Birding Clayton County by Danny Akers (2006)

Pileated Woodpecker, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-winged Warbler

Important Bird Area.

Bloody Run County Park occupies about 150 acres of woodland and edge habitat and contains several camping sites. Bloody Run Creek flows throughout the park. Turning onto 128th Street from U.S. Highway 18 (about a mile west of Marquette) and following the mile long road to the county road, one cannot help but admire the sheer beauty of Bloody Run Creek as it meanders along the road. Abruptly turning south near a gathering of homes, a large grassy opening emerges on the west side of the road. The edges of this grassy area often hold many species during migration. Continuing, the road crosses the railroad tracks. A second camping area is near the railroad tracks along the creek. In this area and across the creek, Blue-winged Warbler is fairly common in the spring, summer, and early fall. It also is home to several species of sparrows in both spring and fall migration. The road doubles back across the railroad tracks to a third camping area tucked into a small patch of young timber. This area is often the best location to search for birds in the park. I have had 23 warblers in this area. Pileated Woodpecker and Louisiana Waterthrush also are found here.

With approximately 8,000 acres in Yellow River State Forest and over 2,500 acres in Effigy Mounds National Monument, these two areas combined make up the largest public owned forest area in northeastern Iowa. The bird diversity in these areas is significant, and certainly at least 100 breeding bird species call this area home. Iowa Endangered species, which nest here, include the Bald Eagle and the Red-shouldered Hawk. Important woodland nesters include Veery, Cerulean Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Broad-winged Hawk, Acadian Flycatcher, Louisiana Waterthrush, Pileated Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, and a host of others. With the Yellow River and Paint Creek winding through these forests, and with the Mississippi River and its associated bluffs forming the eastern boundary, there exist unique habitats which contribute to bird diversity. During migration time, this Blufflands area hosts one of the best fall raptor migration viewing spots in the state. For the last 17 years, Effigy Mounds National Monument has hosted a Hawk Watch Weekend. This Environmental Education event allows thousands of people the opportunity to view migrating raptors, while biologists record the numbers and species of raptors migrating through. A raptor banding station also occurs at this site. Migrant Peregrine Falcons are occasionally banded here, and at least one historic Peregrine cliff eyrie exists within this area.