Putnam Park State Natural Area

Expect to add some new birds to your checklist when you visit this birding hot spot. Putnam Park is the best place to bird watch in Eau Claire. Owned by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, habitats range from prairie to old growth pine to rocky cliffs, marshes and floodplain forest. There are two sections to the park, one on each side of the campus. All of this urban green space acts like a magnet for birds in any season. You can see Bald Eagles, Tufted Titmice, Pine Warblers, Ringbilled Gulls, Purple Finches and Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers.

Directions: To access the western portion, walk west from UW-EC parking lot #4 along the interpretive trail into the area. To access the eastern portion, use Putnam Drive, which runs through the area and starts across from parking lot #14.

Gazetteer: Page: 61, B-5.

Phone: 715/836-2637.

Web site: Putnam Park State Natural Area

Signature species: Summer Tanager, Winter Wren, Purple Finch & Cedar Waxwing.

Seasonality: Open all year.

Parking: Parking lot provided.

Nearest food & lodging: Eau Claire.