About the Area
Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area consists of 1,905 total acres, including a 228-acre lake and a fish hatchery. The land that is now Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area was originally a tallgrass prairie and, while some remnant stands of native grasses remain on the area, there is no remnant prairie. However, fields are managed to encourage the growth of native plants and grasses and improve each season. You will certainly notice these efforts as you bird the area. B
Birding is good year-round. The lake brings in the usual dabbling ducks, diving ducks, and geese. You can spot sandpipers along the shoreline, but you might want to bring a scope. Bald Eagles and the occasional Osprey can be seen as well. The hatchery attracts Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, and Great Egret that forage in the shallow waters. There are marshy areas near the upper end of coves and riparian areas, which also attract wading birds. The forest surrounding the lake is mature white oak. Here you’ll find White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, various woodpeckers, wood warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and Ruby-crowned and Gold-crowned Kinglets. Thrushes love the riparian woods beyond the tip of the lake’s many coves. There are latrines available at the main parking lot off of State Hwy Z.
West of Monroe City, take State Hwy Z north of US-36 E. The area entrance will be on the left after a few miles.
For food and fuel, you can choose from Macon to the west, or Hannibal to the east. Hannibal is fairly large, if you are going as far east as the Mississippi River. Being the birthplace of Samuel Clemmons, Hannibal has many related historical attractions, including the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, the Mark Twain Cave, the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse, and much more. There are also loads of restaurants, hotels, and cozy bed and breakfasts along the river.
There are many other birding hotspots nearby that are worth a visit. Mark Twain State Park is just a few minutes south of MO-36. Mark Twain has a very large lake that brings in a wide-variety of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. A decent amount of woodland and grassland surround the main lake on several recreation areas that dot the shoreline.