Field Trips
Know Before You Go
For all field trips, dress for the weather, in layers, and bring binoculars, water, snacks, and insect repellent. In the details, we’ll let you know about lunch plans. If a trip is cancelled due to weather, we’ll post that here the night before the trip. Contact the leader if you have specific questions about an outing. Visit our Facebook page for additional field trip information. For recaps of previous field trips, click here.
Burroughs Field Trips for April 2025
Sunday, April 27th - Forest Hill Cemetery
We will meet trip leader Sally Urdang at the front office of Forest Hill Cemetery for this 2.5-hour bird walk. Hopefully we'll catch nice inner-city migration action. This field trip will help Sally work toward a quarterly census of the 160-acre property. We will be looking for sparrows, warblers and more. Please bring your own binoculars—there will be extras on hand. Experienced and novice birders are welcome! Bring water, appropriate clothing and walking shoes. This trip begins at 9am. Please check the Burroughs website and Facebook for weather updates.
Sally is a Master Naturalist with the Osage Trails chapter. Please contact her if you need more information (816/565-1839 or urdang.sal@gmail.com).
Burroughs Field Trips for May 2025
Thursday, May 1st - Tomahawk Park
Join us as we walk the multi-use paved trails of Tomahawk Streamway in search of lingering north-bound sparrows, year-round residents, and hopefully a wave of early north-bound migrants. Meet at the parking lot of Tomahawk Creek Park on the south side of 119th Street between Roe and Mission at 7 am.
Your trip leader is Malcolm Gold. For more information, contact Malcolm at malcolmgold@gmail.com or 608-807-6086.
Monday, May 5th - Antioch Park
Join us for a morning of spring migration birding at Antioch Park! We’ll meet at 7:00 AM in the lower parking lot north of the office buildings near Shelter 3 (follow the road all the way into the park).
This is a small park, but a great spot to search for neotropical migrants as they move through the area.
What to bring: binoculars, water, snacks, sunscreen—whatever you usually take along for birding. Everyone is welcome, and you’re free to leave at any time that fits your schedule.
Questions? Contact Mark Land at:
kestrelland@gmail.com
Text: 816-590-9814
Wednesday, May 7th - La Cygne Reservoir and Wildlife Area
Join us for a morning of birding at La Cygne Reservoir and Wildlife Area as we explore prime habitat for flycatchers, vireos, warblers, and many other Kansas migrants and summer residents. With nearby lake headwaters, we also have a chance to spot waterfowl and egrets.
We’ll meet at 8:00 AM at the parking pull-off on Rockville Road, north of 399th Street. From Highway 69, take the 399th Street exit. Travel approximately 2 miles east to Rockville Road, then go about 1 mile north to the parking area.
We'll be walking a mile or more along county roads and roadside right-of-ways. Gravel roads may be wet, and nearby drainage ditches could hold standing water. Pants and footwear treated with Permethrin or DEET are recommended to help prevent chigger bites.
Please bring binoculars, water, and weather-appropriate clothing. Birders of all skill and experience levels are welcome. The trip will likely last most of the morning, but feel free to join or leave as your schedule allows.
Your trip leader is Chris Krafft.
For more information, contact Chris at: chriskrafft2@gmail.com
Thursday, May 8th - Jerry Smith Park
Your leader for this trip is Sherry Leonardo. Meet in the parking lot at 7:15 am. Bring water, snack, insect repellent and sunscreen. We’ll walk the park looking for migrating flycatchers, vireos, warblers, sparrows, orioles and tanagers.
This census assists KC Wildlands and their ongoing mission toward land stewardship around the Kansas City Metro region. Counting birds at this park counts toward volunteer hours for Master Naturalists. Individuals of all skill and experience levels are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Sherry at 816-718-5888 or home172@aol.com
Friday, May 9th - Blue River Parkway
Join us as we conduct a migratory bird census along the Blue River. This census assists KC WildLands and their mission of preserving the natural communities around Kansas City, and it counts toward volunteer hours for Master Naturalists. We'll walk the hiking/biking trails along the Blue River, approx. 2 miles.
