https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L312812
Habitat: Southern Hardwood Forest, Native and Restored Grassland, Open Water, Cropland
Best Birds: Breeding birds: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Screech-Owl, Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Vesper Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Blue-winged Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, and Dickcissel.
Hobbs Woods is a 60-acre county park composed mostly of mature maple and basswood forest. A number of developed hiking trails lead through the property, with Parson’s Creek meandering through the center of the woods. The best birding opportunities are during the spring migration, but summer and fall can also be good. Despite its small size, this park can be a real gem during prime passerine waves. It provides an excellent opportunity to see passerines at close hand, often allowing the birder the opportunity of looking down (on the ridge trails) rather than up at them, a pleasant change from the norm. The river trail follows Parson’s Creek as it flows through the property and there is also a trail that accesses a 5-acre prairie on the northern edge of the woods.
Directions: 46 miles S of Appleton. From Fond du Lac take Highway 175 south to County Highway B. Take County Highway B west 1 mile to Hickory Road. Turn south on Hickory Road for 0.3 miles to the parking area (43.69360, -88.47188).
Site Address & Additional Information:
N4120 Hickory Rd., Fond du Lac WI
https://www.fdlco.wi.gov/departments/departments-n-z/parks-trails/county-parks/hobbs-woods
Map: https://www.fdlco.wi.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/378/635404105451770000
Jeff Baughman
