Nebraska's Southeast Counties

Butler County (25)

David City's city park: There are three nice small ponds, plus big trees.

Worth a look in the spring for warblers, vireos, etc. (information provided by

Rick Eades)

Homestead Lake (Lower Platte North NRD): located one mile north of Bruno

on Road 39 between Roads V and W. (information provided by Don and Janis Paseka)

Oak Creek Trail: a hiking, biking and horseback riding trail located along an

old railroad between Brainard and Valparaiso.

Oxbow Trail Reservoir Natural Resources District (NRD): located one mile

east of Ulysses on the north side of Highway S12C. There is a small reservoir

with dead trees in it and prairie all around it. Good spot for waterfowl and

grassland birds. Services include an outhouse, picnic area and boat ramp. (80 acres)

Redtail State Wildlife Management Area (WMA): located a half mile east of

Dwight on the north side of the county road. The only service is a parking area.

(320 acres) Rick Eades, a birder from eastern Nebraska, likes to drive the road

along the south edge of the WMA. He reports always seeing plenty of birds there.

There is a lake not visible from the parking lot. Walk through grassland over hill

to view it. Is good for prairie birds, waterfowl, etc. He also suggests going east

to the T intersection and looking for birds where the wooded creek crosses the road.

Skull Creek #2 State Wildlife Management Area (WMA): located two miles north

and a half mile west of Abie on the north side of county road 43. A thick wooded area

with a creek nearby. No services but there is a nice trail through the woods. Great

area for eastern deciduous woodland birds such as warblers, vireos, kinglets, cuckoos, orioles, buntings, grosbeaks, thrushes.

Timber Point (NRD): located one mile south and two miles east of Brainard.

There is a small reservoir with a marshy area at the upper end. There is a lot of

prairie and a little woodland around it. Services include tent camping area, picnic

area, outhouse and boat ramp.

Cass County (20)

Eugene Mahoney State Park

Platte River State Park

There are 10 miles of hiking trails through woodlands and grasslands. The area

along Stone Creek is especially good. There is an 85 foot tower with an observation

deck on top providing an excellent view of the area. The park is 418 acres in size and

is located two miles west of Louisville.

Schilling Wildlife Management Area (1465 acres, 25 acre lake) This is a big marsh

which can be very good depending on water level. There is a drive-through loop.

It is one mile east of Plattesmouth on the Missouri River.

Louisville State Park (142 acres, 50 acres water)

Fillmore County (34)

Mallard Haven Waterfowl Production Area (WPA)

Gage County (3)

Homestead National Monument: Located about 5 miles east of Beatrice on Highway 4.

It has some flat, easy nature trails through some woods along Cub Creek and through a prairie.

So you can find both woodland birds and prairie birds along an easy stroll. Last time there I

saw a barred owl, woodpeckers, nuthatches, and sparrows. No dogs allowed though! (information

provided by Rick Eades)

Clatonia Lake 3A: Located a mile north of Clatonia or follow SW 100th Street south out

of Lancaster County. I have stopped by Clatonia Lake 3A twice in the past few weeks. Both

times it was very windy and no birds were seen. Still it looks like it has potential, with

a 46 acre lake and many trees. (information provided by Rick Eades)

Jefferson County (33)

Alexandria State Recreation Area (SRA) and Wildlife Management Area (WMA): Located about
ten miles northwest of Fairbury. There is paved road to the area from the town of Alexandria about
three miles west in Thayer County. The SRA includes a couple lakes with camping and picnicing around
them. The WMA has woodland, stream and upland habitats with parking areas and hiking trails. Some
birding can be done from the county roads.

Buckley Creek Recreation Area: Located about one mile northeast of Reynolds. It is a
Little Blue Natural Resourses District area with a small reservoir and picnic areas. The lake is
surrounded by trees and bushes making it a good area for water birds and woodland birds.

Rock Creek Station Historical Park: Located about five miles east and one mile south of
Fairbury. It is a Nebraska Game and Parks area including woodlands, uplands and the creek. There
is a visitors center, picnic areas, camping areas, and wildlife management areas. There area trails
for hiking and horseback riding. It is a great area for woodland birds and some upland birds.

