Quivira National Wildlife Refuge — Attraction in Stafford

Best kept wildlife secret in Kansas! I first started going here 20 years ago when my biology teacher took us to Quivira. I got to tell you I changed my life completely, especially increasing my knowledge and passion for wildlife conservation! These wetlands and refugees are necessary for the survival of migratory birds through Kansas. One of the biggest reasons scientists have seen a decrease in numbers in a direct result of wind turbine farming. About 60 miles North of Quivira Wildlife Refuge and nearby wetland Cheyenne Bottoms (Great Bend) are numerous GE wind turbines, which disrupt the natural migration of birds coming south from Canada forcing them to divert to other places. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand what this means for future flocks of geese, ducks, herons, and cranes. It means they will go elsewhere and never come back... If you live near Quivira Wildlife Refuge in South-Central Kansas I strongly urge you to visit this place and emerge yourself in the awe & inspiration that this land holds while experiencing Nature's true gift of beauty! If I could give it a 6 star rating I would. P.S. Very low crowds, and zero pollution make this an instant favorite... Remember to leave no trace when visiting. I hope you enjoy this place as much as I...

Quivira Wildlife Refuge is basically my backyard. Every season has something to offer. Whether you enjoy watching bird migrations from shorebirds to bird of prey it is here. If you love reptiles as I do the diversity is amazing. From Masasauga rattle snakes to gopher snakes and prairie kingsnakes its a herpers delight. Ornate box turtles, gigantic softballs and snapping turtles. Tons of deer,, coyote, badgers,, beavers, muskrat and raccoons. Diverse flower and fauna abound. Great little hiking trail at migrants mile (though in need of some major maintenance these days) through the years you can see how budget cuts have hampered the maintenance of the reserve and it can be disheartening to see it go downhill a bit. But it doesn't detract from the beauty of the...

We traveled out there over the weekend and we thought maybe there would be water there. it is very dry, and it is very sad to see. in the past we saw bald eagles there, and many types of birds, snakes, and of course, the prairie dogs.

I've got some sad photos to share, as well as some photos I took in the past. The old photos are from January. The marshes dried up somewhere between January and now. We really need rain, and somehow need those fish to come back. We heard from locals how McPherson is dry too. On the bright side, we saw lots of deer, and I saw a wild boar. Also, a very large gaggle of geese, huddling around what little water was left in the...