Cayler Prairie Bird Conservation Area

Cayler Prairie Bird Conservation Area

About this Location

Endangered and threatened species: Northern Harrier and Red-shouldered Hawk High conservation priority species: American Bittern, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Bobolink Cayler Prairie is one of Iowa's largest and best studied native prairies. Although the core area is 160 acres, recent purchases of land just to the north have effectively doubled the area of the grassland. Regular burning of the area has been effective in maintaining its diverse flora and associated fauna. Although relatively few species nest on the area, it typically supports breeding Dickcissel, Bobolink, Sedge Wren, Grasshopper Sparrow, and several other species. Most years, a pair of Upland Sandpipers and Northern Harriers nest either on the site or on nearby grasslands. This is one of the best examples of native prairie in Iowa. Classes from nearby Lakeside Laboratory and also Peter Lowther of the Field Museum in Chicago have monitored bird populations on this site for several decades.

Go west out of Wahpeton on county road A22 for about 5 miles, then a sign will point you to the right. Turn right and go north for about 2 miles to the prairie.

Content from Cayler Prairie BCA