About the Area
Lying along the North Fabius River, Deer Ridge is primarily forest and woodland interspersed with savanna, grassland, old field, cropland, wetland, and some ponds. This wide-diversity of habitats can be explored via the multi-use trails that wind through the area. Not every parking lot has access to the multi-use trails, so check the map and choose one that does. Each of Missouri’s woodpeckers can be found in these forests and woodlands. Nuthatches, wrens, Brown Creeper, and kinglets are typical as well. The wetland areas have attracted herons, night-herons, egrets, shorebirds, and the odd duck or three if the water levels are high. You will definitely want to watch for hawks, eagles, and falcons on the area. Keep an eye out for Merlins, as they have been spotted here before. The warmer months bring the usual host of tanagers, orioles, wood warblers, vireos, and tanagers.
East of Kirksville about 45 miles. Take MO-11 E. In Baring, MO-11 turns into State Hwy K. After heading south on State Hwy K, turn east on State Hwy Y. Turn right onto 355/Chestnut Ave and the next right leads to the parking lot along the lakeshore.
Kirksville, home of Truman State University, is the largest town in the northeast region. Kirksville has many nice options for food and lodging, and plenty of things to do after your day of birding. Try looking through a super-sized spotting scope at the Del and Norma Robison Planetarium. History buffs in your group will enjoy visiting the Adair County Historical Society. There are a few neat conservation areas within a few minutes of Deer Ridge, including Neeper, Labelle Lake, and Ewing Lake. Set up a spotting scope at these areas to pick out the more uncommon peeps, ducks, and geese during migration.