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The habitat afforded by the restored river discussed in the sidebar, just a few of the birds which can now be found along the Iowa
valley naturally lends importance to birding sighted in the BCA include American Bittern, Valley Scenic Byway. The second otter
along the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway. American Coot, Bobolink, Cerulean Warblers, reintroduction in Iowa––of 10 males and 10
Declines in bird species counts across the Cormorants, Great Blue Heron, Green females––took place in 1986 at Otter Creek
state prompted the Iowa DNR to define 15 Heron, Loggerhead Shrike, Northern Harrier, Wildlife Management Area. Today, Iowa’s otter
Bird Conservation Areas (BCAs). BCAs are White Pelicans, and Willow Flycatchers. An population is estimated at about 7,000, with
expansive habitats that can maintain breeding estimated one-half of Iowa’s nesting bird some of the densest concentrations along the
bird populations, typically at least 10,000 types can be found in the Iowa River Bird IVSB. Trumpeter Swans also were introduced
acres in size, which should include at least 25 Conservation Area. successfully in the Amana wetlands.
percent high-quality habitat.
In addition to the numerous bird species that After a 92-year-absense of nesting pairs in
The Iowa River BCA was dedicated in 2004 populate the Corridor area, other wildlife is the state, sandhill cranes successfully nested
extending for 45 miles within the Byway and also in abundance, including deer, fish, and at Otter Creek WMA in 1992, producing two
in areas slightly to the west. Approximately small mammals. Several species on the colts. Flocks of up to 25 sandhill cranes have
24 percent of this 133,000-acre BCA is in Iowa State special concern, threatened, or been reported at Otter Creek WMA in recent
permanent protection, including public lands endangered species lists have been confirmed years�
and Wetland Reserve Program or Emergency within the IVSB corridor, on both public and
Wetland Reserve Program easements. private lands� Bison were reintroduced to the Corridor at
the Meskwaki Settlement buffalo herd, the
The wide variety of habitat types sets the Some wildlife was extirpated in Iowa––mating Dreesman Buffalo Ranch, and at the Northstar
Iowa River area apart from other BCAs, since or wild populations were eliminated due Gameland Hunting Preserve. This latter
it includes forest, wetland, grassland, and to historic human activities. These include preserve also maintains an elk herd.
savanna. In addition to the rare bird species otter, sandhill cranes, bison, and elk, all of
