INHF 25th Anniversary Event #4
Owego Wetland Bird Outing

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Before the Missouri River was channelized and its surrounding wetlands drained, its skies would literally darken with birds during their annual migrations. Owego Wetland Complex is part of a "chain" of wetlands being recreated along that historic migration route--and the birds are coming back. Watch for birds on their spring migration journey--and discover how this landscape has changed since Lewis and Clark passed this way exactly 200 years ago.

Event details                                                           Photo by Loren Hansen
If you're an early-morning riser, start your day of wetland adventure with members of the Loess Hills Audubon Society as they lead an Early Morning Bird Outing at 7:00 a.m., the best time to see birds, and will end at 9:00 a.m. At that time, the wetlands tours will begin and will be comprised of driving and some short walking. The walk is on flat terrain and is easy-going. Folks should meet at 290th and Fayette, on the north side of the old Owego town site (now marked only by a sign). See more detailed directions below.

Then at 9:00 a.m. to noon, join the Woodbury County Conservation Board (WCCB), Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), Loess Hills Audoubon Society (LHAS) and fellow bird enthusiasts on a self-guided driving tour of the Owego Wetland Complex to learn more about this important wetland and the birds of the area. Participants will meet at the main parking lot to pick up maps that show various stopping points along the perimeter of the wetland. Then drive your own car to the different stations to view birds and wildlife--and meet with event guides who can talk about what you're seeing and provide other interpretive information.

Here are some of the many bird species participants could see on this tour:

• Blue-winged Teal
• Cinnamon Teal (if you're very lucky!)
• Northern Harriers
• Swainson's Hawks
• Merlins
• Peregrine Falcons
• Great Egrets
• Great Blue Herons
• American Bitterns
• Sora
• Virginia Rail
• Yellow-headed Blackbirds
• Savannah Sparrows
• Bobolinks
• 20 or more species of shorebirds
• Along with many other species

Participants are asked to come dressed for the weather and to bring their own optics for bird-watching. WCCB and LHAS have some binoculars and spotting scopes but not enough for everyone who attends.

The event includes eight educational stations. There will be a station dedicated to Owego-project background and information. Others will be dedicated to wetland plants and a historical perspective of wetlands. Many stations will focus on birds; topics range from birds on the Owego town site to songbirds along Garner Avenue. Also, the mammals and pond invertebrate station will provide hands-on learning using microscopes and animal furs. There is no charge for this event.

The story behind this place
The Owego Wetland Complex is a relatively new wildlife area that's grown to 1,311 acres of habitat in just six years. Its name comes from the town of Owego, which used to exist nearby.

The Woodbury County Conservation Board (WCCB) and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) worked with several neighbors to help them enroll floodplain cropland in the federal Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) and then sell the land for public recreation and/or exchange their land for better farm ground. The wet, heavy soils of this area are slow to drain and often difficult to farm, making WRP a financially attractive option. Under WRP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture pays for wetland restoration and purchases a permanent conservation easement to protect the restored wetlands. INHF also assisted the county with private fundraising for the project.

Large habitat complexes in the Missouri River floodplain are critical to migrating waterfowl. There are two other large wildlife complexes on Iowa's section of the Missouri: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge forty miles to the south of the Owego complex, and the Riverton Wildlife Area 70 miles farther (where INHF added 1,036 acres recently). The Owego complex fills an important gap in Iowa's chain of wetland habitat on this traditional migratory flyway.

The Woodbury County Conservation Board organized a high-quality wetland restoration and management plan. Numerous project partners helped make the project a showcase wetland for western Iowa: Kind World Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Woodbury County Pheasants Forever, North American Wetland Conservation Act (USFWS) and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program. Major wetland enhancements should be complete by fall 2004 with additional enhancements added as funds become available.

In the short time it has existed, Owego has already become a tremendous attraction for wildlife, especially migratory waterfowl. At least 150 bird species have been recorded during their seasonal migrations at this site to date, including Short-eared Owls, Trumpeter Swans, Blackpoll Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Wilson's Phalaropes, American Bitterns, Red Phalaropes, Swainson's Hawks and Western Kingbirds. By recreating wetlands that mimic how this land might have looked 100-200 years ago, we're drawing back more and more birds to this historic flyway.

Partner Information

The Woodbury County Conservation Board (WCCB) currently manages 20 different areas comprising approximately 4,945 acres. At the Annual Conference of County Conservation Boards in September 2003, Woodbury County was presented the 2nd place plaque award among large counties in recognition of its habitat restoration program. For its efforts at Owego Wetland Complex, the conservation board was presented the "2003 Conservation Award" in the Partner Category from Ducks Unlimited in February 2003.

The WCCB also has a strong environmental education program. The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center by Sioux City features a large exhibit hall, classrooms, library/resource room, gift shop, and conservation board offices. Additional features include a paved access road, parking lot, maintenance shop and a 2.5-mile hiking trail system with outdoor amphitheater. More than 50,000 visitors use the facility annually.

The Loess Hills Audubon Society (LHAS), in partnering up with WCCB, has paid special attention to the Owego Wetland Complex development. Volunteer bird surveyors have identified more than 150 different bird species. The LHAS will assist WCCB staff with the Owego Wetland Bird Outing.

Site Map
Map of site

Driving Directions
Owego Wetland Complex is located between 290th and 300th Street, and between Fayette and Garner Avenue in rural Woodbury County. These streets are gravel roads. For the early bird hike, look for sign and other cars in this area. For the wetlands tour, look for the small parking lot (which will also be marked with signs and other cars).
        From Sloan, go east 3.5 miles on Iowa 141 to Fayette Ave. Travel north 3.5 miles to the old town site of Owego (marked by a sign).
       From Sioux City, travel south on County Road D25 (formerly 982 or Old Highway 141) for approximately 15 miles to 290th Street. There is a directional sign for Owego at this intersection. Go west on 290th Street for 2 miles to Fayette Avenue.

Visitor Info
Sioux City Convention and Tourism Bureau
712 279 4800 or (800) 593-2228
chamber@siouxlandchamber.com


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