This eBird hotspot is for historical records only.  Please use more specific locations for current eBird checklists and see those entries for more specific information.

Mostly edge habitat surrounds the park but it can be attractive to a number of passerine species. Most birders go to Big Creek for waterfowl and gulls.

Important Bird Area.

A state park probably best known for fishing and sailing, Big Creek was created during the building of Saylorville Reservoir and the building of the Big Creek dam and spillway.

At the northern end of the Sayloville Lake area in Polk Co. Take Hwy. 415 a little over 1.5 miles north out of Polk City to the park entrance.

Saylorville Reservoir is an extremely important stopover area for migrating waterfowl, gulls, terns, American White Pelicans, shorebirds, and other waterbirds. It supports nationally important concentrations of several species as well as smaller concentrations of many other species. The adjacent uplands support a variety of woodland species, both during the nesting season and in migration.

Saylorville Reservoir is located on the Des Moines River about 4 miles north of Interstate 80/35 north of Des Moines. Land on both sides of the reservoir is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers and includes several access points on both sides of the lake. County owned Jester Park on the west shore of the northern part of the reservoir also offers good access to some important birding areas. Big Creek State Park and adjacent state wildlife areas provide important upland habitat.