Elroy-Sparta State Trail--Wilton Area, Monroe County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Southern Hardwood Forest, Oak Savanna, Marsh, Non-native Grasslands, Successional Oldfield, Cropland.
Best Birds: West of Wilton the trail passes through agricultural fields mixed with patches of forest, oldfield and shrubs. The shrub areas have edge-loving breeding birds such as Black-billed Cuckoo and Orchard Oriole. Because of the steep topography of the region a lot of the agricultural land is left as pasture that is appealing to grassland birds such as sparrows, meadowlark, and Bobolink. Listen for Upland Sandpiper that are known to breed in the grasslands.
To the east of Wilton the trail runs along a small creek that opens up into a small marshy area. This is a good spot to find Willow Flycatcher and Sedge Wren. The trail continues through a patchwork of agricultural fields and woodlots. The legacy of oak savannas that were once common in the area is visible in the scattered open grown oaks that are now surrounded by a brushy understory. Red-headed Woodpecker are still common in this section of the trail.
The larger forested tracts in this area should be searched for uncommon southern breeders such as Acadian Flycatcher and Cerulean Warbler. Toward the town of Kendall the trail passes through several larger patches of woodland. Listen for Ruffed Grouse, Yellow-throated Vireo, and Tufted Titmouse.
Directions: 47 miles E of La Crosse. From the parking lot (43.81703, -90.52855) and trail crossing on County Hwy M (Main Street) in the town of Wilton, travel either direction on the trail.
Site Address & Additional Information:
County Hwy M, Wilton WI
Elroy-Sparta State Trail | Wisconsin DNR
Hotspot of the Month -- Elroy-Sparta State Trail - Wisconsin eBird
Carl Schroeder, Paul Schilke
