The parking lot is a good vantage point to scan the floodplain for hunting raptors.  Possibilities in winter include Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Harrier, Merlin, Short-eared Owl, Northern Shrike.  The brush around the parking lot and along the entrance road can be good for sparrows.  Eurasian Tree Sparrows have been recorded here.

Raptors, sparrows.

On the north side of Highway 210 west of Madrid, just before the Des Moines River.  There is a public access that provides and excellent view of the river valley.