Wisconsin

For April’s randomly selected Wisconsin eBird Hotspot of the Month, we visit Wood County. Tom Prestby, Team Wisconsin eBird reviewer extraordinaire, takes on a tour of the remote Ball Road where the northern and southern ecosystems meet for some unique and diverse birding opportunities.

FUN FACTS

Number of species eBirded at the hotspot: 170

Checklists in eBird: 63

Featured Species: Trumpeter Swan, Golden Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Bittern, Ruffed Grouse, Wilson’s Snipe, Golden-winged Warbler, LeConte’s Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow

Bar Chart 

Map 

Hotspot Explorer 

Wood County, only two hours from Madison and much less from Stevens Point and La Crosse, offers surprisingly remote and diverse birding for birders looking for a different and rewarding area to bird. It lies very close to the ecological tension zone, offering both northern and southern ecosystems and wildlife communities. Ball road is one of the best ways to access some of this habitat as it cuts its way east/west through wet forest, sandy forest, cattail marsh and expansive sedge marsh. In this article, we will explore Ball Road as it stretches west from Sandhill State Wildlife Area to the Jackson County border. Area A. Ball Road begins at the south end of Sandhill State Wildlife Area (another great hotspot) in a primarily sandy deciduous forest. Expected breeding birds here include Ruffed Grouse, Yellow-throated Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great Crested and Least Flycatcher, Indigo Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, and many others. Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawk and Merlin also reside in the surrounding woods and can usually be at least heard occasionally on a normal summer day. Birding is not limited to daylight hours as Eastern Screech-Owl, Great-horned, and Barred Owl are possibilities. Watch for the skydances of peenting American Woodcock in drier areas and winnowing Wilson’s Snipe in wet areas near dusk or dawn. This is also one of the best areas in the state to hear Eastern Whip-poor-wills, especially on nights with a moon. Usually driving Ball road just after last light will even produce views of Whip-poor-wills in your headlights.

Area B. Moving further west to the edge of Sandhill SWA (near West Fence Road), conifers mix in with the deciduous forest, introducing species such as Pine Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, Purple Finch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and at night Northern Saw-whet Owl. In a winter with good finch numbers, this is good habitat to search for Pine Siskins and Red Crossbills.

Area C. As you keep working west on Ball road, forest gives way to shrubby sedge marsh with forested islands mixed in. This is ideal habitat for Golden-winged Warbler and this stretch of Ball Road may have the densest population of this species in the state. The northern edge of Blue-winged Warbler’s range also covers this area so keep an eye out for hybrid Brewster’s or Lawrence’s Warblers which will sing the song of either species. This change of habitat also introduces Alder Flycatcher, Veery, and Black-and-White Warbler as common breeders.

Area D. A little further west, the road intersects the Wood County State Wildlife Area. Habitat remains similar to Area C but the sedge marshes become larger and mix with cattail. This amplifies the numbers of American Bittern, Sedge Wren, and Swamp Sparrow and introduces Marsh Wren, Virginia Rail, and Sora. Pools of water and small flowages adjacent to Department of Natural Resources (DNR)-owned dikes to the north of Ball Road host Trumpeter Swan, Black Tern, Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Belted Kingfisher, and Common Loon as breeders. These dikes are open to walking and can offer unexpected rewards to birders, such as sightings of Whooping Crane or other rare waterbirds like Red-necked Phalarope in migration. If you do walk these grassy dikes, be ready to deal with obscene numbers of ticks including deer ticks. Knee boots and pants are recommended.

Area E. Heading beyond the DNR dikes, the sedge marshes become even more expansive. The biggest treat here is LeConte’s Sparrow- by far the most reliable location for this species in the central part of the state. Early morning or evening is best but these sparrows can be heard at almost any time of day or night if the wind allows. American Bitterns are very common here, probably rivaling Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area for the densest population in the state. Other typical sedge meadow species like Northern Harrier, Bobolink, Savannah Sparrow, and occasionally Henslow’s Sparrow can be detected in this area as well. In winter, it is a favorite hunting area for Rough-legged Hawk and Bald and Golden Eagles, especially on sunny days with a moderate breeze. A lucky birder may also see Short-eared Owls hunting at dawn or dusk, especially in spring or fall.

Area F. Near the western end of Ball Road, there is another habitat shift. You will see a Black Spruce and Tamarack bog representing the Hog Island Tamaracks State Natural Area. You will immediately detect Yellow-rumped and Nashville Warblers and White-throated Sparrows in the taller trees, and Palm Warbler and Lincoln’s and Clay-colored Sparrow in the shorter trees further south and west. Occasionally, a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is found and this species might breed here along with Hermit Thrush and possibly Golden-crowned Kinglet and Dark-eyed Junco. Although you are in forest, in early morning and evening you will still hear American Bitterns “pumping” all around you in the surrounding marshes. In winter, White-winged Crossbills are fairly common in the conifers during a good finch year and a flyover Golden Eagle is not an uncommon sight, especially as you look west toward Bear Bluff. When birding this bog, you will feel as if you are much further north than Wood County.

For birders with a whole day to explore, several other excellent birding areas surround Ball Road. Sandhill SWA has an auto tour where one will detect many of the same species as well as an interpretive nature center. The adjacent Cranberry Road has many of the same species. The nearby Bear Bluff area  in Jackson County (which can be seen from Ball and Cranberry roads) is also worth exploring. Birding this area also offers the chance to glimpse a great variety of animals such as Gray Wolf, Black Bear, Fisher, River Otter, Beaver, and Porcupine. The sandy marshes provide great habitat for turtles, including the state special concern species, Blanding’s Turtle. Be careful driving in June as they lay their eggs on the sandy edges of roads.   Do not plan a late spring or summer birding outing here without being prepared for bugs. Repellant and long-sleeve clothing is a must for Mosquitoes and Black Flies. In June, Deerflies mix in as well. Also, always check for ticks after walking anywhere off road in this area as populations of Wood and Lymes-disease carrying Deer Ticks are very high. Although these are hazards, it should not prevent you from exploring this beautiful wild area!

 

Thanks to the following contributors:

Tom Prestby, author and photos

Cynthia Bridge, editing

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