Category: News

Birdwatching on the Greenways

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Birdwatching is a hobby that combines fresh air, exercise, and beautiful scenery wrapped up in a treasure hunt. Not only that, birdwatching has no age limitations, requires minimal equipment and gives everyone the opportunity to be a citizen-scientist.  The only word of caution from experienced birdwatchers is that once you start, it can become addicting!

Greenways are great places for birdwatching. In fact, several have been recognized by the Audubon Society as “important bird areas.” We asked the St. Louis Audubon Society to recommend the best greenways for spotting a wide variety of birds along with some tips for beginners.

Can you find the Bird of the Week? Learn more at St. Louis Audubon Society here.

Best Greenways for Birdwatching

Fee Fee Greenway: Aquaport to Creve Coeur Park

The best place for spotting birds along this greenway is the area from McKelvey Woods to Creve Coeur Park. It meanders through what is known as an “edge habitat”—the space between a developed area and a natural habitat. The greenway’s location on a prairie flood plain near the Missouri River provides food and refuge for many migrating waders, waterfowl, and shorebirds.

Meramec Greenway near the Al Foster Trail

The section of the Meremec Greenway near the Al Foster trail lies within a bottomland forest and is considered an important bird area by the Audubon Society. It provides habitat for breeding forest birds, such as the Red-shouldered Hawk and Prothonotary Warbler. You can find all 154 species of birds that have been recorded in this birding “hotspot” on ebird.

River des Peres Greenway at Carondelet Park

Carondelet Park is on the eastern end of the River des Peres Greenway. This historic, 179-acre park provides stopover habitat for many migrating species in spring and fall. It also provides some breeding habitat for many birds excluded from the surrounding urban landscape (e.g., hawks and owls). The Audubon Society recently recorded 29 different species of birds on a single early-morning beginner bird walk in Carondelet Park!

Busch Greenway: Katy Trail to Missouri Research Park to August A. Busch Conservation Area

A good portion of the Busch Greenway passes through second-growth upland and bottomland forest, shrubland, and cropland areas managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. All of this great breeding and stopover habitat means great birdwatching! If you want to see lots of birds, focus on the area between the Duckett Creek trail head and Katy Trail or the section that stretches between Weldon Spring and August A. Busch Conservation areas.

Birdwatching for Beginners: What do you need?

  • A pair of binoculars
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • A field guide to birds. There are several options:
    • The Audubon Society has a list of recommended field guides here. You can also borrow one for free from your local library!
    • If you prefer to use an app on your phone, Cornell Lab of Ornithology has created the Merlin Bird Identification App. It prompts you to answer five questions about the bird you have seen and it offers suggestions about what kind of bird it is based on your location. Learn more about Merlin here.

The Audubon Society also has a free app for identifying birds. Learn more about the Audubon Society app here: https://www.audubon.org/app

Birdwatching Tips

  • Walk slowly
  • Use quiet voices; no shouting
  • Smaller groups are better
  • Observe; do not interact with the birds
  • Look low along the ground in “shrubby” areas and high up in the tree tops
  • Listen carefully (If you want to familiarize yourself with different bird songs, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All about Birds” field guide. You can enter the name of the bird and hear their song. Find it here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/ )

Become a Citizen Scientist: Share the birds you have seen on the greenways!

eBird is the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project, with more than 100 million bird sightings contributed each year by eBirders around the world. This collaborative effort is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  eBird lets you:

  • Keep track of your bird lists, photos, and sounds
  • Explore latest sightings from around the world
  • Join the world’s largest birding community
  • Contribute to science and conservation
  • Find the latest bird hots spots in your area
  • Track migration of birds through your area

Registration on eBird is free and it an excellent resource for beginning and expert birdwatchers alike. Click here to learn more about ebird.

Five Great Greenways for Fall Color

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Greenways provide a front row seat to fall’s annual show of color. Those that meander through forests, along rivers or bottom lands are typically your best bet—but you can’t go wrong with any greenway this time of year! Take your pick of the following (or plan to visit them all this fall!)

Busch Greenway: Katy Trail to Missouri Research Park to August A. Busch Conservation Area
The prime viewing spot along this greenway is the .75 mile route through the forest bottom between Missouri Research Park and the Katy Trail. For a longer walk or ride, explore the portion of the greenway that meanders through the Weldon Spring Conservation Area.

Meramec Greenway: Glencoe to Sherman Beach Park
The Rock Hollow spur will wow you with a showy display of color as it drops down from Ridge Road to meet the Al Foster Trail. Once you reach the river, you’ll enjoy splashes of sunlight reflecting off the Meramec and colorful leaves along the bluffs along the Al Foster Trail. You might even spot a few Paw Paws along the way!

Mississippi Greenway: Cliff Cave Park
Your first stop should be the overlook atop the 170 foot bluff where you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the Mighty Mississippi River. For an up-close look at leaves in all their fall glory, be sure to explore the paved greenway and natural paths in the upper section of the park.

Centennial Greenway: Forest Park to Washington University to Vernon
Make a day of it on this greenway! Start with shopping and lunch in the Delmar Loop followed by a walk beneath the colorful canopy of trees on the Washington University campus. Top it off with one or more of the attractions in St. Louis’ colorful crown jewel- Forest Park!

