Byron Watchable Wildlife Area
Byron Hatchery Watchable Wildlife Area (WWA) is a destination on the Great Plains Trail and showcases three different habitats in a 40-acre area. Byron WWA includes a 1/2-mile self-guided trail through a cat-tail marsh, forested swamp and restored mid-grass prairie. The trail contains informational signs, observation blinds and piers to get visitors closer to wildlife. Other features designed to attract wildlife include bat houses, chimney swift tower, a barn owl nest house and a bluebird trail.
Located adjacent to the Byron
state fish hatchery that provides sportsfish such as saugeye, walleye,
striped bass hybrids and smallmouth bass for statewide stocking, Byron WWA
has an ever-changing variety of wildlife and blooming plants. Schools and
citizens are encouraged to visit both sites to see what’s new. The WWA is
open for self-guided tours daily during sunlight hours; weekday visitors
also can tour the fish hatchery from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Byron Hatchery is located north of Great Salt Plains Refuge. From the junction of Highways 38 and 11, go north two miles and turn west at the first intersection.
For more information or to schedule tours, call 580/474-2663.
Learn more about the Byron state fish hatchery by watching this YouTube video.
Schedule of Events
The Nature Center located at the Watchable Wildlife Area will be open on the 3rd Saturdays of each month, except April, July and October. The biologist on duty will be happy to visit with visitors about wildlife in the area or take a walk with you on the nature trail. Hours will be 9 am to 3 pm.
April 27 - Salt Plains Bird Festival and Crystal Digging Festival,
May 18 - Nature Center will be open from 9 am - 3 pm
June 15 - Nature Center will be open from 9 am - 3 pm
August 17 - Prairie At Night (7 pm to 10 pm) More information to come
September 21 - Nature Center will be open from 9 am - 3 pm
November 16 - Nature Center will be open from 9 am - 3 pm
December 21 - Nature Center will be open from 9 am - 3 pm
Birds seen at Byron Hatchery Watchable Wildlife Area during the Bird & Crystal Festival
Volunteering for Byron WWA
If you’d like to get outdoors, help wildlife and enhance your
own knowledge, the Wildlife Diversity Program could use your
help at the Byron Watchable Wildlife Area. Volunteers can assist
in surveying and identifying local birds, mammals, reptiles,
amphibians, butterflies and plants. They also can maintain the
walking trail, a butterfly garden and a nature center. Finally,
volunteers are needed to lead guided tours and coordinate
monthly educational activities.
Volunteers
have a "front-row" seat to the changing wildlife and plants that
grace Byron Hatchery. To date, visitors have observed more than
100 wildlife species. Some wildlife seen include checkered
garter snakes, blue-winged teal, blue-gray gnatcatchers,
pelicans, orioles and tiger swallowtail butterflies, as well as
many other species of songbirds, waterfowl, mammals, amphibians
and wildflowers.
If you’re interested in volunteering at Byron WWA, contact the
Wildlife Diversity Program at 405-424-0099. Volunteers are
provided ongoing training throughout the year and must work 10
hours per year to remain currently trained (less than one hour
per month).
More Information about Byron WWA
- Children's Wildlife Checklist Wildlife Tracker Game
- Byron Hatchery WWA Brochure
- Tree Swallows do use nest boxes in NW Oklahoma