Grassland species such as Dickcissel & Henslow's Sparrow. Wintering Short-eared Owls.

Important Bird Area.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is a 5,600 acre tallgrass prairie and oak savanna restoration site. Birding can be done from roadsides as well as three main trails--the Savanna Trail, Tallgrass Trail (ADA Accessible), and Basswood Trail. The Prairie Learning Center provides information on tallgrass prairie and oak savanna, as well as a gift shop, restrooms, and eating area. Building hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 to 5:00 Sundays. Closed on federal holidays after Labor Day and before Memorial Day.
Located in southwest Jasper Co., just south of Hwy. 163 at the Prairie City exit. "Walnut Creek N.W.R." in the older Sportsman's Atlas edition. Road construction is currently underway (summer and fall 2015), so take 129th St. south from Hwy. 163, then turn left onto 102nd Ave. to reach the visitor center.
Tallgrass prairie provides a large expanse of habitat for grassland birds. Neal Smith NWR is perhaps the premier location in Iowa for Henslow's Sparrows. The 800-acre fenced bison and elk area provides excellent habitat for Grasshopper Sparrows and Bobolinks. Mowed and burned fields provide habitat for Smith's Longspurs during migration. Short-eared Owls are present in winter. Oak savanna and woodlands also provide habitat for forest and edge bird species, including Red-headed Woodpeckers.
This is a public hunting area.

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.