https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L168602
Habitat: Hemlock-Hardwood Forest, Mixed Coniferous Forest, Southern Hardwood Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest, Oak-Hickory Forest, Beaches and Mudflats, Open Water.
Best Birds: Upon entering the park drive through a mature stand of White Pine forest where Pine and Yellow-rumped Warbler both breed. Further down the road the pines give way to a mixed-aged deciduous forest that dominates the rest of the park. Hiking any of the nature trails, including the loop trail around the Giant Hardwoods State Natural Area, or driving the main road to either camping unit will often yield nesting birds like Broad-winged Hawk, Barred Owl, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Wood Thrush, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Scarlet Tanager. Occasionally Red-shouldered Hawk and Cerulean Warbler are found.
Check any access point to the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir for waterfowl including scoters (in migration), grebes, loons, gulls, and terns. In years when the water level is drawn down, a wide variety of shorebirds and American Pipit find the mudflats and sandbars attractive.
Directions: 19 miles SW of Wausau. Take State Highway 153 west out of Mosinee for 5.5 miles to Eau Pleine Park Road, and follow south to the park entrance.
Site Address & Additional Information:
135695 Eau Pleine Park Road, Mosinee, WI
Main entrance: 44.771632, -89.868138
West camping unit / picnic area: 44.742486, -89.849666
South camping unit / picnic area: 44.738121, -89.837786
Big Eau Plaine Woods State Natural Area parking lot: 44.738603, -89.839593
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=235
Dan Belter
