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Suggestions for locations in Kansas/Missouri/Nebraska

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:50 pm
by mortsgah
I have 3 weeks in late April early May for a cross country road trip from Denver, CO to Evansville, IN via small RV. Looking for suggestions of places (Refuges/state parks/natural areas/etc) that would be good for bird photography. Been looking at ebird but always welcome local knowledge. Thanks in advance.

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 10:43 pm
by stevenmajor
I avoid that part of the US in the spring because it's usually tornado season. You should have a smart phone or weather radio and be very aware 24/7.
Any RV will require plan B.
Good Luck
I add...sorry to sound alarmist. I did the same trip 3 years ago and encountered mind boggling devastation. The NOAH weather radio system works well (providing tornado location, speed, and direction)...but only helpful if you know the name of the county you are in, your exact position in that county, the names of the bordering counties, and have a foreknowledge of the best escape roads to take, in every direction.  :)
I assume smart phone apps have improved much of that if you can get a signal.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 11:37 am
by dbolt
Lots of choices. I'm not an expert on best locations, but here is my short list. In Kansas, the don't miss spots for me are Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.
In Colorado Pawnee National Grasslands.
No knowledge about Missouri .

Great sources of info:
http://www.audubon.org/news/birding-kansas
https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-natu ... ding-areas
http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/uscolorado.htm

Regarding tornado season, check the forecasts. You will soon learn that the areas affected with any one storm will be very small.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 2:34 pm
by mortsgah
Thanks Douglas. Great suggestions and useful links. So much information out there it is now a challenge to find the "gems"! As for weather, I grew up in southern Indiana and am well tuned to the beauty and potential for destruction of spring storms. Like most things outdoors, keep one eye open for change and the brain engaged,

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 10:46 pm
by LauraJ
If you are on I-70,Baker Wetlands is on the South side of Lawrence, Ks.
About 1 1/4 hrs North of Kansas City, Mo. is Squaw Creek /Loess Bluffs Wildlife Refugee. It recently had a name change to be politically correct
South of Columbia, Mo. Is Eagle Bluffs Nature Conservatory.
I am sure there are other locations but these are the ones I have been to.

Not noted for birds except for prairie chickens is Konza Prairie Reserve near Manhattan, Ks.
Also Maxwell Wildlife Preserve near Canton, Ks . is known for buffalo and elk
Tall Grass National Prairie Reserve is in Strong City,Ks

Listen to weather forecasts. It is usually not a big deal and can be avoided if traveling