https://ebird.org/hotspot/L739806
Habitat: Mixed Coniferous Forest, Hemlock-Hardwood Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest.
Best birds: This road travels through a mix of northern forest types including conifer swamp at the crossings of McCaslin Brook and Barney Spring. This used to be one of the southernmost locations to see Canada Jay, but they may no longer be in the area. The rest of the road has extensive mixed hardwood and conifer forest. Ruffed Grouse is common, and an impressive variety of warblers, flycatchers, vireos, thrushes, and other passerines breed here.
Sharp-shinned Hawk and Ruby-crowned Kinglet have also been detected in the breeding season. This is a good place for night birding as well, with Eastern-Whip-Poor-Will and at least three species of owls present.
A series of strong windstorms has hit this area in the past few years which has likely changed some habitat to favor early successional species such as Golden-winged Warbler and Mourning Warbler.
Directions: 87 miles NW of Green Bay. From State Highway 32 just north of Townsend, take Forest Road 2123 (Diamond Roof Road) for about 3 miles to the southwest. Barney Creek SNA can be accessed on foot starting at a gated service road 1.4 miles from Hwy 32.
Site Address and Additional Information:
Diamond Roof Road, Wabeno WI
McCaslin Brook Crossing
Barney Creek SNA Gate
Barney Creek State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
Tom Prestby
