Here's a sample of birding hotspots, arranged south to north, along Wisconsin 's Great River Road :

Wyalusing State Park:
Located just two miles south of Prairie du Chien at the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, the park is perhaps the best place in Wisconsin for Kentucky, Cerulean and Yellow-throated Warblers. Other populations include Prothonotary Warblers, Bell 's Vireos, Henslow's Sparrows, Wild Turkeys, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks , Turkey Vultures and Bald Eagles. Stop at the park office for a vehicle admission sticker (required), current birding information, and directions to the Passenger Pigeon Monument . (608/996-2261)

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge:
This 6,200-acre preserve just north of Trempealeau offers a four-mile wildlife driving tour, an interpretive center, and an observation deck. A diverse habitat shelters 29 warbler species and 100 bird species at the height of migration. In prairie and woodland habitat watch for Grasshopper, Lark, Savannah, and Field Sparrows, cuckoos, Sandhill Cranes, Dickcissels, Bobolinks, Northern Shrike, Pileated Woodpeckers, American Woodcocks, Northern Harriers, hawks, accipiters and owls. In open water and slough areas watch for Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Tundra Swans, White Pelicans, Forster's Terns, Sora and Virginia Rails and cormorants, as well as mergansers and dabblers in spring and fall. Maps of the refuge are available at the interpretive center and at kiosks in the refuge. (608/539-2311)

Buena Vista Park:
Perched on a bluff 500 feet above the Mississippi at Alma , Buena Vista Park is one of the best public viewing areas in Wisconsin for migrating raptors. Watch for Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks, Peregrine Falcons and Broad-winged Hawks (Aug-Sept). In fall, watch for Merlins, American Kestrels, Sharp-shinned Hawks and Coopers Hawks. Open water below Lock and Dam #4 makes this a great spot to watch Bald Eagles fish in winter. The park also harbors Scarlet Tanagers, Wood Thrushes, Hairy Woodpeckers and Ruffed Grouse.

Riecks Lake Park:
Just two miles north of Alma , the park is the best spot on the Mississippi to get up-close views of Tundra Swans in the fall. “Swan Watch” volunteers man the viewing decks on weekends from mid-October through November. To see wintering Golden Eagles, take a short drive up Hwy. 37 along the Buffalo River.