Fee Fee Greenway to Centennial Greenway: Katy Trail to Schaefer Park & Spencer Creek Trail via Creve Coeur Park
Bring your bike for an amazing fall ride that will take you all the way from the Maryland Heights Community Center to the St. Charles County Heritage Museum, Schaefer Park (and the St. Peters Rec Plex via Spencer Creek Trail) ! Take a spin around Creve Coeur Lake and enjoy the changing leaves as you traverse two greenways—and two counties—via the Creve Coeur Connector Trail!

$15 Million State of Missouri Contribution for Brickline Greenway Adds to Public-Private Project Momentum

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Great Rivers Greenway and partners delivering vital connections and dynamic experiences with 10 miles of greenways and special places along the way

St. Louis (June 30, 2023) – Great Rivers Greenway’s Brickline Greenway project got another boost this week. This major public-private partnership will link historic Fairground Park, Forest Park, Tower Grove Park and Gateway Arch National Park and hundreds of destinations in between with safe, paved pathways. The initiative, launched with an international design competition in 2017 and celebrated the grand opening of the Pillars of the Valley monument earlier this year, has secured significant funding from the State of Missouri Capital Improvement Budget for 2024.

“This $15 million investment provides powerful momentum for the Brickline Greenway, which has been envisioned with input from thousands of residents, businesses and organizations who understand how civic infrastructure boosts the economy of our city and our state,” said Susan Trautman, Great Rivers Greenway CEO. “We’re so grateful for this bi-partisan effort, championed by Senators Steven Roberts and Karla May, and for Governor Parson’s approval of this funding.”

On the heels of a prominent feature in the New York Times, the signing of House Bill 19 adds to the attention Brickline Greenway is earning as an essential part of St. Louis’ future. The development has received broad-based buy-in from residents and businesses who believe it will provide great benefits to the region. With Brickline Greenway being a key component of their STL 2030 Jobs Plan, Greater St. Louis, Inc. co-funded a study conducted by Ernst & Young on the projected economic and social impact for the city, region and state. The report shows the urban greenway will ultimately create shared prosperity for neighborhoods and boost the local economy with upwards of $462 million invested in construction, operations and maintenance—a 2:1 return on investment.

“My priority every day is to think about what happens next to the greenway, how to strengthen neighborhoods, create jobs and work with partners to influence the kind of equitable economic impact the community needs and wants,” said T. Christopher Peoples, Equity and Economic Impact Director for Great Rivers Greenway. 

The total project budget is $245 million, with nearly 40% of that already secured through a diversity of sources, including $28 million in federal grants; $15 million from the State of Missouri; a recent $2 million in Missouri state tax credits to incentivize further private donations; $15 million from Great Rivers Greenway’s local tax dollars; $2 million from the City of St. Louis to fund improvements on North Grand; and more than $36 million in corporate and private gifts from early investors such as Edward Jones and the Berges Family Foundation.

Currently, two segments are complete, three more are being designed with community engagement, and several more are in planning. Brickline Greenway construction will continue through 2030.

“The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive and these public and private contributions are an extension of that excitement,” said Trautman. “We are grateful for the shared commitment to this bold vision and look forward to bringing more sections to life throughout the next 5-8 years.”


Made in the Shade: 3 Cool & Shady Greenways for Hot Summer Days!

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Here are three greenways with lots of trees for cool & shady walks, bike rides or runs:

Mississippi Greenway: Cliff Cave Park

There are almost seven miles of paved greenway for walking, riding and running in Cliff Cave Park. If you prefer unpaved routes, you also have your choice of the Spring Valley and River Bluff trails.  If you want to avoid the sun, stick to the upper section of the park. Start your adventure at the new parking lot on Cliff Cave Road, or in the lower parking lot by the pavilion and walk up the bluff. You’ll enjoy a mostly shady 2 mile walk or ride as well as sweeping views of the Mississippi River as you explore this newest segment of greenway! Plan your trip here.

Busch Greenway:Katy Trail to Missouri Research Park to August A. Busch Conservation Area

The Busch Greenway stretches 4.73 miles from the Katy Trail to the August A. Busch Conservation Area. If you want to avoid the sun, stick to the .75 mile section between the Duckett Creek Trailhead (in Missouri Research Park) and the Katy Trail. For a longer walk or ride, jump on the Katy Trail where you will enjoy plenty of shade beneath the trees lining the river. Plan your visit here.

Meramec Greenway: Glencoe to Sherman Beach Park

There are several trails that meet in this stretch of the Meramec Greenway, making it possible to walk or bike for several miles on paved and unpaved paths surrounding the Meramec River.

The Al Foster Trail and the paved spur known as Rock Hollow are both beautiful places for a cool summer’s walk or ride. The Rock Hollow Trail stretches from atop Ridge Road, 2.2 miles down the bluff where it connects to the Al Foster Trail.  Rock Hollow is paved and mostly shady, with soaring bluffs through a dense forest.

The Al Foster Trail is flat, shady and made of crushed limestone. It is 3.21 miles long stretching from the trailhead near the intersection of Old State Road and Highway 109 by the Wabash, Frisco and Pacific miniature railroad to Sherman Beach. It offers tremendous views of the Meramec River as you pass besides soaring limestone bluffs. Click here to plan your trip