Spruce Grouse Swamp

Spruce Grouse Swamp is part of an extensive wetland complex southwest of Lac Vieux Desert and features a mosaic of lowland community types including northern sedge meadow, muskeg, black spruce swamp, and tamarack swamp. The surrounding uplands contain a boreal-like dry forest on the low sandy ridges that are found throughout the site. Jack pine with scattered open grown red pine, and black spruce dominate on swamp islands. Aquatic features of interest include Wolf Lake, a small 5-acre bog lake, and a spring fed cold-water stream. The site provides habitat for a number of boreal birds including gray jay, boreal chickadee, black-backed woodpecker, Connecticut warbler, and the state-threatened spruce grouse. Of interest are the reported sightings of the federally endangered Kirtland's warbler in close proximity to this area. Plants include the ragged fringed orchid found growing in a wet pool in one of the large sedge meadows. The interior of the swamp is remote with no major roads present, although a snowmobile trail is heavily used during the winter. This area appears to have been an old glacial lakebed, which eventually drained south into the Wisconsin River. Spruce Grouse Swamp is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.