The animals inhabiting the tallgrass prairie are as unique as their habitat. 

Dickcissel photo by Bob Gress	During summer, watch for dickcissels singing from fence wires and tall weeds.  They have a bright yellow breast with a small black bib.  These sparrow-size birds winter in South America.
The upland sandpiper is a distinctive member of the Flint Hills fauna.  Their ethereal bubbling call is often heard before the bird is seen.  They are a migrant, present only during the warm months.	Upland Sandpiper photo by Dave Rintoul
Bison at Maxwell Refuge photo by Jim Mason	The bison that formerly inhabited this landscape no longer roam free, but you may visit them at Maxwell Refuge.  There, in fact, you may take a tram ride out into the middle of the herd!
Regal Fritillary butterflies are only found in the tallgrass prairie, and may be observed in June-July nectaring at flowers and chasing each other in nuptial flights or territorial disputes.  Dozens of other butterfly species are found here also.	Regal Fritillaries on Butterfly Milkweed photo by Pete Janzen

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FLINT HILLS WILDFLOWERS

   The prairie is more than grass.  Over 800 different kinds of wildflowers bloom in Kansas!  The flower show in the tallgrass prairie begins in March and proceeds in an ever-changing pageant of color and form through October.  A ramble through the fields at any of the wildlife watching sites listed here will produce delights for the careful observer, but many beautiful blooms may be seen along the roadside too.

   There are two peak times for wildflower variety - mid-May through June and August through mid-September.  As with any other plants, the weather pattern determines the sequence and vigor of blooms for any given species.  Timely rains and an abundance of sunshine in this month and cool weather and drought in that month will make a big difference in what can be seen during those times.  Every year is different!  The wildflowers shown below are just a few of the beauties awaiting you in the Flint Hills.

	In spring, watch the rocky outcrops and cutbanks for ROSE VERBENA.  It grows in low clumps and has a very pleasant fragrance.  Its clusters of light purple flowers are a favorite nectar source for butterflies.
In May-June the extravagant blossoms of Missouri Evening Primrose light up the roadsides.  Often growing out of cracks in exposed rock formations, its petals extend more than 3 inches in width.  The flowers open overnight and fade the following day.  The faded blooms are an attractive salmon orange.
	UPRIGHT CONEFLOWER is an early summer bloomer in the tallgrass prairie.  A member of the sunflower family, it is the prairie cousin of Black-eyed Susans.
PURPLE PRAIRIE CLOVER decorates the fields with its unusual violet flower clusters in summer.

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	Kansas Landscape Arboretum (north of Junction City)
	Konza Prairie (south of Manhattan)
	Lakewood Park (Salina)
	Milford Lake (north of Junction City)
	Native Stone Scenic Byway (southeast of Manhattan)
	Oregon Trail Nature Park (between Manhattan and Topeka)
	Ottawa State Fishing Lake (north of Salina)
	Pillsbury Crossing (southeast of Manhattan)
	Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake #1 (northeast of Manhattan)
	Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake #2 (east of Manhattan)
	Tuttle Creek Lake (north of Manhattan)

	Chase State Fishing Lake (west of Cottonwood Falls)
	Council Grove Lake (northwest of Council Grove)
	Herington City Lakes (southwest of Herington)
	Flint Hills Scenic Byway (47 miles long, between Cassoday & Council Grove)
	Flint Hills Wildlife Drive (58 miles long, east of Cassoday)
	Marion Reservoir (northwest of Marion)
	Maxwell Refuge and McPherson Lake (northeast of McPherson)
	Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (northwest of Cottonwood Falls)
	Turnpike Cattle Pens (between Emporia and Cassoday)

	Butler State Fishing Lake (southeast of Augusta)
	Chaplin Nature Center (west of Arkansas City)
	Chisholm Creek Park and Great Plains Nature Center (Wichita)
	Cowley State Fishing Lake (east of Arkansas City)
	El Dorado Lake (northeast of El Dorado)
	Slate Creek Wetland (west of Winfield)
	Winfield City Lake (northeast of Winfield)

	The GeoKansas website is a great resource for learning about the geology of the Flint Hills and all the other regions of Kansas.
	Click here to see a list of reference books for your travels through the Flint Hills.
	The Flint Hills Scenic Byway follows Kansas Highway 177 through the heart of the Flint Hills.
	The Flint Hills Wildlife Drive will give you an excellent look at the Flint Hills from well-maintained gravel county roads.
	The Flint Hills Tourism Coalition website lists and describes the range of attractions to be found in the Flint Hills - cultural and historic as well as natural - and has a comprehensive lodging list.
	Go to the Kansas Travel and Tourism website and develop your own custom itinerary for your visit.

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Click here for a brochure!

©2007 Kansas Nature-Based Tourism Alliance Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use requires written permission. This web site is underwritten by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks through the Chickadee Checkoff Program.  If you are a Kansas resident, please assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form.

Questions or comments about Natural Kansas may be directed to Jim Mason