Melco Flood Retention Basin (Restricted Access)

38.15081 , -85.72964

United States of America (USA)

The Melco Flood Retention Basin is one of Louisville's premier migratory waterfowl and shorebird stopovers. It is managed by the city of Louisville, Kentucky and has restricted access. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Site name was changed by Eric Hope into "Melco Flood Retention Basin (Restricted Access)" (2021-08-25 18:48:10 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 38.1508/-85.7296 (2021-02-05 18:29:46 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Melco Flood Retention Basin" (2021-02-05 18:29:46 )

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-25 18:47:57
The Melco Flood Retention Basin is one of Louisville's premier migratory waterfowl and shorebird stopovers. It is managed by the city of Louisville, Kentucky and has restricted access. 

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica)
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis)
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)
White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis)
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)

Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:50:45)

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:50:24)

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:50:16)

Sanderling (Calidris alba) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:50:07)

Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:49:51)

American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:49:40)

Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:49:30)

Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:49:19)

Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:49:11)

Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:49:01)

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:48:51)

Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:48:41)

White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:48:32)

  • Timing and strategy

This flood retention basin has the potential to be one of the best migratory waterfowl and shorebird stopovers in the region depending on water levels. Because of its proximity to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, however, waterfowl are generally managed such that they do not congregate here in large numbers in the winter for the protection of airplanes taking off over the basin.

This site cannot be accessed without a guide (see "Access" below).

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-25 18:45
This flood retention basin has the potential to be one of the best migratory waterfowl and shorebird stopovers in the region depending on water levels. Because of its proximity to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, however, waterfowl are generally managed such that they do not congregate here in large numbers in the winter for the protection of airplanes taking off over the basin. This site cannot be accessed without a guide (see "Access" below).
  • How to get there

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Not available yet

Access to this site is restricted. The local Beckham Bird Club organizes trips to this site on occassion. There is no way to view this site without proper access.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-25 18:40
Access to this site is restricted. The local Beckham Bird Club organizes trips to this site on occassion. There is no way to view this site without proper access.
  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

There are no facilities on site.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-25 18:45
There are no facilities on site.

There is a high barbed-wire fence enclosing the area and the elevation of the basin makes it impossible to view adequately without access. See "Access" above.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Eric Hope on 2021-08-25 18:46
There is a high barbed-wire fence enclosing the area and the elevation of the basin makes it impossible to view adequately without access. See "Access" above.
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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Melco Flood Retention Basin (Restricted Access) - Orniverse