Medford Mill Pond and Riverview Walk:
Bird watching doesn't always require a meticulously planned field trip - hiking for hours in the wilds of Wisconsin - miles away from civilization. The Medford Mill Pond & Riverview Walk area is one of the areas we've chosen to feature that can be enjoyed without ever leaving the city limits. It can be for those who only have the time or inclination for a short walk along the western shoreline of the flowage or on the Riverwalk Trail. It can even be experienced comfortably from within confines of your vehicle.
HISTORY
The Medford City Park was established in 1890 and consists of 100 acres. Over the years, it has been developed as the City’s principal community park. An extensive redevelopment program for the park was initiated in 1979. The Black River, once a small stream as it flowed through Medford, was transformed into a larger flowage when a dam was built for the Semple Saw Mill in 1874. Area mills often had a "hot pond" where logs could be floated to the sawmill in the winter time. This mill was later replaced by others.
Years later, a new dam was built resulting in what is now called the Medford Mill Pond, a flowage that supports numerous plant and wildlife species.
In 20?? the River Walk Foot Bridge (on the West side of the river) and trail was built. History of this trail project.....? This well-maintained, wheel-chair accessible walking trail provides easy access to the opposite side of the river as it winds through a forested area and ending near the Frances L. Simek Memorial Library on the East and the bank of the Black river on the West.
DESCRIPTION
All images courtesy Loretta Kuse unless otherwise indicated.
Ownership:
Habitat Description:
The habitat along western shore of the flowage is similar to a park setting with mowed grass and a variety of small deciduous and coniferous tree species. The habitat along the Riverwalk and the eastern shore is a more natural setting with typical wetland plant species along the shoreline and deciduous hardwoods along the Riverwalk Trail.
SPECIES
Likely Species:
Summer: Song Sparrow, American Robin, Tree Swallow, Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Grackle, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Least Flycatcher, Rose breasted Grosbeak, Catbird, Chestnut-sided Warbler, White breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, Mallard, Downy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal, Common Yellowthroat, House Wren, Barn Swallow, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Ovenbird.
Spring & Fall: American Coot, Canada goose, Mallard, Black Duck, Yellow-rumped Warbler,
Winter: Mallard
Observed Species List:
