Upper Mississippi River NWR—Goose Island, La Crosse County, WI, US – eBird Hotspot
Goose Island County Park—Camground Bird Feeder, La Crosse County, WI, US
Habitat: Bottomland Hardwoods, Marsh, Open Water, Beaches and Mudflats, Willow Swamp, Open Park.
Best Birds: Ducks, geese, swans, gulls, and terns during spring and fall migration. Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Brown Creeper, Prothonotary Warbler during expected seasons.
During winter and early spring, Long-eared and Short-eared Owl occur every few years when prey populations are high. Enroute to the county park County Rd GI crosses sloughs and backwaters and is surrounded by bottomland forest. Stop at the Goose Island Interpretive Trail which starts in La Crosse County and extends south into Vernon County and is great during the spring and fall migrations. From County GI as it follows the shoreline there are many locations to view the sloughs and islands of the backwaters of the Mississippi River. Raptors, waterfowl, waders, and shorebirds can be viewed in season. There is an extensive network of trails and small roads in the north half of the park. These are great for passerines, and Long-eared Owl are seen occasionally during winter and early spring in the bottomland forest areas and the pine plantation near the entrance to the campground. In the campground area there are two feeders that are active during late fall and winter. Several species of birds will eat seeds from an outstretched hand at the southernmost feeder.
Directions: Goose Island County Park is located 3 miles S of La Crosse along the Mississippi River. It is accessed from Hwy 35 via County Rd GI which is about 1 mile south the intersection of Hwy 14, 61, and 35. GT first passes through the National Wildlife Refuge. There is a loop trail that starts at a small lot about 1 mile from Hwy 35 (43.72755,-91.21430). Continue on County GI west into the county park and at the stop sign turn north, there are many locations to view the backwaters of the Mississippi River (43.73662,-91.22907). The feeders are located in the campground area on the east side of the Road GI about ½ mile south of the stop sign (43.72827,-91.23108).
Site Address & Additional Information:
W6488 County Road GI, Stoddard, WI
Campgrounds (lacrossecounty.org)
Dan Jackson
