More than 325 bird species make the round-trip each year along the Mississippi Flyway, from their breeding grounds in Canada and the northern United States to their wintering grounds along the Gulf of Mexico and in Central and South America. Add the regions area birds and state parks and natural areas and birders have an abundance of birds to look for and places to look for them. Bald Eagles are the main stars in the region beginning in late September and ending in early March.
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ST. LOUIS TO THE CONFLUENCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI & OHIO RIVERS
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park
Wildwood, Missouri
Babler State Park has an extensive trail system throughout the park and its Nature Center that offers maps and most services any birder will need. Due to its location above the Missouri River, it is a trap for migrating warbler, vireo and many other species of migrants that are attracted to its big tress and clean water. There are two permanent streams that offer very productive habitat for birds attracted to streams. Stop anywhere that you see water and you will find birds.
Castlewood State Park
Ballwin, Missouri
Castlewood State Park’s diverse habitats include the Meramec River surrounded by high limestone bluffs covered in large old-growth oaks, scattered hickories, and open meadows. It also boasts spring-fed Kiefer Creek and native floodplain forest along the riparian zone and trail. Birds sighted at Castlewood include many warblers, including the state-endangered Cerulean Warbler. Six species of vireo and four species of thrush have been documented from Castlewood State Park. The park is also known for woodpeckers, sparrows, hawks, cuckoos, tanagers, and orioles.
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area
North Saint Louis County, Missouri
The managed wetlands at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area provide resting and feeding areas for ducks, geese and other migratory birds including herons, egrets, and pelicans. An accessible boardwalk over the bottomland waters make it easy to get into the natural area. The site also offers superb birding opportunities in the spring.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Forest
Saint Louis, MO
The Kennedy Forest is home to approximately 30 resident birds during a given season including Red-tailed Hawks, Barred Owls, a variety of woodpeckers, and assorted songbirds. Birds such as the Indigo Bunting and American Goldfinch call the forest home during the summer and are replaced by birds such as the White-throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco who like to winter in the area. Although they are there it is unlikely to see all the resident birds during one visit as you need to be at the right place and right time to catch a glimpse of the more uncommon residents. In April and May the forest becomes very active during the passerine migration as over a dozen different warblers as well as orioles, thrushes, and tanagers take advantage of this oasis of nature. A complete birding list can be obtained at the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center situated on Grand Drive on the north side of the Park just southeast of the Missouri History Museum.
World Bird Sanctuary
Valley Park, MO
The World Bird Sanctuary is a unique Saint Louis attraction and an entertaining environmental education opportunity. With over 130-acres and 350 animals in their care, the WBS offers a wildlife experience that is one-of-a-kind. Dedicated to preserving the earth's biological diversity and securing the future of birds of prey in their natural environments, 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, all presented in an interactive and humorous style.
Hawn State Park
Sainte Genevieve County, Missouri
Hawn State Park is listed on the National Audubon Society's Great River Birding Trail. They report that there are at least 84 species of birds, 31 which are confirmed breeders. Historically, the area supports Brown-headed Nuthatches, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, and Bachman's Sparrows. Henslow's Sparrows and Pine Warblers are common in the summer months.
Pickle Springs Natural Area
Sainte Genevieve County, Missouri
Pickle Springs Natural Area is listed on the National Audubon Society's Great River Birding Trail. They report that they found 73 bird species including 43 probable and 15 confirmed breeding species. Pine Warblers may be seen in summer as well as tanagers and other forest birds.
Washington State Park
DeSoto, Missouri
Washington State Park is considered a hot spot during the spring migration season whit a variety of warblers and thrushes stopping at the park. State Park has a wide variety of habitats including native hardwood forest, limestone glades, savannas, and gravel access to the Big River. This variety provides nesting opportunities for both residents and summer breeders including a variety of warblers. Three trails that provide access to different habitats, including the Washington State Park Hardwood Natural Area.
Trail of Tears State Park
Jackson, Missouri
Trail of Tears State Park is positioned in a scenic look over the Mississippi River and, consequently, is a great place to view migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. The 300-acre Vancill Hollow Natural Area contains plant communities more common to the eastern United States than the Missouri Ozarks. The Natural Area attracts many forest species, including Pileated Woodpecker, Barred Owl, Northern Parula, Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Acadian Flycatcher, and Wood Thrush.
Horseshoe Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
Miller City, Illinois
Horseshoe Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area is listed on the National Audubon Society's Great River Birding Trail. The site is a good one for observing not only Canada Geese in winter but also other waterfowl as well as Bald Eagles. In the warmer months, expect to see wading birds and typical forest dwellers typical of bottomland hardwood forests.
Trail of Tears State Forest
Jonesboro, Illinois
Trail of Tears State Forest is listed on the National Audubon Society's Great River Birding Trail. The site is an excellent place to visit during spring migration. Watch for warblers, vireos, thrushes, and tanagers. Worm-eating Warblers are often seen along with Orioles, Blue Grosbeaks, and Dickcissels.
Union County State Fish & Wildlife Area
Jonesboro, Illinois
The Union County State Fish & Wildlife Area is listed on the National Audubon Society's Great River Birding Trail. The area is noted for its phenomenal flock of Canada Geese and other waterfowl which winter on the area. Pileated and Red-headed Woodpeckers are common in the woodlands and shorebirds, wading birds, and raptors may be seen. In the summer Mississippi Kites are present.
LaRue-Pine Hills
Wolf Lake, Illinois
The LaRue-Pine Hills area is listed on the National Audubon Society's Great River Birding Trail. In the upland forested ravines birdwatchers can easily find Kentucky and Worm-eating Warblers and Louisiana Waterthrushes and other forest birds. The site contains one of the most northernmost southern swamps that attract migrating herons, egrets, and other shorebirds. The site is also home to a variety of raptors.
Lake Kinkaid
Jackson County, Illinois
The Lake Kinkaid area is listed on the National Audubon Society's Great River Birding Trail and contains about 10,000 acres of mostly upland forest. Some open grassy and prairie areas are also present. Look for common woodland birds in the forested areas and various waterbirds around the lake. Spring bird migration brings everything from Scarlet Tanagers to the Rose-Breasted grosbeak and a slew of warblers.
Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area
East Prairie, Missouri
Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area is a primarily seasonal wetland intended to provide habitat for migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Ten Mile Pond is unique in that nearly half of the area is a wildlife refuge that does not allow hunting. The best way to view the interior wetlands is by walking along the levee system. You will see Snow Goose, Gadwall, and Blue-winged Teal in great numbers. A large variety of shorebirds arrive in early spring to take advantage of invertebrate-rich mudflats and the area is also a great place for a variety of terns.
Big Oak Tree State Park
East Prairie, Missouri
Big Oak Tree State Park is listed on the National Audubon Society's Great River Birding Trail. Over 150 species of birds have been observed at this site including Bald Eagles, Mississippi kites, waterfowl and other water birds, and forest dwelling songbirds. This location is an excellent place for observing migrant species during both the spring and fall migration periods.
