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Area Birding > Birding Locations
Birding in the Greater Springfield Area
ALDRICH CONSERVATION AREA & STOCKTON LAKE are about one hour northwest of Springfield. From intersection of Kansas & Kearney, drive west on Kearney 2 miles to US160. Turn right on 160 and drive 8.8 miles; turn right on MO123 and drive 19 miles to Stockton Lake Bridge. Scan the lake for waterfowl, then explore 3 main birding areas.
- Mud Flats: Continue 0.7 miles north from the bridge; turn right at Aldrich turn-off down an old road. Mud flats will be down a path on right. Roadside birding is also good.
- Lake area: Continue 0.7 miles north from the bridge; turn left at Aldrich turn-off. Take next left to the lake; follow the road to the right to the lake.
- Levy: From the bridge, continue 1 mile north to Highway T; turn right. Drive 1.4 miles to a gravel road on the right, which leads to parking area. Walk down the road which parallels the levy. Excellent for egrets, herons, ducks, shorebirds and geese when the water is up.
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BOIS D'ARC CONSERVATION AREA comprises 2,872 acres owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation. From intersection of Kansas & Kearney, drive west on Kearney, left on US160. From the junction of US160 and EE (Division Street), go west 8 miles to Highway T. Turn right on T for about two miles to the town of Bois D'Arc. Take UU north to the wildlife area. This is a very good place for hawks, owls, quail, Scissor-tailed flycatchers and Loggerhead Shrikes. Sparrows are abundant in winter, including Harris's. You may walk the fields from many parking areas. Hunting is permitted in season.
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BUSIEK CONSERVATION AREA: Owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation, these 2500+ acres include varied habitat. Drive south on US 65 past Ozark. About 20 miles south of Springfield, watch for Busiek sign, for left turn to conservation area. Trail through the fields leads to the river. When the river is low, you may cross it south of the parking lot and follow the trail through woods and fields. Good for woodland and open field birds.
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COMPTON HOLLOW CONSERVATION AREA: Located about 20 miles east of Springfield and 9 miles southwest of Marshfield in Webster County, this area is good for migrating and nesting warblers. Ninety percent of the 840 arce area is forested. Woodcock may be observed at Compton Hollow in late February through April. From Springfield, take US60 east to Rogersville, north on B to KK, then to area on left. Or, take Sunshine St. which turns into D, then N to KK.
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FANTASTIC CAVERNS: From intersection of Kansas & Kearney, drive north on MO 13 to Farm Road 94, Fantastic Caverns Road. Turn west; follow Fantastic Cavern signs. Take nature trail from picnic area to the river. This is one of the closest places to Springfield to hear Chuck-Will's Widow, beginning the second week of May.
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FELLOWS LAKE: From intersection of Glenstone and Sunshine drive north on Glenstone (which becomes Highway H outside the city) about 7 miles. Turn east on Farm Road 94. Watch both sides of the road for farm ponds, where shorebirds and ducks may be found. After 1.5 miles turn north on Farm Road 175. Drive 0.5 miles; turn east on Farm Road 88. Zig-zag north and east on Farm Roads 177, 82, and 183. Next intersection is AA; turn east and drive 2.8 miles; continue straight on 197 to Fellows Lake. (A more direct route is north on H for 8 miles, then east on AA to 197 and Fellows Lake). Park at the intersection of 197 and 68, where you may scan the lake for ducks, loons, cormorants, terns, grebes, shorebirds, and eagles in season. Walk down 68 for woodpeckers and songbirds. Continue driving on Farm Road 197 around the lake, checking each lake access for waterfowl. Turn west on 66, left again on Farm Road 171 to the bridge over the creek, watching the fencerows for sparrows.
Woodpeckers and bluebirds frequent old trees by the creek. Travel east on 66 and turn south on 175, which will return you to AA.
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GOLDEN CITY & LOCKWOOD area is about 60 miles west of Springfield. Drive west on Chestnut Expressway, which will become MO266. Continue west on MO96; turn north on MO97 in Lawrence County, just past Mount Vernon. County NN west of 97 often has booming Greater Prairie Chickens in March to mid-April, and shorebirds may be found in casual water. Look for Swainson's Hawks, Henslow's Sparrows, Upland Sandpipers, and Loggerhead Shrikes in summer. In late fall, there is potential for Rough-legged Hawks, flocks of Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs.
