This area is in the process of being restored to native grassland and wetland vegetation.  The various fields are in different stages of the process resulting in different vegetative composition, height, and structure.  Fields with very short vegetation and some bare soil are likely to have Smith's and Lapland Longspurs.  Fields with a bit taller vegetation, especially light colored grasses, often have LeConte's Sparrow, and the thicker vegetation around the edges of wet spots can be good for Nelson's Sparrow.  Often a field will have a mix of these microhabitats.  Other migrant sparrows, especially Savannah, can be numerous.  Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl, and shorebirds, including American Golden-Plover, occasionally occur as well.  

Smith's Longspur, Nelson's Sparrow, LeConte's Sparrow.

On the east side of NE 56th Street about 1.5-2 miles north of Elkhart.  Watch for the green public hunting signs.

Criteria 1. Endangered species: Northern harrier regularly seen during Spring and Fall migrations, short-eared owl observed on the refuge during migration and winter. Threatened species: Henslow's sparrows have been seen and heard singing regularly during the past several summers. Criteria 2. HIgh Conservation Priority. Loggerhead shrike, grasshoppper sparrow, and bobolink have all been observed by me either on the refuge or directly adjacent to refuge property during the last two breeding seasons. Grasshopper sparrow and bobolink have been recorded on breeding season points on the refuge during at least the last two years. Criteria 3. Neal Smith NWR supports one of the largest expanses of tallgrass prairie habitat in Iowa and provides vital breeding habitat for grassland songbirds including both eastern and western meadowlarks, grasshopper and vesper sparrows, bobolink, dickcissel, and sedge wren. Upland sandpipers have also been seen in the area. Criteria 5. As a national wildlife refuge, Neal Smith NWR is a natural site for long term research and montoring. In addition to the potential for monitoring and research, the mission of the refuge is to provide for education about the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.