Forest Beach Migratory Preserve
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L631950?yr=all&m=&rank=hc
Habitat: 116 acres of Southern Hardwood Forest, Mixed Coniferous Forest, Restored Grassland, Open Water. and ephemeral wetlands. Limited access to Lake Michigan shoreline.
Best Birds: The location along Lake Michigan and habitat diversity mean great potential for almost any species of migrant bird, including rarities like Northern Mockingbird, Carolina Wren, Harris’ Sparrow, and Spotted Towhee.
The conifers attract migrant Long-eared Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Cape May Warbler, Pine Siskin, and Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red and White-winged Crossbills in irruption years.
The grasslands hold breeding Sedge Wren, Field Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and Dickcissel. The ponds in the grasslands are frequented by Sora, Wilson’s Snipe, and Spotted Sandpiper, with migrant stopovers from Solitary Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowleg. Winter may bring Northern Shrike.
In migration,Sharp-shinned, Broad-winged, Red-shouldered, Rough-legged, and Red-tailed Hawks pass through in good numbers, in addition to Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Peregrine, Merlin, and American Kestrel. Northern Goshawk and Golden Eagle are rare. All can be viewed from the hawk watch platform.
Directions: 7 miles NE of Port Washington, and east of Hwy 43 at the eastern termination of Hwy P as it bends north into Country Club Dr.
Site Address & Additional Information:
4970 Country Club Rd., Belgium, WI
https://owlt.org/images/documents/preserve-documents/Conceptual_Habitat_Map.pdf
Jim Frank
