https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L927757
Habitat: Northern Hardwood Forest, Hemlock-Hardwood Forest.
Best Birds: From the top of the mountain, hiking trails lead off to explore most areas of the park. Birds like Wood Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Scarlet Tanager and more can be found here during the summer months. The Turkey Vulture Trail is interesting to hike on. This trail wraps around the old quarry on the western side of the park, and along this trail there are Least Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, American Redstart and more. Near the bottom of the Turkey Vulture Trail, where it intersects with the Homestead Trail, watch and listen for Acadian Flycatcher. From this intersection, hike up the Homestead Trail to the historical marker for the actual homestead site. Watch and listen for more Acadian Flycatchers just beyond the old homestead.
Back near the park headquarters, watch and listen for Indigo Bunting which are often found along the edges of the downhill ski runs. Yellow-throated Vireo is also in this area, and Turkey Vultures can be seen soaring over the tree tops.
An observation tower is also located in the park. This tower offers a clear, unobstructed view of the surrounding countryside. The top level of this tower offers great hawk watching during spring and fall migration. Golden Eagle, kettles of Broad-winged Hawks, accipiter’s and more have all been seen here.
Directions: Six miles south of Wausau, just off Highway 51 in the town of Rib Mountain, take exit 188 (Highway N). Turn west and proceed just past the intersection of Highway R and N, up the road to the state park entrance road (44.909003, -89.659933).
Site Address & Additional Information:
149801 State Park Road, Wausau WI
Park office; 44.920528, -89.683161
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/ribmt
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/ribmt/pdfs/ribmtnsummer.pdf
Dan Belter
