Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge – Overton Bottoms Birding Trail

Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge is a series of 14 refuges protecting sections of habitat along the Missouri River between Kansas City and St. Louis. The Refuge gets its name from the nickname of the Missouri River, based on murky sedimentation constantly being moved because of the fast flow of the river, which historically was the bane of many a steamboat during the 19th century. Near the city of Columbia is Overton Bottoms, separated into two units, North and South.  

The North Unit has a hiking trail, offering great birding opportunities throughout the woodland and wetlands. Park at the westernmost parking lot to access the trailhead. The North unit is mostly wooded, but has some scour lakes and emergent wetlands as well. The wood warblers love this unit. Look for golden-winged, prothonotary, magnolia, Blackburnian, American redstart, and many others, especially during migration. Both yellow-billed and black-billed cuckoos may be heard in the woodland, alongside red-eyed, Bell’s, and warbling vireos. While here, try to pick up wrens that are more uncommon, including winter, sedge, and marsh wrens.  

The South Unit is dominated by large, flat emergent wetlands. The floodplain habitat provides excellent habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and marshbirds. During migration, you will see mallard, northern shoveler, and blue-winged teal. Early spring can bring shorebirds, such as spotted sandpiper, solitary sandpiper, and lesser yellowlegs. Wading birds like the great blue heron, great egret, and American bittern also forage in the vast floodplain. If you’re lucky, you might hear secretive Virginia rail, sora, and even king rail calling in the marshes in the early morning. A variety of swallow species can also be seen at Overton Bottoms, including tree, bank, barn, and cliff, depending on the time of year. Bald eagles are also regularly seen moving up and down the Missouri River.