Flambeau Headwaters

Site Description

This forested block on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is dominated by old, large-diameter upland conifers. The forest lies on glacial material, mostly pitted outwash with sandy loam soils. Numerous lakes with interconnecting streams eventually coalesce into the North Fork of the Flambeau River. Wetlands are mostly forested, with areas of white cedar swamp and swamp conifers. Upland forests are dominated by conifers, with red pine, white pines, and hemlock found in abundance, and northern hardwoods mixed in. Small patches of aspen, oak, lowland brush, and open meadows also are found.

Ornithological Importance

The lakes and wetlands host concentrations of waterbirds and provide breeding habitat for osprey. The conifer dominated forests are rich in neotropical migrants such as olive-sided flycatcher, yellow-bellied flycatcher, wood thrush, golden-winged warbler, black-throated blue warbler, and Canada warbler. This site contains significant populations of blue-headed vireo, Blackburnian warbler, Magnolia warbler, and pine warbler. Old red and white pine stands provide excellent habitat for evening grosbeak, red crossbill, and white-winged crossbill.

Photo Credit: Emmet Judziewicz