Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway

27/02/2024

As the weather gets nicer… here is a giggle for you as the insects start to come back.

- even those of us who LIKE bugs don't necessarily respond well when some of these land on us 😅, but it helps to remember that they all have a purpose and importance! (except mosquitos, squish them all! (just kidding! mostly...))

Thanks Mark Parisi for the laugh!

29/01/2024

Interesting from the Kansas Historical Society
This circa 1937 photo shows Frank Robl holding one of the ducks he banded. He was a bird ba**er for 50 years and known throughout the country as “duck man.” Robl had a farm located three miles north of Ellinwood (Barton County) and five miles southeast of Cheyenne Bottoms. Robl began his bird banding in 1923 and was most active from 1924 to 1939. During that time, he banded 18,842 birds and more than 16,000 ducks. Robl’s banding contributed to the understanding of varying bird migrations, longevity, survival, and general knowledge about various duck species. He was also an avid photographer.

29/01/2024

Happy Kansas Day

05/12/2023

From Kansas Wetlands Education Center
We are making an update to our winter hours. Through March 31, the Kansas Wetlands Education Center will be closed on Sunday and Monday. Visit the center Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm.

04/12/2023

From Kansas National Wildlife Refuges Complex
Announcement: Quivira National Wildlife Refuge has reopened for hunting on Saturday, December 2nd to normal hunting seasons (Please see the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks website for appropriate hunting season dates at Quivira – Low Plains Late Zone). For any questions, please call the office at 620-410-4011.

01/10/2023

Dan Witt
55m ·
A quick trip thru the Bottoms this morning. Lots of shore birds and gulls moving in. Mostly teal in the duck family. Pelicans-- I'm not sure what they are eating, but the egrets and herons are finding minnows, etc Starting to lose water--but still lots of beautiful birds to see-- you better get going!!!!

25/09/2023

From the Kansas Wetlands Education Center:
Check out our new legit looking interpretive signs out on the nature trail! We'll change the designs and information at least quarterly. Challenge yourself to a round of Cheyenne Bottoms Animal Olympics as you enjoy a half-mile, paved walk.
Special thanks to Jim Bowman, KWEC General Maintenance and Repair Technician, for doing the bulk of the work to get these signs in the hard ground!

16/08/2023

This bird selfie is worth sharing for a smile today!! As our wetlands fill up we are seeing more and more birds!

A bird selfie of the day 🧡🦆
📷:jaroslaw kolacz

13/08/2023

From the camera of Dan Witt
"Get in your vehicle and go to the Bottoms. Black terns everywhere. Shorebirds, herons, egrets-- and more teal showing up every day.
The Black Terns took my breath this morning. No wind, great light, clear reflections-- a great day to have a camera!"
Doc

13/07/2023

From the Kansas Wetlands Education Center
Are the Bottoms full? With the recent rains (5.52 total inches at the center since June 1), we are often asked about the conditions of Cheyenne Bottoms. With how significantly dry it had been, the marsh is doing its best to soak up the much needed rain, but it will continue to be a slow recovery.

24/06/2023

Events along the Byway

06/05/2023

Anyone is welcome to find out about this advisory council

06/05/2023

The Wall That Heals in Great Bend, KS will be here on Tuesday May 9. The es**rt will begin in Claflin, KS at 1:30pm and will arrive on Main St in Great Bend at approximately 2:30pm.
Please be patient as it makes its way along the route. Traffic may be briefly impacted in Claflin, on Hwy 4 thru Hoisington, and on north Hwy 281, east 10th St, Main St, heading west on 24th St until it reaches Al Burns Field at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be open to the public Thursday May 11 starting at 8am with an opening ceremony. It will then be available for viewing 24 hours a day until Sunday May 14 at 2pm. From Explore Great Bend

10/04/2023

While conducting aerial surveys, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Migratory Game Bird Program Manager, Tom Bidrowski, snapped some photos showing the impact this drought has had on Cheyenne Bottoms.

08/03/2023

The Sandhill Crane Migration is in full swing. They are found from Quivira NWR to north of Cheyenne Bottoms. They are easily spooked but the sound lingers. A sight to see and to hear.

25/02/2023

Explore Great Bend, KS staff and Kansas Wetlands Education Center staff are in Omaha at the Travel show promoting our Byway with amazing Butterfly & Bee seeds!

30/01/2023

Greater Prairie-Chicken Lek Tour
This event has 10 scheduled dates: March 23, March 25, March 27, March 29, April 1, April 3, April 7, April 11, April 17, April 21
Just before the sun rises over the vast grasslands each Spring, while most people are still snug in their beds, Prairie-Chickens are busy putting on a show that is critical to their survival. Male Prairie-Chickens strut around on communal mating grounds known as “leks,” where they fight, call, and dance to win the affection of females. Only the best males are chosen to mate. On a still morning on the prairie, their call, called a boom, can be heard over a mile away. It is one of the most fascinating and unique natural phenomenon people can watch. Lek tours draw people from around the world each year to the Great Plains.
The Kansas Wetlands Education Center, invites you to come and witness this wonderful show during a Greater Prairie-Chicken Lek Tour. Staff will drive you to a local Greater Prairie-Chicken lek, where there is a trailer blind sitting. From the blind, you will be able to observe the Prairie-Chickens on the lek, and the guide will be there to tell you all about these interesting birds and the incredible spectacle.
Fieldtrips will be available to the public only on select days throughout the end of March through April by reservation only. A schedule of available tour dates is listed above. Reservations must be made at least two days prior to the field trip. Seating is limited to 6 people and is limited to ages 12 and older. Participants will meet at KWEC by 5:20-6:00am depending on the time of sunrise. Transportation to the lek will be provided. Participants should plan on being in the blind for at least 4 hours with no facilities available. Cost is $40 per person. Please call the KWEC at 877-243-9268 to register and receive more information.

29/01/2023

Happy Kansas Day! To celebrate check out the new Kansas Tourism Video!

29/01/2023

Happy Birthday, Kansas

26/01/2023

From Pam Martin, KWEC
I hit the sandhill crane jackpot on Monday on the way back from programs in St. John. I estimate there were 10,000-15,000, feeding in a stubble field on five-mile blacktop, with geese surrounding them. I've never seen this many at this time of year. Quivira has had a winter flock of around 2,500 for the past several winters and I'm wondering if these cranes are staying there, but I haven't heard any reports of large numbers. It was wonderful to sit and listen to them "chat" with each other. One of my favorite nature sounds!