Wisconsin Point (general), Douglas County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Open Water, Marsh, Beaches, Mixed Coniferous Forest.
Best Birds: On the coast of Lake Superior is the barrier spit Wisconsin Point which combined with Minnesota Point forms the largest freshwater sandbar in the world. The open water of Lake Superior is a reliable spot for seeing jaegers especially from September to November. Parasitic Jaeger is the most common, but Pomarine and Long-tailed Jaeger are both possibilities. Gull species may include Franklin’s and Sabine’s in some years. Fall is also a fantastic time for migrant raptors and passerines.
During the winter, before the water freezes in the Superior Entry ship channel, check for rare Barrow’s Goldeneye among the gathering of Common Goldeneye. Gull-watching can be quite productive during the winter as well due to Wisconsin Point’s close proximity to the nearby Superior Landfill. Iceland, Glaucous and Great Black-backed Gull are all regulars. Look for Red and White-winged Crossbill in the pines and flocks of Pine Siskin and Common Redpoll forage along the point.
Wisconsin Point is a phenomenal spring migration location. Lake Superior often has high numbers of Horned Grebe and Common Loon. It is regular in spring to find Red-throated Loon and Red-necked Grebe and rarely a Western or Eared Grebe. The lake and Allouez Bay both attract large numbers of ducks including all three scoters and at times Long-tailed Duck. Passerine migrants may stage here for their jump across the lake or funnel west toward Minnesota. During mid to late May, expect great varieties of flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, and warblers. The best time to look for migrating warblers in spring is on a foggy day when they tend to "fallout" from flying to rest and feed.
Directions: Just E of Superior. From Highway 53 turn east on Moccasin Mike Road. After about a mile, take the first left on Wisconsin Point Road to the first parking lot (46.68654, -91.97242). From this or any other parking lot follow a short trail north to the beach. Continue to the northwest end of the point to reach the shipping canal and the Minnesota state line. The few new parking lots that have been created are the only places where you can stop and park. Parking along the roadside is not allowed. Restrooms are located at lot 1 and at the parking lot for the lighthouse at the end of the point.
To reach the landfill and Gull Bluff continue east on Moccasin Mike Road. The landfill is located south of Moccasin Mike Road just past Wisconsin Point Road (46.67289, -91.96993). Gull Bluff can be reached by continuing further east on Moccasin Mike Road and taking Lake Shore Road north to gain a view of the lake from a higher vantage point (46.68074, -91.95551).
Site Address & Additional Information:
Wisconsin Point Road, Superior WI
September Hotspot of the Month--Wisconsin Point - Wisconsin eBird
Carl Schroeder, Ted Keyel