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HENNING CONSERVATION AREA: N.W. of Branson on Hwy 76 near Silver Dollar City is this 1500 acre oak-hickory and scenic glade area containing the White River Balds Nature Area. This is one of the biggest and most diverse Ozark glades in Missouri. This area provides habitat for Greater Roadrunners, Painted Buntings, and Prairie Warblers
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LA PETITE GEMME PRAIRIE: From intersection of Kansas & Kearney, drive north on MO13 about 35 miles. Just past the intersection of 13 and Y, watch for a brown sign indicating a left turn onto a gravel road. The small prairie is on the left, about one mile west of 13. Look for Henslow's Sparrow, Dicksissel, and other birds of open fields; many prairie wildflowers and grasses.
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LAKE SPRINGFIELD: From intersection of Glenstone and Sunshine drive west on Sunshine to Fremont; turn south. Continue until Fremont ends; turn left at Weaver Road. Bear right and continue south to entrance of Lake Springfield on your left. Drive past picnic area and silo to parking area at north boat launch. Varied waterfowl, Great Blue Herons, and Bald Eagles seen in winter. Marshy strip along shore is often good birding; look for warblers and vireos in spring. Walk up steep path north of parking area to lake overlook; watch for small birds along the way. Return to main road; drive south across the dam to parking area on your left, directly across from the power plant. Scan for waterfowl, eagles. Short path leads to railroad tracks, which may yield woodpeckers and songbirds, and closer views of south lake shore. Continue driving south; bear left on Farm Road 188. Turn north on Farm Road 177, which takes you to a boat dock (on your left) at east end of the lake.
Look across lake for ducks and snipe. Lake Springfield boat launch area may also be reached from US65 by taking the Evans Road exit south of the lake. Follow Evans Road west to Farm Road 177; turn right and continue to boat launch area.
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LITTLE SAC WOODS (METRO FOREST): Seven hundred seventy-two acres of forest, field and streams owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation comprise Little Sac Woods. From intersection of Kansas & Kearney, drive 6.1 miles north on MO13. Turn west on Farm Road 60. Watch for birds along roadside during this drive. Drive 1.1 miles; turn right on Farm Road 129. Drive .7 miles; turn left on Farm Road 54. Drive 1.2 miles; turn right on Farm Road 117. Drive 1.8 miles; turn left on Farm Road 44. Drive .8 miles; turn right on Farm Road 36 and go 1.1 miles to entrance. An alternate approach misses some good roadside birding, but is more direct. From intersection of Kansas & Kearney, drive north on MO13 about 8 miles; turn west on Farm Road 44. Turn right on Farm Road 36 and into the entrance. You may also drive north on MO13 about 11 miles; turn west on BB; after about 2 miles, turn left on Farm Road 115, which will bring you to a woodland access on your right,
on the east side of Little Sac Woods.
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MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST (Chadwick area) is about one and a half hours southeast of Springfield. Take US65 south; turn east on MO14. Go through Ozark and turn south on 125; go through town of Chadwick to intersection with Highway H. Turn right on H to Mark Twain National Forest. Be alert for Pine Warblers in the first pine trees, about two miles from 125. Explore each road off H into the forest.
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MCCRAW'S FORD: From intersection of Glenstone and Sunshine drive east on Sunshine about 10 miles; Sunshine will become D Highway outside the city. Turn north on MO125, then left down the gravel road just prior to the James River bridge. The McCraw family allows birders to cross the fence and follow the trail downstream for nesting Yellow-throated and Prothonotary Warblers, Yellow-throated Vireo, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Duck, Carolina Wren. Sometimes shorebirds can be observed. Masses of Virginia Bluebells bloom in early spring. Trail can be very slippery when wet; you may share the walk with cattle.
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DRURY-MINCY CONSERVATION AREA is about one hour south of Springfield. Drive south on US65 to Branson; exit onto east 76 and drive about 5.5 miles; turn south (right) onto J and continue 5.5 miles to sign indicating continue straight approximately one mile to Drury CA, or right turn onto J40 to Mincy CA Area. Watch for Greater Roadrunners, spring wildflowers, dogwoods, and warblers along the roadside. After about 3 miles, stop at Bee Creek and walk the road which parallels the creek; plan to spend several hours on this trip. Look in stands of Giant Cane beginning in mid-May for nesting Swainson's Warbler.
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NIXON'S FARM: From intersection of Glenstone and Sunshine drive north on Glenstone; turn east on Division Street and drive out of town. Division will become YY highway. About 4 miles east of Glenstone, small Pelican Pond on right may have waterfowl. Turn south on Farm Road 205 for Nixon Farm loop. Turn east on Farm Road 128, then north and stop at next corner. Watch roadsides and fields for Horned Larks, Bobolinks, Harriers, Vesper and other open field sparrows, longspurs. Continue north to the intersection of YY. You may take YY west back to Springfield, or follow YY east to MO125, and turn south to McCraw's Ford.
