Wisconsin Important Bird Areas

Conserving the most important places for birds

South Kettle Moraine State Forest

Site Description

This site, encompassing the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, contains one of the largest blocks of upland deciduous forest in southeastern Wisconsin.  It also contains sedge meadows and other wetlands, native prairies, savanna, shrub carr, cool-season grasslands, upland shrubs, and conifer plantations.

Ornithological Importance

This IBA provides critical habitat for southern forest interior birds, including yellow-billed cuckoo, whip-poor-will, yellow-throated vireo, eastern wood-pewee, wood thrush, cerulean warbler, and the state’s largest population of hooded warbler.  Over 3,000 acres of wet grassland habitat provide for northern harrier, sedge wren, Henslow’s sparrow, field sparrow, bobolink, and Eastern meadowlark.  Ongoing savanna restorations may allow species such as red-headed woodpecker to expand their numbers.  The site also is a major stopover site for migrating landbirds.

South Kettle Moraine State Forest, photo by Christine Isenring

South Kettle Moraine State Forest, photo by Christine Isenring