USCG Shipping Canal--North Pier, Door County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Open Water, Beach
Best Birds: This site features access to the ship canal and Lake Michigan water around the pier leading to the North Pierhead Lighthouse. Watch and listen for Caspian Tern, and uncommon gulls like Greater Black-backed and Glaucous. Across the entry waters of the canal is another concrete pier which is a favored resting spot for gulls and other waterbirds. Watch for mergansers, American White Pelican, and Belted Kingfisher. Check historic Sturgeon Bay Canal Lighthouse for swallows and the beaches to the north for shorebirds.
Directions: 48 miles NE of Green Bay/3 miles southeast of the City of Sturgeon Bay. To access the north pier of the outlet of the ship canal to Lake Michigan exit Highway 57/41 on the north side of the Bayview Bridge at Utah Street and then go nearly 0.4 miles to Cove Rd., turn right, go 0.25 mile to Canal Rd, take a left and continue to the parking area for the site, (44.79572, -87.31394). This site is adjacent to a US Coast Guard Station. Look for permitted walking boundary markings on the paved blacktop leading to the lake and pier. You’ll be walking between the Coast Guard Station property and a private home. It’s permitted to walk the pier but be careful as it is a rugged path.
There is also a trail along the canal with parking on County TT (Cove Rd.) back to the northwest, (44.79927, -87.32006). North on TT (Lake Forest Park Road) about 0.4 miles is Portage Park which affords extensive views of the beaches.
Site Address & Additional Information:
2501 Canal Road, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Sturgeon Bay & Lake Michigan Ship Canal (Army Corps of Engineers) https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/433
Paul Regnier
