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rvine Park, Chippewa County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Mixed Coniferous Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest, Non-native Grassland and Pasture, Open Water, Urban parkland. Duncan Creek runs through the lower part of the 318 acre park.
Best Birds: The park has Cooper's Hawk (nesting), Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-pewee, Warbling Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Wood Thrush, and Pine Warbler. Sandhill Crane nest in the buffalo compound. Chimney Swift are seen east of the western upper entrance where they roost in the chimney of the Rutledge Home.
Directions: 14 miles NE of Eau Claire, in the City of Chippewa Falls. Irvine Park is on the north side of town, on the west side of Jefferson Avenue, across from the Leinenkugel Brewery. Parking is available on the east side of the park; from Jefferson Avenue take Bear Den Drive west across the creek then park on Irvine Park Drive just south of the intersection with Bear Den (44.95404, -91.39833). On the north end of the park there is parking on Ermatinger Drive south of the intersection with Hwy S, (44.96464, -91.402744). The north, upper, level has the best access to approximately 1.75 miles of trails.
A trail next to Duncan Creek on the south side of Bridgewater Avenue often has good birding. It may compete with skateboarders, but the birds seem to have adapted to the noise. Park east of the bridge in Marshall Park, (44.94439, -91.40013). Follow the trail SE from the bridge on Bridgewater Avenue. You can stop at Jefferson Avenue or follow Duncan Creek all the way to the confluence with the Chippewa River, about one mile.
Site Address and Additional Information:
125 Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls WI
Irvine Park & Zoo | City of Chippewa Falls, WI (chippewafalls-wi.gov)
Rory Cameron