Your presenter/leader for this trip is Don Arney. Meet at 7:30 am at the Minor Park tennis courts parking lot. For more information, contact Don at 22sora@gmail.com.
Saturday, May 10th - Blue Valley Rec
Join us as we walk the multi-use paved trails of Tomahawk Creek Streamway near Blue Valley Recreation Center. We will primarily be in search of north-bound warblers, vireos, and other passerines. Meet at the parking lot near Blue Valley Rec Shelter A on the southwest side of 137th and Antioch at 7 am. Individuals of all skill and experience levels are welcome to attend. Plan to walk a couple of miles at a leisurely pace. We will start in the mature large oaks along Antioch to the southeast of the parking lot at first light and then walk west before turning around and returning to the parking lot.
Your trip leader is Malcolm Gold. For more information, contact Malcolm at malcolmgold@gmail.com or 608-807-6086.
Monday, May 12th - Antioch Park
Join us for a morning of spring migration birding at Antioch Park! We’ll meet at 7:00 AM in the lower parking lot north of the office buildings near Shelter 3 (follow the road all the way into the park).
This is a small park, but a great spot to search for neotropical migrants as they move through the area.
What to bring: binoculars, water, snacks, sunscreen—whatever you usually take along for birding. Everyone is welcome, and you’re free to leave at any time that fits your schedule.
Questions? Contact Mark Land at:
kestrelland@gmail.com
Text: 816-590-9814
Tuesday, May 13th - Blue Springs Lake & Wetlands
Join us for a morning of birding at Blue Springs Lake & Wetlands. We’ll meet at 8 AM in the parking lot above the wetlands by the dam for a quick scan of the lake before heading down to the wetlands. We will explore a variety of habitats—lakeshore, marsh, and woodland edges—in search of migrating songbirds, lingering shorebirds, and anything else that flies our way. This area can be productive in mid-May, offering a nice mix of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and water-loving species.
Expect easy walking on paved and gravel trails. Bring binoculars and comfortable walking shoes. All birding levels are welcome, and you’re free to leave whenever your schedule requires.
Directions coming from the south west: take Exit 14, Bowlin Road, off of I-470. Take a right and go east on Bowlin Road past the convenience store on your right and through the stoplight to NE Campground Rd on your left (hard to see, comes up fast). Turn left and follow the road toward the campground. At the campground entrance turn left and follow the road to the dam. Drive across the dam- you’ll be able to see the parking lot next to the dam on your right.
Directions from the north: take Exit 16A US Highway 40, off of I-470. Take a left and go east on US 40-Corporal Webster Memorial Parkway for 2.4 miles and turn right onto Tapawingo Lane/Turkey Hollow Rd. Take an immediate right on Lake Ridge Rd for half a mile and you will see the parking lot next to the dam on your left.
Your trip leader is Steve Johnson. For questions, feel free to contact him at stevenrjohnson89@gmail.com or 816-377-6209.
Friday, May 16th - Unity Village Trail
Meet at the Nature Trail parking lot at Unity Village at 1901 NW Blue Pkwy, Unity Village, MO at 8:00 am. We will walk the three mile trail in search of northbound migrants as well as anything else present. The trail is mostly flat, but there are a couple of moderate and challenging sections.
Your leader for this trip is Ruth Simmons. If you have any questions she can be contacted at tinamou99@hotmail.com
Saturday, May 17th - Warbler Walk at Wyandotte County Lake Park
Enjoy a short spring bird walk at Wyandotte County Lake Park, behind the Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Schlagle Library. We’ll meet at 10:00 AM and look for all types of birds, including warblers, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, songbirds, and more. This is a great walk for beginning birders. If you have binoculars, please bring them—if not, we’ll have a few you can borrow.
