The walk to Willow Pond can be very rewarding. Be prepared for biting bugs in the Summer and muddy conditions in the Spring or after rain.

Prothonotary Warblers, raptors and migrating waterfowl.

Willow Pond is about 0.75-mile from Swan Lake Road. There is a parking lot on the South side of Swan Lake Road about 0.8-mile West of Round Pond. Park there and then walk along the lane that goes North.  

This area has a large concentration of waterfowl and pelicans during migration. When water levels are right, large concentrations of shorebirds are found here during migration. The woodlands in the area produce significant numbers of migrating songbirds. Bald Eagle and Double-crested Cormorants nest in the area. There are large numbers of raptors in the area, some during migration and following the shorebirds, some nesting, and some wintering, such as Long and Short-eared Owls, Northern Harrier, and Rough-legged Hawk. There are heron rookeries, and large numbers of wading birds use the area during post breeding dispersal. The number of rare birds that have been found here over the years is quite large.

From highway 965 one and three-quarters miles north of North Liberty, go west on the Swan Lake Road to areas on the south side of Hawkeye WA. To reach areas on the north side, go west from highway 965 on the first road north of the reservoir (Amana Road).