Lower Kickapoo Valley Birding Hike

This summer, Mississippi Valley Conservancy will be hosting the Plum Creek Conservation Area's inaugural birding hike on Saturday, June 15th from 8:30 - 10:30am. Located in Crawford County near Wauzeka, Wisconsin, the Plum Creek Conservation Area's property includes over five and a half miles of frontage along the west bank of the Kickapoo River and over two miles along both banks of Plum Creek, a Class I trout stream. It is next to DNR's 1,927-acre Kickapoo Wildlife Area-Wauzeka Unit that includes the 635-acre Kickapoo Wild Woods State Natural Area. SIGN UP BELOW.

These protected areas, now enlarged by the MVC purchase, support one of the highest concentrations of rare forest-interior breeding birds in southern Wisconsin, including many considered high conservation priorities in eastern North America, according to Craig Thompson of the WI-DNR.

Participants will be part of the first public viewing of this newly acquired property. Local expert guides will discuss the many ways this protected property provides a refuge for rare and threatened species, and assist hikers in identifying a variety of nesting birds. Some binoculars (about a dozen) will be available for those who would like to borrow them.

ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this FREE event by June 10 on the events page. Stay tuned for the registration page to go live. For any questions, contact Karen Solverson at [email protected] or call 608-784-3606 ext. 8. 

This event is part of the Conservancy’s 2024 “Linked to the Land” series of outdoor experiences on the many nature preserves it protects for wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, outdoor learning and recreation in the Driftless Area. The program is generously sponsored by Olson Solar Energy and WXOW News19.
 

(PHOTO: Participants at a Mississippi Valley Conservancy guided birding hike.)