If there’s one thing I love to see in the fall, it’s the bird migration. The skies over our great state are alive with birds heading to their warmer overwintering homes – with plenty of stopovers along the way. If you’re looking for a great place to go fall birdwatching in Iowa, head to the Boone Forks Conservation Area. If you’ve never heard of it, that’s probably because it encompasses many existing areas under a new umbrella. Based around the confluence of the Boone and Des Moines Rivers, it can be found on 80,000 acres of public and private land across Hamilton and Webster counties. Locations like Dolliver Memorial State Park and Brushy Creek State Recreation Area are part of this complex, and the entire area provides an amazing opportunity to see nature at its most beautiful.

Located along the banks of two major rivers, the Boone Forks Conservation area is a popular fishing and hiking spot that encompasses many major state parks and recreation areas.
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This includes the Skillet Creek Indian Mounds, one of Iowa's most unique archaeological sites.
IowaHiker/Google Local
It's a popular fishing spot, but during this time of year, most visitors will be armed with a pair of binoculars.
David Seiser/Google Local

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That's because this is an incredible birdwatching area. The ruby-throated hummingbird is a frequent visitor during the tiny bird's migration season.
Dick Daniels/Wikipedia
The spotted sandpiper is a frequent summer visitor, and these delicate birds are always a treat to see.
Public Domain/Wikipedia
Keep an eye on the sky - even bald eagles make a visit here on occasion!
David R. Tribble/Wikipedia

Have you visited the Boone Forks Conservation Area? What are your favorite places to go fall birdwatching in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section! You can find out more about the current bird migration season on the official Iowa DNR press release. Find out more about Dolliver Memorial State Park in our past coverage, and don’t forget to pick up a good pair of binoculars before your birdwatching trip!

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Boone Forks Wildlife Management Area, Stratford, IA 50249, USA