Roads and trails intersect the forest habitat providing good access and viewing of migrant flocks.   

A popular spot for migrant warblers.  Forest breeders, occasionally including Cerulean and Yellow-throated Warblers.

Important Bird Area.
From the top of the Saylorville Dam heading east. Go east to the intersection with NW Horseshoe Road, and take a right. Round the curve to the T-intersection of NW Horseshoe Road and NW 37th Street. Take another right and follow the signs.

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.