Mount Pleasant--Pike River Pathway (Spring St to Hwy 20):
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1788653
Mount Pleasant--Pike River Pathway (Hwy 20 to Hwy 11):https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1788734
Pike River Pathway--Hwy. 11 to Braun Rd.:https://ebird.org/hotspot/L7288581
Pike River Pathway (Braun Rd to KR):https://ebird.org/hotspot/L10264305
Habitat: Open Water, Marsh, Restored Grassland, Successional Oldfields, Cropland, Urban/Residential/Industrial.
Best Birds: During spring migration the ~1.8 mile loop trail between Old Spring Street & Hwy 20 yields American Woodcock and Wilson’s Snipe, and breeding birds like Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Marsh Wren, and Field and Swamp Sparrow.
The pond located within the Hwy 20 to Hwy 11 segment may retain open water through the early winter and host geese and ducks. The restored grasslands, especially in the southern two segments - Hwy. 11 to Braun Rd and Braun Rd & KR (County Line Road) - offer breeding Dickcissel.
Throughout the pathway, check the river and ponds for migrating ducks and Belted Kingfisher. In winter, the grasslands attract various raptors, sparrows such as American Tree Sparrow, and other lingering species attracted to open water. Small groups of European Goldfinch may be seen throughout, especially in winter when attracted to seed crops in grassland areas.
Directions: 5.5 miles west to southwest of Racine. To access the north segment from I-94, take Hwy C/Spring Street east ~2.6 miles to Old Spring Street. Turn right onto Old Spring Street and continue ~1.6 miles to the parking lot/trailhead (42.737401, -87.872562). A parking area within the Hwy 20 to Hwy 11 segment is located north of Hwy 11 at 42.70016, -87.87569.
Site Address & Additional Information:
In an area of increasing development, this relatively new pathway accommodates hikers and bicyclists along a roughly four mile stretch of the Pike River, as well as loop trails within two of the four segments.
7329 Old Spring Street, Mt Pleasant, WI
https://www.mtpleasantwi.gov/2250/Pike-River-Pathway
If you submit a single eBird checklist for an out-and-back birding event along any one of these hotspots, only report the unique, one-way distance. A separate eBird checklist should be used for each of these segments.
Eric Howe
