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Established in 1930, the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge offers sanctuary to migratory waterfowl and critical habitat for migrating whooping cranes and shorebirds.
The 32,000-acre refuge consists of salt flats, open reservoir, woodlands and agricultural fields.
Located in north-central Oklahoma in Alfalfa County, the Salt Plains, like many refuges, was created to be a rest-stop for migrating birds. Peak waterfowl populations at Salt Plains during migration is 100,000 geese and 70,000 ducks. American white pelicans migrate in mid-September with numbers reaching 35,000.
The refuge is also a stop-over point for sandhill cranes, the endangered whooping cranes and bald eagles. The peak population of eagles during migrations is 25 to 30.
Other avian migrants using the Salt Plains include gulls, raptors, herons, egrets and ibis.
The salt plains are a unique geological area. The 11,000- acre barren area is near perfectly flat with a wafer thin salt crust. The salt was formed by repeated flooding by sea water millions of years ago. The sea water was cut off from the sea and evaporated, depositing thick layers of salt.
The area was subsequently covered by erosion from mountain ranges. Below the plains, ground water travels through the salt-saturated sand and comes to the surface where it evaporates, leaving the crust of salt.
The concentrated saline solution combines with gypsum to promote selenite crystal growth in a portion of the salt flats.
The salt flats may be devoid of vegetation but not of wildlife. The area is a major nesting site for the endangered interior least tern, snowy plover, and American avocet.
It is also a major migration rest area for hundreds of thousands of shorebirds that feed on the salt brine flies that hatch when water is available.
Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge has been designated as an Important Bird Area and a part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.
Outdoor Activities |
Whooping cranes, such as this one, inhabit this Oklahoma refuge for short periods during Spring and Fall migration.
Least terns are protected at this refuge.
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