Peninsula State Park
Wildlife Viewing
People are the visitors at this 3,776-acre site; animals live
here year round. Many tolerate two-legged guests quite well, happy to
oblige by posing for a photo or two. All park wildlife wants is a little
respect. Thank you in advance for steering clear of nesting birds, fawns
and other fragile critters. Most of all, thanks for picking up litter
and keeping Peninsula beautiful.
Afraid? Don't be. Peninsula has no poisonous snakes,
though visitors sometimes mistake the fox snake for a rattler. Keep a
respectful distance from all wildlife. Teach your children to do the same.
This is especially important in May and June, when birds are on the nest
and fawns are just being born.
A non-poisonous fox snake warms itself on a sunny trail.
DNR Photo

A bald eagle eyeing fish from a pine branch.
DNR Photo by Joe Warren
Birds Peninsula provides habitat for about 125 different
bird species. Look for red-winged
blackbirds and orioles near Weborg Point. Weborg also offers fabulous
warbler sightings during migration in mid-May. A check list is available
at Park Headquarters.
Campsite Wildlife A raccoon
might look cute waddling across a trail in mid-day, but quite the opposite atop
your camp site picnic table, eating everything inside a cooler. Secure coolers
in cars, with windows up. Do not bring food inside a tent. After sunset, listen
for the call of the barred
owl, "Who cooks for you?" Barred owls usually nest near Tennison
Campground. The next morning, peek around the shower buildings where robins
and Eastern phoebes sometimes nest. Re-introduced to Door County in the early
1990s, turkeys
are now a common sight, especially near Nicolet South Campground.

A porcupine at Peninsula State Park
DNR Photo
Nature Center Deer browse near the nature center
and in the field east of Tennison Bay campground along Shore Road. Drive
Middle Road for good sightings, too. At dusk, the resident porcupine might
waddle from the nearby woods to nibble on aspens that grow near the building.
A bluebird nest box in the nature center meadow is active most summers.
For more information, ask Kathleen Harris, (920) 854-5976.
For more information, ask Kathleen Harris, (920) 854-5976.
Last Revised: Wednesday May 28 2008
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