Field Trip Recaps

We encourage you to share your birding experiences with others. Add your photos to the trip list within eBird, share them on social media, and invite your friends to an upcoming trip. We also post field trip recaps and photos on our Facebook page. If you attended a trip in the past and wish the eBird checklist shared with you, please send an email request to Burroughs Audubon.

9/12/25 - Five birders explored Lewis-Young Park and tallied 32 species. Notable sightings included an impressive six Red-headed Woodpeckers and a beautiful migratory Magnolia Warbler. A smaller group, but a rewarding morning with excellent looks at some standout species!

9/5/25 - 9 birders gathered at Tomahawk Park and enjoyed a productive morning with 34 species recorded. Highlights included a large flock of American Robins, a beautiful Belted Kingfisher, and 2 Barred Owls. It was a great morning to explore the park and share some memorable birds together!

8/28/25 - 11 birders gathered at Clinton Lake’s Bloomington Beach for a rewarding morning of birding. The group tallied 42 species in total, with 12 species of shorebirds providing the main highlights. Notable finds included Buff-breasted Sandpipers, a Red-necked Phalarope, a Wilson’s Phalarope spotted in a parking lot, and several Ruddy Turnstones. The lake also held large flocks of gulls and terns, along with an impressive concentration of American White Pelicans, adding to the day’s excitement. It was a memorable outing with great birds and great company!

6/21/25 - 4 birders recorded 25 species on a KC WildLands census at Blue River Parkway. It was a bit of an abbreviated trip with the high winds and temperature. Two highlights: an unusual Mississippi Kite for this location, and great looks at a singing Acadian Flycatcher.

6/19/25 - Seven people conducted the 15th annual breeding bird census at Jerry Smith Park for KC Wildlands. It was a beautiful summer-like morning. Thirty-four species were tallied. Highlights included a Blue Grosbeak, several looks at Yellow-breasted Chats and numerous sightings of Indigo Buntings.

5/31/25 - Twenty-six birders gathered at the Baker Wetlands in Lawrence, KS to view the shorebird and migrating species throughout the property. Highlights of the 44 species observed included a very friendly Dickcissel, a Hudsonian Godwit, White-Rumped Sandpipers, Little Blue Herons and both Snowy and Great Egrets.

5/21/25 - Eleven birders explored the trails at Burr Oak Woods and recorded 39 species. While it was clear that peak spring migration had passed, the group was treated to unforgettable views of an Indigo Bunting and a striking Blackburnian Warbler—making the outing both worthwhile and memorable!

5/18/25 - We had 31 new and experienced birders alike join us at Forest Hill Cemetery today! We saw 38 species, including the family of Great Horned Owls, both Eastern and Western Kingbirds, a Black and White Warbler, several Red Tailed Hawks, a Yellow Warbler and so many Red-Headed Woodpeckers.

5/17/25 - We had a great time on our "Warbler Walk" behind the Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park. The 28 participants saw at least 54 species with many warblers, song birds, woodpeckers, raptors, and even American Avocets were seen. We divided into small groups, so everyone could see and hear the birds and the leaders.

5/16/25 - Four birders joined Ruth Simmons on the Carl L. Chinnery Nature Trail at Unity Village. Highlights included PIZ-ZA! shouting Acadian Flycatchers, breeding resident and migrant warblers, and flyovers by several flocks of Cedar Waxwings totaling more than 100 birds!

5/13/25 - Five birders enjoyed an unusual visitor to our area - a Prairie Warbler (see list for photos) singing vigorously and flitting from shrubby tree to tree. Other highlights included a Savannah sparrow hanging with its Northern Rough-winged Swallow friends and flyovers by a couple of Osprey.

5/12/25 - Fifteen birders gathered at Antioch Park, and enjoyed a pleasant mid-spring morning, recording 37 species in just under two hours. Highlights included a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Swainson’s Thrushes, and a bright Summer Tanager. Warbler activity was lighter than expected, but we did manage Tennessee and Blackpoll Warblers, with the latter continuing to show up across the region in good numbers. We also had excellent looks at Baltimore Orioles, along with several flycatchers and vireos that added to the variety. Thanks to everyone who joined us!

5/10/25 - On a beautiful Mother’s Day weekend, 23 birders gathered at Blue Valley Recreation Complex and enjoyed a productive morning with 49 species observed. Spring migration was in full swing, with 11 warbler species highlighting the day. Thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate birds and community during this special weekend!

5/8/25 - Nine people conducted the 15th annual spring bird census, requested by KC Wildlands, on a beautiful spring morning.. Forty species were tallied by the group. Highlights included 4 Yellow-breasted Chats (a highly sought life bird for one person), a Wood Thrush, a pair of Blue Grosbeaks and a few Dickcissela. This was only the second time a Wood Thrush was observed. The grosbeaks and dickcissels are noteworthy because we normally don’t get them until the breeding census in June. Two Red-headed Woodpeckers were also seen, not a regular species at the park.

5/7/25 - Ten birders explored La Cygne Wildlife Area and recorded 51 species during a pleasantly overcast morning where the rain held off just long enough for a great outing. A top highlight was beautiful views of a glowing Prothonotary Warbler, lighting up the wetland edges with its golden plumage. Thanks to everyone who made the trip out—this area continues to reward us with excellent birding opportunities!

5/5/25 - Eighteen birders gathered at Antioch Park and enjoyed a productive morning, tallying 55 species. The highlight of the day was a brilliant male Blackburnian Warbler, which gave everyone spectacular views. We were also impressed by the high number of Blackpoll Warblers moving through the area. Thanks to all who joined us for this exciting glimpse into peak spring migration!

