August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Birding Trail

There are few places on the St. Louis Birding Trail that offer the habitat diversity of the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. The area is nearly 7,000 acres and has more than 30 lakes of varying sizes that attract all species of waterfowl, wading birds, rails, bittern, terns, and shorebirds. The area includes almost 3,000 acres of forest and woodland, as well as grassland, old fields, prairie, and wetlands. The area has a number of small drainage canals and one permanent stream, Dardenne Creek, at the north end. All of the diverse habitats on the area are interconnected, which makes for excellent birding any time of year. 

Busch is one place you are guaranteed to see and hear American woodcocks display in the spring. In the spring and summer, you will also see and hear warblers, vireos, tanagers, orioles, wrens, sparrows, cuckoos, various hawks, and an indigo bunting in every bush. Also try birding in the evening and listen for the common whip-poor-will and chuck-will’s-widow as you watch and listen for calling common nighthawk. In the fall and winter, woodpeckers, titmice, chickadees, blue jays, cardinals, and nuthatches rule the forest and are easy to spot. In the open areas and brush, you will find all species of sparrow and other grassland birds. Ducks and geese can also be found on the area’s ponds and lakes, and hawks soar in the sky. The whole area is accessible via excellent roads and a well-marked, well-maintained system of trails. 

There have been more than 230 species of birds recorded at Busch, so be prepared for anything at any time. Busch is a conservation area, and hunting is allowed at various times of year, so make sure you know the current hunting regulations and seasons.