https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L1172806
Habitat: Southern Hardwood Forest, Native and Restored Grassland, Open Water, Cropland.
Best Birds: Hike from the parking lot west. Initially, the trail will skirt cropland where you may encounter Northern Harrier, Brown Thrasher, Clay-colored Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Bobolink, and Eastern Meadowlark. Upon entering the woodland be aware of Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Least Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Scarlet Tanager. Because of the topography, this site is also an excellent natural corridor for migrant passerines both in spring and fall.
Directions: 58 miles northeast of Madison/9 miles from Fond du Lac, in the town of Oakfield. From the intersection of County Highway B (Waupun St.) and County Highway Y (Oak St.) go south 0.4 miles to the parking area is on the west side of the road, (43.67420, -88.54298). The trail goes about 0.75 miles west; either return back to the parking lot or follow the trail along the ledge for 2.5 miles to the South Unit of the SNA.
Site Address & Additional Information:
N3665 County Highway Y, Oakfield WI
The Oakfield Ledge is one of the most significant exposures of the Niagara Escarpment in Wisconsin. This Escarpment is a 650-mile long ridge that runs north from Waukesha County in Wisconsin and ends at Niagara Falls in New York.
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=190
Map: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/lands/naturalareas/documents/topomaps/map190.pdf
https://wisconsinstatenaturalareas.com/2016/04/20/oakfield-ledge/
Jeff Baughman
