Jun 5, 2026
Hickory Hill Parki
Photo attribution
(c) Barrett Coller Jr., some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Region Guide
Wildlife and nature in Iowa
Prairies, rivers, wetlands, and open skies
Iowa's landscapes are shaped by prairie remnants, wetlands, woodlands, and river valleys, giving families a gentler but rewarding setting for birdlife, wildflowers, and open-air nature exploring.
Sightings
729
Places
303
Species
320
Latest Sightings
Recent sightings in Iowa
A recent look at wildlife sightings across Iowa.
Jun 4, 2026
Lock and Dam No. 15i
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 4, 2026
Lock and Dam No. 15i
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 4, 2026
Lock and Dam No. 15i
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 4, 2026
Lock and Dam No. 15i
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 2, 2026
Lock and Dam No. 15i
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Sightings Map
See where snaps are happening
Start wide, then zoom in to see how snaps spread across Iowa.
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Places to Start
Parks, reserves, and local nature spots
Good starting points if you want to turn Iowa's guide into an actual day out.
Park47 sightings11 species
Iowa, US
Lake Ahquabi State Park
You might spot White-Tailed Deer, American Bullfrog, and Cup Plant.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Iowa, US
Anamosa State Penitentiary
You might spot False Rue Anemone, Sharp-Lobed Hepatica, and Common Shiner.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Iowa, US
Bickelhaupt Arboretum
You might spot Monarch and American White Pelican.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Iowa, US
Bixby State Preserve
You might spot Wood Nettle and Northern Maidenhair Fern.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Iowa, US
Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
You might spot Common Eastern Bumble Bee and Eastern Cottontail.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Iowa, US
Crapo Park
You might spot House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, and House Finch.
View place guide →
Popular Species
Popular species in Iowa
A quick look at the species showing up most often in sightings across Iowa.
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Category Guides
Check out our category guides for Iowa
Browse birds, wildflowers, and bugs of Iowa.
Birds
Birding in Iowa
Browse birdlife, migration patterns, shoreline species, and the birds people are most likely to notice across Iowa.
242 Sightings78 Species
View guide →
Flowers
Flowers in Iowa
Follow native blooms, seasonal colour, and wildflower-rich places across Iowa.
175 Sightings103 Species
View guide →
Bugs
Bugs in Iowa
Focus on butterflies, bees, beetles, and other small species that make close-up exploring in Iowa feel richer.
173 Sightings98 Species
View guide →