Bird Center, courtesy St. Louis CVC

ST. LOUIS — The $3.3 million Audubon Center at Riverlands opened Oct. 15 in the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary just north of downtown St. Louis near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

The area is part of the Mississippi flyway, a major migratory route for more than 300 species of birds including pelicans, seagulls, American bald eagles, trumpeter swans and more.

Nature lovers can view birds and other wildlife that reside in Riverlands from inside the 3,500-square-foot Audubon Center or stroll the surrounding prairies and wetlands.

The Audubon Center features floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the river, while recorded bird songs play on a sound track inside the center.

The free center also features interactive displays about the birds’ migrations, classrooms for wildlife lectures and an information counter.

www.riverlands.audubon.org