https://ebird.org/hotspot/L12163477
Habitat: Marsh, Bottomland Hardwoods, Open Water.
Best Birds: Along this highway birding route watch for Great Egret and Bald Eagle. Where the roadway is wide enough pull off to look for Hooded Merganser, woodpeckers, flycatchers, and vireos.
You may want to enter the bottomland forest on the south side of the roadway to find Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Go further south to enter the marsh and look for Sora Rail and Green Heron. At the bridges look for Cliff Swallow. At the boat landings look for warblers like Prothonotary and Blue-winged. If birding in the evening listen for Barred Owl and watch for flyovers of American Bittern and Common Nighthawk.
Directions: 30 miles S of LaCrosse/4 miles south of Desoto on State Highway 82/35 at 43.392020, -91.179050. This vehicle birding route goes through a portion of the Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Refuge on State Hwy 82 to the Big Slough Boat Landing.
Site Address and Additional Information:
Hwy 35 and Hwy 82, De Soto WI
Winneshiek Boat Landing, 65934 State Highway 82, 43.38878, -91.18325
Big Slough Boat Landing, 67805 State Highway 82, 43.366734, -91.209949
Park in safe locations along the roadway.
https:www.fws.gov/refuge/upper_mississippi_river/
https:www.fws.gov/refuge/upper_mississippi_river/McGregor_District.html
Dennis Kirschbaum
