Elroy-Sparta State Trail--west of Norwalk, Monroe County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitats: Southern Hardwood Forest, Oak-Hickory Forest, Marsh, Open Water, Shrub Swamp, minor amounts of Mixed Coniferous Forest, Pine Plantation, Non-native Grassland.
Best Birds: Ruffed Grouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Acadian and Great-crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated and Blue-headed Vireo, Veery and Wood Thrush, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Blue-winged Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager.
Springs, spring runs, and seepages create a constant source of water (even during the coldest weather) and should be checked for American Woodcock, Wilson’s Snipe, Northern Waterthrush, flocks of finches, and lingering sparrows.
The impoundment attracts waterfowl, including Trumpeter Swan, Northern Pintail, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Horned Grebe, Sandhill Crane, Sora, American Coot, Common Moorhen, and American Bittern. Scan the margins of the open water for waders and shorebirds. Bald Eagle and Osprey are frequent visitors. During spring and early fall cold snaps, the impoundment provides food for swallows and Chimney Swift. The surrounding forested slopes offer shelter from strong winds that often affect nearby open fields and ridgetops.
Directions: 43 miles E of La Crosse/15 miles southeast of Sparta. The closest access to this site is from Hwy T about 0.8 miles north of Hwy 71. Where Hwy T crosses the trail (43.85038, -90.62878) park in the grass on the north side of the trail or along Kingdom Road, immediately southwest of the bike trail and Hwy T junction. Follow the trail northwest for about 0.3 miles to the dam. Continuing northwest, forest borders both sides of the trail for another 2 miles, to the east portal of Tunnel #3. The tunnel is approximately 0.75 miles long, and additional forest occurs beyond the west tunnel portal.
Alternatively, the trailhead in Norwalk 1.2 miles to the south is 101 Railroad Street, Norwalk, WI.
Site Address and Additional Information:
In Monroe County, there is very little public land in the heart of the ridge and coulee country. This segment of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail runs through extensive hardwood forests of Sugar Maple, American Basswood, Red Oak, White Oak, and ash. Past and present land uses include logging and grazing. A dam constructed for flood control created a 24 acre reservoir. Patches of marsh and shrub swamp occur on the impoundment margins; beaver dams on two creeks feeding the impoundment have created additional areas of open water. While the trail is publicly-owned, most of the adjoining land is in private hands. Please respect property boundaries.
Hwy T, Norwalk, WI
Elroy-Sparta State Trail Wisconsin State Park System | Wisconsin DNR
Eric Epstein
