https://ebird.org/hotspot/L15843354
Habitat: Native and Restored Grassland, Marsh, Non-Native Grassland and Pasture.
Best birds: The Oneida Nation has restored a large area of open habitat to grassland and wetland, and the area continues to improve for birding opportunities. Begin at the small parking area on Shady Road immediately east of County Line Road (Brown County). A restored wetland offers habitat for dabbling ducks and geese in migration and marsh birds in the breeding season. The drier edges have grassland species including Clay-colored Sparrow and Dickcissel.
The pond and wetland to the west of County Line Road (Outagamie County) on Reformatory Road is larger and usually has more birds. All species of common dabbling ducks, geese including Greater White-fronted Goose, Cackling Goose, and Snow Goose, Tundra Swan, and many species of shorebirds including breeding Wilson’s Phalarope have been documented here. Several hundred Sandhill Crane stage in the area and roost in this pond at night in fall, making for spectacular viewing at dawn and dusk. Keep an ear open as the woodlot to the north has breeding both cuckoos, Wood Thrush, and other woodland birds.
The loop of Reformatory Road, Olson Road, Cooper Road, and County Line Road provides excellent opportunities to see and hear grassland species in the breeding season. Bobolink, and Dickcissel, are abundant throughout this loop and Clay-colored Sparrow and Eastern Meadowlark are common. Regionally uncommon Henslow’s Sparrow, Brewer’s Blackbird, and Western Meadowlark are occasionally found as well, especially along Cooper Road. Grasshopper Sparrow, also regionally uncommon, is also present and best detected from Olson Road. Northern Harrier and Bald Eagle are common year-round anywhere on this loop and Rough-legged Hawk and Short-eared Owl are present in fall and winter.
NOTE: Trespassing on Oneida Land is highly illegal and the area is patrolled frequently. Do all birding from the shoulders of the roads.
Directions: 12 miles NW of Green Bay. The area is best accessed from County Road U (County Line Road) from State Highway 29 to the north or State Highway 54 via County Road J (Riverdale Drive) to the south.
Site Address and Additional Information:
106 Reformatory Rd., Oneida, WI
Tom Prestby
