Feathered Friends of the St. Croix: Weird and Wonderful Waterfowl

Do you enjoy birds, friends, and nature?

Waterfowl are just as wonderful to observe as sweet, singing song-birds that every birder loves to add to their life list. Waterfowl may look as graceful as Trumpeter Swan or as weird and wild as a Hooded Merganser. Let’s listen and look for the weird and wonderful waterfowl in the wet and wild St. Croix Wetland Management District. We will begin the day with some wetland yoga (consider bringing a yoga mat if you have one). We will scope out waterfowl and other birds from the Erickson Bird Blind Trail and loop around the Prairie Trail. After some morning birding, we will enjoy a trailside snack and practice our waterfowl identification through a fun and interactive game. Finally, we will wrap up the morning with activities that explore the importance of wetland ecosystems and the interconnectedness of the living organisms and the nonliving elements that make their home here.

This event is free; but registration is required. Sign up here!

Cost: Free

Vehicle Admission: Free

Driving Directions: The district office is located about two miles west of New Richmond, a quarter mile south of State Highway 64 at 1764 95th Street, New Richmond, Wisconsin 5017

Restrooms: None; please plan to stop and use nearby restroom facilities prior to arriving at the St. Croix Wetland Management District site.

Hike Length: 1 mile

Hike Difficulty: We will move slowly, and you always have the option to bird in place.

Where to Meet: Outside the USFWS District Office

Recommended items to bring/wear:

• Dress in layers appropriate for the morning’s weather
• Durable and waterproof shoes or boots
• Adequate water
• Binoculars if you have them (not required or necessary)
• Birding field guides if you have them (not required or necessary)
• Consider downloading the free Merlin birding app by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology prior to this event

Save the Date for upcoming Feathered Friends of the St. Croix events!

• Saturday, May 11th
• Saturday, June 8th
• Saturday, August 10th

Cancelation Information:

For the safety of participants and staff, this program may be canceled due to inclement weather or a temperature of 0 degrees or below. Participants will be notified via email and event pages will be updated if the program is canceled.