https://ebird.org/hotspot/L163286
Habitat: Restored Grassland, Pine Plantation, Southern Hardwood Forest, Mixed Coniferous Forest, Bottomland Hardwoods, Marsh, Successional oldfields, Open Water.
Best Birds: Three parks (Maywood, Evergreen and Quarry) form one continuous ecological unit along the Pigeon River, from Maywood on the west to Evergreen and then Quarry Park on the east. Maywood has an extensive trail system that passes through all of the habitats. If you only have time for one site, make it Maywood. There are trails throughout these parks but between Maywood and Evergreen the trails are blocked to prevent bikers from going through Maywood. At Quarry Park follow the trail around the quarry lake to reach the wooded river bottoms on the far east end.
At Maywood, the year-round feeders on the south side of the Visitor Center attract uncommon sparrows and finches.In the Pigeon River and on the quarry lake can be found migrating ducks like Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, and Redhead. Also along the river look for breeding Green Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Least, Willow and Great-crested Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and American Redstart. At Quarry Park Northern Rough-winged Swallow nest in the quarry walls.
Sedge Wren nest in the meadow south of the river at Maywood.
In the grasslands of Maywood are pole boxes erected for nesting Kestrel. Bluebirds, orioles, and swallows are frequent as well as Field and Clay-colored Sparrow.
The woods may yield nesting Eastern Screech, Great Horned and Barred Owl, as well as Pileated Woodpecker, Wood Thrush and Scarlet Tanager.
There is a strong hawk migration near the coast of Lake Michigan so keep watch overhead.
Directions: On the north side of the city of Sheboygan. From I-43, take Exit #128 (Hwy 42) and drive southeast about 1 mile. Maywood is one half mile west on Mueller Road (43.778566, -87.756840). To access the Evergreen Park trails one must drive to another entrance (43.77753, -87.74132). Access to Quarry Park is on the opposite east side of Hwy 42 (43.78204, -87.74666).
Site Address and Additional Information:
Maywood Environmental Center
3614 Mueller Road, Sheboygan, WI
Dave & Margaret Brasser