5/1/25 - Fifteen birders joined us for a fantastic morning at Tomahawk Park in Kansas, where we collectively observed an impressive 69 species. Highlights included stunning views of Wood Ducks, a Barred Owl, and a Cooper’s Hawk, all offering memorable looks. Warbler activity was strong, with 12 species recorded, making this a standout day for spring migration. Thanks to everyone who joined—this beautiful greenway continues to deliver excellent bird diversity year after year!

4/27/25 - 18 birders recorded 35 species right in the heart of urban Kansas City at Forest Hill Cemetery. Highlights included a Great Horned Owl family (two juveniles and one or two adults), a Broad-winged Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Thrashers, very vocal Northern Mockingbirds, Field Sparrows, a Lincoln's Sparrow, and two each of Nashville and Palm Warblers. They also spotted four Yellow-rumped Warblers and seven Red-headed Woodpeckers! This is a strong testament to how important this 160-acre cemetery is for migrating birds, serving as a vital hub of bird diversity. This walk was part of a quarterly census Sally Urdang is conducting on the property.

4/21/25 - Six birders joined us for a beautiful morning at Shawnee Mission Park, where we tallied 51 species! Highlights included two Black-crowned Night Herons, an Osprey, and a Broad-winged Hawk. Warblers were active, with great looks at Northern Parulas, Yellow-throated Warblers, an Orange-crowned Warbler, and two Louisiana Waterthrushes. A solid mix of swallows, vireos, woodpeckers, and early sparrows rounded out a fantastic outing.

4/18/25 - Eight birders joined Ruth Simmons on the Carl L. Chinnery Nature Trail at Unity Village. Highlights included pairs of nesting Cooper's Hawks and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Broad-winged Hawk, and a few of our early-arriving warblers.

4/15/25 - Our inaugural birding walk at Powell Gardens was a great success! Ten enthusiastic birders enjoyed exclusive access to the gardens on a day the property was closed to the public, which made for a peaceful morning filled with bird activity. Highlights included Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Great Blue Herons, Northern Parulas, and Eastern Phoebes.

4/12/25 - 21 birders enjoyed a productive morning at Marais des Cygnes, recording 56 species. Shorebirds were the stars of the show, with highlights including American Golden-Plovers, Hudsonian Godwits, a Long-billed Dowitcher, and an impressive count of over 200 Lesser Yellowlegs. Waterfowl were well-represented, especially Blue-winged Teal, along with Wood Ducks, Shovelers, and others. Raptor sightings included Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers, and Red-tailed Hawks. They also spotted a few early migrants like Northern Parula, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Thanks to everyone who joined us for a great day in the field!

4/01/25 - Six birders enjoyed the birds and ephemeral wildflowers on a beautiful spring morning at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Avian highlights included three Sapsuckers, two Eastern Phoebes, two Fox Sparrows-including one singing, and the still present pink-sided Junco seen and photographed throughout the 2024-25 fall/winter season. With the exception of dogtooth violets (aka trout lily), most ephemerals were blooming and relatively abundant.

3/23/25 - Eleven birders joined for this field trip at Martha Lafite Nature Sanctuary. Highlights included a mating pair of Cooper's Hawks building a nest, five Great Blue Herons flying together and a few Yellow Rumped Warblers.

American Woodcocks (3/6-3/12)- Sherry Leonardo’s Woodcock Field Trips at Jerry Smith Park were a great success, drawing an impressive turnout, including a record 40 attendees on one evening! Many participants, most of whom had never seen or heard a woodcock before, were treated to the incredible sights and sounds of these fascinating birds. At least six woodcocks performed their signature sky dances well after sunset, with everyone getting a chance to see one in flight. Several lucky observers even spotted woodcocks on the ground or watched them fly low and land right in front of them. One dedicated birder traveled all the way from Colorado just for the opportunity to witness the display. Adding to the experience, Mark Land provided a bonus stargazing session, helping attendees spot planets in the night sky. It was a memorable evening filled with nature’s wonders!

2/23/25 - Thirteen participants joined the inaugural Raptor Roll: seven on bikes, and six in cars. Highlights included over 2,000 snow geese in flight (surprising, since the refuge was mostly frozen), 17 Bald Eagles, and two Northern Harriers. We look forward to the next Raptor Roll in early Fall!

2/04/25 - Two birders were the only people on the Arboretum trails on a chilly and cloudy morning. Highlights included views of three Brown Creepers at the same time in close proximity, three Harris's Sparrows, and a foraging mixed flock of Juncos, American Tree and Song Sparrows.

2/01/25 - Postponed only once because of icy trails, Don Arney led three birders in this annual winter bird census along the Blue River. Highlights included a pair of adult bald eagles, a pair of pileated woodpeckers, and several brown creepers.

1/28/25 - It took 3 attempts to get the Jerry Smith Park winter bird census done due to bitter wind chills, but 4 intrepid ladies helped get it done. It was a beautiful, sunny winter morning. The group tallied 27 species, with the biggest highlight being a cooperative Spotted Towhee who posed in good light for everyone. Other notable birds were a Northern Mockingbird, Purple Finch and Cedar Waxwings.

1/19/25 – Even though it was bitter cold, three people had a great time and saw many Trumpeter Swans, including two banded swans from Iowa. We also saw Tundra Swans, Bald Eagles of all ages, and a darling Ruby-crowned Kinglet that wanted to join our group.

1/1/25 – 18 birders celebrated the new year in style, looking for birds!  The group started by scanning Blue Springs Lake, then headed down to the wetlands for a short hike.  The highlight for most was viewing an incredibly social Yellow-bellied Sapsucker from a close distance!  Seeing a Marsh Wren overwinter in the cattails was also a great sighting.