Saylorville Reservoir--overflow spillway and Bob Shetler Recreation Area

Saylorville Reservoir--overflow spillway and Bob Shetler Recreation Area

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Tips for Birding

This area is good year round although a bit quiet in summer.  The woods below the dam can be excellent for migrants, especially warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers.  The ponds are often good for ducks and loafing gulls.  The river remains open in the winter when most of the landscape is frozen, and so attracts waterfowl, and it has become a regular location for small numbers of pelicans to overwinter.

Birds of Interest

The woods have nesting Pileated Woodpecker and Prothonotary Warbler.  In winter, the river is a good spot to check for uncommon waterfowl among the Canada Geese and Mallards.  At times, large numbers of Trumpeter Swans also use the river here.  Hooded Mergansers congregate on the back pond in late fall and are often joined by small numbers of Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, and other divers. The ponds can be good for herons/egrets and are often a day roost for gulls in early winter when frozen.

About this Location

Important Bird Area.

Navigate to the general area of the dam and follow signage for Bob Shetler Recreation Area.

About Saylorville Reservoir IBA

See all hotspots at Saylorville Reservoir IBA

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.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Roadside viewing

  • Entrance fee

Content from Saylorville Reservoir IBA

Last updated August 25, 2023