IBA Site Information

Lost Grove Lake Wildlife Area

Potential IBA

Scott County

Directions: Take US 61 south from Eldridge (or north from Davenport) to county road F-45 (also known as 240th Street). Take F-45 east to 220th Avenue. Turn left on 220th Avenue (north) and continue past 250th street to a parking lot on the east side of the road, just after the bridge over Lost Creek. The WMA is over 1500 acres. A map and description can a accessed from the Iowa DNR website at: http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/organiza/fwb/wildlife/maps/pubhunt.htm

Description: Lost Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area is predominately a mix of grassland and row crops. Lost creek traverses the area, and is lined by trees and shrubs. There are also several scattered small groves of pines. The hillsides surrounding the creek valley were planted with perennial switch-grass, forming very high and dense winter cover for wildlife. The upland areas are rotated between row crops, alfalfa, and annual grasses. The area is currently managed for upland game species (primarily pheasants, but also Bobwhite, Grey Partridge, Whitetail Deer, and Cottontail Rabbit). In the future, the creek will be dammed to create a reservoir out of the creek valley. I have seen SHORT-EARED OWLS regularly over the last three fall-winter seasons, sometimes in short grass or alfalfa fields, and in winter along the creek edges. LONG-EARED OWLS have been seen in the pine groves in groups up to five individuals during the winter months (last two years). NORTHERN HARRIERS have been seen flying over the area almost any time I visit the area from late summer through early spring. I found a group of three HENSLOW'S SPARROWS near a margin between grass and tall weeds (goldenrod etc.) in mid-October of 2002. They were probably migrants, but I will check for them next summer. Other interesting species include nesting BOBOLINKS in late spring, and many SEDGE WRENS in mid summer.

Criteria for this site
Endangered or threatened species habitat

Habitats found in this site
Grassland
Riparian

Ownership
State