Johnson County (57)

Couldn't sleep so I took off in search of prairie-chicken leks on April 02 in southeastern Nebraska, southwestern Johnson County in particular.

Found one excellent lek with great viewing opportunities. The main lek consisted of at least 30 males and maybe as many as 40. Easily visible from the county road. Wonderful spot. Not too far away (one mile south) and much closer to the road (like just the other side of the barbed wire) was a small "lek" consisting of one male and 3 females. I easily saw 100 chickens this morning in the surrounding area and still got to work in Lincoln by 9:00.

Where? The big lek is in the south central area of the NE 1/4 of Section 25, T4N, R9E. This is just a little more than 1/2 mile north of the intersection of county roads 612 Ave and 721 Rd. Driving north from the intersection there will be CRP on the left (west) for the first 1/2 mile. Then it switches to a cattle area. A large plank in the west ditch is a little too far south to see well, go a little further north until you see the two pieces of rusty metal on the barbed wire on the west side of the road. This is about the spot. Look west about a quarter mile to the top of the next hill. Wow! With the sunrise behind you this is classic viewing. For those not so familiar with the township/range/section system this spot is about 5 miles south and 1 mile west of Vesta, Johnson, or about 2 miles south of Hickory Ridge SWMA.

Had four other birds, non-chickens, dancing at the lek too. Two Red-tailed Hawks and two Northern Harriers where running/hopping around the lek trying to catch chickens. I never saw them get any. It was quite comical. Remember to be careful how and where you park on the public road. Remember that this is private property.

Thomas Labedz, Lincoln

Lancaster County (2)

Branched Oak Lake SRA/WMA: (4406 acres, 1800 acre lake) owned by the Nebraska Game

and Parks Commission, this lake is great for ducks and gulls, but bring your scope.

It's a big lake. The area also has lots of grassy and shrubby areas which are good

for sparrows and other passerines. If the water level is low, shorebirds can be

abundant. It is 3 miles west of Raymond. A park sticker or entry fee is required.

Cracker Barrel Marsh in Lincoln: located to the east of the Cracker Barrel

restaurant at 27th Street and the Interstate 80 interchange.

Lincoln Saline Wetlands: (100 acres) this is an undeveloped area east of Capitol

Beach Lake in northwest Lincoln. It has a wood-chipped loop trail around the salt marsh,

where rails have been seen. From Sun Valley Blvd. (highway 6), go northwest on

Westgate Blvd., then west on Industrial Drive, which winds around. Eventually you

will see a wooden blind on a mound on the south side of the water.

Little Salt Fork Marsh: located 2 miles east of Raymond, owned by The Nature Conservancy,

the area includes a large saline wetland that is excellent for shorebirds.

Pawnee Lake SRA: (1906 acres, 740 acre lake) this lake can have some interesting

birds on it. It is 4 miles west of the west edge of Lincoln, a mile north of I-80.

Pioneers Park Nature Center: (136 acres, Lincoln city park) the center offers

year-round nature programs. The 4 miles of hiking trials lead through the wildlife

sanctuary and arboretum. There is a bird feeding area near the Chet Ager Building.

It is located in Pioneers Park, which is in southwest Lincoln on West Van Dorn St.

and Coddington Avenue. There is no admission charge. Call (402) 441-7895 for more information.

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center: (640 acres). This Audubon sanctuary encompasses

nearly 500 acres of native (unplowed) tallgrass prairie, as well as ponds, wetlands, natural

springs, and a bur oak riparian woodland. The new education building opened in September 2006

and houses staff and volunteers, an exhibit hall, education room, and a gift shop. The Center

is located three miles south of Denton on SW 98th Street. Hours are 9-5 weekdays and 1-5

weekends throughout the year, except major holidays. Admission charged. Call (402)797-2301

for more information.

Wilderness Park: (1,000+ acres) this is a long, narrow, wooded Lincoln city park in the

southeast part of Lincoln which is excellent for warblers in the spring. It extends from

South 1st Street and Van Dorn Street to Saltillo Road just east of highway 77. The best

birding is in the area where Pioneers Blvd. goes through the park.

Nemaha County (44)

The Brownville cemetery is a great birding spot.

Otoe County (11)

If you have a favorite birding area in this county, please contact Robin Harding

at the address given below.

