Fairy Land
Location
Ecological and Physical Description
Fairy Land RNA features a half mile of undeveloped shoreline habitat along the Namekagon Lake. The RNA represents one of the last remaining stretches of relatively wild shoreline on one of the largest and most extensively developed lakes in the region. The site features a stand of relatively undisturbed old growth hemlock hardwood forest.
The core of Fairy Land RNA centers around the mature hemlock hardwood forest situated on the shore of Lake Namekagon at the foot of a prominent interlobate moraine. The old growth stand is imbedded in a large block of mature second growth hardwood forest. Significant inclusions of residual hemlock and yellow birch are present, especially along the shore. Hemlock regeneration is prolific with all size classes represented. Bald eagles, red-shouldered hawks, merlins, and common loons are present.
Average annual rainfall is 34.3 inches. Average annual snowfall is 68.1 inches.
The weather station nearest to Fairy Land RNA is Drummond Ranger Station.
Bedrock of the area is carbonates that are between 100 feet and 50 feet from the land surface (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 2003). Geomorphologic processes include till and glacial meltwater deposition. The surface is hilly, hummocky moraine. Soils are well-drained light sandy loam to loamy sand over loamy sand till or outwash sands. The drainage is predominantly well-drained.
Namekagon Lake is Wisconsin ’s tenth largest lake and the headwaters to the Namekagon National Scenic Riverway.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armoracia lacustris | Lake cress | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Callitriche hermaphroditica | Water starwort | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Elymus trachycaululus | Wheat grass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Panicum sp. | panic-grass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Antennaria neglecta | field pussytoes | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Cladonia sp. | lichen | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Pteridium aquilinum | bracken fern | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Aster macrophyllus | big-leaved aster | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Maianthemumcanadense | Canada mayflower | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anas rubripes | American black ducks | Common Bird Species | ||
| Anas platyrhynchos | mallards | Common Bird Species | ||
| Aythya collaris | Anas platyrhynchos | Common Bird Species | ||
| Aix sponsa | wood ducks | Common Bird Species | ||
| Anas discors | blue-winged teal | Common Bird Species | ||
| Lophodytes cucullatus | hooded mergansers | Common Bird Species | ||
| Buteo lineatus | state-threatened red-shouldered hawk | Common Bird Species | ||
| Falco columbarius | Merlin | Common Bird Species | ||
| Gavia immer | Common loon | Common Bird Species | ||
| Haliaeetus leucocephalus | Bald eagle | Common Bird Species | ||
| Buteo lineatus | Red-shouldered hawk | Common Bird Species |