The Birding Hub

The Birding Hub

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Missouri · Midwest

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandMarshGrassland

Best Seasons

FallSpring

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

March-April, October-November

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly Squaw Creek) is one of the Midwest's most spectacular migration stops. Each fall, hundreds of thousands of Snow Geese descend on the refuge's wetlands, and spring brings massive numbers of ducks, shorebirds, and Bald Eagles.

The 10-mile auto tour loop provides outstanding access to the marshes, pools, and grasslands. The loess bluffs along the Missouri River floodplain create unique habitat conditions that concentrate birds in impressive numbers, making this one of the premier birding destinations in the central United States.

Location

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Notable Species

Snow Goose Bald Eagle American White Pelican Short-eared Owl Harris's Sparrow

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

3/4/2026Home Muirkirk Lane1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park2 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/3/2026Binder Park1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Stockton Lake--Dam1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Stockton Lake--Dam1 observed

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellata

3/3/2026Stockton Lake--Cedar Ridge Campground1 observed

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellata

3/3/2026Stockton Lake--Cedar Ridge Campground1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/3/2026* Chadwick--School Track15 observed

Fish Crow

Corvus ossifragus

3/3/2026Eagle Bluffs CA1 observed

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

3/2/2026Lake Springfield1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/2/2026Stockton Lake--Dam1 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/2/2026Binder Park1 observed

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellata

3/2/2026Stockton Lake--Cedar Ridge Campground1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/2/2026E 487th Rd, Aldrich US-MO 37.54715, -93.612243 observed

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

3/2/2026Dunnegan Memorial Park3 observed

Snow x Greater White-fronted Goose (hybrid)

Anser caerulescens x albifrons

3/2/2026Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary1 observed

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)

Junco hyemalis

3/2/2026Blackberry Lane Wade Records, Columbia, MO1 observed

Bullock's Oriole

Icterus bullockii

3/2/2026Fulton Compound1 observed

Carolina Chickadee

Poecile carolinensis

3/1/2026Home3 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/1/2026Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park1 observed

Recent Observations

Song Sparrow

16560 Birch Forest Dr, Wildwood US-MO 38.58709, -90.62712

3/4/2026

1 birds

Downy Woodpecker

16560 Birch Forest Dr, Wildwood US-MO 38.58709, -90.62712

3/4/2026

1 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

16560 Birch Forest Dr, Wildwood US-MO 38.58709, -90.62712

3/4/2026

7 birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

16560 Birch Forest Dr, Wildwood US-MO 38.58709, -90.62712

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Cardinal

16560 Birch Forest Dr, Wildwood US-MO 38.58709, -90.62712

3/4/2026

1 birds

White-crowned Sparrow

16560 Birch Forest Dr, Wildwood US-MO 38.58709, -90.62712

3/4/2026

2 birds

Carolina Wren

16560 Birch Forest Dr, Wildwood US-MO 38.58709, -90.62712

3/4/2026

1 birds

Eastern Bluebird

16560 Birch Forest Dr, Wildwood US-MO 38.58709, -90.62712

3/4/2026

2 birds

House Sparrow

16560 Birch Forest Dr, Wildwood US-MO 38.58709, -90.62712

3/4/2026

1 birds

Eastern Meadowlark

Smithville Lake--Visitor Center

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-winged Blackbird

Tolona-Barn-250th-224-to-xxx-via-Grassy-Creek

3/4/2026

15 birds

Red-shouldered Hawk

Tolona-Barn-250th-224-to-xxx-via-Grassy-Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Canada Goose

Tolona-Barn-250th-224-to-xxx-via-Grassy-Creek

3/4/2026

3 birds

European Starling

Tolona-Barn-250th-224-to-xxx-via-Grassy-Creek

3/4/2026

300 birds

Blue Jay

Tolona-Barn-250th-224-to-xxx-via-Grassy-Creek

3/4/2026

3 birds

American Kestrel

Tolona-Barn-250th-224-to-xxx-via-Grassy-Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Robin

Tolona-Barn-250th-224-to-xxx-via-Grassy-Creek

3/4/2026

2 birds

Great Blue Heron

Valley Water Mill

3/4/2026

1 birds

Gadwall

Valley Water Mill

3/4/2026

16 birds

Pied-billed Grebe

Valley Water Mill

3/4/2026

2 birds

Birding Tips

1
The fall Snow Goose peak is typically late November — the evening fly-in is spectacular
2
Drive the auto loop slowly and check every pool for different species of dabbling and diving ducks

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Nearby Attractions

St. Joseph Missouri
Weston Bend State Park

Birding Guides

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Best Places to See Bald Eagles in North America

11 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼

The best months to visit Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge for birding are March-April, October-November. The best seasons are Fall and Spring.

What birds can I see at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Notable species at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge include Snow Goose, Bald Eagle, American White Pelican, Short-eared Owl, Harris's Sparrow. The area supports wetland, marsh, grassland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Birding at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge?▼

There is no entrance fee at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.