Important Bird Area.
A very diverse site with several marsh segments, grasslands, crop fields, both upland and floodplain forests plus the Turkey River running through it.
In northwest Winneshiek Co. Take Hwy. 9 about one mile north out of Ridgeway to Madison Rd., and go three miles west on Madison to 335th Ave. Continue west on Madison about 3/4 mile to a parking area on the right for the south side of the marsh. Proceed to 345th Ave. and turn right (north), and soon see another parking area. About one half mile farther north from here is a lane leading east (right) to a parking area at the north end of the marsh. A .pdf map of Cardinal Marsh is found at: http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/organiza/fwb/wildlife/maps/cardin~1.pdf
Cardinal marsh attracts waterfowl at normal pool and shorebirds when low & in season. Warblers in the woods and sparrows in the brush.
This is a public hunting area.