Most of the bird reports have been produced by birding along the roads and at the two lots. The interior is accessible, awaiting finds by birders walking fairly short distances.

This site has good potential for residents, expected Missouri migrants and surprises any season. Ridge top, creek bottomland, some limited grassland and varying woodlands are a good mix to attract many species other than most waterfowl and shorebirds.

From Novinger west of Kirksville on MO 6, go 7 miles north on Rt. O, then west (left) onto Spring Creek Rd. Stay on Spring Creek Rd. to reach the north parking lot or turn left onto Stahl Rd. to go to the south lot.

From Lot H in the Adair Co. portion of Union Ridge CA at the intersection of Port Arthur Rd. and Spring Creek Rd., turn left (north) onto Spring Creek Rd. and go about 2 miles to reach the northwest corner of Shoemaker CA, at a point a quarter mile west of the north lot.

The area consists of narrow ridged oak-hickory wooded hills, with Spring Creek running across the northern portion. It is a good example of the hilly terrain and wooded habitat portion of the Chariton River watershed with little left intact in a heavily agricultural area.

Note that the area extends about a quarter mile beyond the north lot, across the Spring Creek bridge over the creek.

A wide two-track worn smooth by timber management improvement logging operations in progress in 2023 is an easy walk along an open area heading west from the south lot on Stahl Rd. The two-track
forks at the west end. The right fork goes into woods, a second fork to the left continues through woods, headed in the direction of the creek opposite the north lot.

At the southeast corner of the area along Stahl Rd. (beyond the south lot) a gravel turn-off to the right (west) from Stahl Rd. leads toward what appears to be a maintenance building. Turning onto this and stopping short of the power lines and the gated area allows a leisurely assessment of birdlife present.

An infrequently mowed two-track runs a short distance through woods from the north lot on Spring Creek Rd. to the bank of Spring Creek with a view of a short segment of the creek.