About the Area
Blind Pony Lake Conservation Area is a 2200-acre expanse of prairie and forest in Saline County. There are no designated trails on the property, but visitors can walk along the firebreaks separating the fields and forests. Blind Pony Lake can be viewed from a gravel road that leads to the boat ramp area. Many tree snags are scattered along the edges of the lake offering perches for Double-crested Cormorant, Bald Eagle, and Osprey. Shorebirds, such as Killdeer, Solitary Sandpiper, and Spotted Sandpiper, scurry to-and-fro along the shoreline and shallows. During spring migration, a variety of ducks and geese can be seen, including Ross’s Goose, Cackling Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, and more. An 83-acre native prairie is a must-see feature at the area that attracts a rich diversity of pollinating insects and grassland bird species. Look for Blue Grosbeak, Dickcissel,Orchard Oriole, and Eastern Meadowlark. The fish hatchery pools on the south end of the property also offer a unique birding opportunity. Herons, egrets, and bitterns wade through the emergent vegetation on these small pools feeding on small fish.
Directions From Sweet Springs at I-70, take Highway 127 north 1 mile, then Route ZZ east 6.50 miles to the area.
Marshall has hotel accommodations and restaurant options within a few miles of the surrounding trail stops. The Nicholas Beazley Aviation Museum in Marshall highlights the history of a local aviation pioneer and his flight school and airplane manufacturing efforts. The Wonder Dog Memorial Garden is a great place to stop for lunch amongst the scenic landscaping filled with flowers and decorative trees and shrubs.
To the north you have Grand Pass Conservation Area and Van Meter State Park. Grand Pass is especially great during waterfowl migration and Van Meter has good birding year-round. A bit southeast of where you are now is Perry Memorial Conservation Area, which provides forest, old fields, wetlands, cropland, and grassland to an equal variety of bird species.