This is a good area to scope waterfowl, cormorants, and pelicans.  It tends to be best late in fall into early winter, but is worth checking whenever there is open water.  Be aware of signs indicating seasonally closed areas.

Water related species: there is often a diverse waterfowl flock on the water here, especially in early winter.  After the main body of the lake is mostly frozen, the waterfowl often keep a hole open here for a while longer.  This is primarily Canada Geese, Trumpeter Swans, and Mallards, but also small numbers of several other species.  In spring and fall there are usually many hundred cormorants roosting and feeding here and sometimes good numbers of pelicans and gulls as well.  The surrounding edge habitat is good for migrant passerines.

Important Bird Area.
Just south of Polk City at about the midway point of the east side of Saylorville Lake. About one mile south of Polk City on Highway 415 you will cross a causeway, with the marina on your right and Polk City Wildlife Area on the left. After you cross the causeway, take a left on South 14th Street at Water's Edge Marine.  Proceed to the bottom of the hill, then take a left to scope the water area, or proceed straight and look for walk in access at the cable gate at the old roadway.  Note that this area is closed to access from fall through part of the winter in order to serve as a waterfowl refuge.  During this closed period you can still scope the water area from the road as described above, but do not leave the road.

Saylorville Reservoir is an extremely important stopover area for migrating waterfowl, gulls, terns, American White Pelicans, shorebirds, and other waterbirds. It supports nationally important concentrations of several species as well as smaller concentrations of many other species. The adjacent uplands support a variety of woodland species, both during the nesting season and in migration.

Saylorville Reservoir is located on the Des Moines River about 4 miles north of Interstate 80/35 north of Des Moines. Land on both sides of the reservoir is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers and includes several access points on both sides of the lake. County owned Jester Park on the west shore of the northern part of the reservoir also offers good access to some important birding areas. Big Creek State Park and adjacent state wildlife areas provide important upland habitat.