Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
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4.5
43 reviews
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stacys314
Grand Traverse County, MI18 contributions
Jun 2019
Whooping Cranes have been brought back from the brink of extinction. To see these magnificent birds riding the updrafts and flying free is beyond amazing. Going to Necedah is like going to church - it is truly spiritual and should be on every bird nerd's list.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sylwia T
Romeoville, IL78 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
It is beautiful place, full of birds & swans . Take a walk along boarding sidewalks. Early morning walk recommended or sunset watch. Part of a path is asphalt & part gravel. Loop of 1.5 mile will take you 20 minutes. There’s another 3 mile path that goes in the woods. Don’t forget to stop by inside of a Visitor Center.
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ImmerWandern
Palos Park, IL11,713 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
We visited Necedah NWR twice, on our way north to Duluth and once more on our way home. We stayed only briefly on our first visit as we were under a bit of time pressure but what we experienced convinced us to spend more time here on our way back south to Chicagoland.
Necedah NWR covers and area of almost 44,000 acres making it even larger than the Horicon Marsh (combined federal NWR and state wildlife area), and we barely scratched its surface on our 2 short visits. Nevertheless we saw a lot waterfowl on marsh and wetlands. Necedah contains the largest wetland bog in Wisconsin, and this region was once a massive lake, the Glacial Lake Wisconsin. As with Horicon Marsh Necedah may provide year-round habitat for many animals it is crucial during the spring and fall bird migrations. It was here that the critically-endangered whooping crane was reintroduced.
Unfortunately we did not get to see any whooping cranes on our 2 visits. We focused our viewing to the area around the Visitor Center and the observation tower. Both times the marsh was busiest in front of the tower and I would recommend checking out the tower first on any visit. We tried hiking around the area of the visitor center but were restricted by a prescribed burn that blocked trails and filled the air with smoke. We also took a short hike near the observation tower.
While me might not have seen whooping cranes we saw numerous mute swans (all—black bills, in contrast to the more common orange-billed mute swans) and their grey-feathered offspring feeding and swimming in the marshes. At one point there seemed to be a silent signal in the flock and they all started swimming west to east in front of us, like a flotilla of ships given a sudden order to change direction of their sailing. Canada geese were everywhere as well. Graceful sandhill cranes were feeding in the grasses and water as well. Their unmistakable rattling, bugling calls mixed with honking of the geese, all this agains a backdrop of other bird calls including those of chickadees and sparrows.
Then there were the intermittent shrill and cackling calls of the red-headed woodpeckers. There were numerous red-headeds in the woods by the visitors center and at the observation tower, both drab juveniles and striking adults.
We’re treated to the sight of northern harriers in action, flying low over the marsh grasses swooping, flaring and diving after prey. Unfortunately for the harrier it always seemed to come up empty.
Then there was the group of four juvenile bald eagles. They rested on the shoreline between taking to the air and riding the thermal air currents. At one point they suddenly dove down to a flock of ducks on the far shoreline. The poor ducks panicked as a pair of the juvenile eagles repeatedly swooped down flying just over the flock forcing many ducks to fly off. It wasn’t clear if they were actually practicing their hunting skills or just having fun.
There were many ducks interspersed among the larger geese, swans and cranes. Their distance from the observation tower made it difficult to identify them even with binoculars or through a zoom lens. It also didn’t help that by early afternoon there was shimmer in the air from optical distortion due to differences in temperature of air over the water versus that over the ground. While the view from the observation is magnificent it is practically essential that you use binoculars or a spotting scope for a closer view of the waterfowl
Necedah NWR covers and area of almost 44,000 acres making it even larger than the Horicon Marsh (combined federal NWR and state wildlife area), and we barely scratched its surface on our 2 short visits. Nevertheless we saw a lot waterfowl on marsh and wetlands. Necedah contains the largest wetland bog in Wisconsin, and this region was once a massive lake, the Glacial Lake Wisconsin. As with Horicon Marsh Necedah may provide year-round habitat for many animals it is crucial during the spring and fall bird migrations. It was here that the critically-endangered whooping crane was reintroduced.
Unfortunately we did not get to see any whooping cranes on our 2 visits. We focused our viewing to the area around the Visitor Center and the observation tower. Both times the marsh was busiest in front of the tower and I would recommend checking out the tower first on any visit. We tried hiking around the area of the visitor center but were restricted by a prescribed burn that blocked trails and filled the air with smoke. We also took a short hike near the observation tower.
While me might not have seen whooping cranes we saw numerous mute swans (all—black bills, in contrast to the more common orange-billed mute swans) and their grey-feathered offspring feeding and swimming in the marshes. At one point there seemed to be a silent signal in the flock and they all started swimming west to east in front of us, like a flotilla of ships given a sudden order to change direction of their sailing. Canada geese were everywhere as well. Graceful sandhill cranes were feeding in the grasses and water as well. Their unmistakable rattling, bugling calls mixed with honking of the geese, all this agains a backdrop of other bird calls including those of chickadees and sparrows.
