Big Wall Lake Marsh

County:  Wright
Directions:  From Blairsburg, go north on US 69 for about 9 to 10 miles and signs and the lake should be seen on the left (if coming from south).
Ornithological Significance:  Two (2) Endangered Species were counted from the Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas: Northern Harrier and King Rail Ten (10) High Conservatory species were also counted: American Bittern, Least Bittern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Common Moorhen, Forster's Tern, Black Tern, Black-billed Cuckoo, loggerhead Shrike, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Bobolink. Big Wall Lake is one of the most significant remnant prairie wetlands away from the northern few rows of counties in Iowa. It supports many migrating waterfowl in both spring and fall with peak numbers often exceeding 1000. It is also a dependable stopover site for migrating American White Pelicans with peaks of 500 or more often found here. During the nesting season it supports several species of waterfowl, American Coots, Marsh Wrens, and other wetland species. Although not searched for in recent years, American and Least bittern, Soras, and Virginia Rails probably nest annually. In the 1980s, Black and Forster's terns, and Common Moorhens nested here annually; suitable habitat still exists and they all could return.

Habitats:

Wetland

Woodland

Savanna/Shrub

Riparian

Ownership:

County

State

Criteria Categories:

1 - Endangered or threatened species habitat

2 - High conservation priority

Click here for breeding bird and concentration data for this site.