A pair of sandhill cranes fly across the horizon
The Lower Wisconsin River valley is a wonderful 92 mile stretch of river from Sauk City to the confluence with the Mississippi at Prairie Du Chien. For birdwatchers the stretch is a paradise. Cranes, herons, and eagles are the big three seen most frequently.
Bald eagles seem to fly off of a dead tree around every curve, the woody woodpecker laugh of the pileated woodpecker cries from the woods, and sandhill cranes croak from sandbars and inland marshes. These are just a few of the highlights as the diversity is incredible.
Three of the biggest birds you will find along the river and, thanks to conservation efforts, some of the most common are the bald eagle, the great blue heron, and the sandhill crane.Great blue herons have always been common here, but the comeback of the bald eagle and the sandhill crane to the area has been stunning.
Bald eagle along the Wisconsin River
Back in the 1980s it was a rare sight to see an eagle along the river. Now there are hundreds of nests along this stretch of river and it is almost impossible not to see an eagle. The same can be said of the sandhill crane.
Great blue heron senses our approach
Great blue heron takes off down the Wisconsin River
Sandhill cranes on the Wisconsin River
Bald eagle along the Wisconsin River
Best way to check out the bird life along the river is to take a canoe trip. Check out Wisconsin River Outings for canoe rental and transportation.
TT
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