Big Bay SP, Ashland County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Madeline Island (general), Ashland County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Marsh, Beaches and Mudflats, Hemlock-Hardwood Forest, Mixed Coniferous Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest, Conifer Bog, Jack Pine-Oak Barrens.
Best Birds: Mixed coniferous forest near the Big Bay Point trails contains Winter Wren, and breeding warblers such as Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, and Northern Parula. A boardwalk runs the length of the large sandy barrier spit, most of which is part of Big Bay Sand Spit and Bog SNA. Breeders along this stretch include Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Warbler and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
This trail provides multiple accesses to the beach for waterbirds or possible migrant shorebirds. Canoes can be rented at the town park to explore the lagoon within the SNA, which often holds Sandhill Crane and Common Loon. The lagoon ridge trail offers an opportunity to walk closer to the conifer bogs, which can hold Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Palm Warbler, and Nashville Warbler.
Open water offers the opportunity to view Common and Red-breasted Merganser, with other waterfowl species possible in migration. Outside Big Bay, the north forested end of Madeline Island also supports species like Swainson’s Thrush and Black-throated Blue Warbler, that are more common as breeders in the Apostle Islands.
Directions: 23 miles north of Ashland, take the ferry from Bayfield to La Pointe. Then head east to either the south side at Big Bay SP (46.78802, -90.67374) or the north side at Big Bay Town Park (46.81940, -90.67843).
Site Address & Additional Information:
2402 Hagen Rd, La Pointe, WI
Big Bay Wisconsin State Park System | Wisconsin DNR
Big Bay Sand Spit And Bog State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
Nick Anich
