As in Lakewood Elementary (GPS Google Maps Link) … just north of Duluth in Lakewood Township. If you park behind the school, and walk down the stairs behind the playground there are delightful wetlands with a nature trail. If you can handle the bugs, you will enjoy all the birds. There trail snakes its way through the woods as it circles part of the wetlands. However, while the trail is not difficult in terms of elevation or distance, it should NOT be hiked by anyone who has balance issues. There are some unusual wooden bridges on the trail that have short, but very steep decks. Having said that these wetlands have great birding. I only wish I could have photographed even 1/10th of all the warblers, waterbirds, and songbirds I saw. Sometimes birds just won’t perch still long enough to give me a chance to press the shutter!

I waited till today to post this information, as school is now out for the summer. During the school year … spring and fall … one should only bird this location during NON SCHOOL HOURS. Given all the young children that may be present, you don’t want to alarm staff, particularly if you carry cameras with long reaches. (Google Maps Link to Lakewood Elementary)

Map: Lakewood Elementary School Region

Some pics of the wetlands …

Standing in the middle of the bridge … pics show both directions. In the final wetlands image you can observe the school in the upper left hand corner of the photograph. It shows how close these wetlands are to the school and its parking lots.

Great Crested Flycatcher

Northern Flicker