Birding, Bird Watching, Places to Bird Watch, Watch Eagles in Missouri

Vilander Bluff Natural Area at Onondaga Cave State Park
(Leasburg, Missouri)
This natural area comprises 206 acres, it rests 7 miles from the main portion of the park and is bordered by the Meramec River. Across the river from the bluff is a significant great blue heron rookery with 40 active nests and there is an osprey which is a summer resident of the immediate vicinity. As of June 2008, there are no developments at Vilander Bluff, making it best viewed from the river. The property is, however, accessible by foot and the park's visitor center apparently will give directions to those who ask. In addition to wonderful bird watching, visitors to Vilander Bluff will see limestone/dolomite cliff and limestone/dolomite talus, as well as chert savanna and dry chert forest, all of which are significant to the state and the region.
Area Information and Missouri Department of Conservation Area Information
Area Map

There is no better place to admire our native hummingbirds than from the All American cabin. Rose of Sharon bushes outside the kitchen bay window and a red, white and blue feeder attached to the screened porch set the stage for a hummingbird watching extravaganza. In addition to hummingbirds, the woods at ArdPark are home to good populations of woodpeckers, hawks, falcons, owls, cardinals, blue birds, barn swallows, finches and a variety of song birds.