https://ebird.org/hotspot/L449402?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec
Habitat: Northern Hardwood Forest, Open Water, Native and Restored Grassland, Pine Plantation, Conifer Bog, Marsh, Willow, Alder or Dogwood Swamp, Sedge Meadow.
Best Birds: Just to the east of the Emerald Drive parking lot there is a grassland area where there are usually Field, Vesper, Clay-colored, Savannah and Henslow’s Sparrow. A good variety of swallows and Chimney Swift can be seen swooping over the fields. Eastern Bluebird and Eastern Meadowlark can also be found here. Short-eared Owl and Merlin may be present. During the winter American Tree Sparrow and Northern Shrike habit this area.
The trail south of the parking lot passes through conifer plantings. During winter Pine Grosbeak, Red and White-winged Crossbill, Common Redpoll, and Purple Finch may be found there. This area can also be good for Brown Creeper.
Hiking farther south you will reach a bridge over the Oconomowoc River as it flows into Loew Lake. In migration you can find both Tundra and Trumpeter Swan on the lake as well as Common Loon and a variety of ducks. The lowland conifer bog, marsh, and alder swamp surrounding the lake can be good for American Woodcock, Wilson’s Snipe, Red-shouldered Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Alder Flycatcher, swallows, and Marsh and Sedge Wren.
In the forest surrounding the lake you can often find Yellow-throated, and Blue-headed Vireo (migration) as well as Tufted Titmouse. Both Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoo have been found here too. Several raptors can be found in these woods, such as Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawk along with Great Horned, Barred, and occasionally Long-eared Owl.
Birding along the river southward can produce Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Alder Flycatcher, and Philadelphia Vireo (migration)in the willow and alder thickets along the edges. Keep an eye and ear open for herons and Virginia Rail, Bald Eagle or Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, Winter Wren, Veery, Swamp Sparrow, and Louisiana Waterthrush.
Directions: 34 miles NW of Milwaukee/about 8.5 miles south of Hartford. Take County Hwy K south to Shamrock Lane east. Then follow that to the main entrance on Emerald Dr., 43.223682, -88.315859. The South entrance to the Ice Age Trail is off of Hwy. K, 43.19496, -88.3455. Birding the river by kayak gives you access to areas otherwise inaccessible. A boat Launch is on County Line Road/Hwy Q , 43.193026, -88.338650.
Address & Additional Information:
Emerald Dr., Hartford WI
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/loewlake
Dennis Panicucci
