Grasshopper Sparrow, Henslow’s Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Dickcissel, and Blue Grosbeak.

Birding is only possible from the road, but it’s a 1.5-mile dirt and gravel road that is very infrequently traveled. Over the course of nearly two hours of birding from inside and outside the car, we were passed only by a person on a dirt bike (Huffman Hills Motocross Park is on this road). The road is wide, too, which also contributes to it being relatively safe. The first .5 mile from the north is grassland on both sides and has an abundance of Grasshopper Sparrows, Henslow’s Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, and Bobolinks. It also is a good area for Dickcissels and Blue Grosbeaks. The road transitions from grasslands into a pretty dense forest at the south end of the road, where typical woodland birds can be seen and heard. There is a pull-off on the east side of the road in the wooded area, but all surrounding land is private property and cannot be accessed.

Clayton Township Road 217 traverses privately owned properties. Please view birds from the roadside only.