A refuge naturalist will be available at the Brownsville Overlook on Saturdays and Sundays from November 3 – November 18, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., to share information about migrating water birds. The Brownsville Overlook is one of the best places along the Upper Mississippi River to view tundra swans, diving and puddle ducks, bald eagles, and other birds. The Brownsville Overlook is located about three miles south of Brownsville, Minnesota along Highway 26.
Please note that shifts may be cancelled or shortened without notice due to inclement weather or illness. The Shady Maple Overlook will not be staffed this year.
For more information, contact the La Crosse District Office at (608) 779-2399 or stop by the visitor center, located at N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska, WI. Visitor center hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (February-November). The Visitor Center will be closed on Saturdays in December and January. Additional information may be found on the Refuge’s website: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/upper_mississippi_river/.
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is the most visited refuge in the United States. The refuge extends 261 miles along the Upper Mississippi River from Wabasha, Minn. to Rock Island, Ill., protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife.
In addition to being the most visited refuge in the country, the “Upper Miss” Refuge has the added complexity of a major navigation system, including 11 locks and dams, within its boundary.
It is also a world-class fish and wildlife area which harbors 306 species of birds; 119 species of fish; more than 300 active bald eagle nests; thousands of heron and egret nests; spectacular concentrations of canvasback ducks, tundra swans, and white pelicans; and several threatened or endangered species.