Guide to the Bird Watching Checklist for Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area

Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area, established in 1988, includes 1200 acres located in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway. These public lands and waters provide excellent habitat for birds that migrate in the east and central sections of the United States as well as long distance vagrants. The Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area is located on US 67/MO 367 just short of the Clark Bridge on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River.

During the Migration (October 15 - April 15) the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area is restricted to visitors, except for paved roads and parking lots.

This checklist was compiled by the Rivers Project Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with the St. Louis Audubon Society and Webster Groves Nature Study Society. The dedication and observations from these organizations are greatly appreciated.

The species name and sequence of the birds on the checklist follow the A.O.U. Checklist, 6th Ed. (1983).

The following legend indicates the approximate relative abundance of each species during each season it most likely occur:

a	Abundant - Occurs in great numbers at a given season and habitat; many individuals can be seen in a day.
c	Common - Occurs in considerable numbers at a given season and habitat; several seen in a day.
f	Fairly common - occurs in numbers but to a lesser degree than common.
u	Uncommon - occurs in small numbers and may be limited by habitat; even if looked for in the right season and habitat, it may be missed in a day.
o	Occasional - occasional visitor, few records.
r	Rare - sparingly reported, occurs a few times a year; hard to find, probably limited by season and habitat.
A	Accidental - less than 5 records
*	Birds seen since 1992 that are accidents/occassionals.
#	Birds known to nest on the management area.
(+)	Numbers of birds have increased due to Western species moving East, Southern species moving North, overall increase in population of species.
(-)	Numbers of birds decreased due to the 1993 flood, general decrease in populations of species.

Sp	Spring, primarily March through May (although some migration may occur in February and June
Su	Summer, primarily late May through early August
Fa	Fall, primarily August through November (although some migration begins as early as late June and continues well into December)
Wi	Winter, primarily December through February

This checklist is dedicated in memorial to Jack Van Benthuysen, a birder for over 50 years, who showed extreme enthusiasm and dedication in the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area. The Rivers Project, one of his favorite spots, remembers Jack Van Benthuysen for his contributions for identifying rare birds throughout the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area.