Buffalo River Valley
Riecks Lake Park, Buffalo County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Badland Road (Buffalo Co.), Buffalo County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Marsh, Open Water, Mudflats.
Best Birds: Tundra Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle. Riecks Lake Park’s main attraction is the abundant migrating waterfowl in the spring and fall. When water levels are right in the spring there can be a large variety of shorebirds. There is an observation platform on the lakeshore near Hwy 35 however viewing may be better on the other side of Rieck's Lake from County Road I and Badland Road which passes several sloughs of the Buffalo River. Many swans congregate upstream at Tell Lake which can be seen from Hwy 37. Riecks Lake was once used by thousands of Tundra Swan in November but the silting of the lake eliminated their favored food, arrowroot tubers. Swans enroute to the Atlantic coast are now beefing up further south near Goose Island in La Crosse.
A winter drive northeast up the Buffalo River valley on either Badlands Road or Hwy 37 may produce Golden Eagle.
Directions: 55 miles northwest of La Crosse. For Riecks Lake Park, from Alma travel two miles north on Hwy 35 then turn east into the park. There is an observation platform on the lakeshore (44.35505, -91.93270). Badlands Road and Hwy 37 roads follow the Buffalo River valley on the north and south respectively and start on either side of Riecks Lake Park. The Badlands Road is reached from Hwy 35 via County I and dead ends in about 2.5 miles. While more heavily trafficked, Hwy 37 continues up the valley for 20 miles to Mondovi.
Site Address & Additional Information:
Hwy 35/Great River Road, Alma WI
Carl Schroeder
