Clinton Lake - Model Airport & Marsh

Kansas · Midwest

ModerateView on eBird Directions

Habitat

WetlandLake

Best Seasons

Spring Fall

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Clinton Lake - Model Airport & Marsh is a productive birding destination in Kansas, with 216 species recorded on eBird. This wetland and lake habitat attracts a wide variety of species among many others. Spring migration along the Mississippi and Central Flyways makes this a vital stopover for diverse species.

Location

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Notable Species

Great Blue Heron Red-winged Blackbird Mallard Green Heron Virginia Rail

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Least Flycatcher

Empidonax minimus

4/16/2026Baker Wetlands--East Restoration1 observed

Blue-winged Warbler

Vermivora cyanoptera

4/16/2026Kill Creek Park1 observed

Gadwall x Northern Pintail (hybrid)

Mareca strepera x Anas acuta

4/15/2026Haskell Wetlands1 observed

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

4/15/2026Pumphrey Prairie1 observed

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

4/15/2026"Chickadee Ridge Nature Reserve", AKA, GLP home1 observed

Hudsonian Whimbrel

Numenius hudsonicus

4/14/2026Baker Wetlands--West Restoration2 observed

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

4/13/2026Tollefson Property1 observed

Caspian Tern

Hydroprogne caspia

4/11/2026Clinton Lake--Bloomington East3 observed

Northern Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

4/9/2026Burcham Park, Lawrence1 observed

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

4/9/2026Burcham Park, Lawrence1 observed

Clay-colored Sparrow

Spizella pallida

4/4/2026Westwood Hills1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

24/12/2026

Killdeer

14/12/2026

Northern Flicker

14/12/2026

Savannah Sparrow

24/12/2026

Eastern Meadowlark

204/12/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

34/12/2026

Wild Turkey

24/5/2026

Birding Tips

1
Bring waterproof boots for marsh trails and muddy edges.
2
Scan the edges of open water for herons, egrets, and rails at dawn.
3
Time your visit during the first week of May for maximum species diversity.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

More in Kansas

Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area

Largest US inland marsh and critical Central Flyway shorebird stopover.

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

Unique inland salt marshes with nesting Snowy Plovers and migrating Sandhill Cranes.

170th Road (Quivira National Wildlife Refuge - 40th Avenue)

Wetland birding hotspot in Kansas with 220 recorded species.

Kansas Birding Guide

Complete guide to birding in Kansas →

Birding Guides

Fall Bird Migration Guide

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Clinton Lake - Model Airport & Marsh for birding?▼

The best months to visit Clinton Lake - Model Airport & Marsh for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Clinton Lake - Model Airport & Marsh?▼

Notable species at Clinton Lake - Model Airport & Marsh include Great Blue Heron, Red-winged Blackbird, Mallard, Green Heron, Virginia Rail. The area supports wetland, lake habitats.

How difficult is birding at Clinton Lake - Model Airport & Marsh?▼

Birding at Clinton Lake - Model Airport & Marsh is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Clinton Lake - Model Airport & Marsh?▼

Clinton Lake - Model Airport & Marsh offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.