The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge

Oklahoma · Southwest

EasyOfficial Site
Habitat
WetlandGrasslandDesert
Best Seasons
SpringFall
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-May, September-October

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Salt Plains NWR in north-central Oklahoma protects a vast expanse of salt flats, marshes, and mixed-grass prairie surrounding the Great Salt Plains Reservoir. The stark white salt flats provide critical nesting habitat for Interior Least Terns and Snowy Plovers.

The refuge is an important stopover for migrating Whooping Cranes and shorebirds, and the mix of grassland and wetland habitats supports Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Mississippi Kites, and numerous waterfowl species throughout the year.

Location

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Notable Species

Interior Least TernSnowy PloverWhooping CraneAmerican AvocetScissor-tailed Flycatcher

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Lake Carl Blackwell15 observed

Franklin's Gull

Leucophaeus pipixcan

3/4/2026Ingersoll Cattle Pens1 observed

White-winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

3/4/2026Backyard2 observed

Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

3/3/2026Lloyd noble field1 observed

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

3/3/2026Keystone Lake--Dam and Spillway1 observed

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

3/3/2026Boomer Lake Park1 observed

Northern Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

3/2/2026Pedestrian Bridge1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/2/2026Tallgrass Prairie Preserve2 observed

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

3/2/2026Tallgrass Prairie Preserve1 observed

Whooping Crane

Grus americana

3/1/2026N2740 Rd, Jet US-OK (36.6895,-98.1277)3 observed

Virginia Rail

Rallus limicola

3/1/2026Optima Reservoir--Spillway Marsh2 observed

Spotted Towhee

Pipilo maculatus

3/1/2026Optima Reservoir--Dam Overlook2 observed

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

3/1/2026Interstate 40, Hinton, Oklahoma, USS2 observed

Sora

Porzana carolina

3/1/20266200 N Martin Luther King Ave, Oklahoma City US-OK (35.5340,-97.4711)2 observed

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

3/1/2026Great Salt Plains SP--Sandy Beach1 observed

Barn Swallow (American)

Hirundo rustica

3/1/2026Red Slough WMA2 observed

Great Egret (American)

Ardea alba

3/1/2026Red Slough WMA2 observed

Great Egret (American)

Ardea alba

3/1/2026Red Slough WMA2 observed

Barn Swallow (American)

Hirundo rustica

3/1/2026Red Slough WMA2 observed

Sora

Porzana carolina

3/1/20266200 N Martin Luther King Ave, Oklahoma City US-OK (35.5338,-97.4714)1 observed

Recent Observations

Bewick's Wren

My Office

3/4/2026

1 birds

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Home Yard

3/4/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

Home Yard

3/4/2026

3 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Home Yard

3/4/2026

3 birds

Wild Turkey

Home Yard

3/4/2026

8 birds

American Robin

Home Yard

3/4/2026

70 birds

Northern Cardinal

Home Yard

3/4/2026

4 birds

House Sparrow

9100 N Garnett Rd, Owasso US-OK 36.28299, -95.84881

3/4/2026

2 birds

European Starling

Nowata Rd, Bartlesville US-OK 36.72792, -95.92645

3/4/2026

18 birds

Common Grackle

Nowata Rd, Bartlesville US-OK 36.72792, -95.92645

3/4/2026

2 birds

Northern Mockingbird

Nowata Rd, Bartlesville US-OK 36.72792, -95.92645

3/4/2026

2 birds

Brown-headed Cowbird

Nowata Rd, Bartlesville US-OK 36.72792, -95.92645

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mourning Dove

Nowata Rd, Bartlesville US-OK 36.72792, -95.92645

3/4/2026

2 birds

Pied-billed Grebe

Boomer Lake Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Great Blue Heron

Boomer Lake Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Lesser Scaup

Boomer Lake Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mallard

Boomer Lake Park

3/4/2026

14 birds

Bufflehead

Boomer Lake Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Boomer Lake Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Canada Goose

Boomer Lake Park

3/4/2026

7 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Visit the salt flats in summer to see nesting Least Terns and Snowy Plovers

  2. 2

    Check the reservoir shoreline during fall migration for Whooping Cranes — they stop here on their way to Texas

Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Trails

Nearby Attractions

  • Great Salt Plains State Park
  • Crystal digging area

Birding Guides

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼
The best months to visit Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Notable species at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge include Interior Least Tern, Snowy Plover, Whooping Crane, American Avocet, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. The area supports wetland, grassland, desert habitats.
How difficult is birding at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Birding at Salt Plains 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 Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge?▼
There is no entrance fee at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.
What amenities are available at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.