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Nearby Parks:
De Soto National Wildlife Refuge
De Soto National Wildlife Refuge
Nobles Lake State Wildlife Management Area
Wilson Island State Park
California Bend State Wildlife Refuge
Tyson Island State Wildlife Management Area
Round Lake State Wildlife Management Area
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DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
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| National Park Overview: |
| DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge's primary wildlife management role is to serve as a stopover for migrating ducks and geese during their fall migration between the Arctic nesting grounds and the Gulf Coast wintering areas. During typical years, a half million snow geese utilize the refuge as a resting and feeding area and populations of 75,000 or more ducks, mostly mallards, are common on the refuge. November is the month of peak waterfowl use, with less spectacular concentrations of ducks and geese returning in March and early April.
Bald eagles follow geese into the area, with many eagles wintering here until March. Peak numbers of bald eagles usually occur in late November and December, and again in early March. As many as 145 have been seen here at one time. Bald eagles are often seen perched in cottonwoods along DeSoto Lake when waterfowl are present, and good viewing opportunities are available from the DeSoto Visitor Center. An interesting assortment of warblers, gulls, shorebirds, and other bird life also can be observed on the refuge during fall (Sept-Oct) and spring (Mar-May) migrations.
In the summer, white-tailed deer, with one or two fawns, are often seen in the morning and evening hours beside refuge roads. Wild turkeys gather in large groups along the roads and in the fields to strut. Cottontail rabbits, raccoons, coyotes, opossums, and fox squirrels also are frequently observed along refuge roads. Backwater areas of DeSoto Lake and several wetlands on the refuge serve as habitat for herons, beaver, muskrat and an occasional mink. Grassland birds are attracted to areas of restored prairie for nesting.
Woodland edges, fields of native prairie grasses and wildflowers near refuge roads attract a variety of songbirds and other wildlife such as pheasants and bobwhite quail. Red-headed woodpeckers abound along the woodland edge. Wood ducks, perhaps the most beautiful of America's waterfowl, may be seen in ponds throughout the refuge. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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A school field trip...
I went to DeSoto with my 8th grade class. It was beautiful. I loved it. The museum is beautiful. A really pretty place to go.
Written by Hayley
5-Jul-2008
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The best place ever!!!
On friday I went to DeSoto it was great!! We got to see the eagles nests and hear the birds chirp. I love DeSoto!!!
Written by Allie
29-Mar-2009
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| Related Links: |
| Bird Checklists of the United States - Bird Checklists of the United States DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Office in Missouri Valley, Iowa DeSoto NWR General ... in 1959, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge provides feeding and resting ... | | Bird Checklists of the United States - Checklists of the United States DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Missouri Valley, Iowa General Information DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge lies on the wide plain formed by prehistoric flooding and ... | | DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge and Visitor Center on the Lewis and Clark Trail - Discover DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge on the Lewis and Clark Trail ... Shopping Bicentennial Center Home Search the Trail DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge and Visitor Center 1434 316th ... | | Omaha Nebraska on the Lewis and Clark Trail - Information on Omaha, Nebraska and surrounding area on the Lewis and Clark Trail. ... with American Indians Fontenelle Forest DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Lewis & Clark Historical Sites Lewis ... | | Snow Geese Migration - DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge - Snow Goose migration following the Missouri River System and stopping over at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge ... Goose Migration DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Print Sizes Price US ... | | Snow Geese Migration - DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Nature Photography by Gary D. Tonhouse Snow Geese Migration ? Gary D. Tonhouse 1997 -2002 ... The 7,823 acre DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge along the Missouri River ... | | DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge - Snow Geese, Bald Eagles, Deer - DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge - Snow Geese, Bald Eagles, Deer Tiger Eye Photography December 2002 page 1 of 3 D1H 0030 web cop... D1H 0037 web cop... D1H 0040 web cop... D1H 0047 web cop... D1H ... |
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