It is a wonderful place to study sparrows by taking the mowed paths that lead off the trails, making a figure-8 pattern through the entire area. The city does a pretty nice job of keeping it mowed and if you wear good boots you can even access the trail that leads around the back side of the pond (the side closest to the MKT trail). It is generally dry but with lots of rain, you may want to wear rain boots or at least waterproof boots.

In March, expect the usual winter species including all our resident woodpeckers, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Carolina and Marsh Wrens, and Chipping, White-throated, Song, Field and Swamp Sparrows. Water species include Canada Geese, Ring-necked and Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal (nested successfully in 2020!), Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, and Great Blue Heron.

Park at the Forum Nature Area parking lot on Forum Blvd. and walk northeast on the MKT trail through the tunnel. Almost immediately you’ll come to a path that heads off to the left and takes you into 3M.  Alternately, you can park at Forum Theaters and take the concrete path down the hill. Owned by City of Columbia.  Flush toilets are at the parking lot.

Birding access is along a 1.25 gravel mile loop (including the MKT portion as the southern leg) with benches and interpretive signs with QR codes for smart phone scanning for information about wetlands, flora and fauna, and the histories of the 3M Wetland area and the MKT Trail.