Spring Migration Day Hike set for May 7 in Ferryville

Migration Day Hike set for May 7 ...
The Ferryville Tourism Council and Mississippi Valley Conservancy are co-sponsoring the third annual Spring Migration Day Hike at Sugar Creek Bluff in Ferryville Saturday, May 7. Participants should plan to meet at the Ferryville Village Hall at 7:30 a.m. Submitted photo.

Spring has arrived and so have the summer feathered visitors: the spring migratory birds. Ferryville Tourism Council and the Mississippi Valley Conservancy are co-sponsoring the third annual Spring Migration Day Hike at Sugar Creek Bluff in Ferryville Saturday, May 7.

Mayo Health Systems is the corporate sponsor of this “Linked to the Land” hike.  Expert guides will be leading the groups and listening for the cheerful birdsong in the woods. This is a fairly level walk and is very family friendly. Last year’s hike was featured in the recent episode of Discover Wisconsin!  Crawford, Grant, and Vernon Counties were showcased and designated as a “Discover Wisconsin 2016 Choice Destination”.

Participants should plan to meet at the Ferryville Village Hall (south end of town along Hwy. 35) at 7:30 a.m. for handouts, treats, coffee and water. They will then carpool to the trailhead on Big Buck Creek Road for the 8-10 a.m. hike.

Ferryville continues to be the smallest Bird City in the Wisconsin statewide program. This activity is a way of highlighting the beauty and diversity of the wildlife that make this area their home. Other birding hikes on the calendar are being held May 14 at the McDowell Bluff MVC property in De Soto, WI and an additional hike will be at Sugar Creek Bluff July 23 in conjunction with Ferryville’s celebration of River Buff Daze. These are also co-sponsored by Ferryville Tourism Council, Mississippi Valley Conservancy and Mayo Health Systems.

Handouts will be available with maps of areas for birding plus a bird list specific to the Ferryville area that has been developed by Martin Murphy. Birders of all levels from beginner to expert are welcome. For more information, visit the Ferryville website, www.visitferryville.com, or contact Joanne White at 608-734-9018.