The organizer for this event is Ann Tanner. If you have any questions, she can be reached at atanner@me.com.
Wednesday, May 21st - Burr Oak Woods CA
Meet us at 7:30 AM in front of the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center for a relaxed morning of birding along the scenic trails. We’ll spend most of the morning exploring the area in search of migrating warblers, sparrows, vireos, flycatchers, and whatever else we’re lucky enough to spot!
Expect easy walking on gravel and paved trails. Bring binoculars and comfortable walking shoes. All birding levels are welcome, and you’re free to leave whenever your schedule requires.
Your trip leader is Steve Johnson. Feel free to reach out with any questions at stevenrjohnson89@gmail.com or call/text 816-377-6209.
Saturday, May 31st - Baker Wetlands
Join trip leader Sally Urdang at the Discovery Center parking lot at 8:00 AM on Saturday, May 31. We'll be searching for the last wave of spring migrants, including shorebirds, warblers, waterfowl, and herons. The trip will run from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Please bring your own binoculars if you have them; Sally will also have a few extras available. Expect to walk 1–3 miles at a relaxed pace, and feel free to return to the parking lot at any time. For questions, contact Sally at 816-565-1839 or urdang.sal@gmail.com.
Burroughs Field Trips for June 2025
Thursday, June 19th - Jerry Smith Park Breeding Bird Census
Join us as we visit this restored prairie and city park to conduct a migratory bird census which is requested to assist with KC Wildlands and their ongoing mission toward land stewardship around the KC Metro region. We will walk the trails in search of any lingering migrating warblers, vireos, flycatchers, thrushes and primarily focus on year-round and summer residents that use the habitat of this Kansas City park for breeding purposes. Counting birds at this park counts toward volunteer hours for Master Naturalists.
Your leader for this trip is Sherry Leonardo. Meet at 7 am at the Jerry Smith Trailhead Parking lot at the top of the ridge. Dress for walking along the 1.5 mile long trails. Participants should spray or prepare for ticks and bring sunscreen. Feel free to bring snacks and beverages in addition to your binoculars. For more information, contact Sherry at home172@aol.com.
Saturday, June 21st - Blue River Parkway Breeding Bird Census
Join us as we conduct a breeding bird census along the Blue River. This census assists KC WildLands and their mission of preserving the natural communities around Kansas City, and it counts toward volunteer hours for Master Naturalists. We'll walk the hiking/biking trails along the Blue River, approx. 2 miles.
Your leader for this trip is Don Arney. Meet at 7:30 am at the Minor Park tennis courts parking lot. For more information, contact Don at 22sora@gmail.com.
Field Trips Organized by Other Groups
In addition to Burroughs Field Trips, other nature walks and bird walks are available around the metro area.
Backyard Bird Center: Kansas City, Missouri
Wild Birds Unlimited: Shawnee, Kansas (Sign up for their every other Sunday walks here)
Wild Birds Unlimited: Leawood, Kansas
Overland Park Arboretum: Overland Park, Kansas
Bird by Birds Kansas City Birding Enthusiasts: Kansas City Metro Area Facebook Group
Area Birding Information
The Missouri LISTSERV provides up-to-the-minute information from birders throughout Missouri and offers the opportunity for you to ask questions and engage in conversation about birds and birding in Missouri.
The Kansas LISTSERV provides up-to-the-minute information from birders throughout Kansas and offers you the opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversation about birds and birding in Kansas. Access the KSBIRD-L login site here (account required—needed for commenting/posting observations).
eBird Every birdwatcher has unique knowledge and experience. eBird’s goal is to gather this information in the form of checklists, archive it, and freely share it to power conservation and education while helping you find where others are seeing birds. Use the Explore option to discover the bird species being seen in local counties and beyond.
The Cornell Lab’s All About Birds and Birds of the World are your online guides to birds and their natural history.
Time Table For Birds of Kansas City Historical document from Burroughs Nature Club (c. 1959).