Kansas Bird Watching at Lake Perry
Indigo Bunting - Image by David Seibel
Kansas has been called a bird-watcher’s paradise…and for good reason! With a very large year-round population of resident birds, and the added benefit of being in the migratory bird corridor (Central Flyway) for the Northern Hemisphere, Kansas is an excellent state for the bird watcher.
As a result of a broad spectrum of habitats, including deciduous forest, grassland, sagebrush, and important wetlands, Kansas attracts most of the eastern bird fauna and many of the western and southern species, as well as those northern birds that either winter here or pass through during migration. More than 470 avian species have been documented within the State which puts Kansas among the top five birding states in the country. With everything from Painted Buntings to Hudsonian Godwits, birders are sure to be rewarded richly every time they take to the field.
Bird Watching at Apple Valley Farm
Apple Valley Farm is located in Jefferson County, Kansas which has reported sightings of approximately 325 different bird species. Apple Valley and the immediate surrounding area is a place where you will see many if not all of them! Apple Valley is surrounded by some very diverse habitat that attracts a plethora of birds. In the woods surrounding the property you may lay eyes on the Brown Creeper, or maybe a Summer Tanager will show him or herself.
Perry Lake’s Delaware Marsh, located just about 8 miles South of Apple Valley, was created for the specific purpose of attracting a large variety of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. A 1.75 mile hiking trail takes you around the marsh and includes a number of interpretive stations. A wildlife observation blind is located halfway on the trail for viewing of the wetland area.
The Perry Lake Marshland Refuge Areas are located about 8 miles north of Apple Valley. Make sure you bring a bird checklist when you come! Shorebirds, waterfowl, and many other migratory birds stop here to rest, nest, and mate. Some species stay here year-round.
