Dunnville State Wildlife Area

The 5,000 acres surrounding the confluence of the Red Cedar and Chippewa Rivers is the Dunnville State Wildlife Area, divided into the Upper and Lower Dunnville Bottoms. This property is a mix of prairie, floodplain forest, fields and ridges covered by woods. Clay-colored and Lark Sparrows live here. You may even hear or see Bob White Quail. Red-shouldered Hawks nest here along with Eastern Kingbirds, Barred Owls and Blue-winged Warblers. The restored prairies on the property hold Western Meadowlarks, Willow Flycatchers and Sedge Wrens. Along the edges of the prairie where they meet the shrubby trees, look for Turkeys, Orchard Orioles and White-eyed Vireos. Long and Wallace Lakes in the interior of the property hold ducks, herons and rails.

Directions: From Downsville, take Hwy. 25 south to Cty. Y, then turn east to a parking lot.

Gazetteer: Page 60, C-2.

Phone: 715/232-1517 (Menomonie WDNR).

Web site: WDNR Dunnville State Wildlife Area (#15)

Signature species: Lark Sparrow and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

Seasonality: Open all year.

Parking: Parking lots provided.

Nearest food & lodging: Downsville, 3.5 miles north.