When submitting eBird observations for Otter Creek Marsh WMA, it is most helpful to start a new checklist for each hotspot within the area. Use this hotspot for checklists of birds when you have a checklist that includes multiple locations, or if there is no other hotspot or personal location appropriate for your sightings.

Important Bird Area.
Large 3600 acre area with several viewing access points. 1/2 marsh, 1/4 bottom woods along the Iowa River, and 1/4 timber around the marsh. Can be an excellent birding area. It is an Important Birding Area. There is a great observation platform.

Observation Point #1 Go 6 miles EAST of Tama on U.S. 30 to E66. Turn right on to E66. Continue approx. 1/3 mile and turn in the parking lot on the SOUTH side of the road. Observation Platform and great dikes down below that can be walked easily. Observation Point #2 Exit the parking lot, turn right (SE) on E66 to S Avenue. Turn right (SOUTH) onto S Ave and look for a parking lot on your right. Start a long westward walk along a dike. Observation Point #3 Exit parking lot #2 and turn right (SOUTH) back on to S Ave. Follow this as it curves right to another Parking Area next to a pond on your right past the creek. Westward walk along a dike. Observation Point #4 Exit parking lot #3 and continue on S Ave until it ends. There is a old dilapidated barn there. Good viewing as you walk around the marsh area.

Marsh with some woods. Great for ducks, geese, swans, hawks and Bald Eagles, shorebirds, and marsh birds. Birds of note in the past have been: Swallow-tailed Kite, Barn Owl, and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. This is a public hunting area.

This area is a large cooperative restoration project of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and several other groups. This area consists of both public and private land, and the area that has been or is being restored to grassland, wetland, shrub, or wooded habitat is around 15,000 acres. The Iowa River Corridor supports breeding populations of many grassland and wetland species including Northern Harriers.

Along Iowa River between Tama/Toledo and Amana Colonies.