Shorebirds and waders when water levels are higher. The overlook can be a superb place to hawk watch in the fall as birds move along the Des Moines River.

Important Bird Area.
This parking area overlooks the Des Moines River bottom and can be a great place to scan for waterfowl and shorebirds when water conditions are right. It is an inviolate refuge and is closed to entry from early September through the end of the waterfowl season. Prior to closing walking down the hill may get one closer to some of the wetlands. It can also be a great place to do some hawk watching as raptors move down river.

From Hwy. 5 southeast of Hartford, turn left on Hwy. 316 towards Runnells. In about 2.5 miles the road makes a sharp bend to the left/west. The parking area is immediately on your right.
The habitat of this area is totally dependent on water levels and floods. It may be a huge lake, isolated wetlands, or may have food plots planted.

The entire area is important as a resting area for large concentrations of migrating waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds. The area is also critical as a wintering area for large numbers of Bald Eagles. Nesting birds include Bobolink, Cerulean Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Wood Thrush, and in some years Kentucky Warbler.

The Red Rock Dam is about five miles southwest of Pella; the refuge area extends northwest beyond Runnells in Polk County to near Hartford in Warren County.