WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Kansas

By species reported, the top birding spots in Kansas are Neosho Wildlife Area, Baker University Wetlands, and Baker University Wetlands (south). Neosho Wildlife Area has the longest list (251 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Neosho Wildlife AreaNeosho County25167688233128146
Baker University WetlandsDouglas County2391,61186228128152
Baker University Wetlands (south)Douglas County2331,40575217114136
Clear Creek LakeAtchison County22461569199115165
Shawnee MissionJohnson County2102,0388818981153
Cheney State ParkReno County2101,70897166125140
Marais Des Cygne Wildlife AreaLinn County2104704617314579
Kcpl WetlandJohnson County2092,2376420160100
Clinton LakeDouglas County2071,46173161128153
Quivira National Wildlife RefugeStafford County2061,24762167137158
Heritage ParkJohnson County2001,34954157102128
Lake OlatheJohnson County1983,5299416885139
Kill Creek ParkJohnson County1981,3057717993134
Heritage LakeJohnson County1961,0926716796120
Little Salt MarshStafford County19592254152117142
Pool 1ABarton County19154250154109123
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (southwest)Stafford County19138446158120129
Rocky Ford State Fishing AreaPottawatomie County189720751716899
Scott State ParkScott County1895197714384110
Shawnee State Fishing LakeShawnee County1888828215788121
Cedar LakeJohnson County1861,712711737690
Pottawatomie State Fishing LakePottawatomie County1855297215656126
Cheney State Park (Mount Vernon)Kingman County1848689713380138
Big Salt MarshStafford County18460027154119112
Hillsdale Recreation AreaMiami County1835053815086133
Slate Creek WetlandsSumner County1822696314610899
Clark State Fishing LakeClark County182208761475676
Kaw River State ParkShawnee County1818236115891118
Wyandotte Co LakeWyandotte County1808828314666110
Ford State Fishing Lake and Wildlife AreaFord County180325491616486

By county