Birding and Wildlife in Kansas


	Birding and Wildlife Take a close look at Kansas and you'll begin to see a wild and untamed side to the state. Natural Kansas is a place where prairie chickens strut, buffalo roam and clouds of geese wheel. Birding If you are one of the millions of Americans with a passion for birdwatching, you should know about the fantastic birding that awaits you in Kansas. Kansas currently has a cumulative check list of 465 bird species. The state's mid-continent position is a major factor in the surprising diversity of its bird community. From its eastern timber to the mid-state wetlands, within the Flint Hills, along the shores of lakes and reservoirs, tucked in the grasslands of the state's southwest and in urban parks, Kansas offer outstanding opportunities for birders. Kansas Bird Species County Map Birding in Kansas Birding Basics Woodlands Scattered across eastern Kansas are a variety of forested habitats. Nesting species in this area include yellow-throated and cerulean warblers, white-eyed vireo, scarlet tanager, Arcadian fly-catcher, whippoorwill, pileated woodpecker and red-shouldered hawk. The bottom land of the Missouri River at Fort Leavenworth has stands of timber, which have been untouched for nearly 200 years, and maintains summer populations of such eastern birds as scarlet tanager and cerulean warbler. Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge Chaplin Nature Center Wetlands The most popular destinations for birders in Kansas are two large wetlands complexes in the central part of the state - Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. About 45 percent of the North American shorebird populations stops at the Cheyenne Bottoms during spring migration. At least 320 species of birds have been recorded here. Few sights can equal sunsets at Quivira in late October and November, as wave after wave of honking geese and noisy cranes descend into the marsh with the glow of sunset illuminating the scene. Excellent roadside bird watching opportunities are available along the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway. Thousands of migrating sandhill cranes and geese also settle in at Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge (60 miles north of Hays). The birds come to rest among 10,800 acres of prairie grasses, creeks and bottom-lands. Lakes, Reservoirs & Rivers From October to April, when the crowds of recreational users have lessened, Kansas reservoirs serve as islands of desirable habitat for many species of birds. Bald Eagles, our national bird, populate eastern Kansas reservoirs such as Perry and Clinton while long-eared owls have chosen Cedar Bluff as their winter home. A true oasis on the High Plains is Scott Lake State Park. This lake and thickly wooded canyon attracts a variety of interesting birds during all seasons. An area not to be missed is the St. Francis Wildlife Management Area which has a well developed corridor of riparian timber along the Republican River. Kansas Reservoirs Map Kansas State Lakes Kansas Streams and Rivers Southwest Kansas A distinct western character, as viewed at Cimarron National Grasslands, typifies the bird community in southwest Kansas represented by such nesting species as scaled quail, mountain plover and curved-billed thrasher. The grasslands are the only public area in Kansas with a viewing blind for lesser prairie chickens which number in the hundreds. The blind must be reserved with the U.S. Forest Service offices in Elkhart. The Flint Hills Lying west of eastern forests, the Flint Hills contain most of the remaining, unplowed tallgrass prairie in America. Several species of special interest to birders inhabit these grasslands, including the greater prairie chicken, Sprague's pipit, Henslow's sparrow and Smith's longspur. One of the most extensive tracts of protected prairie in the Flint Hills is the Konza Prairie near Manhattan. Here, a public hiking trail offers opportunities to observe many grassland birds. Red Hills Stretching across several southern border counties, Kansas' rugged and beautiful Red Hills (also known as the Gypsum or Gyp Hills) offer impressive scenery and a fascinating diverse mix of eastern and western bird species. During winter, after the annual cedar berry crop has been bountiful, flocks of hundreds of mountain bluebirds descend from the Rocky Mountains to take advantage of this rich food source. While much of this land is privately owned, the area offers good roadside birding. We recommend the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway. Urban Parks If you are visiting one of the larger cities in Kansas, nature centers, arboretums and wildlife refuges are an ideal place to get an up close look at birds unique to Kansas. Wildlife The diverse Kansas ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife populations. The eastern timber areas to western grasslands, the arid high prairie environment, the Flint Hills and the Red Hills, lakes and reservoirs - all work together to make Kansas wildlife viewing a diverse experience. View Kansas wildlife from the edge of the road or within many wildlife refuges located throughout the state. The state's Scenic Byways provide among the best roadside wildlife viewing in Kansas. Kansas wildlife nature centers and wildlife areas provide ideal environments for wildlife viewing. Deer can be seen virtually everywhere in Kansas throughout the year. The best places to catch a glimpse are along country roads near streams and the best time is during dawn and dusk hours. The buffalo still roam in Kansas and you're most likely to come across them in the southwest segment of the state. The Sandsage Bison Range is home to a herd of at least 40 buffalo. These tremendous animals still roam free at Big Basin Prairie Preserve. The Maxwell Wildlife Refuge in south-central Kansas, near Salina, provides opportunities to view buffalo and wapiti, more commonly referred to as elk. Kansas Wildlife Viewing Kansas Wildlife Areas Federal Wildlife Areas