Field Adventure: Birding in the Southern Kettle Moraine
Adults, Birding Academy, Field Trips, Guided Hikes
Early summer birding is a treat among the 22,000 acres of the Southern Kettle Morain State Forest, stretching from Dousman to Whitewater, with its variety of landscapes like mature hardwood forests, lush prairies, and wetlands. The day begins at the historic Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail, along Highway ZZ, near Ottawa Lake. The trails meander through fen and field and showcase interesting human and natural history, as well as a variety of songbirds.
The entire region is part of the historic post-glacial lakebed known as the Scuppernong. Wildlife-friendly prairie plants found here include sweetgrass, mountain mint, bluestem, milkweed, blazing star, Joe Pye weed, and many types of sunflowers. We’ll eat lunch at the nearby Scuppernong Trails picnic area, a three-minute drive along Highway ZZ. After, we’ll hike these trails to continue our search for summer avian residents.
Your guide for this trip is Director of Education Tom Finley. He has walked these trails for many years and has great knowledge of what flora, fauna, and history can be found there.
The field adventure begins and ends at the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. Please bring your own lunch, snacks, and water. A vehicle admission sticker is required. Overall, expect to hike two to three miles over sometimes rocky terrain. This field adventure is not wheelchair accessible. Further details and directions will be emailed to registered participants the week prior to the trip.
Members: $50 | Non-members: $65
