Starting Point: John James Audubon Museum and Nature Center and includes sloughs, wooded areas and a 1,775 acre waterfowl refuge. Gas, lodging and dining opportunities available in nearby Henderson.
A1 - John James Audubon State Park (270) 826-2247. This state park in Henderson is the site of the largest art collection of internationally known wildlife artist, John James Audubon. Many other nature-related artworks are periodically on display at the museum. John James Audubon, the first artist or ornithologist to depict life-size birds and animals in their natural surroundings, lived in Henderson for several years. He valued Henderson because of its position on the Mississippi flyway, a bird migration route. The park preserves the peaceful woods where the famed naturalist walked as he observed the subjects of his paintings.
Habitat and trail info: There are 7 miles of walking trails made up of upland and bottomland hardwood forests and lakes. The trails vary in difficulty and length.
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: The hiking trails provide a perfect opportunity to observe over 20 species of warblers that settle at Audubon in the springtime. Belted kingfisher, green heron, woodpeckers, prothonotary warbler and many other waterfowl may also be observed.
Best place to look for birds: The observation center looks out over established feeding stations and native plant gardens. The 2-mile wilderness lake loop trail through the nature preserve offers the greatest habitat and bird species diversity.
A2 - Henderson-Sloughs Wildlife Management Area
(2 stops) Take US 60 south (9 miles) to KY 136 to Geneva (2 miles) then take KY 268 NW 6.5 miles to Sauerheber Refuge on the left. Gas, lodging and dining opportunities available in nearby Henderson.
Habitat and trail info: Sauerheber Refuge: A 1,775-acre waterfowl refuge where up to 30,000 Canada geese and 10,000 ducks winter annually. Closed seasonally October 15 through March 15. Observation platforms near refuge edge are open year-round.
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: One can view Canada Geese, American widgeon, green-winged teal, American avocet, common snipe as well as many other shorebirds and waterfowl. Swamp rabbit, squirrel, deer, quail, raccoon, beaver, coyote, and dove are found here as well.
Jenny Hole-Highland Creek: offers sloughs, bottomland hardwoods and some brushy areas. This is Kentucky's largest Great Blue Heron rookery. Limited access by gravel roads. Primitive camping is available.
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: great blue heron, bald eagle, prothonotary warbler, waterfowl, swamp rabbit, squirrel, deer, quail, raccoon, beaver, coyote and dove are all found here.
A3 - Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area
Go back to US60 and head south to Morganfield (20 miles). Turn east on KY56. Go 2 miles. Entrance on right. Gas, lodging and dining opportunities available in nearby Morganfield.
Habitat and trail info: The area is primarily forested with hardwood, pine and mixed forest communities with rolling hills and numerous small clearings. There are ten miles of hiking trails as well as18 miles of roads including many old roads which may be hiked and an 80 acre lake with two smaller lakes. Camping and picnic area is available.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: There are more than 135 species of birds (including dove, quail, woodcock, turkey, waterfowl, and bald eagles. Coyote, deer, red and grey fox, rabbit, raccoon, groundhog, and red, grey and fox squirrel have been sighted here also.
Side trip: If you have time, you may want to stop in Marion (just 27 miles south of Morganfield on US 60) to visit the Mineral Museum, the Amish Community and experience crossing the river on a ferry. Stop in downtown Marion at the Old Time Diner and pick up a brochure for maps and descriptions of attractions in this area.
