MO-Union+Ridge+Conservation+Area--Spring+Creek+Ranch+Lake

Also, see Union Ridge Conservation Area
 * =Birding in Missouri=

Adair County
=Union Ridge Conservation Area= =Spring Creek Ranch Lake= Greencastle, Missouri 63544 Spring Creek Ranch Natural Area webpage Union Ridge Conservation Area Website Union Ridge Conservation Area Map Union Ridge Conservation Area Brochure

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Union Ridge CA--Spring Creek Ranch Lake
Coordinates: 40.3214779, -92.8525829 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Tips for birding Union Ridge Conservation Area
From Audubon Society of Missouri Birder's Guide

About Spring Creek Ranch Natural Area

 * Enjoy a rare view in Missouri today, savanna.
 * Wander among short, steep hills mantled in native grasses.
 * Explore another rarity, an intact prairie headwater stream.

Savannas – areas of widely scattered trees (mainly oaks) with prairie grasses and wildflowers growing in the open spaces between – were common in Missouri in 1800. Today this natural community is rare. While there are many areas with widely scattered trees (e.g., parks, pastures) the plants growing in-between are non-native bluegrass or tall fescue. Here the side slopes of the hills were never plowed and so they retained their native seed bank. Over the past decade resource managers here have used prescribed fires, thinning, and removal of exotic, invasive species to restore savanna natural communities. At the same time, fisheries biologists have been documenting the importance of this site for its intact prairie headwater stream system that sits in a watershed nearly all in a conservation ownership.

Growing among the big and little bluestem grasses are a variety of prairie wildflowers: pale purple coneflower, purple and white prairie clover, finger coreopsis and Missouri goldenrod. Woody shrubs indicative of savanna include lead plant, New Jersey tea, hazelnut, prairie willow and dwarf chinkapin oak. Red-headed woodpecker, eastern bluebird, yellow-breasted chat, eastern towhee, blue-winged warbler and field sparrow are commonly found here. The headwater stream is characterized by extensive beaver dams and wetlands. Four fish species in the stream – creek chub, white sucker, common shiner and brassy minnow – are habitat specialists, requiring healthy stream conditions.

This natural area is within Union Ridge Conservation Area. From Kirksville, travel west on MO-6 about 18 miles to Green Castle. Then head north on Highway D for about 2 miles. At the Y intersection, go left (west) on Mead Road (gravel). Proceed for .5 mile then turn right (north) on Ironbank Road. Follow Ironbank Road north for about 1.5 miles to the parking area on the right. From here the natural area stretches out to the east. Hunting and fishing are permitted. A map and compass are recommended for exploring this area. From Spring Creek Ranch Natural Area webpage

About Union Ridge Conservation Area
Route D, two miles north of Greencastle. About three-fourths of the area is forest or woodland, and the rest is savanna, old fields, wetlands, and cropland. Facilities/features: boat ramp, primitive camping, fishable lake (11 acres), three permanent streams (Spring Creek, Dry Branch Creek, Jobs Creek), and an intermittent stream (Lick Creek). Portions of the area are located in Adair, Putnam, and Sullivan Counties.

Union Ridge Conservation Area is located in Adair, Putnam, and Sullivan counties. Bisected by Spring Creek, this 8,110-acre area is a mosaic of woodlands, grasslands, old fields, prairie, savanna, and forest. This conservation area was created in 1989 when the Conservation Department purchased the bulk of the property from Mutual Assurance of New York. The area had mainly been used for cattle ranching and was known as Henley Ranch and later as Spring Creek Ranch.

The area takes its name from a ridge on the northern portion of the area, which was called Union Ridge during the Civil War. There was also an active U.S. Post Office from 1864 to 1884 called Union Ridge.

A 1,769-acre portion of the area has been designated as the Spring Creek Ranch Natural Area. This area is being managed to restore prairie and savanna communities. Located in the south-central portion of the area and bisected by Route D, these areas were dominated by fescue when the area was purchased. Through the careful use of prescribed burning, they are being restored to a diverse mix of native grasses and wildflowers. Characteristic species such as big bluestem, little bluestem, pale purple coneflower, prairie clover, and leadplant are now flourishing, increasing the aesthetic appeal and wildlife value of these habitats.

Whitetail deer are abundant in Union Ridge Conservation Area. The area also supports good populations of bobwhite quail and other upland game species. Various songbirds and small mammals are common. From Union Ridge Conservation Area Website



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