Dugout Creek WMA

About this Location

Important Bird Area.
Restored 95-acre prairie pothole marsh, with Dugout Creek flowing through it,surrounded by glacial moraine hills, plus vast area of surround tame and restored grassland. Dugout Creek is Wildlife Area is actually a large complex of state and federal lands approaching some 1,200 acres in size, when a nearby sub-portion (Yager Slough--see description elsewhere on website) is included. This all is part of DNR's much larger Cayler Prairie-Dugout Creek Bird Conservation Area and Audubon Important Bird Area.
Just south of Lake Park (city) in northwest Dickinson Co., immediately south of Hwy. 9 along M-27, on the east side. for best site access and viewing, take 140th Ave. south from IA Hwy 9, 1 mile east of Lake Park turnoff on M27. Travel 1 mile south on gravel to see marsh in Dugout Creek valley, then continue 1/2 mile to parking area along road which bisects the wetland.
Restored large, shallow, prairie pothole marsh surrounded by remnant and restored native prairie on steep glacial hills. Along Dugout Creek west of the marsh and road is the largest complex of glacial fen wetlands remaining in the state of Iowa. Outstanding habitat for nesting and migrating waterfowl, rails, and grassland birds. Yellow Rails are periodically found here in migration. BCA printed guide with checklist is available from Iowa DNR.
This is a public hunting area.

About Cayler Prairie Bird Conservation Area

See all hotspots at Cayler Prairie Bird Conservation Area

Endangered and threatened species: Northern Harrier and Red-shouldered Hawk High conservation priority species: American Bittern, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Bobolink Cayler Prairie is one of Iowa's largest and best studied native prairies. Although the core area is 160 acres, recent purchases of land just to the north have effectively doubled the area of the grassland. Regular burning of the area has been effective in maintaining its diverse flora and associated fauna. Although relatively few species nest on the area, it typically supports breeding Dickcissel, Bobolink, Sedge Wren, Grasshopper Sparrow, and several other species. Most years, a pair of Upland Sandpipers and Northern Harriers nest either on the site or on nearby grasslands. This is one of the best examples of native prairie in Iowa. Classes from nearby Lakeside Laboratory and also Peter Lowther of the Field Museum in Chicago have monitored bird populations on this site for several decades.

Go west out of Wahpeton on county road A22 for about 5 miles, then a sign will point you to the right. Turn right and go north for about 2 miles to the prairie.

Features

  • Roadside viewing

  • Entrance fee

Content from Iowa Ornithologists' Union and Cayler Prairie BCA