Birds of Lyon County and Vicinity

Abstract

The area considered in this paper includes Lyon County, together with the adjacent portions of Wabaunsee, Osage, Coffey, Greenwood, Chase and Morris Counties, practically all within thirty-five miles of Emporia. It lies in the drainage of the Neosho River and its tributaries, except the northeastern part, which is in the Osage (Marais des Cygnes) system. The western portion is in the Flint Hills, from which spring-fed creeks flow into the larger streams. The eastern portion is rolling terrain, with many wooded hillsides. Across the middle of the area from northwest to southeast lie the flood plains of the Neosho and Cottonwood Rivers, which join in east central Lyon County. Two artificial lakes are included in the area, Kahola, 21 miles northwest of Emporia, and the Lyon County State Lake, 14 miles northeast. The former, about 350 acres in extent, is a part of the Emporia water storage system. The latter, about 160 acres in extent, is a part of 580-acre state park and game refuge. Collection of Lyon County birds was started about 1885 by D. S. Kelly, A. L. Bennett, A. M. Collette, and others. Many specimens, mounted in the 80's an'd 90's, are in good condition in the Emporia State Teachers College collection. In some cases these represent species that have not been observed in this area for many years. Our own records and specimens were all obtained in the last ten years.