7 Places to Birdwatch in Racine County

The photo above is an indigo bunting taken on the DeKoven Center grounds.

The rush of spring migration and makes for an enjoyable and exciting time of year to view birds in Racine County. There are many places to birdwatch in the Racine area, and if you check with the Hoy Audubon Society you can participate in birding trips and hikes. Here is a quick a “top 7” list of places to birdwatch in Racine County.

1) Shoop Park/Wind Point Lighthouse Grounds
Tops on the list due to the fact that it is situated on a peninsula that extends well into the lake, giving it potential to be a migratory magnet. The rocky shoreline provides feeding areas for gulls and shorebirds, while the brushy areas along the beach provide food and shelter for passerines. The lake itself hosts numerous ducks, loons, grebes and other water loving birds.

2) Samuel Myers Park
Located at the east end of 11th Street in Racine. The protected sandy shoreline at this park provides shelter for migrating shorebirds like the avocet, willets and the state endangered piping plovers seen this past spring. Gulls congregate on and off shore on the shallow sand bars, while ducks of a variety of species feed along the shore, breakwater and open water. The beach vegetation and the brushy areas at the western edge of the park often harbor interesting passerines.

3) Colonial Park in Racine.
A hidden gem in Racine. This little-known arboretum is the local favorite for enjoying “warbler walks” in late April and May when the warblers are passing through. All thirty-seven species of warblers seen in Racine County have been seen at Colonial Park including the federally endangered Kirtland’s warbler. Though you wouldn’t go to this park if you wanted to see ducks and shorebirds, for the smaller woodland perching birds it’s hard to beat.

4) Cliffside Park
Located in Caledonia with its wooded, sheltered ravines offers similar opportunities as Colonial Park but the grassland areas north of the campground provide habitat Colonial does not have. Birds like bobolink, Henslow’s sparrow and clay-colored sparrow can often be found here. Keep an eye on the sky while you’re here, not only for resident raptors but also migrating hawks that hug the lakeshore on stiff westerly winds. The ravines and coniferous plantings at Cliffside provide habitat that can hold migrants into early winter and bluebirds have been known to spend the entire winter here.

5) Nicholson Wildlife Area
Located on 5 Mile Rd. The wetland areas provide ducks and shorebirds critical habitat during migration, while the small stream and wooded areas on the north end attract migrant woodland birds. This past spring produced an unprecedented opportunity to see and photograph many species as they lingered here.

6) Dekoven Center Grounds

Located on Racine's south side, this collection of 150-year-old structures is situated just off Lake Michigan on a bluff. All sorts of seasonal birds come through the area to root around the various gardens and wooded area to the immediate west of the DeKoven campus. Indigo bunting, hawk, owl, goldfinch and many others (and maybe an occasional oriole) have been known to pass through during the season.

7) Mound Cemetery

Located near the West Racine area, a surprising number of seasonal birds take refuge in the city block-sized cemetery. With driving paths throughout the grounds, there is easy access to many nature areas. The final resting place of Philo Romayne Hoy, the inspiration behind the name of the Hoy Audubon Society, in Mound Cemetery.

Grab your binoculars and head out to one of these locations or your own favorite birding spot. I’d love to hear what you’re seeing!

Photo Credit: Scott Anderson

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