Black Lake Bog (Douglas Co.), Douglas County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Conifer Bog, Willow and Alder Swamp, Open Water, Boreal Forest.
Best Birds: Typical birds of the muskeg and boreal forest, normally found in Canada, may be present. Breeding birds recorded here include Yellow Rail, Short-eared Owl, Merlin, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Canada Jay, Sedge Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, a good variety of warbler species, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, crossbills, Lincoln’s Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, LeConte’s and Nelson’s Sparrow.
The adventurous birder can reach the bog by canoe from Minnesota. Forest and shrub swamp birds might be seen or heard from the northwest corner of Summit Trail road, the only roadside location that borders the SNA. There are no foot trails.
Directions: 29 Miles south of Superior. Access to the best open peatlands and Black Lake is from the Minnesota side via the Gandy Dancer State Trail. This ATV trail can be driven by a 4x4. A few hundred feet past an old shelter and sign for the SNA there is a creek near the trail at which a canoe can be launched, (46.360062,-92.314287). Paddle northeast 1.3 miles to the state line and Black Lake, then another 3 miles down Black Lake and Black River to the east boundary of the SNA. Either return to the Minnesota side to pull out or continue outside the SNA another 5-6 miles downstream to Dietz Road (46.414122,-92.196027).
The closest drive-up access on the Wisconsin side is from Summit Trail. The border of the SNA is along the roadside at the northwest corner of Summit Trail, (46.37492, -92.25832). There are no foot trails but it is possible, though difficult, to bushwhack into the SNA from that location. Matlock Road approaches near the SNA on the northeast side but reaching the SNA lands requires bushwhacking to the west, (46.38915, -92.25799).
Site Address and Additional Information:
This a vast, roadless undisturbed wetland consisting of a large bog lake, open bog, and Black Spruce bog that straddles the Wisconsin-Minnesota border.
801 E. Summit Trail, Foxboro WI, 46.37492, -92.25832
10598 Matlock Road, Foxboro WI, 46.38915, -92.25799
Gandy Dancer Trail, Minnesota, canoe landing, 46.360062,-92.314287
Black Lake Bog State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
Black Lake Bog SNA | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us)
Carl Schroeder
