https://ebird.org/hotspot/L17467910
Habitat: Hemlock-Hardwood Forest, Mixed Coniferous Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest, Cedar Swamps, Boreal Forest, Conifer Bog, Open Water.
Best Birds: Explore the road and surrounding woodlands for breeding Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Swainson’s Thrush, and Black-throated Blue Warbler. The conifer bogs north and south of the road host Lincoln’s Sparrow, Palm Warbler, and declining numbers of Canada Jay, while Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, and Boreal Chickadee are remotely possible. Other breeders in this area include Blue-headed Vireo, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, White-throated Sparrow, and a wide assortment of warblers featuring Mourning, Cape May, Blackburnian, Northern Parula, Magnolia, and Canada. Chimney Swift nests in old growth snags here in the deep forest, providing an unusual backdrop for this otherwise urban species. Summer birders should be prepared for large numbers of biting insects, while winter birding may be impossible depending on road conditions.
Directions: 33 miles SE of Ashland. From Hwy 77 east of Mellen take Hwy MM south for 2.5 miles. Turn left (east) onto Caroline Lake Rd and travel 1.6 miles to a fork in the road. Take the left fork and continue another 1.5 miles to an approximate center of this habitat area.
Site Address & Additional Information:
For additional birding, head east to Morse Line Rd or west to the Ashland County line to Caroline Lake, where there is a state natural area that straddles the county line but is mostly in Iron Co. Adjacent to the SNA there is a 1,000+ acre preserve in Ashland Co. managed by The Nature Conservancy.
Caroline Lake State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
Caroline Lake Preserve | The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin
Ryan Brady
