Cheyenne Bottoms.
Cheyenne Bottoms, in the center of the state, is a great birding hotspot. It is the largest marsh in the interior of the United States and was designated a Wetland of International Importance in 1988. The area is considered the most important shorebird migration point in the western hemisphere. Approximately 45 percent of the North American shorebird population stops at the Bottoms during spring migration. At least 320 species of birds have been recorded here. More than 25 species of ducks and geese have been identified at the Bottoms and at times have numbered in excess of 600,000 birds. In mid-March thousands of sandhill cranes stop on the way to their staging area along the Platte River in Nebraska. April brings tens of thousands of shorebirds, including White-rumped, Baird's and Stilt Sandpipers to the mudflats, while in summer look for huge flocks of red-winged and yellow-headed blackbirds. Herons are also common during the summer including great blue herons, snowy egrets, black-crowned night herons, and American bitterns. To access Cheyenne Bottoms, from U.S. 56, east of Great Bend, travel 6 miles northeast on K-156 to one of the three entrances to Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. To use the west entrance, drive 6 miles north of Great Bend on U.S. 281 and 2 miles east to the area headquarters. The north entrance is located on K-4 highway at the Red Wing intersection 6 miles east of Hoisington.
Cimarron National Grasslands.
The Cimarron National Grasslands is northwest of Rte 56 in the SW corner of Kansas. Bird species normally associated with the arid southwest or the mountains are sometimes found here. Look for mountain chickadees, scrub jays, Steller's jays, roadrunners, bushtits, curve-billed thrashers, and western tanagers. Mountain plovers are sometimes found in early August. Nesting birds include Cassin's sparrows, lark buntings, scaled quail, and lesser prairie chickens. Several prairie chicken leks have observation blinds for public use. Call the district office to make reservations. (620) 697-4621. The Cimarron National Grasslands Range Station is on U.S. 56 in Elkhart. Stop here to pick up a map, wildlife checklist, and the self-guided auto tour booklet. Their hours are Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.
This is an excellent birding site for waterfowl, and numbers may reach over 100,000 in the fall and 300,000 in the spring. This is also one of the best locations in Kansas to see sandhill and whooping cranes during migration along with white pelicans, greater and lesser yellowlegs, long-billed dowitchers, black-necked stilts, and several species of sandpipers. Summer raptors include Swainson's hawks, Mississippi kites, northern harriers, and red-tailed hawks. Bald eagles and golden eagles winter on the refuge. Little Salt Marsh, north of the refuge headquarters, is a good place to see waterfowl, grebes, and herons, while Big Salt Marsh is good for bitterns and yellow-headed blackbirds. If time permits, take a walk along The Migrant's Mile Nature Trail, which includes two long boardwalks through cattail wetlands. To get to the Refuge from Hutchinson (40 miles NW of Wichita on K-96) travel west 14 miles on U.S. 50 to K-14, north 5 miles to 4th street, west 17 miles to 140th street west and north 1 mile to the refuge headquarters. They are open Monday to Friday from 7.30am – 4.00pm. Stop here to pick up a map, find out where recent bird sightings have been and get a bird checklist.