This area can be good at any time of the year. There are nice trails to explore.

Waterfowl and good for migrating forest birds.

On the north shore of the north arm of Lake Macbride, northern Johnson Co. Out of Solon, from Hwy. 1, take Hwy. 382 a little more than three miles west to Opie Rd. on your left. This is just over a half mile west from Ely Rd./W6E if coming from the north. Follow Opie Rd. south one half mile to a parking lot at the water; there is also a boat ramp with parking a couple of hundred yards west from here.

This area has a large concentration of waterfowl and pelicans during migration. When water levels are right, large concentrations of shorebirds are found here during migration. The woodlands in the area produce significant numbers of migrating songbirds. Bald Eagle and Double-crested Cormorants nest in the area. There are large numbers of raptors in the area, some during migration and following the shorebirds, some nesting, and some wintering, such as Long and Short-eared Owls, Northern Harrier, and Rough-legged Hawk. There are heron rookeries, and large numbers of wading birds use the area during post breeding dispersal. The number of rare birds that have been found here over the years is quite large.

From highway 965 one and three-quarters miles north of North Liberty, go west on the Swan Lake Road to areas on the south side of Hawkeye WA. To reach areas on the north side, go west from highway 965 on the first road north of the reservoir (Amana Road).

Osprey trail, White Pine Trail, trail along the lake on the when approached from Opie Road.