Kansas
Birding
Trails
KANSAS WOODLANDS BIRDING TRAIL
About The Area
La Cygne Lake is a 2,600-acre cooling reservoir for an almost 1,600 megawatt coal-fired generating plant owned by Evergy Metro power company, with 2,000 acres of wooded uplands, grass meadows and crop fields comprising the wildlife area. The lake is known for holding waterfowl, loons, grebes and gulls during late fall and winter. Throughout much of the year you can find Bald Eagles, herons, egrets, kingfishers and cormorants using the lake. In fact, when looking through the flocks of Double-crested Cormorants, keep an eye out for the smaller Neotropic Cormorants. They are occasionally seen here, and also at the nearby Marais des Cygne Wildlife Area.
The wildlife area has thickets which attract large numbers of a good variety of winter sparrows. During migration the oak-hickory woodlands attract warblers, vireos, tanagers, and flycatchers. On summer evenings listen for the repetitive calls of Eastern Whip-poor-wills and Chuck-will’s-widow as well as Screech and Barred Owls. In early spring evenings this is a great place to witness the aerial displays of American Woodcocks. Be aware that hunting occurs on both the lake and in the wildlife area during fall and winter.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
WESTERN TRAILHEAD:
La Cygne Lake lies 5 miles east of the town of La Cygne. To reach Linn County Park from U.S. 69, take the La Cygne Exit east 0.3 miles to Valley Road and follow the sign north 2 miles to the park entrance. The wildlife area is located 7.2 miles from U.S. 69. It is reached by traveling east across the dam and then north at the first intersection past the generating plant (Young Road).
KANSAS WOODLANDS BIRDING TRAIL
About the Locations
A birder could easily spend an entire day birding the Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge and the adjacent network of units that make up the Marais Des Cygnes Wildlife Area managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). Unlike some sites that feature excellent birding only during migration, this area is a prime birding location year-around because of the expansive tracts of various habitats. Habitats found here in the Marais des Cygnes River’s watershed include bottomland hardwood forests, upland forests, managed grasslands, wet meadows, flooded agricultural fields and marshes. At least 321 species of birds use the area, including over 30 species of migrating warblers. At least 117 species nest on the refuge. The forested tracts are especially good for nesting warblers such as Kentucky, Black and White, American Redstart and occasionally even Cerulean Warblers. The wetlands and grasslands host nesting Sedge Wrens and Henslow’s Sparrows, and during migration LeConte’s Sparrows. Much of the birding is from the roads throughout the area. Maps, available at the refuge offices or websites, will aid you in navigating the complex of management units. The state wildlife area is located mostly west of US 69, whereas the federal refuge is located east of US 69. These two areas are treated separately below.
About The Area
Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area (7,654 acres) also lies in the floodplain of the Marais des Cygnes River and is well-known for its managed wetlands and bottomland hardwood forest. The array of wetland units is managed to provide abundant food and cover for migratory waterfowl and other wetland species. Waterfowl numbers are often in the tens of thousands and can be as high as 150,000 birds. Although wetland management for waterfowl hunting is the primary objective, nongame birds such as shorebirds, herons, egrets and rails also benefit from these management practices. For example, the best shorebird habitat in all of eastern Kansas typically can be found in Unit G. Rare waders such as White Ibis and Wood Stork have been seen here and herons and egrets can number in the hundreds. Yellow-crowned Night Herons often nest in Unit A. The easily accessible Unit F, just off of Highway 69, also often has shorebird habitat. For forest birds, a favorite road of birders is 1-mile south of the KDWP office on US 69. Just south of the bridge over the Marais des Cygnes River turn west onto a winding gravel road which travels along Unit A until it dead ends after one mile. Another popular road is reached by turning west onto E. 1700 Road just north of the KDWP offices. Drive west until you come to railroad tracks. Before crossing the tracks, turn north onto the road that runs below a steep wooded slope parallel to the river. Parking and walking along this stretch of road is highly recommended. After going through high quality upland forests, this road ends at Unit G which is encircled by a perimeter road. Hunting is permitted at this wildlife area, so please be aware of any seasons open when planning a visit.
driving directions:
The state wildlife offices and an information kiosk are located just west of US 69 about 1-mile north of Trading Post.
Kansas WOODLANDS BIRDING TRAIL
About The Area
The Refuge habitat consists primarily of bottomland hardwood forests along the Marais des Cygnes River. This habitat is rather uncommon in Kansas. Uplands surrounding the hardwood forests are primarily prairie grasslands. Nearly 5,000 acres of the 7,500-acre refuge are available for birding. This location is managed by the USFWS and is subject to their regulations. The remaining 2,500 acres are a wildlife sanctuary and not available for public use. Shorebirds, waterfowl, and migrant songbirds use the refuge. Grasslands and thickets along 1500 and 1550 Roads offer great nesting habitat for species such as Yellow-breasted Chats, Bell’s Vireos, and Eastern Towhees. Winter residents in this area include Short-eared Owls most often observed at dusk or dawn and year-round residents such as Red-headed Woodpeckers are common. Other breeding bird species found on the Refuge include Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Parula Warbler, Red-shouldered Hawk, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Acadian Flycatcher.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
The federal refuge visitor center is located on K-52 east of US 69.
