Calumet County Park, Calumet County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Mixed Coniferous Forest, Oak-Hickory Forest, Open Water, Successional Oldfield.
Best Birds: Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, and Red-breasted Nuthatch can be regularly found in and around the cedar forested area above the escarpment. Eastern Screech Owls are resident, centering on the mature oak forest in the upper campground area. Woodland species reliably encountered include Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Great-crested Flycatcher.
Red-headed Woodpecker and Tufted Titmouse are more recent additions to the park’s regular residents. Both can be seen at a private residence feeding station in the park as well as along the forested edge of the park’s north boundary. Mourning Warbler have taken advantage of the recent cut-over area. Pileated Woodpecker and Bald Eagles (expanding their presence throughout Calumet County) are also regularly seen in the park.
With groundwater seeping from the escarpment even in sub-freezing conditions, over-wintering birds can include Northern Flicker, Hermit Thrush, and White-throated Sparrow,. Late winter and early spring sees a good waterfowl migration as ice recedes on Lake Winnebago with Red-breasted Merganser a highlight. There is a very strong wood warbler and thrush migration through the park in spring related to the lake fly hatch.
Directions: Nineteen miles south of Appleton. From Hwy. 57, take County EE west 2 miles to the park entrance.
Site Address & Additional Information:
The park on Lake Winnebago is 230 acres with a shoreline that is developed parkland and campgrounds with mature hardwoods and cottonwood. Parallel to the shoreline on the east side of the park runs a section of Niagara Escarpment above which is a stand of old-growth oaks as well as a remnant cedar forest. The middle of the park was a mature ash forest which was recently logged off leaving a 30 acre “hole” of cutover new growth.
6150 Co Rd EE, Hilbert, WI
Lower level parking, 44.11100, -88.32461
Escarpment parking, 44.107270, -88.32203
Andrew Reimer
