INHF 25th Anniversary Event #20
HawkWatch at Effigy Mounds National Monument

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Temperatures are cooling, leaves are changing colors and millions of birds are heading south along America's most popular migratory route: the Mississippi River flyway. What better way to experience this thrilling annual event than through powerful spotting scopes with expert naturalists on hand--not to mention live demonstrations, kids' activities and more? And what better place than the forested bluffs of Effigy Mounds National Monument--overlooking the Mighty Mississippi?

Event details                                                                            Photo by Larry Stone
Not only are we celebrating the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation's 25th Anniversary, we're also celebrating HawkWatch's 20th Anniversary this year! HawkWatch is designed to appeal to anyone, from small children to bird novices to people who know a lot about raptors (birds of prey) and their migration.

Last year, around 1,800 people came to view hundreds of birds of prey. Spotting scopes are set up and volunteers are available to assist visitors in using the scopes to identify the hundreds of hawks flying over the area. Along with raptor watching, adults can watch live birds of prey programs, see raptor ID and falconry demonstrations, go on bird hikes and attend spontaneous sessions involving the release of hawks trapped and banded at the event's scientific research station. For the kids, activities include artistic expressions, raptor romps, painting feathers and owl pellet dissecting. There is no charge to attend this event, but the center's gift shop and various booths will have many great items for sale.
Too see the HawkWatch homepage, click here.
For complete event details, see our HawkWatch Program Schedule - 2004!

The story behind this place
Effigy Mounds National Monument (EFMO) is the nation's foremost educational center for interpreting the earthen mounds that were built by the "Effigy Mound People," an ancient American Indian culture. Eastern Woodland Indians built mounds from about 500 BC until the early European contact period. Prehistoric mounds are common from the plains of the Midwest to the Atlantic seaboard, but only in this region of the Upper Midwest was there a culture that regularly constructed effigy mounds in the shape of mammals, birds or reptiles. At this site there are 206 mounds, including 31 effigies plus conical, linear and compound mounds.

This National Park Service site is also important for wildlife habitat, and it lies at the heart of Iowa's largest Bird Conservation Area (BCA), the new Effigy Mounds Yellow River Forest BCA, designated in 2003 by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The woodlands of this region provide very significant habitat for forest-nesting and migratory birds, many of which are declining in population.

One of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation's most noted accomplishments was the protection of the 1,045-acre Heritage Addition to EFMO in 2000. We had worked for years to create an opportunity to protect this important, unbroken woodland from development and fragmentation of the habitat. INHF spearheaded landowner negotiations, fundraising and other logistics for this project. It took more than 20 years, 1,150 donors and an act of Congress to complete the Heritage Addition.

With the addition, the National Park Service now protects 2,526 acres of habitat at EFMO. Eleven miles of trails weave in and around the forests, tall grass prairies, wetlands and rivers that cover the area. Park rangers are always on hand to give guided hikes.

All HawkWatch activities occur or originate at the Effigy Mounds Visitor's Center, located at the park entrance. The center contains an excellent museum with exhibits highlighting archaeological and natural specimens. Various primitive campgrounds exist in the area as well. Recently opened was the Yellow River Bridge Trail, the monument's first trail that is fully accessible to those with physical disabilities. The trail allows visitors to explore an important wetland environment as well a view a host of wildlife and plant life.

Partner Information
As a co-sponsor of HawkWatch, Upper Iowa Audubon's Wildlife Diversity program members helpted visitors with their scopes, aided in the identification of the birds and tallied the bird counts.

Effigy Mounds National Monument (EMFO) provides all the facilities and helps organize and plan this event. They also provide other educational programs for the public including bird walks, winter film festivals and daily ranger-led hikes and programs.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources leads Iowans in caring for their natural resources. It works to conserve and enhance Iowa's natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life for Iowans and ensure a legacy for all generations. It is responsible for maintaining state parks and forests, protecting the environment, and managing energy, fish, wildlife, and land and water resources in Iowa. IDNR staff give programs, attend the public spotting scope station and maintain the raptor count.

National Audubon's Upper Mississippi River Campaign informs people about the ecological significance of the Upper Mississippi River and its watershed for birds, fish, wildlife, habitat and humans. It also takes direct action and influences public decisions to protect and restore the habitat.

Site Map
Check site listed below

Driving Directions
http://www.nps.gov/efmo/pphtml/maps.html

Visitor Info
McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce
(800) 896-0910
mac-marq@alpinecom.net

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