Lake birding habitat

Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - Swan Lake

Iowa · Midwest

Habitat
LakeWetland
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - Swan Lake is a productive birding destination in Iowa, with 251 species recorded on eBird. This lake and wetland habitat attracts Snow Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, and Canada Goose 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

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Black-throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

8/23/2026Lake Macbride--South Arm1 observed

Yellow-throated Warbler

Setophaga dominica

8/23/2026Lake Macbride--South Arm1 observed

Yellow-breasted Chat

Icteria virens

8/19/2026Lake Macbride--South Arm1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

8/19/2026Iowa City City Park1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

8/18/2026Hawkeye WMA--James. NW1 observed

Solitary Sandpiper (solitaria)

Tringa solitaria

8/18/2026Hawkeye WMA--Sand Point1 observed

MacGillivray's Warbler

Geothlypis tolmiei

8/18/2026Hawkeye WMA--Sand Point1 observed

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

8/17/2026Cedar River Crossing--North Access1 observed

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

8/17/2026F.W. Kent Park1 observed

Alder Flycatcher

Empidonax alnorum

8/14/2026Hawkeye WMA--James. NW1 observed

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

8/13/2026Coralville Lake--Woodpecker Trail2 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Wood Duck

68/23/2026

Mallard

18/23/2026

Mourning Dove

18/23/2026

Killdeer

118/23/2026

Semipalmated Plover

18/23/2026

Lesser Yellowlegs

28/23/2026

Stilt Sandpiper

28/23/2026

Least Sandpiper

128/23/2026

Pectoral Sandpiper

308/23/2026

Semipalmated Sandpiper

18/23/2026

Ring-billed Gull

88/23/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

18/23/2026

Great Egret

48/23/2026

Great Blue Heron

18/23/2026

American White Pelican

4008/23/2026

Bald Eagle

18/23/2026

Red-headed Woodpecker

18/23/2026

Downy Woodpecker

18/23/2026

Northern Flicker

18/23/2026

Eastern Wood-Pewee

28/23/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.

  2. 2

    Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.

  3. 3

    Time your visit during the first week of May for maximum species diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - Swan Lake for birding?
The best months to visit Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - Swan Lake for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - Swan Lake?
Notable species at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - Swan Lake include Snow Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard. The area supports lake, wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - Swan Lake?
Birding at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - Swan Lake is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - Swan Lake?
Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area - Swan Lake offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.