https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L1167891
Habitat: Southern Hardwood Forest, Native and Restored Grassland, Oak Savanna, Cropland.
Best Birds: Hike from the parking lot to the north. The trail will initially skirt a restored grassland where you may encounter Northern Harrier, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown Thrasher, Clay-colored Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Blue-winged Warbler, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and Orchard Oriole. Upon entering the woodland be aware of Black-billed Cuckoo, Least Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Scarlet Tanager. Turkey Vultures have used the crevices of the Escarpment for nesting. Because of the topography, this site is also an excellent natural corridor for migrant passerines both in spring and fall.
Directions: 55 miles northeast of Madison/13 miles from Fond du Lac. From County Highway B take Breakneck Road east 0.6 miles to the parking area at the top of the ledge/hill. Or from County Highway Y turn west onto Breakneck Road. Continue for 1.9 miles to the parking area (43.64688, -88.58022). The trail goes about 0.75 miles north; either circle back to the parking or for a longer ramble along the ledge, continue on a 2.5-mile trail that connects the South Unit to the North Unit.
Address and Additional Information:
Breakneck Road and Centerline Road, 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
