Manitowish Waters "Bird City"
If you love chickadees, songbirds, loons, waterfowl and eagles, you will be pleased to know that the Town of Manitowish Waters is an official “Bird City,” one of 15 inaugural Bird Cities in Wisconsin, named in 2010. The designation recognizes the town’s effort to make their neighborhoods a better place for people, birds and other wildlife.
Come celebrate the peak of spring bird migration at the 14th Annual Birding Festival on May 31st-June 1st, 2019 at the North Lakeland Discovery Center, hosted by the North Lakeland Discovery Center, the Discovery Center Bird Club and Manitowish Waters and Presque Isle Chambers of Commerce. Learn about birds through workshops, hikes, paddles and field trips as you enjoy the gorgeous scenery.
The Town of Manitowish Waters has three sites on the Lake Superior Northwoods Region of the Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail. These are great places to view many endangered or rare birds in their natural habitat.
Powell Marsh State Wildlife Area
An 1,800-acre refuge located in the middle of a 4,300-acre property. Bird species most commonly seen are Bobolink, Great Blue Herons, Yellow Rail, Songbirds, Marsh Hawks, Common Loons, Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Northern Harriers, Sharp-tailed Grouse, LeConte’s Sparrows, Short-eared Owls, Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows and Henslow’s Sparrows.
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
This forest has many Bald Eagle sightings in their nesting habitats. Birders may spot the Alder Flycatchers, Vesper Sparrow, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and a lucky one or two may also spot a Gray Jay. This 220,000+ acre forest is Wisconsin’s largest property.
North Lakeland Discovery Center
Offering a variety of self-guided trails ideal for bird walks, as well as several public programs related to birds. Migrating songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl can be found along the 12-mile trail system. Most commonly seen species are Trumpeter Swans, Winter Wrens, Warblers, Vireos and the Belted Kingfishers. Experience the 22-station breeding bird trail, which highlights birds you will likely encounter in various locations throughout the 12-mile trail system.
