https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L306553
Habitat: Southern Hardwood Forest, Conifer Bog, Alder/Dogwood Swamp, Non-native Grasslands and Pasture, Oak Savanna.
Best Birds: Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawk, Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Alder Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren (uncommon), Veery, Wood Thrush, Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Northern Waterthrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Mourning Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager. The best way to bird this area is to park at the entrance and walk the road or horse trail to the campground. The Tamarack swamp on the left is a great spot for warblers and the brushy habitat along the road usually has Mourning Warbler and often a Broad-winged Hawk.
Continuing on the campground road, after the small cedar plantation, there is a great place to find Blue-winged Warbler and a little beyond that is an alder swamp with Alder Flycatcher. Beyond the alder swamp, there is an open area on the left (1st camping area) and woods to your right that often has Brown Thrasher, Blue-winged Warbler, and Field Sparrow.
The woods on the right yield Veery, Wood Thrush, Blue-winged Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager. Past this site is the 2nd camping area. Here Yellow-throated Vireo nest in the cottonwoods. After completing the loop, there is an old horse trail that descends down a hill then veers right (north). At the bottom, go left (south) to a large Tamarack swamp that is excellent for Veery, Northern Waterthrush, Brown Creeper, and Winter Wren (uncommon).
After a short distance take the right-hand fork which leads to Mauthe Lake Recreation area campground. At the stream-crossing look for Winter Wren (uncommon), Red-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Waterthrush, and Black-and-white Warbler (uncommon).Returning back to the main trail, continue right (east). This section of trail has additional habitat for deep forest/swamp species like Barred Owl, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren (uncommon), and Northern Waterthrush. Retrace your steps back to the horse camp.
Directions: 53 miles NNW of Milwaukee/20 miles southeast of Fond du Lac. From Highway 45 take County SS to Horseman Camp Rd. Either park near the entrance (43.61551, -88.17613) and walk in or drive and park in one of the campground areas (43.61069, -88.17785). The old horse trail starts west of the second campground loop at 43.60886, -88.17795.
Site Address and Additional Information:
This diverse area can be birded at any time of year, although during the winter months the road is gated.
Horseman Camp Road, Campbellsport, WI
Kettle Moraine North Wisconsin State Park System | Wisconsin DNR
New Prospect Horse Riders Camp
Jeff Baughman
