This eBird hotspot is intended to cover the wooded habitat on the north and south sides of NW 118th Avenue that lies between the floodplain grassland units to the west and the Sandhills unit grasslands to the east.  118th Avenue bisects the forest at the stream and drainage ditch crossings and there is parking on the east edge of the forest that accesses a trail that leads back into the forest for a considerable distance.    

Common woodland and edge species.  Edge: Orchard Oriole, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-breasted Chat (rare), Blue Grosbeak (rare), Bell's Vireo, and White-eyed Vireo (not to be expected).  Woodland: Red-shouldered Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Northern Parula, Wood Thrush.

Along both side of 118th Avenue where the woodland habitat approaches the road at the stream/drainage ditch bridge.

Criteria 1. Endangered species: Northern harrier regularly seen during Spring and Fall migrations, short-eared owl observed on the refuge during migration and winter. Threatened species: Henslow's sparrows have been seen and heard singing regularly during the past several summers. Criteria 2. HIgh Conservation Priority. Loggerhead shrike, grasshoppper sparrow, and bobolink have all been observed by me either on the refuge or directly adjacent to refuge property during the last two breeding seasons. Grasshopper sparrow and bobolink have been recorded on breeding season points on the refuge during at least the last two years. Criteria 3. Neal Smith NWR supports one of the largest expanses of tallgrass prairie habitat in Iowa and provides vital breeding habitat for grassland songbirds including both eastern and western meadowlarks, grasshopper and vesper sparrows, bobolink, dickcissel, and sedge wren. Upland sandpipers have also been seen in the area. Criteria 5. As a national wildlife refuge, Neal Smith NWR is a natural site for long term research and montoring. In addition to the potential for monitoring and research, the mission of the refuge is to provide for education about the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.