Bring a spotting scope if you have one. The South side of the pond is usually the best spot to look for shorebirds or to sort through Trumpeter Swans, looking for Tundra Swans.

This pond can be a spectacle during migration, with large flocks of waterfowl coming and going.

Important Bird Area.
In northeast Iowa Co., just west of Amana. North side viewing: In Amana, follow Hwy. 220 west for 3/4 of a mile from U.S. 151, and the lake and its parking area are seen on the south side of the road. South side viewing: continue west on Hwy. 220 a little more than one half mile to H St., and turn left. Entering a residential section, follow H to its end at 32nd Ave. Turn right on 32nd and park at the end of the street, in front of some houses. Walk through the clump of trees ahead and turn left onto the sidewalk which circles the lake. At first you'll be walking along a marshy inlet, and then to the main water.

This area is a large cooperative restoration project of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and several other groups. This area consists of both public and private land, and the area that has been or is being restored to grassland, wetland, shrub, or wooded habitat is around 15,000 acres. The Iowa River Corridor supports breeding populations of many grassland and wetland species including Northern Harriers.

Along Iowa River between Tama/Toledo and Amana Colonies.

The parking lot is crushed gravel, so this area is not practical for a wheelchair, even though part of the trail is paved.