Oil Spring Road
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2179658?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec
Habitat: Cropland, Open Water (vernal pond), Mudflats.
Best Birds: In Spring this area can be good for ducks, shorebirds, and gulls. Occasionally both Tundra and Trumpeter Swan make an appearance. Sometimes big flocks of gulls show up including Bonaparte’s Gull. Some of the shorebirds frequently seen here are Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, and both Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs. Less commonly seen are Stilt Sandpiper, Dunlin, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Wilson’s Phalarope, and Short-billed Dowitcher.
A variety of swallows sometimes show up such as Purple Martin, Tree , and Barn Swallow.
Oil Spring Rd. can also produce some nice sparrows including Vesper Sparrow. During winter, numbers of Horned Lark, American Tree Sparrow, and occasionally Snow Bunting and Lapland Longspur have been found along this stretch of road.
Lastly, large numbers of Wild Turkey and Sandhill Crane can be seen in the fields surrounding the pond plus an American Kestrel or two on the utility wires.
Directions: 37 miles NW of Milwaukee. From the intersection of Hwy 60 and Co. K on the east side of Hartford, WI. go south on Co. K, 1.7 miles to Oil Spring Road. Turn south on Oil Spring Rd. and bird both sides of the road. (43.297655,-88.339693). The pond is located due south of Pike Lake. Since the pond is on private property about 125 yards west of Oil Spring Rd, bird strictly from the roadside.
Site Address and Additional Information:
Oil Spring Rd., Hartford WI
Dennis Panicucci
