Seasons of Wildlife
Spring
April and May are some of the best times to see songbird migration. Stopping at a boat landing and taking time to scan the treetops can reward you with many species of warblers. Following the Great River Road on both sides of the river, you have the opportunity to discover many walking trails. While it’s always best to bring your own binoculars, we offer spotting scopes on several decks and observations platforms to help you spot wildlife.
Summer
In the floodplain forest, great blue herons, great egrets and double-crested cormorants nest in rookeries. Look for groups of American white pelicans feeding in formation or soaring over the refuge. The sora rail, known as the laughter of the marsh, is the most common marsh bird - seldom seen, but often heard in the early morning or late evening. The refuge is home to 11 species of frogs and toads that sing, chirp and croak from April to August. Listen for them in the evenings at the marsh.
Fall
Fall colors are the backdrop for thousands of waterfowl migrating back to their wintering grounds. Migrating tundra swans grace the refuge through freeze-up. During peak fall migration in late October, hundreds of thousands of canvasbacks, common mergansers, goldeneyes, mallards, shovelers, blue-winged teal and coots gather on the refuge.
Winter
Tracks in snow remind you that winter is alive with activity. A track made by an otter sliding on the ice or a deer path across the ice are often discovered on a winter outing. Hundreds of wintering bald eagles congregate near open water, snatching fish with their talons and soaring to the treetops to eat their prey.
Featured Species
In the floodplain forest, great blue herons, great egrets and double-crested cormorants nest in rookeries. Look for groups of American white pelicans feeding in formation or soaring over the refuge. The sora rail, known as the laughter of the marsh, is the most common marsh bird - seldom seen, but often heard in the early morning or late evening. The refuge is home to 11 species of frogs and toads that sing, chirp and croak from April to August. Listen for them in the evenings at the marsh.
During peak fall migration in late October, a variety of waterfowl including tundra swans, canvasbacks, common mergansers, goldeneyes, mallards, northern shovelers, blue-winged teal and coots gather on the refuge.
Hundreds of wintering bald eagles congregate near open water snatching fish with their talons and soaring to the treetops to eat their prey.