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PACKER ROAD passes a field where American Woodcock may be found doing their aerial courtship display at dusk in mid March. From intersection of Glenstone and Sunshine drive north on Glenstone; turn east on Division. After 1.5 miles, turn north on Packer Road. Cross the railroad tracks at .5 miles, park by the roadside and listen for "beezp" of the ascending woodcock.
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PALMETTO AREA: From intersection of Glenstone and Sunshine drive east on Sunshine (it becomes "D") to 125. Drive south on 125. Left on FR 166 to Palmetto Cemetery. Continue on straight, or turn right to explore roads in that area. Look for shorebirds in standing water in the fields, Savannah and Grasshopper Sparrows and Bobolinks on fences and rails in mid-May. Continue on 125 south across Hwy. 60, and turn left on 168 for similar habitat. Look for Great-tailed Grackles around ponds.
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RITTER SPRING PARK: From intersection of Kansas & Kearney, drive north on Kansas (MO13) to Farm Road 94, Fantastic Caverns Road. Turn west (left); follow Fantastic Cavern signs to Farm Road 129 where Ritter Spring sign indicates right turn. Entrance to the park will be on your right. Ritter Spring is good in any season, but especially in spring, with its marvelous wild flowers. Barred Owl and Pileated Woodpecker are usually heard; many warblers are seen during spring migration. From parking area, cross stile, take trail to the right through woods. Follow path along steam. Warblers, Vireos, Thrushes, and neotropical migrants can b found.
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SEQUIOTA PARK: From intersection of Glenstone and Sunshine drive south on Sunshine to first traffic light; turn east on Lone Pine. Drive 2.4 miles to Sequiota Park, on your left. Birding is excellent in a cold winter, when the spring keeps the pond from freezing over. Look for Common Goldeneye, Ring-neck Ducks, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Wood Duck, Lesser Scaup.
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SOUTHERN HILLS LAKES: From intersection of Glenstone and Sunshine drive east on Sunshine to first traffic light; turn east on Lone Pine. After 0.8 miles, turn left on Southern Hills Blvd.; turn right on Cedarbrook, which cuts between two of the three lakes. Winter brings Lesser Scaup, Red-heads, and occasional Cnavasbacks. Take next left on Edgewater Drive; turn left on Southern Hills Blvd., to the third lake; continue straight back to Lone Pine.
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SPRINGFIELD CONSERVATION NATURE CENTER: From intersection of Glenstone and Sunshine follow Glenstone south past Battlefield Mall and over James River Freeway. Turn left immediately after exit for US65 South. Follow Springfield Nature Center signs guiding you left on the outer roadway which parallels US65. The outer road dead ends at the Nature Center entrance. The center has 3 miles of mixed habitat trails and a bird feeding area where birds are fed year-round.
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TABLE ROCK LAKE AREA is about 40 miles south of Springfield. Drive south on US65; turn east on 176; continue east on 160 to Shadow Rock Park, which will be on your left in Forsyth. Large nesting colony of Cliff Swallows is under the bridge in summer. Return to US65 by way of 160 west or south to Hollister. Lake Route 65-48 east of US65 about 5 miles south of Point Lookout provides variety of birds. Turn west on MO165 south of Hollister; continue to Table Rock State Park on your left. Common, and Pacific Loons, Bald Eagles, and several grebe species have been seen in winter. Follow 165 across the dam to Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery for ducks and other waterfowl in winter months. The visitor center has excellent maps of the vicinity.
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TALBOT WILDLIFE AREA is about 60 miles west of Springfield, just south of prairie chicken habitat. Follow directions toward Golden City area, but turn south on MO97. Turn left at the second Talbot access road, which takes you to the parking area. (If you cross the Spring River, you have passed the turn.) The 1 1/2 mile nature trail climbs steeply past beautiful spring flowers. An active Great Blue Heron rookery can be seen from bluffs overlooking sycamore trees along the Spring River.
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WILSON'S CREEK NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD: The park is located 10 miles southwest of Springfield. From Glenstone & Sunshine intersection, drive west on Sunshine (US60) 7 miles. Turn left on M highway and go 3/4 miles to ZZ. Turn right (south) on ZZ; the park is on the left on Farm Road 182. Birding is good all year, but especially good in the spring. The park has several trails for walking, in addition to the 5 mile driving tour. Several species of hawk, warblers, and sparrows are often seen. You may see Summer and Scarlet Tanagers. Maps are available at the visitor center.
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