https://ebird.org/hotspot/L252166
Habitat: Marsh, Open Water, Willow Swamp, Conifer Bog, Willow Swamp, Conifer Bog, Southern Hardwood Forest, Successional Oldfield, Restored Grassland.
Best Birds: There are two areas for birding each with distinct compositions of birds. On the north side of the area there is access to the extensive marsh, observation tower, and woods. In the southern section are productive grasslands.
During the summer, the open water of the cattail marsh river may hold breeding ducks, Black-crowned Night Heron, Green Heron, Black Tern, Common Gallinule, Sora and Virginia Rail, Least and American Bittern, and abundant Marsh Wren. Occasionally Yellow-headed Blackbird are found. Overhead look for Bald Eagle and Osprey. Best viewing is by boat. There is a canoe rental service at the Broughton Marsh Park and Campground. A few Purple Martin nest near the park headquarters and in the fall numerous swallows may congregate. When the water is drawn down to control invasive species, a variety of migrating shorebirds may be present. The road by the campground leads east along a wide canal to a parking lot from which one can walk across a bridge and follow a soggy trail through the edge of the marsh. In these swampy wooded areas surrounding the marsh there can be Ruffed Grouse, Great Horned Owl, woodpeckers, Alder and Willow Flycatcher, Veery, and Northern Waterthrush,
On the south side of the wildlife area around School Road and Hulls Crossing Road are broad restored grasslands and oldfields with scattered ponds. Breeding Henslow’s Sparrow can be found in the fields north of Hull Crossing Road. Other breeding birds in this area include Northern Harrier, Eastern Bluebird, Vesper, Savannah and Clay-colored Sparrow, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark and Dickcissel. In migration and winter these open areas can be good for Rough-legged Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Northern Shrike, and Brewer’s Blackbird.
Directions: 22 miles northwest of Sheboygan. From Hwy 23 exit north on Hwy 67. Access the north section of the marsh from County Road J, which leads to the main entrance of the Sheboygan County Marsh Park (43.848996, -88.047370). Access the south section of the marsh from County Road C to School Road near the end of which is a parking lot (43.817669, -88.101548).
Site Address and Additional Information:
W7039 County Rd S R, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/WildlifeAreas/sheboygan.html
Dave & Margaret Brasser
