https://ebird.org/hotspot/L252124
Habitat: Marsh, Sedge Meadow, Willow, Alder or Dogwood Swamp.
Best birds: This extensive marsh offers habitat to both sedge marsh and cattail favoring marsh species. Birding from County Road Y, or hiking the dike system that loops around the marsh, is likely to turn up American Bittern, Least Bittern, Sora, Virginia Rail, Common Gallinule, and Pied-billed Grebe, among more common marsh bird species. During migration, large numbers of dabbling ducks and some diving ducks fill the pools and some of these species including Blue-winged Teal stay to breed. Alder Flycatcher and Willow Flycatcher are common breeders in the shrubbier parts of the marsh on the western and northern portions. When water levels are appropriate, Yellow Rail is occasional in the sedge meadow on the east side of County Road Y. When the impoundment in the northern portion of the marsh is drawn down, shorebirds, herons, and egrets are found in large numbers.
Directions: 35 miles NNE of Green Bay. Take County Road Y east out of the city of Oconto, paralleling the Oconto River, and remain on County Road Y as it turns north past Harbor Road. The marsh will be on both sides of the road for the next 1.5 miles. There is a small parking area on the south end of the marsh on the west side of the road (44.895823, -87.841386), and a very small parking area in the north end of the marsh on the west side of the road.
Site Address and Additional Information:
County Rd. Y, Oconto WI
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/GBWS/ocontomarsh.html
Tom Prestby
