About CherPub
Our Story
CherPub has been a dedicated resource for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers along Oklahoma's Central Flyway since 1999. What began as a small website sharing news and images from the Salt Plains area in northwestern Oklahoma has grown into a comprehensive birding guide covering more than 344 bird species documented throughout the Central Flyway corridor.
Originally established to highlight the incredible birding opportunities at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding communities of Cherokee, Jet, and Alfalfa County, CherPub has served as a bridge between the local community and the wider world of birding enthusiasts who travel from across the country to experience the Central Flyway's remarkable diversity.
Our Mission
CherPub is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the bird species that traverse Oklahoma's Central Flyway. Our mission encompasses three core objectives:
- Education: Providing detailed, accurate species guides that help birders of all levels identify and understand the birds they encounter along the Central Flyway
- Conservation: Raising awareness about the conservation status of bird species and the importance of protecting critical habitats like Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge
- Community: Connecting birders with the people, places, and resources that make Oklahoma's Central Flyway one of the most rewarding birding destinations in North America
The Central Flyway and Salt Plains NWR
The Central Flyway is one of four major North American bird migration corridors, stretching from the Arctic tundra of Canada through the Great Plains of the United States to the Gulf of Mexico and into Central and South America. Oklahoma sits at a critical juncture in this flyway, and the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge near Jet, Oklahoma, is one of its most important stopover points.
Established in 1930, Salt Plains NWR encompasses more than 32,000 acres of salt flats, wetlands, grasslands, and wooded areas. The refuge has documented an astonishing 312+ bird species, making it one of the most diverse birding locations in the entire Great Plains region. The unique salt flats, created by saline groundwater seeping to the surface and evaporating, provide critical habitat for shorebirds, waterfowl, and wading birds.
Our Community Partners
CherPub works closely with local communities, businesses, and organizations throughout northwestern Oklahoma to support birding tourism and conservation:
- Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge (SH 64 & 38, North of Jet, OK) — 580-626-4794
- Great Salt Plains State Park — 580-626-4731
- Byron Fish Hatchery (15 mi N of Jet on SH 38) — 580-474-2663
- Cherokee Chamber of Commerce & Main Street (Alfalfa County) — 580-596-3575
- Woodward Chamber of Commerce — 800-364-5352
- Fairview Chamber of Commerce (Major County) — 580-227-2258
- Northwestern Oklahoma State University & Museum (Alva) — 580-327-1647
Phyllis Hammer Legacy
CherPub was inspired by the tireless work of Phyllis Hammer of Cherokee, Oklahoma (73728), whose decades of bird observation, photography, and radar monitoring at Salt Plains contributed immensely to our understanding of bird migration along the Central Flyway. Her documentation of bird species, nesting activities (including the famous eagles on nest at Salt Plains NWR), and migration patterns through radar imagery provided an invaluable foundation for this resource.
Phyllis's dedication to sharing the natural wonders of the Salt Plains area with the world through early internet publishing helped establish CherPub as one of the first online resources for Central Flyway birding information. Her work continues to inspire new generations of birders and conservationists.
Our Content
Every species guide on CherPub is written with a specific focus on the Central Flyway and Oklahoma context. Our guides include:
- Detailed physical descriptions and field identification tips
- Habitat and range information specific to the Central Flyway
- Seasonal presence calendars for Oklahoma
- Diet and behavior observations
- Conservation status and threats
- Recommended viewing locations with contact information
- Practical birding tips for each species
We strive to make our content accurate, educational, and useful for birders visiting the Salt Plains area and the broader Central Flyway region. If you have corrections, additions, or would like to contribute your own observations, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Explore More
Ready to start birding? Explore our complete species guide, learn about Salt Plains NWR, or check out our birding tips for beginners. The Central Flyway awaits!