Located in Henderson County, the Soughs is a premier birding area for rails and sparrows and wrens of the marsh.  When water levels are appropriate, usually in spring, the area around the Sloughs is good for shorebirds and puddle ducks.  Birds to look for in the marshy areas of the WMA include Sora, Virginia Rail, King Rail, Le Conte's Sparrow, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Marsh Wren, and Sedge Wren.  American and Least Bittern are also possible.  Shorebirds are common in appropriate habitat and a Ruff has been spotted at least 1 time in the area.  Common Moorhens have also been located in the area.

    To reach the Sloughs area, begin at the junction of US 60 and KY 425, about 3 miles southwest of Henderson.  At this junction travel west on KY 136 to the town of Geneva.  In Geneva, turn right onto KY 268 and follow it a short distance.  After the road makes a 90 degree curve to the left, begin watching for shorebird habitat that is usually present after heavy spring rains.  Stopping is difficult and dangerous due to the very narrow to non-existent shoulder so use appropriate caution.

    Continue until you see the WMA signs on the left.  An observation tower is present, but is of little use except to possibly scan for waterfowl when the Management Area is closed (Late October - Mid March).  After the observation tower, you will find a gravel road to the left on the WMA.  This road is the entrance to the Hardy Slough area.  There is a small parking area just after the gravel road turns sharply right. The area on both sides of the road consists of flooded fields that may be good for rails, sparrows, or wrens, depending on the water level.  Waterfowl may also be present.  For best results a group of birders should walk slowly across the impoundments/grassy fields as in sparrow flushing.  If you do not wish to get wet, you can walk the levees surrounding the water covered fields, however, you will see fewer birds.

    After birding the Hardy Slough area, return to KY 268 and turn left.  If you choose to, you may stop here and scan the woods across the road for warblers, woodpeckers and other land birds.  As you proceed down the road, watch for pull over on the left with a deck overlooking Anderson Pond.  This provides a beautiful view of cypress/button bush pond, however, it is not terribly birdy.

    Continuing to the west on KY 268, you will pass a house and barn on the left belonging to the WMA.  There is a driveway to the house/barn, and a gravel road just past them.  Turn left onto the gravel road and follow it until it turns 90 degrees to the left.  (There will have been a nice cypress pond on your right paralleling the road that could be birded for passerines.)  Upon making the sharp turn, look for a place to park.  You should see elevated and impounded water control pools on your left and hopefully water in front of you where the road turns 90 degrees to the right.  (There is an active Bald Eagle nest in the distant trees ahead above and beyond the raised water pools on the left).  Bird the levees of the raised impoundments for sparrows and examine the pools for waterfowl and shorebirds.  Then proceed to the lower water area and wade area of flooded fields.  Water lotus covers this area to the left of the road (after it has turned right).  Watch for blasting holes in the water lotus area.  Do not enter any area where you cannot see vegetation or the bottom.  Always use caution when wading and never wade alone.  The brushy areas of the water lotus filled water have produced American and Least Bittern.  Soras and Virginia Rail have also been flushed from the more shallow areas.

After birding this area, return to KY 268 and again turn left.  Follow 268 out of the WMA around a 90 degree turn right, then a fairly quick 90 degree turn left.  At this point, you can see a long elbow slough on the right with the vegetation removed.  This is known as Muddy Slough by birders.  Birding from the road shoulder and a gravel side road at the eastern end of the slough can produce significant numbers of shorebirds.

If time allow, drive the gravel areas west of the WMA looking for shorebirds and waterfowl.

                                                                                                                                                        -- Mark Bennett