https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L823082
Habitat: Southern Hardwood Forest, Pine Plantation, Willow/Alder Swamp, Successional Oldfields, Marsh, Open Water.
Best Birds: Both cuckoos, American Woodcock, Red-shouldered Hawk (uncommon), Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Veery, Wood Thrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Hooded Warbler (uncommon), Cerulean Warbler (uncommon), Pine Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler (uncommon), Red Crossbill (rare), Purple Finch (uncommon), and Scarlet Tanager.
Near the parking lot, Pine Warblers are fairly reliable, as are Red-breasted Nuthatch and Veery. Past the picnic shelter, follow the Green Trail counter-clockwise right. In the brushy habitat, you may encounter Brown Thrasher, Blue-winged Warbler, Mourning Warbler, and Chestnut-sided Warbler. The conifers may harbor Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Pine Warbler, but may also have Black-throated Green Warbler, Red Crossbill,and Purple Finch. The trail will eventually transition to maple-oak forest where Red-shouldered Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Wood Thrush, Hooded Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler , and Scarlet Tanager are possible.
Exiting the forest, the trail again has open brushy habitat where you may find Field and Clay-colored Sparrow. Eventually, you’ll see a small pond on the left. Here you may hear/see Alder Flycatcher or Willow Flycatcher. Upon re-entering the forest look for Acadian Flycatcher, Hooded Warbler, and Cerulean Warbler.
Directions: 53 miles NNW of Milwaukee/29 southeast of Fond du Lac. From Highway 45 take County SS to the parking lot (43.61791, -88.19644). The Zillmer Trail area consists of four loop trails. The best birding loop is the Green Trail (1.8 miles) although the longer Red (3 miles) and Yellow (5.4 miles) Trails are options.
Site Address and Additional Information:
W833 County Rd SS, Campbellsport, WI
Kettle Moraine North Wisconsin State Park System | Wisconsin DNR
https://wisconsintrailguide.com/cross-country-skiing/pdf/map-zillmer.pdf
Jeff Baughman