Then there were the intermittent shrill and cackling calls of the red-headed woodpeckers. There were numerous red-headeds in the woods by the visitors center and at the observation tower, both drab juveniles and striking adults.
We’re treated to the sight of northern harriers in action, flying low over the marsh grasses swooping, flaring and diving after prey. Unfortunately for the harrier it always seemed to come up empty.
Then there was the group of four juvenile bald eagles. They rested on the shoreline between taking to the air and riding the thermal air currents. At one point they suddenly dove down to a flock of ducks on the far shoreline. The poor ducks panicked as a pair of the juvenile eagles repeatedly swooped down flying just over the flock forcing many ducks to fly off. It wasn’t clear if they were actually practicing their hunting skills or just having fun.
There were many ducks interspersed among the larger geese, swans and cranes. Their distance from the observation tower made it difficult to identify them even with binoculars or through a zoom lens. It also didn’t help that by early afternoon there was shimmer in the air from optical distortion due to differences in temperature of air over the water versus that over the ground. While the view from the observation is magnificent it is practically essential that you use binoculars or a spotting scope for a closer view of the waterfowl
Written 2 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bennyjenks
Denton, TX1,457 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
What a place. Beautiful drive in. Great setting for the V.C. Volunteer staff greets you as you enter. They direct to to view the exhibit and they also run a 6 min video about the refuge. Path layouts give you a chance to view wildlife and waterfowl. We observed whooping cranes,tundra swans,Canada geese,numerous ducks,grebes,coots,sand hill cranes,deer,flicker,eagles and variety of birds. It's a beautiful outdoors establishment that is free to the public,dog friendly ( must stay on leash) and a places kids can explore and learn about waterfowl and wildlife. Staff is warm and friendly. You can also drive around the refuge. Be sure you get a map and info from the staff so you can have an enjoyable experience.
Written 1 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BluegooseTraveler
New York Mills, MN1,182 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
My wife and I traveled here in May and thoroughly enjoyed the refuge and the great weather. This NWR is located in central Wisconsin near the town of Necedah. There is no daily entrance fee but I would encourage you to purchase a current Federal Duck Stamp. Any NWR that has an entrance fee will wave the fee if you have the Duck Stamp with you. Necedah NWR was established to provide resting, nesting, feeding and wintering habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds We were able to enjoy many of the hiking trails, the auto tour and the great visitor/interpretation center. Shiawassee NWR offers other activities including fishing, hunting, snowshoeing and an observation tower for photographic opportunities. If you time your visit correctly you can go berry picking. Bring your family (including children), binoculars, camera and enjoy what this part of Michigan has to offer. Lots and lots of wildlife to see. You will see many red-headed woodpeckers.
Written 29 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peg-666
Minnetonka, MN49 contributions
Oct 2015
We stopped at the visitor center and got a friendly welcome and good orientation. We took the walkway close to the visitor center and spotted both sandhill cranes and whooping cranes. We then spotted eagles a bit farther along on the trail. Then we went on the drive around the refuge and spotted more wildlife. The Red Headed woodpeckers were in the Oak trees and we saw the wolf near the two level observation tower. We also saw egrets, grouse, a female turkey with a group of young, and a deer. Great place to see a variety of wildlife.
Written 5 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
klm2al
Necedah, WI85 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Over 44,000 acres to explore and see many different types of wildlife. Woodpeckers, Whooping Cranes, Sandhill Cranes, Eagles, egrets, grouse, turkey, bears, deer, wolves and many small birds. Drive around in your car or on the designated ATV road route. Stop at the Visitor Center and the bookstore for some nice gifts. Great way to enjoy nature.
Written 17 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristin T
Necedah, WI20 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
A very large refugee for much to offer a family or individual. Has a fantastic gift shop, an educational center for learning for all ages! A short video about the whooping crane project at the refuge as well. Many opportunities for youth to be involved in conservation as well. The refugee is a place to hike many of the trails, be in the car and just see wildlife from the car for the elderly. There are a few blinds, and even a walk up tower to view the wildlife better. Also, many opportunities for bird migration exists amongst the ponds and pools of water throughout the refugee. Even in Winter it is great to see the wildlife meandering around.
Written 28 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NancyZee2014
Chicago, IL13 contributions
Sept 2015 • Solo
43,000 acres of varied woodlands and lakes. Hike through the woods or along boardwalk trails. Many different trails available for all lengths of hike, from a 1/4 mile to 3 and 1/2 miles, depending on the weather and the time you have to spend. Excellent birding, including the very rare Whooping Crane in the warmer months. Benches along the way to sit and relax, and a few scopes mounted for viewing in several places also. Restrooms available at the visitor center.
Written 10 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClaireDeLand
Cornelia, GA23 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Went on a tour of the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge . . . many photo-ops for wildlife and birds, particularly Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes in their natural environments.
Written 2 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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