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Sanborn Lake is a small park near the Stillwater Airport that hosts a nice variety of birds typical of central Oklahoma. Breeding birds include Green Herons, Canada Geese, Red-tailed Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Kingbird, Scissortail Flycatchers, Barn Swallow, Blue Jay, American Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Bewick's Wren, American Robin, Brown Thrasher, Loggerhead Shrike, Warbling Vireo, Northern Cardinal, Field Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Baltimore Orioles, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, and House Finch. Migration brings in a wide variety of warblers, flycatchers, thrushes and sparrows. The small prairie on the east side of the lake is home to number of prairie wildflowers and butterflies.
Keystone Lake near Tulsa is well known for its large concentration of Bald Eagles, gulls, and waterfowl in the winter. Besides the common species such as Franklin's, Ring-billed, and Bonaparte's, the gull flocks regularly include Herring and Glaucous. Other rarities have included Thayer's, Common Black-headed, Little, Hermann's and Laughing Gulls. The Bald Eagles can often be found roosting in the trees along the river below the dam. A variety of warblers and other songbirds can be found in the wooded areas around the lake in the summer.
Kaw Lake is the winter home to one of the largest concentrations of Bald Eagles in the state. Many birds can be found perched on large trees by the lake or below the dam. The lake also has large flocks of waterfowl and gulls each winter.
The Prairie and Crosstimbers habitats west of Stillwater is the place to look for longspurs, horned larks, pipits (both American and Sprague's), raptors, and Mountain Bluebirds in the winter. Smith's is the most common longspur with large flocks of Lapland Longspurs also occurring. McCown's and Chestnut-collared are found occasionally as well. Notable breeding birds include Grasshopper Sparrows, Lark Sparrows, Kentucky Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chats, Barred Owls, Eastern Screech Owls, Prothonotary Warbler (rare, found on the west side of Lake Carl Blackwell), Summer Tanagers, Wild Turkeys, and numerous Painted and Indigo Buntings.
Sooner Lake is a classic prairie reservoir which harbors abundant waterfowl and prairie birds. Peak activity is usually reached in the fall and early winter with almost all of the regularly occurring waterfowl arriving for the winter, including Greater Scaup. Tundra swan, Oldsquaw, and Pacific Loon are rare but regular visitors. Even more unusual have been the White-winged Scoter, Red- necked Grebe, and Ross' Geese that have showed up at least once. The large flocks of Canada Geese often include a handful of White-fronted and Snow Geese. In migration, enormous flocks of Franklin's Gulls are found on the center of the lake.
The prairies around Sooner Lake host a robust population of Smith's Longspurs which can often be found flying overhead in large flocks from late October/early November to mid/late March. All of the other three longspurs have occurred but are rare. One of the most reliable locations for Smith's Longspur and Short-eared Owl is reached by going north on Hgwy 177 two miles from the junction with Hgwy 15. Turn right (east) onto a gravel road; the road will end in a small parking area. Go through the walking gates and continue going east by foot on the two-track 'road'. Listen for ticking sound of the longspurs and be prepared for fast overhead views as the birds fly by. Flocks will often may one or more wide circles before settling down again. Eventually, a bird will pass by in which the diagnostic white shoulder patch can be seen. Look also for the warm brown overall appearance and the white on the tail.
Other winter visitors include Short-eared Owls, Rough-legged Hawks, Prairie Falcons, Golden Eagles, Northern Harriers, and 'Harlans' and 'Kriders' Red-tailed Hawks. In 1994, up to three of the spectacular Snowy Owls were found in the prairie areas around the lake. A wide variety of sparrow species can be found at any time of the year with LeConte's being occasionally common during migration. While the Greater Prairie Chicken can be flushed at anytime from the prairies, they are best seen when displaying on their booming grounds. Currently one of the most accessible locations is on the dikes that extend into Sooner Lake; Payne County Audubon Society usually has field trips to the area in March.