Spring birdwatching walk offered by Mississippi Valley Conservancy
on World Migratory Bird Day near Ferryville, WI
LA CROSSE, WI – Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with a free guided birding walk at
Sugar Creek Bluff State Natural Area near Ferryville, Wisconsin on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
Hosted by Mississippi Valley Conservancy and Ferryville Tourism, this event invites nature
enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of spring while exploring an easy blufftop trail and learning about
migratory birds and the critical role large woodland areas play in their survival.
Leading the walk this year are Krysten Zummo, Gwyn Calvetti, and Connor Kotte, along with
Conservancy staff and volunteers. Zummo, a Grassland Ecologist with the National Audubon
Society in Minnesota, collaborates with farmers to preserve bird habitats, and Calvetti is a
dedicated birder and active member of the Coulee Region Audubon Society. Kotte, the
Conservancy’s Stewardship Specialist, is active in the Kickapoo Bird Habitat Initiative and is a
lifelong learner who is passionate about sharing his love for birding.
Ferryville Tourism representatives will also be present, offering recommendations for post-hike
activities in the area. Participants will be divided into small groups for a personalized experience
with expert guides. Attendees will receive instruction on identifying birds by sight and sound,
with a focus on species returning or migrating through the region after wintering as far south as
South America. A limited number of binoculars will be available for those who wish to borrow
them.
On the banks of Sugar Creek near the Mississippi River lies Sugar Creek Bluff, a 440-acre bluff-
land preserve. With its beautiful meadows, forests, and prairies the Sugar Creek Bluff State
Natural Area is a great place to do some bird watching, including many threatened species. Birds
that have been spotted in the area on hikes in the past include the red-shouldered hawk, Acadian
flycatcher, whip-poor-will, grasshopper sparrow, cerulean warbler, and blue-winged warbler.
This FREE event requires ADVANCE REGISTRATION by May 7, 2025, and there will be a
limited number of participants. For more details and to register, visit:
https://www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events. Directions and event specifics will be
emailed to all registered participants before the event. For inquiries, contact Communications
Director Karen Solverson at karen@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext.
8.
This birding walk is part of the Conservancy’s 2025 “Linked to the Land” series, offering
outdoor experiences on protected nature preserves that support wildlife habitat, climate
resilience, scenic beauty, outdoor learning, and recreation in the Driftless Area. The series is
generously sponsored by Olson Solar Energy and WXOW News19.
WHAT: Migratory Birding Hike (advance registration required)
WHERE: Sugar Creek Bluff State Natural Area, Ferryville, WI
WHEN: 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m., Saturday, May 10, 2025
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