Spring Bird Walks in honor of World Migratory Bird Day
From mid-April to mid-May, thousands of brightly colored songbirds and shorebirds stopover on the refuge. Some nest here along the river, marshlands and prairie, while others migrate even further north, staying just for a week or two.
In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, join refuge staff and partners on a bird identification walk through the floodplain forest as we look and listen for birds! We’ll walk less than one mile during these FREE, informal programs open to birders of all experience levels. We often find many birds close by and our walk will likely be more of a bird “crawl”!
Registration is required and participation is limited; contact Ranger Katie at 608-779-2391 to sign-up. Please let us know if you’d like to borrow a pair of binoculars.
Where: Lytles Landing Canoe Access, Lytle Road, Onalaska, WI 54650. Please park at the Brice Prairie Conservation Association Clubhouse on Lytle Road – we’ll meet you there!
When: Monday, May 1, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. OR
Thursday, May 4, 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Bird walks take place rain or shine but may be cancelled if there’s a high probability of thunderstorms. We will be watching water conditions on the Black River and will plan to relocate if we have safety concerns due to high water. We’ll be walking along the Great River State Trail along a mostly flat surface of gravel or wooden boardwalk.
World Migratory Bird Day events take place across our community and across the world to raise awareness for the need to conserve migratory birds and their habitats. This year’s theme is “water: sustaining bird life.” Learn more on our national website: https://www.fws.gov/story/2023-04/world-migratory-bird-day-2023.
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The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is the most visited refuge in the United States. The refuge extends 261 miles along the Upper Mississippi River from Wabasha, Minn. to Rock Island, Ill., protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife.
In addition to being the most visited refuge in the country, the “Upper Miss” Refuge has the added complexity of a major navigation system, including 11 locks and dams, within its boundary. It is also a world-class fish and wildlife area which harbors 306 species of birds; 119 species of fish; more than 300 active bald eagle nests; thousands of heron and egret nests; spectacular concentrations of canvasback ducks, tundra swans, and white pelicans; and several threatened or endangered species.
