Lake of the Ozarks Birdwatching
Any nature enthusiast will be blown away by the incredible scenery and breathtaking landscape that the Lake of the Ozarks has to offer. For those visitors that take the terrain into their own hands and love to explore, there is an incredible tradition of bird watching in the Lake of the Ozarks that ensures that any guest will be able to take in the gorgeous sights with great leisure and without worrying about troubling the wildlife in the area.
The birdlife in the Lake of the Ozarks is incredibly diverse and multifaceted. One of the most common birds found on the Lake itself is the great blue heron. Like many visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks, this bird enjoys quieter living, away from the wildness of the centre of the Lake, more towards spots that are secluded along the rivers or the creeks. Though a more quiet living bird, the great blue heron often builds communities of its own kind --known as rookeries in the bird world. Anyone interested in getting a closer look at the living habits of the birds and how they cooperate can visit one of these rookeries on the Osage River. This rookery has been spotted harbouring upwards of 80 nests.
Another frequent visitor to the Lake of the Ozarks area is the bald eagle. These fearsome birds of prey tend to fly in around October and stay until mid or late March. Though it’s not uncommon to find bald eagles nested near the Lake itself, the presence of humans many homes along the shore make this a great rarity. The heaviest population of bald eagles can be found near Old Bagnell and the Bagnell Dam --located on the Osage River. Naturally, many birds of prey tend to make their homes near the Osage River because of the high concentration of shad in its waters. As such, there is a Conservation Access 300 yards downstream from the dam for those who are interested in viewing these regal birds in their temporary habitats.
Along with the majestic bald eagle, there is another --albeit rare-- visitor to the Lake of the Ozarks: the golden eagle. Of course, when they are in the area they flock around the Bagnell Dam --again, for the large schools of shad that make dwell in the waters of the Osage River. Among the eagles that make the dam their home during the winter months, ring-billed gulls have made their presence known as well. Canada geese, white pelican, and trumpeter swans all make the Lake of the Ozarks their home during the winter months. You may even have the distinct fortune to sight double crested cormorants. Also known as “water turkey”, these birds have been known to clump in groups of 30 around the Lake.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of birds found around the Lake of the Ozarks. There are so many that tend to fly near or live on the Lake that bird enthusiasts will have their fair share of birds to watch.
