Lucas Hawk Watch Trail – Wilson Sp

Distance: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: 100 ft Difficulty: Easy Type: Out-and-Back Surface: Dirt/Rock Activity: Hiking Best Season: Year-round Typical Time: 1-2 hours Fee: $5-8/vehicle Dogs: Yes, on leash Permit: No

The Lucas Hawk Watch Trail follows the Smoky Hill River valley corridor - a major raptor migration route that concentrates hawks, falcons, and eagles moving south in autumn. Swainson's hawks, which migrate to Argentina each fall, pass through in impressive numbers from late August through September. Ferruginous hawks - the largest North American buteo - hunt the adjacent prairie through winter. The river valley also provides stopover habitat for warblers and other songbirds during spring migration.