Watchable Wildlife

Tuttle Creek Lake boasts several choice areas to view a variety of wildlife, both seasonally and year-round.

River Pond State Park – This park is located below Tuttle Creek Dam next to the Big Blue River. Set in a riparian river bottom, this is one of the best areas for a wide variety of birds. The pond usually has large numbers of herons, gulls, geese, and ducks. Bald eagles are abundant during winter months. An abandoned river channel is located on the west side of the park, which contains several muskrat houses and beaver dams. A wildlife observation blind is provided to photograph or view the marsh birds, beavers, and muskrats.

Outlet Park – The Big Blue River runs through this park, and provides another riparian setting. It is a good place to view bald eagles in the winter. Rare birds, such as the glaucous gull and Barrow’s goldeneye, have been sighted here in the spring.

Forestry Area – Located on the south side of River Pond, this area draws a large number of migrating and nesting songbirds. In the spring this area is especially good for watching vireos and warblers. In the morning or evening you can see deer and turkey, and hear several species of owls.

Tuttle Creek Dam – During spring and fall migrations, enormous flocks of gulls and ducks land on the lake and along the face of the dam. Many rare birds have been seen here. Best viewing is from the parking areas at either end of the dam.

McIntire Creek Cove – This large cove provides one of the more popular stopping sites for waterfowl. A mix of shoreline plantings and agricultural crops provides a substantial food supply. Herons and egrets arrive in mid-late summer, ducks and geese in September and October.

Carnahan Creek – This large cove attracts migrating waterfowl. Native vegetation offers an abundant food source. If water levels are low during May or August-September, look for shore birds on the mud flats.

North Randolph State Park – This is a good observation point to watch migrating waterfowl and pelicans in the fall. Once ice starts to develop on the shallow portions of the lake, it is a favorite roosting spot for bald eagles.

"Fisherman’s Camp" – Ponded water by Rolander Road 4 miles northwest of Olsburg attracts wildlife of all types. This area provided a rare sighting of a Lewis’ woodpecker as well as the state’s first nesting of black-shouldered kites.

Shannon Creek A bald eagle nest is visible in the dead timber near the shore. This nest has produced a pair of eaglets nearly every year since 2002.

Olsburg Marsh – Some large man-made ponds provide excellent habitat for waterfowl in the spring and fall. This area is also a favorite duck-hunting spot.

Spring Creek – This stream is the year-round home to many aquatic-loving mammals such as mink, muskrat, beaver, and raccoon. Turkeys and white-tailed deer frequent the steep hillsides.

Black Vermillion River – In the spring, greater prairie chickens mate in the rolling hills above the Black Vermillion River. Many "booming grounds" are on private land, but can be observed from public land. For a closer look, obtain permission from the landowner. This is also a good area to observe turkeys year-round.

Swede Creek – A mix of hardwoods and cropland attracts beaver, waterfowl, turkeys, and deer.

"Copperhead Bend" – This area is located approximately one mile south of Swede Creek on Christenson Hill Road off County Highway 897N. The terrain is rough and likely habitat for reptiles such as collared lizards and mammals such as raccoons and opossums. Look for waterfowl and shore birds.

Fancy Creek Cove – This cove contains substantial mud flats and agricultural crops that are preferred by waterfowl and shore birds. It is often a stopover point for hundreds of white pelicans and thousands of Franklin’s gulls. The fields surrounding the cove are also good for migrating sparrows.

Fancy Creek State Park – Fancy Creek State Park attracts a substantial number of deer, commonly seen in the fall and winter months. The heavy stand of cedars provides a good viewing area for songbirds, especially in the winter.

Baldwin Creek – This former park area attracts upland game birds, deer, and beaver. A heavy stand of red cedar trees provides excellent cover for birds.

Stockdale Park – Shorebirds such as herons and egrets frequent this area in late summer and early fall. This is one of the few places in the region where you may find the beautiful painted bunting. Osprey are sometimes seen fishing in April or September.

Mill Cove – The back end of this large protected cove can attract large rafts of ducks. Look for herons, egrets, gulls, and eagles in the fall.

Tuttle Creek Cove – This cove attracts woodcocks in the spring and owls during the summer months. Some shorebirds and waterfowl also visit the cove. Deer are quite numerous as well.