This area can have some great birding but is somewhat difficult to scan. The shoulder on that causeway is narrow and traffic heavy. Perhaps the best way to scan the area is to go east on Illinois Drive north of the causeway and take it as far back to the south as possible. Park here and walk in.

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.