https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L365751
Habitat: Northern Hardwood Forest, Bottomland Hardwoods, Pine Plantation, Oak Savanna, Successional Oldfield, Marsh, Sedge Meadow, Alder and Dogwood Swamp, Open Water, Beach.
Best Birds: Stop at the Visitor Center and check out the bird feeders while picking up a map. From the group camp parking lot hike the first mile of Silverbrook Trail searching the wetlands to the east and mixed pine and hardwood forest on the west for ducks, Sandhill Crane, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle, cuckoos, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Barred Owl, Acadian Flycatcher, Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, Sedge Wren,, sparrows, warblers including Cerulean, Black-throated Blue, Golden-Winged, Blue-winged Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Waterthrush, and Pine, and Scarlet Tanager.
Take the loop trail around Lake O’ the Dalles for woodland species, ducks, grebes and herons. Search the woodland stream along the north edge of the beach/amphitheater parking lot for warblers and flycatchers.
Walk through the picnic area at the St. Croix River boat launch and look for woodland and riverine species and Bank Swallow. Three state natural areas are located within the park with the most accessible being Dalles of the St. Croix River SNA. Hike on Summit Rock and Echo Canyon trails watching for woodland species.
Directions: 38 miles N of Hudson/One half mile south of St. Croix Falls on WI Hwy 35.
Site Address and Additional Information:
1275 State Highway 35, St. Croix Falls, WI
Group camp parking lot (45.387426 -92.657866)
Beach/amphitheater parking lot (45.394279, -92.649817)
Interstate State Park: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/interstate
Dalles of the St. Croix River SNA: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=164
Interstate Lowland Forest SNA: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=165
Centennial Bedrock Glade SNA: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=329
Robin Maercklein
