https://ebird.org/hotspot/L154804
Habitat: Southern Hardwood Forest, Native and Restored Grassland, Mixed Coniferous Forest, Pine Plantation, Sedge Meadow, and Willow, Alder, and Dogwood Swamp.
Best birds: Check the feeders in the front of the main building for numerous species including Carolina Wren (occasional) and look for Clay-colored Sparrow and Orchard Oriole in the lightly wooded thickets and shrubby grassland behind the main building. Spotted Sandpiper, Alder Flycatcher, Sedge Wren, and Veery are sometimes present in the 67 acre "Riveredge Creek and Ephemeral Pond SNA." Ring-necked Pheasant, Eastern Bluebird, and Field, Vesper, and Savannah Sparrow can be found in the prairie.
Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Mourning Warbler, and Cerulean Warbler are possible, especially along the riparian forest river trails. Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoo, American Woodcock, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Screech Owl, Great Horned and Barred Owl, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Wood Thrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager are also possible in their suitable habitats.
The "Mayhew Woods" portion of Riveredge (on the west side of the river) is seldom visited but may have some of the best birding that Riveredge has to offer if you don't mind minimally maintained and occasionally muddy trails.
Directions: The Riveredge Nature Center is about 25 miles north of the metropolitan Milwaukee area. From I 43 take exit# 96 (Saukville/Port Washington) and proceed west seven miles on State Highway 33 to County Highway Y (Hawthorne Drive) and go north about one mile to main building. (43.439485, -88.023724). Non-members should register at the main building before hiking the trails for a $5 dollar p/p fee.
To get to Mayhew Woods, drive west through downtown Newburg on Main Street crossing the bridge over the Milwaukee river, immediately turning right on Highview Road and then right again on Hickory Road. Parking and walk-in are adjacent to the Wellspring Education Center & Organic Farm at 4382 Hickory Road, West Bend WI (43.435890, -88.040565).
Site Address & Additional Information:
270 acres of. The property includes the 67 acre Riveredge Creek and Ephemeral Pond State Natural Area and a ten mile trail system including 1 1/2 miles of trail in prime riparian habitat along both sides of the Milwaukee River.
4458 County Highway Y, Saukville, WI
https://www.riveredgenaturecenter.org/
John O'Donnell
