Greenway: Fee Fee Greenway

Birdwatching on the Greenways

Posted on Wednesday July 17, 2024

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 155 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.

10 Great River Views You Can Only Enjoy From a Greenway

Posted on Monday July 15, 2024

Almost every greenway is either named for, connected to, meanders alongside or crosses over one of our region’s rivers or creeks.
Whether it’s the Mighty Mississippi or Dardenne Creek, greenways are great places to not only see stunning river views, but also enjoy the calming side effects of flowing water. There’s a good chance you’ll also spot some of the many birds and animals who make their home or migrate along the rivers. Here are 10 amazing river views you can enjoy on foot or bike via a greenway:

1. Mississippi River at Chain of Rocks Park & Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Head to Chain of Rocks Park and walk or ride out to the center of the Historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Depending on the season, you might spot a family of eagles. Look downstream and you can see the Gateway Arch. Listen closely and you can hear the water rippling over the chain of rocks below. If you want to drive, park on the Illinois side of the bridge here.

2. Missouri River at the Page Avenue Extension/364 Bridge Walking & Biking Lane
The Page Avenue Extension/364 Bridge has a dedicated walking and biking lane that connects to the Katy Trail at mile 42.8 just south of the Family Arena in St. Charles County. On the east side, it connects to the 3.6 mile Creve Coeur Park Connector Trail. In the middle of the bridge there is a bump-out where you can pause to enjoy a bird’s- eye view of the Missouri River.  The Centennial Greenway: Katy Trail to Schaefer Park and Spencer Creek Trail connects to this bridge on the St. Charles County side. In St. Louis County, you can take the Fee Fee Greenway: Aquaport to Creve Coeur Park all the way from the Maryland Heights Community Center, through the park to link up with the Connector Trail to the bridge.

3. Mississippi River from Mississippi Greenway: River City Casino to Jefferson Barracks Park
This section of the Mississippi River Greenway offers magnificent views of the river as it stretches from Jefferson Barracks County Park north along the river. Be sure to slow down to watch the barges working the river. Plan your visit here.

4. Missouri River at Sunset Park
The more the leaves fall, the better the views of the Missouri River in Sunset Park via the Sunset Greenway: Old Town Florissant to Sunset Park. Plan to spend the day exploring this greenway and finish with a sunset!

5. Mississippi River at Cliff Cave Park
The Mississippi Greenway: Cliff Cave Park offers stunning views of the river from an overlook nestled into the rocky bluffs towering 170 feet over the river. You can also watch the river flow by on the paved 5 mile greenway in the lower section of the park.

6. Missouri River on the Boone Bridge
The walking and biking path on the I-64 Daniel Boone Bridge lets you slow down and enjoy the Missouri River from the middle of the bridge—something you can’t do in a car. You can connect to the bridge via the Busch Greenway and Katy Trail in St. Charles County. The Missouri Greenway: Monarch Chesterfield Levee will get you there too!

7. Meramec River at Lower Meramec Park
The greenway and St. Louis County Park not only offers great river views, but also serves as a natural flood plain so the river can spread out during high water and flooding. As you walk or ride, you’ll enjoy a mixture of woodlands and open fields. The trees are highly diverse with some of the best remaining woodlands in the Lower Meramec Valley. Plan your visit here.

8. Meramec River at Al Foster Trail
Views of the river from the Al Foster Trail along the Meramec Greenway is sure to improve your mood as you meander through a bottomland forest next to soaring limestone bluffs. It’s a must see! Plan your visit here.

9. Meramec Greenway: Greentree Park to Arnold’s Grove
The Meramec River makes a big turn near Kirkwood’s Greentree Park and it’s especially lovely to watch the light sparkling on the water in the morning and late afternoon. You can start your walk or ride in Greentree Park and follow the river all the way to Arnold’s Grove in Valley Park…or vice versa. Either way it’s a great way to enjoy the Meramec River. Plan your visit here.