Pawnee County (54)

There are good numbers of Greater Prairie-Chickens in the area south and east of Lincoln and a

FREE blind is provided at Burchard Lake Wildlife Management Area. Actually two blinds are

available on a first come basis. Burchard is located in Pawnee County. To reach this WMA:

It is located 3 miles east and 1.5 miles north of Burchard. There are other lecs located in

the area that can be viewed from the road. One should scout the area on one day and come back

early---in the dark---the next morning. The blinds will hold 8 people.

Loren Hansen, Kingsley, IA.

The prairies to the south and east of Burchard Lake Wildlife Management Area are good areas for

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Northern Mockingbird.

Polk County (41)

If you have a favorite birding area in this county, please contact Robin Harding

at the address given below.

Richardson County (19)

Indian Cave State Park
Located along the Missouri River, part of the park is also in Nemaha County. The park
includes extensive eastern deciduous forest but there are also some prairies. Good birding
can be found along trails 9, 5 and 5a. The one-way road that goes to and past St. Deroin
also has good birding opportunities. Park maps are available at the main entrance.

Saline County (22)

Shady Trail Wildlife Management Area: Located in the northeastern corner of the county.

Directions from Crete - go north about four miles on the first county road west of town. The county

road turns to the west and in one half mile, turn north and go one mile, then turn east. In about

a quarter mile there will be a parking area on the south side. A tree-lined trail leads to a wooded
area with a creek. There are no facilities.

Swan Lake NRD (also called Willard Meyer Recreation Area): Located in the southwestern

part of the county. Directions from Tobias - three miles east, two miles north and about a half

mile east. There is also an entrance on the north side. The area includes a lake with some trees

around it and some upland prairie. There is a marshy area at the north end of the lake. Facilities

include camping, picnic area and boat ramp.

Saunders County (6)

Czechland Lake NRD: (192 acres, 85 acre lake) this is a small enough lake that the

waterbirds are easy to see. Access in winter is limited to the south edge. It is

just north of Prague on highway 79.

Jack Sinn Memorial Wildlife Management Area (WMA): (967 acres) this swamp and

grassland area is in southern Saunders and northern Lancaster counties along

highway 77 just south of Ceresco. It can be great shorebird habitat if the water

level is low and good sparrow habitat any time.

Seward County (16)

Meadowlark Lake Natural Resources District: Located in the extreme northeast corner of the County. There is a small lake surrounded mostly by woodlands. Services include parking areas and a boat ramp.

North Lake Basin Wildlife Management Area: Located a half mile north of Utica near the western edge of the County. The WMA is at the eastern edge of the Rainwater Basin so it includes prairie and marsh habitats. Least Bitterns have been seen here in the summer. The only service is a parking area, however, services are available in Utica.

Oak Glen State Wildlife Management Area: Located 1.5 miles north of Garland in the northeastern part of the County. The area is hilly, with a mix of prairie and woodland (Burr Oak) habitat. The only services are parking areas and primitive trails.

Straight Water Wildlife Management Area: Located just over one mile south of Tamora, the WMA is another Rainwater Basin including wetland and upland prairie. The only service is a parking area.

Twin Lakes State Wildlife Management Area: Located just north of I-80 and a half mile west of exit 388 near the eastern edge of the County. As the name states, there are two lakes, side by side with hilly woodland, food plots and prairie habitats around and between them. The area is closed October 15 to December 31 to provide a refuge for waterfowl during hunting season.

Thayer County (32)

Father Hupp State Wildlife Management Area (WMA): Located in the north central part of
the county, a little more than two miles west of Bruning. It is a Rainwater Basin marsh including
wetland and upland prairie habitats. It is only a quarter section in size, however, the private
property adjacent to it also has wetland habitat. Most of the marsh is visible from the county road
and from the parking lot on the hill to the west.

York County (17)

Kirkpatrick Basin North Wildlife Management Area (WMA): Located 1.5 miles north of the York
I-80 exit, four miles west and one mile south. It is a Rainwater Basin marsh including wetland and
upland prairie habitats.

Kirkpatrick Basin North Wildlife Management Area (WMA):

Sinninger Waterfowl Production Area (WPA): Located 2.5 miles east and 1.5 miles south of
McCool Junction.

In cooperation with the University of Nebraska at Kearney