STOCKTON LAKE
STATE PARK
Edge Wade, 2016
2,175.9 acres Cedar Co.
DeLorme 51, B/C-8
https://mostateparks.com/park/stockton-state-park
GPS: 37.6138235,-93.7524908
DNR, lease agreement with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). Office open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday year-round. Phone:
417-276-4259.
A park map more detailed than the online version, and a map and
booklet of the whole Stockton Lake area are available at the park office
Directions: from MO 32 in
Stockton, go a total of 8.1 miles south on MO 39 and east on MO 215.
ADA Information: The park is fully compliant with ADA
guidelines. Birders with limited walking
ability will find this a great place to bird from, within or near a car along
the paved roads or in parking lots.
Features of
interest to birders: Stockton Lake (a COE
impoundment) is a deepwater lake, dammed north of the confluence of the Big and
Little Sac rivers. The arms form a vee,
running due south and southeast of the dam. Because of the depth, open terrain (Springfield plateau), and the
basically north/south orientation, this is a favored site for migrating and
wintering waterfowl.
The park is on a peninsula jutting northward at the junction of the
Big and Little Sac rivers (these form the two arms of the lake). Features of the Springfield plateau, Ozark
hills and even some remnant tallgrass prairie aspects can be found within the
park. Most of the undeveloped parts are
oak-hickory forest with typical Ozark understory. There are no trails through rough, brushy
terrain. Unfortunately, much of the
fairly open areas (other than the mown lawn-type grass) are dominated by the
invasive sericea lespedeza. Autumn olive
has encroached into the brushy portions.
A good paved road system provides access to wooded and open areas,
campgrounds, picnic areas, boat launches and beach, and affords several
viewpoints of both arms of the lake.
When to
Visit/Species to Expect: The 181
bird species list as of July 2016, is a
bit misleading as it is derived from eBird data which include portions of the
lake not visible from the park and/or habitats (shallow water shoreline of
upper reaches of the lake) not found within the park. Most of the 21 shorebird
species on the list at this writing were probably seen well southeast of the
park in Polk or Dade County, most likely along the Aldrich arm of the Little
Sac.
Stockton Lake SP is a premier locale for viewing waterfowl from late fall through early spring. Because of its location, depth and orientation, water remains open here longer than at most Missouri reservoirs. Although the Brant was a one-season bird seen to the north of the park, the 18 duck and 3 goose species (missing Ross’s) on the list are likely to be seen from the park. Expect Bald Eagles. Common Loon, Pied-billed, Horned and Eared Grebe are likely in winter. A spotting scope is essential, as the lake is wide at most points.
Birders may be missing good opportunities to observe migrating
(especially spring) passerines. April
and May reports here are few. The park
sits on a peninsula jutting into the lake at the point the two waterways/arms
converge. This is ideal, geographically,
to form a spring migrant trap, as northbound birds are funneled by the
prevailing southwest winds to the point, then face a good expanse of water to
cross to continue their journey. The
woods along the road to the beach and the area near the beach parking lot
probably teem with migrants on days no birder is there to observe them.
Summer records are few. As of
July 2016, June is virtually unrepresented. Even with the heat expected in this part of Missouri in late June, July,
and early August, the birding in the park and surrounding lake sites is
rewarding, especially in the morning and early evening.
Summer waders around the lake include Great Blue, Little Blue and
Green Heron, Great, Snowy and Cattle Egret. All swallow species have been reported. Purple Martins stage at the lake in mid-late July. Kingfishers work shallow coves.
All woodpecker species may be seen (sapsuckers and flickers more likely fall-spring). Raptors at lakeside include Osprey, Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s, Red-tailed, Swainson’s (one record), Red-shouldered, and Broad-winged Hawk.
Breeding flycatchers include Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian and Great-crested
Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe and a good population of Eastern Kingbird. Five species of vireos probably nest in the
park; Blue-headed and Philadelphia may be seen in migration.
Breeding passerines show a good mix of expected south Missouri
species. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers bounce
through the trees. Warblers include Prothonotary, Kentucky, Common Yellowthroat, and Northern
Parula. Summer Tanagers seem to really
like the area. Indigo Buntings are
abundant. Orchard and Baltimore Orioles
nest.
Toilets: One vault toilet is at the swim beach (north
end of the park); one is at both the north and south picnic shelter; one is at
each of the two picnic areas reached by short roads from off the west side MO 215;
and one is at the Hartley Boat Launch area. Modern restrooms are in the campground and the marina.
Camping: Options include basic and electric sites
(reservation suggested for high season), one-bedroom camper cabins and one- or
two-bedroom duplexes with kitchenette, patio and grill. Campgrounds feature restrooms, showers,
laundry and dumping station.
Hazards/Limitations: In warm seasons, ticks, chiggers and poison
ivy may be present. There is a potential for many park visitors in summer and
on warm weekends, most of whom are interested in water activities, leaving much
of the park people-free for fairly quiet birding opportunities.
Nearby Birding
Sites: Area maps show locations of other sites on
the lake, designated as Public Use Areas (PUA). All have paved roads, open areas, woods, brushy fringes, and views of
portions of the lake. COE sites along
the west side, accessible from roads off MO 39, are Orleans Trail, Hawker Point,
Mutton Creek, Ruark Bluff, and Greenfield Access. On the east side, accessible from roads off
MO 32, are Old Mill, Crabtree Cove, Masters, Cedar Ridge and High Point.
The City of Stockton has a lease for Stockton Park PUA immediately
south of town on Rt. RB. There are two
large parking areas with a paved (abandoned road) nature trail.
The Aldrich arm (Little Sac River) at the southeast, upper reaches
of the lake off MO 215, MO 123 and Rt. T, offers points to view shallow areas
for waterfowl and shorebirds.
