WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Missouri

By species reported, the top birding spots in Missouri are Alton Slough, Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, and Lake Springfield Park. Alton Slough has the longest list (280 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
Alton SloughSt. Charles County2807,626130242171233
Eagle Bluffs Conservation AreaBoone County2541,684100225139164
Lake Springfield ParkGreene County2282,2199420895140
Columbia Bottom Conservation AreaSt. Louis County2261,22797179107147
Longview LakeJackson County2152,343101191103156
Binder Conservation LandCole County2141,541104188103147
August A. Busch Jr. Mem Wetlands at Four Rivers Conservation AreaVernon County2143788417812290
Blue Springs LakeJackson County2131,5417119887133
Clarence Cannon National Wildlife RefugePike County2127089516998136
August A Busch Refuge LakeSt. Charles County2101,94597175103169
Marais Temps Clair Conservation AreaSt. Charles County20868063174116133
Creve Coeur LakeSt. Louis County2062,22910117394156
Forest ParkSt. Louis City2046,05887189116157
Ellis IslandSt. Charles County2047918915792133
Leach (B.K.) Memorial Conservation AreaLincoln County20457284160105136
Eagle PoolHolt County204361641818895
Lake ContraryBuchanan County20087953178106105
Cooley Lake Conservation AreaClay County19951563168107128
Otter Slough Conservation AreaStoddard County198326791629694
Holden City LakeJohnson County19452095156101133
Valley Water Mill PondGreene County1931,6468916087142
Fellows LakeGreene County1921,2278815288145
Smithville Lake (Camp Branch)Clay County1925409114467127
Gardner Farms LakeBarton County1894148415173117
Atkinson LakeSt. Clair County1892866915093101
Schell LakeVernon County1892266114910193
Little Prairie Conservation AreaPhelps County1888305816085120
Jefferson Barracks County ParkSt. Louis County1871,1577915693134
Lewis and Clark State ParkBuchanan County1854856314197121
Fountain Grove Conservation AreaLinn County181229731398890

By county