In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, join refuge staff and partners on FREE bird identification walks through the floodplain forest! We often see many birds close by and our pace will be more of a bird “crawl.” We’ll have a few pairs of binoculars available for folks to borrow.
In spring, thousands of migratory songbirds stop over for a bite to eat at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, some of which travel hundreds of miles from their wintering grounds! Some birds will stay here to nest for the summer, while others move on further north in just a week or two. We look forward to their return each spring!
Please leave pets at home. Parking spaces may fill up; please park close to leave space for other visitors. Walks take place rain or shine but may be cancelled in thunderstorms or heavy rain. Please bring drinking water and wear bug protection – ticks may be out. Trails are mostly flat and we’ll walk about 1 mile. The Great River State Trail is owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR), who are celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System in 2025! We are thankful to our conservation partners and co-hosts in facilitating these walks: Audubon Upper Mississippi River; Brice Prairie Conservation Association; Friends of the Refuge – Mississippi River Pools 7 and 8; La Crosse County Parks, Recreation and Forestry; refuge volunteers; WI DNR; and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Bird Walk at Lytle's Landing:
When: Wednesday, 9, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Where: Brice Prairie Conservation Association Clubhouse, 8441 Lytle Road, Onalaska, WI 54650.
Notes: We’ll walk along the Great River State Trail. It’ll likely be before the peak spring songbird migration, but birds will be easier to see before tree leaves are fully grown. Early spring arrivals will be here!
Bird Walk at Goose Island County Park:
When: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Shady Maple Interpretive Trail at Goose Island County Park, W6488 County Road GI, Stoddard, WI. As you enter Goose Island County Park, take the first left turn before the flagpoles to find parallel parking for the interpretive trail. If you see Shelter #1, you’ve missed the turn.
