Wind Point (Lighthouse and Shoop Park), Racine County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitats: Open Water, Beach, Urban/Residential Park.
Best Birds: Wind Point extends nearly 1.5 miles further into Lake Michigan than the remainder of the shoreline in Racine County and tends to funnel migrants and attract rare species. Horned Grebe, Common and Red-throated Loon, and a great variety of ducks and geese have been observed here. Most species of shorebirds that migrate through Wisconsin occur here, most commonly Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plover and phalarope. All regular and occasionally rare gulls and terns may be seen. American Pipit have occasionally shown up into mid-December.
At the southern end of Shoop Park is a parking lot that provides a good vantage point to scope the lake and to view the hillside below for passerines. Check the ravine along the southwestern border of the park. The shoreline to the lighthouse in the north is 0.6 miles long and if the lake level is low, walk the shoreline towards the lighthouse. The small trees and brush can be productive during migration. In late fall/early winter, in a ‘good’ year, algae may accumulate near the northmost of pier providing up to 0.1 mile of habitat for lingering shorebirds. At the lighthouse check the edges of the lawn and shrubs for migrant sparrows and warblers during migration. Gulls may gather along the shoreline north of the lighthouse if lake conditions are favorable.
Directions: On Lake Michigan on the north side of the City of Racine. Access the shoreline at Shoop Park by walking the trail from the south end parking lot (42.77744, -87.76536) or by taking the stairs at the clubhouse. If the water level is low enough walk the shoreline or north of the clubhouse there is a rudimentary trail that runs eastward along the shoreline at the base of the hill. The lighthouse is at the end of Village Hall Drive (42.78151, -87.75871).
Site Address and Additional Information:
4510 Lighthouse Drive, Racine WI
Eric Howe
