Wisconsin

For November, Wisconsin eBird takes us to Taylor County for the Hotspot of the Month.   Rory Cameron, a native of Rice Lake who has lived and worked in Chippewa County since 1975, is one of few people who birds Taylor County with some regularity.  In addition to birding, he enjoys running, biking, reading, and playing the Highland Bagpipe.  He graciously agreed to profile Pershing Wildlife Area, one of the go-to spots for Sharp-tailed Grouse in the state.

Fun Facts

Number of species eBirded at the hotspot: 164

Checklists in eBird: 84

Featured Species: Trumpeter Swan, Ruffed Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Evening Grosbeak, Common Raven

Bar Chart

Map of Pershing SWA–North Unit

Map of Pershing SWA–South Unit

Hotspot Explorer –North Unit

Hotspot Explorer –South Unit

 

The Pershing Wildlife Area located in remote western Taylor County offers excellent birding.  Located north of Gilman and west of Highway 73, Pershing has a north and a south unit which are in the process of being connected.  Together, the 7,900 acres in the two units have more than 1,000 acres of wetlands and approximately 3,000 acres of brush prairie.  Gravel roads throughout the property take you to various flowages where marshbirds, waterbirds, and shorebirds can be observed.  Gated trails lead to more remote areas.  A spotting scope is helpful and often necessary when birding the flowages.  Pershing is managed for Sharp-tailed Grouse, waterfowl, and other open wetland, grassland and brush-prairie species. The forested acreage is managed for ruffed grouse and other upland game and non-game species.

Sharp-tailed Grouse can be seen year round, but are most often seen from sunrise to mid- morning in April.  Blinds for observing leks in April may be reserved through the Ladysmith Department of Natural Resources (DNR) office at 715-532-3737.  The 2012 Gilman Christmas Bird Count recorded seven “sharpies” in the southern unit.

Pershing SWA–North Unit. The north unit has several access points. It offers good viewing of some of Pershing’s signature species including Common Loons, nesting Trumpeter Swans, and Ring-necked Ducks. Three of the four main flowages are accessed by taking East Loop Road north to Ellis Road. Holzer Flowage is the first visible flowage to your east as you drive north on Ellis Road.  The parking area for this flowage is also to the east on Ellis Road approximately one mile north of the East Loop Road intersection. Two American Avocets and a Great Egret were seen here in August 2010.  When you are viewing this flowage be sure to check the tall dead tree visible on the north side as this is a popular roosting site for various birds.

The two additional large flowages in the northwest corner of Pershing, Monson Flowage and Waterfowl Flowage are accessed by continuing north on Ellis Road, then west on Flowage Drive. Approximately .2 miles after you turn onto Flowage Drive, atop the hill is the overlook for Monson Flowage.  In late August, early morning visitors may observe over a hundred Sandhill Cranes lifting off from this flowage area.  Loons and Trumpeter Swans can also be viewed from this location. However, a spotting scope is needed to identify many of the smaller birds.  Proceeding down the hill, Monson Flowage can be viewed again to the south.  A parking area on the north side of Flowage Drive leads to a road that will take you counter-clockwise in a loop around the perimeter of this part of Pershing which includes views of Waterfowl Flowage and an additional smaller flowage.  Whether you drive or walk it depends on the condition of the road. In 2013 the roads were upgraded and passable, but the DNR may not be able to maintain them on a regular basis.  When passable, Flowage Drive turns south leading to a small circular parking area in approximately 0.9 miles. A short walk from this parking area to the gate offers good views of the southwest end of Waterfowl Flowage.  Flowage Drive then continues westward down a hill for an additional eighth of a mile to a smaller flowage on the west side of the road where more waterbirds and shorebirds may be found.

The north end of Waterfowl Flowage is also accessible via a parking area at the end of Flowage Road (note this is a different road than Flowage Drive).

