From Tulsa, exit I 244 on US 75 and travel north to 186 St. N (19.5).
Exit left on 186 St. to begin a route through a varied habitat of open
grasslands, brushy fields, and wooded areas that include riparian
woodlands of Bird Creek, the principal drainage of northwestern Tulsa
County. Extensive grasslands, part of large ranches, are accessible only
from the roads and a spotting scope is required for bird identification
in most locations. Land use in the Skiatook area also includes a
Christmas tree farm.
In winter Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, Great-tailed
Grackles, and other blackbirds can be observed along 186 St. Cliff and
Barn swallows assemble before fall migration. Two miles west of US 75, a
left turn to Lewis Ave. leads south along a road that until 1985
bordered a long shallow pond, now drained with only casual water to
attract migrating shorebirds, summer egrets and herons. The intersection
with 176 St. N is a particularly good area. Eastern Bluebird, Common
Bobwhite, American Kestrel, and Loggerhead Shrike are fairly common. In
spring Veery, Swainson's Thrush, several species of warblers, and
Empidonax flycatchers are seen and heard. Look for nesting Bell's Vireo,
Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, and Northern Oriole. Barred Owls and
Merlins have been observed in the trees to the west and south of this
intersection. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have been found in the spring and
fall every year since 1981 and in July, 1983, as possible nesters.
The road east ends at a large expanse of grassland. A rancher states
that Greater Prairie-Chickens feed in early morning near a cattle
feeding shed approximately 0.7 mile east. Smith's Longspurs can be seen
in winter; occasionally found are Prairie Falcons and several Red-tailed
Hawks. If snow is on the ground, longspurs and Horned Larks will feed at
road edges. A right turn from Lewis to 176 St. will lead west to Peoria
(1.0) and to SH 11 (2.0) past open plowed fields in fall, pastures and
weedy fence rows in spring and summer. Good cover is available at 176
St. and Peoria on all four corners with trees, brush, and fallen trees,
good sparrow and woodpecker country.
Many dead-end roads lead east and west from Peoria, making it
necessary to retrace some parts of the route. From 176 St. go north on
Peoria to 186 St., then left to Hillside Road. Continuing west is a
graveled lane with a wooded ravine and pond that ends at a rural
residence.
Turning left off 186 St. on Hillside Road; continuing past a small
cemetery and a dairy farm with a pond; turning past a low, wet area and
a small pecan orchard with brush piles, takes one through good wren and
sparrow habitat and to SH 11 and 184 St. N. The highway turns northwest
around low, wooded bluffs as 186 St. N. continues west as a graveled
road lined with pecan trees and brush on one side and open fields on the
other for 0.5 mile before curving right into Osage County. Winter
sparrows--White-throated, White-crowned, American Tree and Field--and
several woodpeckers are here.
Much the same habitat prevails west of SH 11 on 176 St. which ends at
a residence. Two small creeks, Skunk and Skalall, drain into Bird Creek.
During heavy rains a considerable amount of flooding occurs in and
around Skiatook. Several of these roads are under water during flood
conditions, and caution should be used. East of SH 11 is a one-way
bridge over a wooded creek that should be checked for woodpeckers,
nuthatches, and hawks. Savannah and Tree sparrows will be at wood edges
in winter. Continue east on 176 St. to go south on Peoria. A small
residential section is on 166 St., the road going east leading to a
prairie fence before turning south to end at more woodlands. West of
Peoria is a Christmas tree farm on 166 St. Left off Peoria on 156 St. as
one travels south is wooded Skunk Creek. This road ends at Lewis which
goes south to SH 20 (146 St. N). Lewis continues south across SH 20 a
short distance on a road with weedy fields, scattered woods and brush
before ending near grasslands. Going west from Lewis on SH 20 look for
gulls in fields during fall and winter.
Before crossing the Bird Creek
bridge there is a turn-off to the left at the Skiatook sewage ponds. All
five species of swallows have been found here in spring and fall,
dabbling ducks in winter, and, if the ponds are dry, shorebirds in
migration.
Immediately north of SH 20 on the east side of SH 11 is a marshy draw
where Great-tailed Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds have been counted
in the hundreds. Farther on is a small, willow-lined creek, an oxbow of
Bird Creek, where dark-phased Red-tailed Hawks have been reported. South
of Skiatook on SH 11, exit left on 136 St. to follow a
"dog-leg" loop back to 126 St. N, passing open fields with
brush and crossing the heavily wooded Bird Creek again, just before
reaching Peoria. Continue east on 126 St. to look for Rough-legged Hawk
and Prairie Falcon which have been observed in December flying across
the fields and perched on utility poles. Near a marshy area south of 126
St. on the east side of Harvard it is possible to find Yellow-crowned
Night-Herons in spring; Painted Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, and Indigo
Buntings in roadside trees in summer.
To reach Osage Road and the railroad which parallels it to the west
in Osage County, drive west on 136 St. from SH 11; turn left onto Osage
Road, then south to the first road on the right and drive a short
distance to the railroad tracks. Walk south along the tracks to ponds
and marshy ditches with brushy areas where Tree and Harris's sparrows
can be found in winter. Look for Kestrels and hawks on both sides of the
tracks in pasture trees.
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