https://ebird.org/hotspot/L869855
Habitat: Southern Hardwoods, Oak-Hickory Forest, Pine Plantation, Native and Restored Grassland, Non-Native Grassland, Dry and Sandy Prairie, Cropland.
Best Birds: Carolina Wren is possible in the ditch area north of the park shelter and Cerulean Warbler and Scarlet Tanager along the White-tail and Blackhawk Trails. Lark Sparrow can be seen in the Cactus Prairie off Wildernest Road (43.028466, -91.606197) and along Vineyard (Coulee) Road near the Toboggan Slope Prairie. Red-headed Woodpecker is found in the oaks along and near the park entrance road or near the picnic grounds.
Look for Ruby-throated Hummingbird in the blooming Touch-Me-Not (Jewelweed) along the Bird Bath Trail, as well as Least Flycatcher and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Between Nighthawk and Timberdoodle Camps on the Woodcock Trail look for Northern Mockingbird, Henslow Sparrow, and Yellow- breasted Chat. All have been occasional nesters in and around Walz’s Prairie. Eastern Bluebird, Field Sparrow and Orchard Oriole nest in this area, where the courtship of the American Woodcock, the Timberdoodle Dance, takes place in March and April.
At night Whip-poor-will, and Screech and Barred Owl can be heard. Nature-related structures include four bird baths as there is no natural water in the park, two Chimney Swift towers near the shelter house, bat houses, and a bird observation blind near one of the bird baths on the Bird Bath Trail.
Directions: This is a 300 acre City of Prairie du Chien park, one mile east of US Highway 18 on Vineyard (Coulee) Road (43.022196, -91.102172).
Site address & Additional Information:
214 E. Blackhawk Ave., Prairie du Chien, WI
Hotspot of the Month -- La Riviere Park - Wisconsin eBird
Dennis Kirschbaum
