IBA Site Information

Union Hills BCA

Joint IBA/BCA

Cerro Gordo County

Directions: 5 miles straight south of Clear Lake.

Description: Two endangered species are encountered a few times each year at Union Hills, Northern Harrier and Short-eared Owl. The High Conservation species American Bittern, Least Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Forster's Tern and Black Tern, Grasshopper Sparrow and Bobolink have been recorded there each of the past three years. The grassland habitat has also been one of the few places in northern Iowa to hold Smith's Longspurs in migration. The complex of lakes and marshes is used by well over 1000 waterfowl in migration, and many remain to breed there.

Criteria for this site
Endangered or threatened species habitat
High conservation priority
Significant species concentrations

Habitats found in this site
Wetland
Grassland

Ownership
State

Criteria Species Data for this Site
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