In this time of upcoming spring, there is excellent opportunity to view waterfowl, woodpeckers, Bald Eagle, and other raptors from late winter. While Dusky and Cackling Geese depart to their breeding grounds, herons, American Bittern, American Kestrel, Wilson’s Snipe and Bald Eagle can be observed finding habitat here to nest. The reedy marsh areas are excellent for Sora, Virginia Rail and Wilson’s Phalarope that use the refuge to raise fledglings. The interior berms and ponds will not open until April 1, so we will carpool and/or caravan to prominent pullouts to enjoy birding and scoping the refuge loop field ponds and grassy terrain looking for shorebirds, American Pipit and possibly Sandhill Crane. If time permits we can also visit one of the two woodland stand boardwalk areas to look for migrating warblers, flycatchers, vireos and singing resident sparrows, towhees, Bushtit, and woodpeckers.

Meet at Ankeny Hill Nature Center (AHNC) Parking Lot at 8:00 AM. There are facilities at this location and the trails are now open! We will start here before visiting Pintail Marsh and other locations. Bring water, binoculars, and a snack. Trails can be uneven so please wear appropriate footwear. We anticipate finishing by noon.

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. Leaders: Mike Unger and Tim Johnson. Meet at the Ankeny Hill Nature Center, 130 Ankeny Hill Rd.