Mississippi River Flyway Bird Migration

A Vital Stopover on the Mississippi Flyway

This camera sits within the Driftless Area, a rugged, unglaciated landscape where the Upper Mississippi River braids into a mosaic of channels, backwaters and marshy islands. As one of the continent's most important migratory routes, the flyway funnels millions of birds through this refuge on their seasonal journeys.

Wildlife of Lake Onalaska

The wetland teems with life. Watch Bald Eagles patrol the shallows, American White Pelicans glide in formation, and Sandhill Cranes stalk the reeds with their young. Waterfowl such as Tundra Swans and ducks gather in great rafts across the open water.

A Protected Refuge

Part of the Upper Mississippi National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, this protected island near Onalaska, Wisconsin safeguards critical habitat for nesting, feeding and resting birds. The stream is operated by explore.org in partnership with the Raptor Resource Project.