New London--Hatten Park, Waupaca County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Mixed Coniferous Forest.
Best Birds: Walk the perimeter during migration to find Hooded Merganser, Blue-winged Teal, Sora and Virginia Rail, American Woodcock, Wilson’s Snipe, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, Red-shouldered Hawk, vireos, Sedge and Marsh Wren, and warblers. An interior trail through the woods has been good for resident Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Brown Creeper.
In winter, both Red and White-winged Crossbill have visited.
Directions:. 21 miles NW of Appleton. In New London, south of the Wolf River, take Washington Street to the east portal of the park (44.38669, -88.75200). There is often room for one or two cars to park just outside the horseshoe pitch. The walk around the perimeter of the park is one mile. Walk the perimeter road anti-clockwise into the conifers. An excellent spot for a stakeout is Warbler Corners on the north side of the perimeter road. There is an opening in the woods where a path leads north at the stone boundary wall between two little lagoons (44.38799, -88.75665). Birds like to use this corridor as a flight lane. It is good for checking shorebirds and listening for passerines. Some of the park and most of the surrounding wetlands are soggy or flooded in early spring.
Site Address & Additional Information:
Half of the 100-acre walled parkland is given to sports and recreation, but the remaining mixed coniferous forest is an urban gem for birding. Currently, the perimeter road is closed to motorized traffic.
801 Werner Allen Blvd, New London WI
https://www.newlondonwi.org/hatten_park/hatten_park.php
Michael O’Connell
