eBird Hotspot Link: 
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L7083946
Habitat: Open Water, Bottomland Hardwoods, Urban/Residential/Industrial.
Best Birds: Look for Chimney Swift flying over in the section of trail closest to downtown Merrill. There should also be a good mix of swallow species flying around the water. The Thrivent Way trail is a great spot for warblers, thrushes and sparrows. Look for Warbling Vireo, Swainson’s Thrush, and Swamp Sparrow to be plentiful along here. Keep an eye on the river, especially in fall, for occasional Snow Goose, and Cackling Goose mixed in with the other waterfowl.
Also in the fall look for hundreds of Common Nighthawk gathering and feeding along the river in migration. Just past the Merrill Hydro Dam is the Prairie River outlet into the Wisconsin River. This junction usually holds waterfowl in the spring and fall.
Directions: 20 miles North of Wausau. Take S Park St. South until you cross the railroad tracks and straight ahead will be the parking lot for the trail. You will be below the Center Ave bridge. From there you can go either way along the trail but to the west the better section to bird.
Site Address and Additional Information:
Visit: http://riverbendtrail.org/
Chucky Wensel
