George W. Mead SWA - Four Oaks Marsh/Trail
https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L1525583?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec
Habitat: Northern Hardwood Forest, Scrub Marsh, Conifer Bog, Marsh, Sedge Meadow, Open Water.
Best Birds: Hiking the trail north from the parking lot through mature hardwood forest, listen for Ruffed Grouse, Broad-winged Hawk, Wood Thrush, and Scarlet Tanager; thrushes can also be found eating berries here. Upon reaching the forest edge and adjacent conifer bog, watch and listen for Least Flycatcher, Common Raven, Veery, finches, blackbirds, Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Nashville Warbler, and Chestnut-sided Warbler.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-headed Woodpecker, and flycatchers may be found by passing the adjacent conifer bog into a clearing of diffuse hardwoods. The adjacent mature forest to the south yields flycatchers, vireos, thrushes, and warblers. The more mature hardwoods farther east and north through forest gaps can hold Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warbler.
After reaching the marsh (approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead) scan the cattails, mudflats, open water, and the sedge and thickets to the east. Trumpeter Swan, Ring-necked Duck, rails, shorebirds, bitterns, herons, Black Tern, Common Loon, and Double-crested Cormorant are normally present in the open marsh. Wrens and sparrows can be readily heard from the dike. Various raptors hunt the area.
Directions: 20 miles NW of Stevens Point and north of Junction City. From County H, turn north onto Plum Ln, follow it to the dead end and park in the lot. The trail starts beyond a red gate heading north on the east side of the parking lot. (44.6707466, -89.8279212)
Site Address and Additional Information
Plum Ln, Eau Pleine, Wi 54443
The parking area for Four Oaks Marsh is at the dead end of Plum Ln. (incorrectly named Blueberry Ln in Google Maps).
George W. Mead Wildlife Area | Wisconsin DNR
Rob Pendergast