Kansas WOODLANDS BIRDING TRAIL
About The Area
Lake Fort Scott is owned by the City of Fort Scott, so unlike the State Fishing Lakes on this Trail, the shoreline is developed for private residences. However, views of the lake are available at public access sites. Ducks, geese, ospreys and eagles use the 352-acre lake during the cooler months of the year when water recreation is not as intense as it is during the summer If visiting in late spring or summer you will find the surrounding woodlands provide good birding. Fish Crows, Pileated Woodpeckers, Cedar Waxwings, Black and white Warblers, stunningly brilliant Prothonotary Warblers, and many other forest birds can be found in the heavily wooded areas around the lake.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Take US 69 south from Ft. Scott for about 3 miles then turn right (west) onto Hackberry Road. Take Hackberry Road west for about 2.5 miles. The road will end at the lake.
Kansas WOODLANDS BIRDING TRAIL
About The Area
Bone Creek Lake is a newer lake having been created in 1996 to provide water to residents of Crawford and Cherokee Counties. The lake has high water clarity, hence the fish populations are excellent. This not only benefits anglers, but also fish-eating birds such as herons, kingfishers, terns, loons, grebes, cormorants, eagles and Ospreys. In fact, Ospreys attempted to nest here first in 2005 on a windmill platform and then in 2007 and 2009 on a platform installed by Westar Energy’s Green Team. Since then, Bald Eagles have successfully nested here. Western and Red-necked Grebes are among the uncommon birds that have been attracted to this fish-rich lake. Look for cavity nesting birds such as Tree Swallows and Prothonotary Warblers in areas of the lake with standing dead trees.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
About 15 miles south of Ft. Scott turn right (west) onto E. 680th Avenue. Go west to N. 200th Street and then turn north. Road will end at the Lake.
Kansas WOODLANDS BIRDING TRAIL
About The Area
The oak-hickory and riparian woodlands, plus the surrounding grasslands and croplands, give birders opportunities to see a good variety of birds. This 150-acre lake was built in 1934 as a Civilian Conservation Corps project. Waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds can be seen during spring and fall. Two short loop nature trails through riparian woodland habitat are at the north end of the lake. Scan the thickets for warblers during migrations. Indigo buntings, Yellow-breasted Chats, and Bell’s Vireos nest here. Around the fields and prairies, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, Dickcissels, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Field Sparrows may be seen in the right season.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
From the intersection of US 69 and K-7 on the south edge of Ft. Scott go southwest and then south on K-7 for about 12.5 miles. The turn east on K-277 to park entrance. From Girard drive 9 miles north on K-7, then go 1 mile east to the entry kiosk.
Kansas WOODLANDS BIRDING TRAIL
About The Area
This is an interesting area that is seldom birded, but has potential to provide a pleasant birding experience. This Wildlife Area has several units scattered throughout Crawford and Cherokee Counties. Here you’ll find more than 1,000 strip-pit lakes that range in size from one-half acre to 50 acres. Depending on how they were mined, strip pits vary in depth. Some are shallow whereas others are quite deep and have steep banks. This unique landscape provides habitat both for migrating waterfowl on the lakes and for forest and grassland songbirds on the surrounding lands. Blue-winged Teal is the most common duck found here in the right season. Birds of grasslands and thickets are also common. Birds such as Bell’s Vireos, Yellow-breasted Chats, Dickcissels, Grasshopper and Field Sparrows, and Indigo Buntings can be expected.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
From Columbus go west on US 160 for 7 miles. Then go north for 4 miles, then drive one-half mile west.
Kansas WOODLANDS BIRDING TRAIL
This city park along the west bank of the Spring River and the water treatment lagoons on the east side of the river have long been a stopping point for birders exploring southeast Kansas. Two of the big attractions over the years have been Fish Crows and Black Vultures. For many decades, these species had restricted ranges in Kansas, but they both now have expanded north and west. The park is good in migration for warblers and vireos. Northern Parulas and Yellow-throated Warblers, and Warbling Vireos nest along the river. Waterfowl, shorebirds and gulls are often found on the lagoons. In the right seasons, large numbers of Bonaparte’s Gulls and many species of ducks, including all three species of mergansers and even a Surf Scoter have been seen here.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
This park is located along US 166 (E. 12th St.) on the east edge of Baxter Springs.
Kansas WOODLANDS BIRDING TRAIL
About The Area
Schermerhorn Park is home to some of the more unique animals in Kansas, and to many eastern woodland birds. A cave and spring in the park are home to rare salamanders found nowhere else in Kansas and some unique fishes with limited ranges in the state occupy Shoal Creek. What makes this park so interesting is that it is part of the 55- square mile section of the Ozark Plateau which extends into Kansas from neighboring Missouri. The park has a network of trails and is home to the Southeast Kansas Nature Center which overlooks beautiful Shoal Creek. This Center, owned by the city of Galena and operated by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, has interesting exhibits and artifact collections, and is staffed by an interpreter who can answer questions about recent bird sightings. Birding here in spring can be especially rewarding. More than 20 species of warblers have been seen in a day, including rare species such as Cerulean and Worm-eating. Four species of vireos and 10 species of warblers have nested here. Breeding birds such as Red-shouldered Hawks, Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Yellow-throated Vireos, Yellow-throated and Prothonotary Warblers, and Pileated Woodpeckers are nesting birds that will add color to your world. As for birds lacking vivid color, Fish Crows are commonly heard calling and occasionally Black Vultures are seen flying overhead. To add waterfowl, grebes, gulls, and wading birds to your list, go 2 miles west of Galena on US 66 to Empire Lake. The Boaters Clubhouse on the east shore provides a good view of the lake.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
The well-marked park is located about one-mile south of Galena on the east side of K-26.