About halfway along this road, you will pass a wetland to the south.  Depending on water levels, you may find various species of shorebirds at this location. When you reach the parking area, proceed on foot past the gate to obtain better views of the shorebird habitat at this north end of Waterfowl Flowage.  NOTE:  DNR regulations prohibit access to Monson and Waterfowl Flowages, except for hunting, during the gun deer season.

Shoulder Creek Flowage, the fourth of the large flowages in the north unit, may be reached by taking Highway 73 to Hooker Road, just north of Hannibal. Five parking lots are available as you drive in, the last being about a mile and a quarter from Highway 73.  Loons and a family of Trumpeter Swans were seen on this flowage in 2013.

Pershing SWA–South Unit. To reach the south unit, go north on Highway H (west of Gilman) to Rued Road.  Rued Road leads to the entrance for the south unit at South Pond Road. This 2.1 mile road takes you past Flowage Number One and ends at Sotak Flowage.  The best time to arrive at this area is shortly before sunrise.  Stopping near the entrance to listen to the morning chorus is highly recommended.  Alder Flycatchers are among the species often heard in the first quarter mile of South Pond Road.  Flowage Number One will be the first flowage visible to the southeast where waterbirds and marshbirds, including the occasional American Bittern can be seen and heard.   Continuing on South Pond Road, you will reach Access Road to the east which leads to Flowages Two and Three if you opt to take this.  Beyond this intersection, be vigilant for Sharp-tailed Grouse as you continue on South Pond Road toward Sotak Flowage.  Virginia Rail have also been seen on the road near Sotak Flowage.  In 2009, Sotak Flowage was drained and provided great habitat for shorebirds.  Should you leave Sotak Flowage after dark in spring and early summer, American Woodcock can be seen at close range as they often impede your route back to Rued Road, especially in the first mile.  Some woodcock may actually remain in the road until your vehicle comes within an uncomfortable close proximity. Thus, one should proceed with caution on this road so as not to collide with these birds at this time of day. Clay-colored Sparrow and Black-billed Cuckoo are additional species often encountered along South Pond Road. This area is also a marshbird survey site. Marshbird species found here include Virginia Rail, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Wilson’s Snipe, Sora, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Marsh Wren, Sedge Wren, Swamp Sparrow and Sandhill Crane.

Flowage Number One may also be viewed from the south by continuing south on Rued Road past South Pond Road.  About 0.4 miles after Rued Road turns east there is a driveway on the north side of the road where you can park.  A short hike past the gate to the west provides good views of Flowage Number One.

The fourth large flowage in the south unit, Witt Flowage, is reached by taking Highway M to Archies Road between Highway H and Highway 73.  Archies Road is on the south side of Highway M, about a mile west of Highway 73.

In addition to the flowages, numerous parking areas lead to trails throughout Pershing Wildlife Area.  A birder could spend an entire day birding here without covering all Pershing has to offer.

The closest gas stations are in Gilman, about seven miles south of the south unit, and Jump River, about six miles north of the north unit. Monday through Saturday, the Busy Bee Bakery at the intersection of Highway 64 and H (where H turns south at the Chippewa County Line) offers Amish baked goods.  Continuing west on Hwy 64, at Highway G is a supper club.  To the south, Thorp and Stanley have a variety of restaurants and motels.

If you find yourself in this area of Wisconsin, Chequamegon Flowage located approximately eight miles from Pershing and known locally as Miller Dam, is another recommended birding location. To reach this location, take Highway 73 to County Highway G and proceed east.  From this point, proceed north on G along the west side of the flowage, where you will find several good viewing areas including the boat landing off Pine Lane.  An alternative is to turn onto Highway 121 when G curves northward.  This takes you to the dam, which offers good views to the north and south.

 

Thanks to the following contributors:

Rory Cameron, author, scenery photos, Trumpeter Swan photo

Cynthia Bridge, Fun Facts and editing 

Ryan Brady, Sharp-tailed Grouse and Virginia Rail photos