The Raptor Resource Project brings you this bird cam, live from an island in the heart of the Mississippi River’s Driftless area. Located in the Upper Mississippi National Fish and Wildlife Refuge on Lake Onalaska, the Mississippi River Flyway Cam offers an unparalleled look at migrating birds and river wildlife including bald eagles, American white pelicans, sandhill cranes, Caspian terns, cormorants, and many species of ducks, gulls, and other waterfowl.
The camera project was created from a partnership with the Upper Mississippi National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, the Brice Prairie Conservation Association, Riverland Energy Co-Op, and Explore.org. Volunteers helped ferry people and supplies to and from the island, erect two utility poles, and install solar panels, a power supply, and the camera assembly and radios. From start to finish, the project took a total of eight long days over a period of 2 months.
Volunteers from the Upper Mississippi National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, the Raptor Resource Project, and Explore.org will operate the camera and the camera will be displayed at the Upper Mississippi National Fish and Wildlife Refuge La Crosse District Visitor Center.
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge was established by congress as a refuge and breeding place for migratory birds, fish, other wildlife, and plants. The Refuge encompasses approximately 240,000 acres of Mississippi River floodplain in a more-or-less continuous stretch of 261 river-miles from Wabasha, Minnesota to Rock Island, Illinois.
The Refuge is a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which includes more than 540 refuges and more than 3,000 waterfowl production areas, a total of 95 million acres of lands set aside for wildlife habitat. The Refuge System is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
What birds can I see?
Look for Bald Eagles, American White Pelicans, Sandhill Cranes, Caspian Terns, Cormorants, and many species of ducks, gulls, and other waterfowl.
The Raptor Resource Project
Founded in 1988 by the late Bob Anderson, the non-profit Raptor Resource Project specializes in the preservation of falcons, eagles, ospreys, hawks, and owls. We create, improve, and directly maintain over 50 nests and nest sites, provide training in nest site creation and management, and develop innovations in nest site management and viewing that bring people closer to the natural world. Our mission is to preserve and strengthen raptor populations, expand participation in raptor preservation, and help foster the next generation of preservationists.
Learn More About Explore
EXPLORE is a multimedia organization that documents leaders around the world who have devoted their lives to extraordinary causes. Both educational and inspirational, explore creates a portal into the soul of humanity by championing the selfless acts of others. Learn more at www.explore.org