Early spring rains have prepped Oklahoma’s wetlands for the fast approaching return of migrating birds and nature lovers are invited to experience migration at Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area.
“We’ve blocked off three weekends of tours during peak spring bird migration,” said Melynda Hickman, biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Nearly 250 species of birds have been documented at Hackberry Flat and our shallow wetlands are great refueling stations for migrating shorebirds in April and May.”
Visitors will have nine opportunities to tour the legendary wetland while sitting in an open-air trailer Fridays and Saturdays from April 20 through May 5. Reservations are required for this free event and children must be at least 8 years old due to the length of the tours.
Reservation can be made with Hickman at melynda.hickman@odwc.ok.gov. More information about this event can be found on the event’s Facebook page or at wildlifedepartment.com.
To get to the Hackberry Flat Center, from the south side of Frederick, take U.S. 183 south for one mile, then go east on Airport Road for three miles. Follow the blacktop road south, and continue six miles. Watch for signs to the center.
Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area, located near Frederick in southwestern Oklahoma, offers 7,120 acres of wildlife recreational opportunities. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, along with many conservation-minded partners, restored this legendary wetland, creating a vast mosaic of wetland habitats for prairie waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland-dependent birds. Upland areas of native sunflowers and cultivated fields interspersed with mesquite have become one of the state’s premier dove-hunting destinations. Open for scheduled events, the Hackberry Flat Center offers interpretive guidance for wildlife enthusiasts, students and educators. Participants of these educational programs are exempt from needing a Wildlife Conservation Passport or valid hunting or fishing license while on Hackberry Flat WMA. More information can be found at wildlifedepartment.com.