Ice Age Trail--Lake Eleven Segment (Central), Taylor County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Richter Lake Hemlocks SNA, Taylor County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Hemlock-Hardwood Forest, Mixed Coniferous Forest/Pine Plantation, Northern Hardwood Forest, Cedar Swamp, Hardwood Swamp, Marsh, Sedge Meadow, Alder Swamp, Open Water. Located in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Best Birds: Species that may be found in the hemlock-hardwood forest found in the SNA include Northern Goshawk, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue-headed Vireo, Winter Wren, Canada Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, and Purple Finch. The conifers and pine plantations are a good place to find Red-breasted Nuthatch, Blackburnian Warbler and Pine Warbler.
Several Red-shouldered Hawk territories are in the forest, along with Pileated Woodpecker, Common Raven, Winter Wren, Veery, Hermit and Wood Thrush, and Scarlet Tanager. Cedar and hardwood swamps provide habitat for Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Northern Waterthrush.
The Joe Creek tributary crossing with FR 117 offers views of this small stream flanked by marsh and alder swamp where Alder Flycatcher may be found. Waterfowl use the stream during migration. A nearby snowmobile trail provides access to the adjacent woods to both east and west of FR 117. MacKenzie Creek flows along the southwest end of the Sawyer Ave leg and its associated wetlands include birds similar to those listed for the Joe Creek tributary crossing. Several small ponds on the north side of Perkinstown Ave, Eska Lake, and Richter Lake provide habitat for waterfowl, especially during migrations. Common Loon may be found on Richter Lake and Eska Lake.
Directions: 69 miles NE of Eau Claire/13 miles west of Medford, 4 miles north of Hwy 64. The area can be birded from roadside following Forest Rd 117 (Grover Dr) on the east side, FR 116 (Perkinstown Ave.) on the north, FR 118 (Sawyer Ave.) on the west and FR 553 bordering the south. The loop drive is about nine miles long. The Ice Age Trail provides walking access through the interior including the Richter Lake Hemlocks SNA and Lake Eleven. The IAT enters the SNA on Perkinstown Ave at on the north side (45.19071, -90.56875) and exits at Sawyer Ave. (45.17525, -90.60423) on the west. The SNA can also be entered from a trail off of Joe’s Lane, (45.18938, -90.57534). The Joe Creek tributary crossing with FR 117 is about 0.3 miles northwest of the intersection with FR 553, (45.171612, -90.557145).
Site Address and Additional Information:
Perkinstown Ave. (FR 116), Medford WI
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=468
Cathy Mauer
