Chimney Rock SWA, Trempealeau County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Chimney Rock Oak Savanna SNA, Trempealeau County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitats: Oak Savanna, Sedge Meadow, Willow, Alder/Dogwood Swamp, Southern Hardwood Forest, Conifer Plantation.
Best Birds: In the oak savanna SNA and adjacent hardwood stands you can find both Wood Thrush and Veery along with Ruffed Grouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Winter Wren, and Yellow-throated Vireo. The areas of alder thicket, shrubby sedge meadow, and brushy margins along Hawkinson Creek and a coldwater tributary have numerous Veery as well as Alder Flycatcher, Field Sparrow, and Chestnut-sided Warbler.
Directions: 25 miles S of Eau Claire. The wildlife area is 9 miles north of Independence along County Highway Y, 2 miles west of State Highway 93. A parking area and two-track entering the property is on the east side of Hawkinson Valley Road about 0.5 mile north of the intersection with Hermanson Road, (44.49123, -91.46186). Two SNAs lie within the wildlife area. Chimney Rock Oak Savanna SNA is on the north side of Hermanson Road near a parking area about 0.2 miles west of Hawkinson Valley Road, (44.48408, -91.46273). Hawkinson Creek Wet Prairie SNA is bordered by the west side of County Y for about a mile north of the parking area on Y, (44.48817, -91.44618).
Address and additional information:
The savannah features an exceptional oak opening with large diameter red, white and bur oak. The wet prairie along Hawkinson Creek has an extensive alder thicket with patches of shrubby sedge meadow.
Hawkinson Valley Road, Eleva WI
Chimney Rock Wildlife Area | Wisconsin DNR
Chimney Rock Oak Savanna State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
Hawkinson Creek Wet Prairie State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
Carl Schroeder, Rich Staffen
