Rock River/River Valley Roads, Jefferson County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Kanow Park, Jefferson County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
North Rd. Ephemeral Pond, Jefferson County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Hotspot requested for Rock River Road
Habitats: Open Water, Mudflats, Marsh, Sedge Meadow, Bottomland Forest, Willow, Alder or Dogwood Swamp, Successional Oldfield, and Cropland.
Best Birds: This roadside birding area is known locally as the Rock River Ramble and loosely follows the meandering course of the Rock River in Dodge, Jefferson and Waukesha counties. March, April and May are the best times to view migrating waterfowl: ducks and geese, including Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose and often Tundra and Trumpeter Swan. Migrating warblers are always a highlight along the river. Rusty Blackbird can be found during spring and fall migration. Grassland birds such as Bobolink can be seen in the open areas.
Other breeding birds include Cooper’s Hawk, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl and Great-horned Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, and Eastern Meadowlark.
Winter months can produce Horned Lark and Snow Bunting in farm fields as well as the occasional Rough-legged Hawk. American Kestrel can be sighted at any time of year
Directions: 41 miles W of Milwaukee. At the southern end, the Jefferson County leg of the ramble starts several miles west of Oconomowoc or east of Ixonia. From Hwy 16 turn north on Rock River Road. Start your journey at the bridge over the Rock River just south of Kanow Park. Explore Kanow Park unless spring floods prevent access. Continue north along this 2-mile stretch of paved and gravel road which follows the river on the east side and has cropland and fallow fields on the west side. At the intersection with River Valley Rd turn left and for ½ mile scan the flooded fields. At the intersection with Hill Rd, continue on Hill Rd to North Rd. Turn right and head north a half mile to the ephemeral pond on the east side of the road.
Address and Additional Information:
Kanow Park, Ixonia WI,
Rock River Road/River Valley Road, Ixonia WI,
North Road Pond, North Road, Ixonia WI,
Anne Moretti
