https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L163272
Habitat: Sedge Meadow, Alder Swamp, Marsh, Open Water, Non-Native Grassland and Pasture, Hardwood Swamp, Cedar Swamp.
Best Birds: Walk the trail system north of the building for a good mix of open and forest species, including American Kestrel, Sedge and Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, an occasional Le Conte’s Sparrow, Northern Waterthrush, and other warblers during migration.
Surrounding ponds and marsh may hold Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Sora, Wilson’s Snipe, and migrating ducks. Listen for American Woodcock at dusk from late March through June.
Another nice trail loop south of County Highway G features more opportunity for similar species. Visit the observation tower from mid-March through mid-May for spring raptor migration, including Bald and Golden Eagle early in the season, excellent species diversity in April, and good numbers of Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned Hawk in early May. Check bushes surrounding the building for White-crowned and Harris’s Sparrow in mid-May and early October. The potential for rarities is high at this site, particularly in spring, with past records of Harlequin Duck, Lark Bunting, Swainson’s Hawk, Gyrfalcon, Northern Mockingbird, Summer Tanager, Western Kingbird, and more.
Directions: Nearly 3 miles west of Ashland and 0.5 miles west of the Hwy 2/13 roundabout. Enter from County Highway G just 250 feet west of Highway 2, (46.58431, -90.96390).
Site Address & Additional Information:
29270 County Highway G, Ashland, WI
Ryan Brady
