Upper Mississippi River NWR—Halfway Creek Marsh, La Crosse County, WI, US – eBird Hotspot
Great River State Trail at Midway, La Crosse County, WI, US – eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Marsh, Open Water, Sedge Meadow, Willow Swamp, Cropland, Bottomland Hardwoods.
Best Birds: Swans, geese, ducks, and shorebirds during spring migration. Virginia Rail, Sora, Least Bittern, Willow Flycatcher, Bell’s Vireo, Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, and Yellow-headed Blackbird during breeding season.There is an open water pool about 100 yards northwest of that parking area and another directly south. The Great River State Trail runs along the east edge of the marsh. The trail has a brushy section along both sides that holds migrating passerines and there is also an overlook for the back pond of the marsh on the west side of the trail about ½ mile north of that lot. The farm fields east of the trail are often flooded in the spring and hold ducks, geese, swans, and shorebirds. Bell’s Vireo often nest along the trail between Midway and Trempealeau.
Directions: 9 miles N of La Crosse. Halfway Creek Marsh Parking Lot is located in Onalaska on the north side of County ZN west of Hwy 35 (43.92689,-91.26579). There are a few trails into the marsh that start from that location. There is another parking lot at Midway on the south side of County ZN at its intersection with County OT (43.92769,-91.25834). This location has direct access to the Great River State Trail that skirts the north boundary of the marsh.
Site Address & Additional Information:
County Rd ZN, Holmen, WI
Great River State Trail
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/greatriver
Dan Jackson