10. Meramec Greenway & Emmenegger Park via the I-44 Walking & Biking Path
Completed in 2023, the protected bicycle and pedestrian path on the westbound side of the I-44 Meramec Bridge offers beautiful views of the Meramec River. You can get there via the Meramec Greenway that links Unger Park and George Winter Park in Fenton. You can connect to the bridge on the Kirkwood side of the river at the Trailhead on Stoneywood Drive, right outside the entrance to Emmenegger Park. And of course, there are amazing views of the river from the greenway and in Emmenegger Park!

BONUS #11. Mississippi River at downtown St. Louis Riverfront & Katherine Ward Burg Garden
This is St. Louis after all, so we couldn’t forget the southern end of the Mississippi Greenway: Chouteau Riverfront to Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (Riverfront Trail). There’s nothing better than watching the Mighty Mississippi roll by beneath the Gateway Arch! You can also head over to the Landing to Katherine Ward Burg Garden and enjoy the views from there!

Fall Conservation Series: Fee Fee Greenway Invasive Species Removal

Saturday, November 18, 2023 • 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Saturday, November 18, 20239:00 am - 11:00 am

Event Details

FEE FEE GREENWAY

Meet in the parking lot next to Aquaport.

Help Great Rivers Greenway hack some honeysuckle and autumn olive along Fee Fee Greenway! Volunteers will work near the segment closest to Aquaport.

Volunteers will help remove invasive bush honeysuckle and autumn olive by cutting the plant with handsaws or loppers, dragging, and piling debris to be chipped. This volunteer day will help future conservation projects by opening the woodland for future native tree plantings and prairie restoration projects.

No experience is necessary for this activity, but it does involve physical labor and walking in the woods over varying terrain. Long pants and closed toed shoes are required for participation. Make sure to dress for the weather in clothes you do not mind getting dirty. Work gloves, tools, and other equipment will be provided.

Restroom will be available on site. Great Rivers Greenway will provide packaged snacks and water. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own water bottle to help us reduce plastic waste.

Minimum age for participation is 12.

Register Below!

Fee Fee Greenway

Additional Notes:

Meet in the parking lot next to Aquaport.

St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk- Fee Fee Greenway

Wednesday, June 14, 2023 • 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Wednesday, June 14, 20236:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Event Details

AQUAPORT-AT MARYLAND HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTER ON MCKELVEY

2344 McKelvey Road, Maryland Heights, MO, USA

From I-270, take exit 17. Go west on Dorsett Road. Go right at the first stoplight onto McKelvey Hill Drive. Continue on McKelvey Hill Drive for 0.3 mile. Take the second right at the roundabout to continue straight onto McKelvey Road. Continue on McKelvey Road for 0.5 mile. Aquaport will be on your right.

2344 McKelvey Road

Maryland Heights, Missouri 63043

Join the St. Louis Audubon Society for a guided beginner bird walk along the greenway. Meet others who share your interest in nature, birds, and wildlife! All experience levels welcome. Face masks will not be required but may be worn at the participant’s discretion. Bring binoculars, they will have a few extra pairs to borrow if you don’t have your own.
The bird walk is free, but all participants must register in advance at the St. Louis Audubon Society website. 

We will gather on June 14th at the Aquaport in Maryland Heights.

Register Now

Aquaport-at Maryland Heights Community Center On Mckelvey

2344 McKelvey Road, Maryland Heights, MO, USA

Additional Notes:

From I-270, take exit 17. Go west on Dorsett Road. Go right at the first stoplight onto McKelvey Hill Drive. Continue on McKelvey Hill Drive for 0.3 mile. Take the second right at the roundabout to continue straight onto McKelvey Road. Continue on McKelvey Road for 0.5 mile. Aquaport will be on your right.

2344 McKelvey Road

Maryland Heights, Missouri 63043

Get Directions on Google Maps