15
Great Places for Bird Watching
Locations geographically listed
from north to south |
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Nauvoo State Park
50
N. Wells Street
Nauvoo, IL
217-453-6252 |
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This 148-acre park includes the 13-acre Lake Horton with a mile-long
shoreline. In addition to fishing, boating, camping and hiking,
people return to these serene surroundings for the park's
recreational features. Bird watchers should look for White Pelicans,
Canvasbacks, Lesser Scaup, and Caspian Terns may all be seen in
Nauvoo State Park during migration. Bald Eagles may also be seen
during migration as well as winter. |
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Wakonda State Park
32836 State Park Road
La
Grange, MO
573-655-2280 |
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Wakonda State Park is composed of land that once was mined of gravel
used to surface Missouri's secondary highways. The land has been
transformed into a recreation area featuring six lakes, hiking and
bicycling trails, and a rare sand prairie. 87 bird species have been
recorded for the park. Look for grassland species such as Lark and
Field Sparrows and the Dickcissel. Also, Bald Eagles, Northern
Harriers, American White Pelicans, and Bitterns may be seen along
with various waterfowl and wading birds. |
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Quincy Bay
State Fish and Wildlife Area
Off IL-24
Quincy, IL |
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Located just north of Quincy this site consists primarily of
Mississippi River floodplain forest and wetland habitats
interspersed with various water bodies. Bird watchers should look
for American white pelicans and various waterfowl during fall
migration and bald eagles in winter. In spring and summer look for
various wading birds, ospreys, and neo-tropical songbirds
For more information and directions visit the
Audubon
Great River Birding Trail website. |
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Ted
Shanks
Conservation Area
3643 Pike 145
Ashburn, MO
573-258-2530 |
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Located
on Highway TT off US 79 between Hannibal and Louisiana, this 6,705
acre area wetlands is teeming with waterfowl, songbirds, mammals and
wildflowers. This site features primitive camping, boat ramps, and
a staffed office with exhibits. Bald Eagles can be seen from late
fall to early spring. Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets can be
seen from late spring thru autumn. |
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The
Clarksville
Tourist Information
Center and
Lock and Dam #24
Highway 79
Clarksville, MO
573-242-3132 |
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Overlooking
the Mississippi River and Lock and Dam #24, the Clarksville
Tourist Information Center offers
information about the town, its history, and local attractions.
Binoculars and spotting scopes are available during the winter for
Bald Eagle watchers. Lock and Dam #24 has an observation platform.
Due to funding problems the Clarksville Tourist Information Center
is open only during special events and by appointment. |
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Two
Rivers
National Wildlife Refuge
County Road 1
618- 883-2524 |
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This refuge consists of
a variety of habitats and is a major migration corridor
for waterfowl, bald eagles and other birds. The refuge is closed mid-October to
mid-December, but the office/visitor center is open weekdays and some weekends
during that period. |
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Pere Marquette
State Park
5 miles west of Grafton
on Route 100
618-786-3323 |
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Illinois' largest state park, Pere
Marquette is famous for the beauty of its fall colors and as a home
for bald eagles in the winter. Plenty of year round activities. |
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Melvin Price Locks & Dam
2751 Berns Highway
East Alton
877-462-6979 |
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Visitors can
watch river craft use the locks and the area is a favorite site for bald eagles in the
winter. Free tours are available daily. |
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Riverlands Environmental
Demonstration Area
301 Riverlands Way
West Alton, MO
636-899-2600 or
1-888-899-2602 |
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1200
acres of wetland
area managed by the Corps of Engineers across the Clark Bridge from
downtown Alton. |
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Confluence
Point
State Park
1000 Riverlands Way
West Alton, MO
636-899-1135 |
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This 1,118-acre park is located on the north side
of the Missouri River at its confluence with the Mississippi
River. A short trail leads visitors where the two rivers meet and
the area is noted for bird watching. |
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Watershed
Nature Center
1591 Tower Road
Edwardsville, IL
618-692-7578 |
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The habitats at the
40-acre Watershed Nature Center include mixed hardwood forests and
grassy meadows. A 1-mile path around its two main ponds gives easy
access to birders looking for waterfowl. A raised walkway through
wetlands and pond edge has been added to a 3000-foot
handicap-accessible path. Birders can expect to see a wide range of
waterfowl, many herons or egrets, hawks, sparrows, and other
songbirds.
For more information visit www.watershednaturecenter.com. |
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Horseshoe
Lake
State Park
3321 Highway
111
Granite City
618-931-0270 |
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2,960 acre park
centered around an oxbow lake with bird watching, nature trails, camping,
fishing, hunting and other recreational activities. |
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World Bird Sanctuary
125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road
Valley Park, MO
636-225-4390 |
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With over 130-acres the WBS is home to eagles,
owls, hawks, falcons, vultures, parrots, mammals and reptiles. A
team of Naturalists offer an array of education programs covering a
variety of environmental topics. Admission is Free
but there is a fee for programs and guided tours.
For more information visit www.worldbirdsanctuary.org |
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Pickle
Springs
Natural Area
Dorlac Road
Ste. Genevieve County, MO |
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Designated
a National Natural Landmark, this area has geologic features and
plants that occur in few other places. |
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Hawn
State Park
12096 Park Drive
Ste. Genevieve County, MO
573-883-3603 |
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With
pine and oak forests, sandstone bluffs and canyons, and clear
sand-bottom streams, this nearly 5,000 acre park is considered on of the
most scenic in Missouri. The park has many nature trails, picnic
areas and a campground for those who wish to get out and enjoy
nature. |
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