• Canoeists paddle by tree lined shores

    Saint Croix

    National Scenic Riverway WI,MN

There are park alerts in effect.
hide Alerts »

  • High Water

    Sections of the lower St. Croix River are running higher than normal for this time of year. Be prepared and cautious if venturing out on the river, and watch for debris and other obstacles in the water.

  • Wells Closed

    Beginning in 2013, water will no longer be available at McDowell Bridge Landing, Riverside Landing, and the Marshland District Office on Highway 70. Please plan accordingly and bring an adequate supply of water.

Birds

Great-Blue-Heron wades in water with vegetation in background. The heron has long legs, neck and beak with bluish-gray feathers. 

The Great Blue Heron wades the river's edge looking for a meal

(USFWS) US Fish and Wildlife Service

Birds Seen at St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

There are 244 species of birds included in the Riverway's Bird Checklist. Of these, 162 species are known to nest here and 160 are considered neotropical migrants . These numbers represent a high diversity of species which is a direct result of the high diversity of habitats found in the Riverway. The 252 mile Riverway crosses three major types of habitat: coniferous forest, hardwood forest and prairies. These are in turn modified by the transition zones between them, topography (slope and aspect) and how wet or dry the site is. For example, the draft version of the park's new vegetation map (due in late 2012) lists eight major forest types with thirty-two sub-types of forest. In all, the map shows sixty-five types of habitat in 22 major categories of forests, shrub lands, grasslands and wetlands as well as open water and developed areas. No matter how you slice it and dice it, the result is a wide variety of diverse habitats for birds in which to feed, nest and raise their young.

Follow these links to learn more about the Riverway's specialty birds and the effect of the River's North/South Orientation on its bird population and migration patterns. We also recommend good locations along the Namekagon River for observing birds (or birding).

Did You Know?

Blackand white old photo of three men standing on logs loaded on a wagon with horses attached

In 1872 3,500 men, 1,600 horses and 250 oxen logged off 35,000 acres cutting some 200 million board feet of logs. "Taylors Falls Reporter". In 1883 the Boom in Stillwater, Minnesota, which collected logs coming down the St. Croix River, reported 1,397,417 logs for 217,045,647 board feet.