Upland Habitat and Representative Wildlife  

Both the type and quality of habitat determines what wildlife species will be present and their relative numbers.  The mature aspen and other aging short lived pioneer tree species, an absence of forest openings, and the presence of sugar maple as a common understory species on many locations on the flowage indicate that overall the habitat is in transition.  Younger, more newly established forest stages are gradually giving way to older forests characterized by longer-lived, shade-tolerant vegetation.  The present “middle aged” forest habitats support lower populations of ruffed grouse, deer, and other species commonly associated with a young forest, but support greater populations of fishers, goshawks, and pileated woodpeckers usually associated with older forest. 

Wildlife species common to brushy edges are also in low numbers.  Such birds as catbird, brown thrasher, eastern bluebird, and white-throated sparrow are present but not common. 

Conversely, mature forest habitat is lacking, particularly in the northern hardwoods.  A scarcity of large snag and den trees, living or dead, is a limiting factor for cavity-nesting wildlife.  Most small mammal species common to northern Wisconsin can be found within the Chippewa Flowage area.  Porcupine girdling and beaver cutting have the most significant effect on the present vegetation.  The birds of prey common to this area are the barred owl, red-tailed, broad-winged, and red-shouldered hawks.  (Chippewa Flowage Joint Agency Management Plan, August 2000)

Photos by:  Erik Olson

Parus atricapillus (Black-Capped Chickadee)

Picoides pubescens (Downy Woodpecker) 

Cardinalis cardinalis (Northern Cardinal) 

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