observed

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

4/15/2026Terry Trueblood RA1 observed

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

4/15/2026Macbride Bird Blind1 observed

Black-throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

4/15/2026Court St. House1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

14/20/2026

Wood Duck

24/20/2026

Blue-winged Teal

164/20/2026

Northern Shoveler

44/20/2026

Mallard

24/20/2026

Killdeer

14/20/2026

Ring-billed Gull

44/20/2026

Turkey Vulture

24/20/2026

Red-bellied Woodpecker

14/20/2026

Downy Woodpecker

14/20/2026

Hairy Woodpecker

14/20/2026

Black-capped Chickadee

14/20/2026

Barn Swallow

14/20/2026

American Robin

34/20/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

84/20/2026

Northern Cardinal

24/20/2026

Ring-necked Pheasant

24/10/2026

Eastern Phoebe

24/10/2026

Brown Thrasher

24/10/2026

Vesper Sparrow

14/10/2026

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

Fall Bird Migration Guide

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City

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.