About the Area
B.K. Leach Conservation Area is over 4,370 acres of some of the best wetland habitat anywhere along the St. Louis Birding Trail. The area is divided into four different sections including: Bittern Basin unit, King’s Lake tract, Sherman tract, and River Slough tract. Bittern Basin unit is a couple miles north on Highway P across from the turn off to Prairie Slough Conservation Area. B.K. Leach contains a variety of habitat types other than wetland, including lakes and ponds, upland forest, old fields, upland prairie, and cropland. The area is well managed for migrating birds of all species. With 234 species documented on the area, you can see why St. Louis birders are so excited about the location.
Rarities like the common gallinule, ring-necked pheasant, short-eared owl, prairie falcon, black-billed cuckoo, and sandhill crane have been seen on the area. Both the short-billed and long-billed dowitchers show up during migration as does the cackling goose. If your timing is right, you may also see a black-necked stilt and least bittern. There are Merlin in the area as well as trumpeter swan, greater white-fronted goose, and American white pelican. The rare king rail is known to breed at Leach, and other uncommon marsh birds use Leach during migration, including yellow rail, sora, and Virginia rail.
A large portion of B.K. Leach is a protected waterfowl refuge with seasonal wetlands. These protected areas provide high-quality migratory bird habitat along the St. Louis Birding Trail. The area has excellent roads, but no designated trails. If you want to get off-road and walk, dress accordingly and wear good boots. This area contains many wetlands and can be damp, wet, and muddy.
Binoculars and a field guide are a must and bring a scope if you have it. If you choose to stay all day, bring snacks and water. During migration, birds will be moving about in search of food and suitable habitat and there will be many species to see!
Use your car and truck as a blind is an effective method for getting an up-close look. If you are patient, all kinds of good birds will show up. Often birders just sit quietly and wait. Eventually ducks, geese, and other birds get used to your presence and will move out in the open. Some camouflage clothing or a dark poncho work well for looking at birds. All birds are instinctively aware of humans, and the more you move, the warier of you they become. This is where patience is a virtue – the rewards are excellent bird sightings that you might otherwise miss.
Google Maps Directions
Area consists of three tracts. From Elsberry, take MO-79 south 3 miles, then county route M east 3 miles to the main tract.
Elsberry is the nearest town to B. K. Leach CA, but many small towns dot Highway 79, which runs parallel to the Mississippi River. Clarksville is one such town, and has many charming arts and crafts shops and bed and breakfasts that overlook the river. Ted Shanks Conservation Area, and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge are also nearby, as well as the scenic Hwy 79 Corridor.