https://ebird.org/hotspot/L298339
Habitat: Mixed Coniferous Forest, Successional Oldfield, Open Water. 63 acres on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.
Best Birds: Scope the lake in spring, fall, and winter for all three scoters, Long-tailed Duck, Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Western Grebe, Red-necked Grebe (can be numerous in April), Red-throated Loon, and Pacific Loon. Gulls like Glaucous, Iceland, Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed, Franklin’s, and Black-legged Kittiwake, have been found here as well.
Although migrant raptors like Peregrine, Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and Red-shouldered Hawk are common, the mature trees limit the view as they approach the park, so looks can be fleeting.
The steep bluff on the eastern end of the park provides a windbreak to westerly winds, and can concentrate foraging warblers, flycatchers, and tanagers below eye level. The conifers in the park can be a draw for winter finches in irruption years.
Directions: Virmond Park is located on N. Lakeshore Dr. between Mequon Rd. (Hwy 167) and Donges Bay Rd. Two parking areas (43.21145, -87.89921) are located at the east end of the entry road.
Site Address & Additional Information:
10606 N. Lake Shore Dr., Mequon, WI 53092 (262) 241-5868
43.21145, -87.89921
Virmond Park | Ozaukee County, WI - Official Website
Map - Virmond-County-Park-Map (ozaukee.wi.us)
Jim Frank
