Winneshiek County is a premier destination for birding in Iowa and the Midwest. Contact our office for tips on where to go for your best birding experience, and don’t hesitate to come visit the feeders at Lake Meyer Park. In 2020, Winneshiek County was designated a Bird Friendly Community by Bird Friendly Iowa. Bird Friendly Iowa designation is awarded through a competitive application process to communities that demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving and expanding bird habitat and encouraging citizens to engage in birding, bird conservation, and related outdoor recreation activities. Winneshiek County is one of only three counties in Iowa to have received Bird Friendly Iowa designation. Bird Friendly Iowa is a partnership of several Iowa conservation organizations, agencies and individuals including Trees Forever, Iowa Audubon, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Iowa DNR, Iowa Wildlife Center, Iowa Ornithologists’ Union, and the Iowa County Conservation System. More information about Bird Friendly Iowa, including instructions on how Iowa communities and counties can apply for this special recognition, is at www.BirdFriendlyIowa.org.

Birding Resources

• Bird Checklist for Winneshiek County (best printed on legal-sized paper)
• Birding Areas in Winneshiek County
• Bald Eagle Cams from the Raptor Resource Project: Decorah Nest and Decorah North Nest
• Iowa Ornithologists Union

Bird Conservation Resources

• Bird Friendly Iowa: A statewide bird habitat conservation and educational outreach program created by a partnership of Iowa conservation organizations.
• Bird Feeding Guides: Winter and Spring/Summer
• Bird Feeding Chart

Every year, Winneshiek County Conservation holds workshops to build birdhouses and birdfeeders. Watch the Events page for a scheduled program or use the plans below to build your own.

• Birdhouses: Bluebird House Plan and Wren House Plan
• Birdfeeders: Recycled Tire Bird Feeder Instructions