Nestled in the rolling Loess Hills of western Iowa, Hitchcock Nature Center stands as one of the region's most treasured natural landmarks — a place where wild landscapes meet community stewardship, and where the sky comes alive every autumn with one of nature's most spectacular migrations.
A History Rooted in the Land
Hitchcock Nature Center is part of the Pottawattamie County Conservation system, located near Honey Creek, Iowa. The center encompasses over 1,200 acres of diverse habitat, including oak savannas, native prairies, wetlands, and the dramatic ridgelines of the Loess Hills — a rare geological formation found only in Iowa and a small region of China.
The land has a deep history of human connection. Long before European settlement, Indigenous peoples traveled and lived among these hills. The Loess Hills themselves were formed over thousands of years as windblown silt deposited along the Missouri River valley, creating steep, dramatic ridges that define the landscape today.
The nature center was developed by Pottawattamie County Conservation to protect and restore this unique ecosystem while providing outdoor recreation and environmental education for the community. Over the decades, it has grown into a beloved destination for hikers, birders, naturalists, and families seeking a genuine connection with Iowa's natural heritage.
Trails, Wildlife, and Native Landscapes
Hitchcock offers an extensive trail system winding through its varied habitats. Visitors can explore oak woodlands bursting with wildflowers in spring, native prairie restorations alive with coneflowers and big bluestem in summer, and fiery hillsides of color in fall. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobcat, and a rich diversity of songbirds call the center home year-round.
The center's commitment to native plant restoration is evident throughout the property. Ongoing prairie and savanna restoration projects have brought back species that once defined the Iowa landscape, making Hitchcock a living classroom for conservation in action.
The Hawk Watch: Iowa's Premier Raptor Migration Event
Every autumn, Hitchcock Nature Center becomes one of the Midwest's premier destinations for witnessing raptor migration — and the annual Hawk Watch is the centerpiece of that experience.
From late August through December, thousands of hawks, eagles, falcons, and other raptors funnel along the Loess Hills ridgeline as they make their way south for winter. The elevated terrain acts as a natural highway for migrating birds, concentrating them in numbers that can be breathtaking to witness.
Species commonly counted during Hawk Watch include:
- Broad-winged Hawks — often seen in large kettles during peak September migration
- Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks — agile accipiter's that move through in impressive numbers
- Bald and Golden Eagles — majestic sightings that draw crowds in October and November
- American Kestrels and Merlin's — fast-moving falcons that delight birders of all experience levels
- Osprey, Northern Harrier, and Red-tailed Hawks — reliable autumn regulars
Why Hawk Watch Matters
Raptor migration counts are more than just a spectacle — they're a vital conservation tool. Long-term data from sites like Hitchcock helps scientists track population trends, identify environmental pressures, and measure the health of ecosystems across the continent. When you visit Hawk Watch, you're participating in citizen science with real impact.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you're an experienced birder with a life list to build or a family looking for a memorable fall outing, Hitchcock Nature Center's Hawk Watch is an experience unlike any other in Iowa. Bring binoculars, dress in layers, and prepare to look up — the sky has a story to tell.
Support your county parks. Visit Hitchcock Nature Center.
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