Field Trips

join Big Bluestem Audubon members as we look for birds and other interesting flora and fauna

9/28/2025 High Trestle Trail Hawk Watch High Trestle Hawk Watch September 28, 2025, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (US Central) Location: 2335 Qf. Ln, Madrid Join experts from Iowa Audubon, Big Bluestem Audubon Society, INHF and more to get your eyes on the sky in search of raptors. These include hawks, eagles, osprey, and more! Binoculars are provided so you can join in on the fun. There is no better way to learn about hawks, eagles and other birds than this event! Location: High Trestle Trail Overlook (West of Bridge). Parking: Grants Woods Park Address: 2335 Qf. Ln, Madrid, IA 50156
6/18/2026 Big Bluestem Audubon Society Picnic and birdwatching event Big Bluestem Audubon Society Picnic and birdwatching event. Location TBA

9/28/2025
High Trestle Trail Hawk Watch

High Trestle Hawk Watch

September 28, 2025, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (US Central)

Location: 2335 Qf. Ln, Madrid

Join experts from Iowa Audubon, Big Bluestem Audubon Society, INHF and more to get your eyes on the sky in search of raptors. These include hawks, eagles, osprey, and more!
Binoculars are provided so you can join in on the fun. There is no better way to learn about hawks, eagles and other birds than this event!

Location: High Trestle Trail Overlook (West of Bridge).
Parking: Grants Woods Park
Address: 2335 Qf. Ln, Madrid, IA 50156

6/18/2026
Big Bluestem Audubon Society Picnic and birdwatching event
Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Picnic and birdwatching event. Location TBA

Meeting Place

Monthly field trips are free and open to the public.

Participants will meet the group at the field trip site unless an alternate meeting place is announced to facilitate carpooling.

Unless it is stated otherwise, the field trips will generally end sometime between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, depending on interest and success in finding birds.

Field trips will almost always involve at least some hiking, usually away from hardened surfaces and often in less-than-ideal conditions. Please come prepared with appropriate dress and footwear. It is very highly recommended that all participants have their own pair of binoculars.

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General Resources

Iowa Audubon statewide coalition of Audubon Chapters and other local birding groups in Iowa
Iowa Ornithologists' Union statewide organization for all people interested in Iowa's birds
eBird a handy tool for tracking your bird sightings and contributing to a global picture
All About Birds ID help and other interesting information from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology

Iowa Audubon
statewide coalition of Audubon Chapters and other local birding groups in Iowa

Iowa Ornithologists' Union
statewide organization for all people interested in Iowa's birds

eBird
a handy tool for tracking your bird sightings and contributing to a global picture

All About Birds
ID help and other interesting information from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology