Madison Audubon Society, Inc.

222 S Hamilton Street #1 Madison WI 53703-3201

MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY

BIRDING IN THE MADISON AREA

Location map found on page 2
Lake Mendota and Surrounding Area. City and State parklands, as well as the University of Wisconsin natural areas border, or are near Lake Mendota, Madisons largest lake. All offer excellent birding opportunities. 1. The Picnic Point Area juts into Lake Mendota at the west end of the University of Wisconsin campus and helps form University Bay to the south and a second bay to the northwest. The protection afforded by Picnic Point and shallow water make University Bay attractive to waterfowl. A variety of puddle ducks and diving ducks can be seen. Eared Grebes, Red-necked Grebes, Red-throated Loons, Long-tailed Duck, and Scoters have occasionally been seen. A small island in the bay often has gulls and terns. The Point itself attracts many migrating warblers, vireos and thrushes. A pair of Great Horned Owls often nest in the woods northwest of the Point.

GUIDE TO

The Madison vicinity is one of the best birding areas in southern Wisconsin. The lakes, marshes, woodlands, parks and open fields attract a wide variety of birds during all seasons. Spring migration is the best time for numbers and variety of birds. The following is a brief guide to some of the birding spots in the area. Some can be reached by city bus. Most are within 20 minutes of the State Capitol and open to the public. Please observe rules concerning hours, paths, pets and littering. Refer to the map and numbers for the locations of the sites. Madison Audubons birding hotline number is 255-2476(BIRM). The hotline, updated weekly, is available around the clock and provides users with information on current sightings.

The Class of 1918 Marsh is across the street from the entrance to Picnic Point. Puddle ducks are common and rails, sparrows, warblers and occasionally Yellow-headed Blackbird are found here. A parking lot is next to the entrance to Picnic Point on University Bay Drive and another is directly across the road. A parking lot is also located at Frautschi Point on Lake Mendota Drive. 2. Owen Conservation Park , located on Old Sauk Road up the hill from Old Middleton Road, is a city conservation park with trails through deciduous woods and restored prairie. Bluebirds, sparrows, warblers, vireos, flycatchers and woodpeckers can be found. Woodcocks display in the open fields in early spring. On the southern edge of the park is a storm drainage ditch that leads to Mineral Point Road. This ditch area is good for warblers. This park is worth visiting in winter as well.

3. Marshall Park is located at the west end of Lake Mendota north of University Avenue on Allen Boulevard. In season, gulls, loons, grebes and diving ducks are seen here and at Captain Bills boat landing about 1 mile further along Allen Boulevard. 4. Tiedemans Pond Nature Preserve is located off Middletons Park Street (which becomes Madisons Gammon Road). Diving and dabbling ducks (5-8 species) plus sometimes impressive numbers of geese (some Snow Geese) can be seen during both migrations. Loons and Pied-billed Grebes are regular in spring along with herons and various passerines. Street parking is located on Woodgate Road across from the pond or turn west onto Fortune Drive and then onto Sweeney. Strickers Pond, located to the southwest on Longmeadow Road is also accessible from the neighborhood streets encircling the ponds. 5. Schovelers Sink, a glacial sink about 4 miles west of Madison at theintersection of Mineral Point Road and Timber Lane, attracts several species of diving ducks during migration, other birds may include bobolinks, meadowlarks, sandhill cranes. There is parking on the north side of MineralPoint Rd and on Timber Lane south of Mineral Point Rd.

6. Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Middleton is a 540 acre natural area that contains a spring-fed marsh, open waters, meadows, wetlands, lowland forests, wooded hills, and prairies. More than 200 species of birds, some endangered, have been spotted in its various habitats. A trail through the Pheasant Branch Nature Preserve follows the Pheasant Branch Creek from the south side of Century Ave across from Branch Street. There are several entry points into the Conservancy from Century Avenue, across from Branch Street, from the parking lots on Pheasant Branch Road located at 0.7 and 1.2 miles north of Century Avenue, from a gravel path to the water tower off Highland Way, and on the eastern side of the Conservancy from the Orchid Heights Park parking lot off of Valley Ridge Road. 7. Governor Nelson State Park is located on the northwest shore of Lake Mendota. The 522-acre state park is off County Highway M between Middleton and Highway 113. The park is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily; a State Park admission sticker is required for motor vehicles in the park. Over 4.5 miles of hiking trails meander through oak savanna, oak woodland and wetland prairie restoration areas. Bird sightings include Orchard Orioles, Bells Vireo, warblers, woodpeckers, Yellow-

billed Cuckoo, raptors, woodcock, Sandhill Cranes, herons, flycatchers, Bobolinks and bluebirds. 8. Cherokee Marsh is a large park on the north side of the city. Follow Sherman Avenue north until it ends in the parking lot. Hiking trails lead to a variety of habitats. The Yahara River to the west attracts waterfowl in the spring. The oak woods is a good area for warblers, vireos and flycatchers. To the east of the woods is a large marsh where Sandhill Cranes nest along with Sora and Virginia Rails. Open fields attract grassland birds, raptors are frequent. In winter, Northern Shrikes and Rough-legged Hawks have been seen. Occasionally, Shorteared Owls have been seen over the marsh.

at South Towne Road, proceed south about 1/3 mile to Moorland Road and go left for about 1/4 mile to the Nine Springs E-Way parking lot on the right. MMSD Wildlife Observation Area (Nine-Springs Lagoon System): Immediately across Moorland Road from the parking area is a boardwalk leading to a platform that provides an overview of the marsh and distant views of the lagoons. The sewage lagoons (no longer used as such) are a Dont Miss for anybody wishing to see birds up close and personal. In order to bird the lagoons, walk about 200 yards to the left of the boardwalk along the paved bike trail to the marked entry. The water levels of the six ponds are managed to attract birds. Stay on the dikes. From mid-April to early June one may expect to observe up to about 20 species of shorebirds (13 being a reasonable number on a good day in May) including Ruddy Turnstone, Black-bellied Plover, and Wilsons Phalarope. Godwits, Willets, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Golden Plover are seen on occasion. Quite a few of these species are seen on the southward migration during mid-July to early October. During the interval between spring thaw and early May, one can expect to closely observe about 12 species of diving and dabbling ducks plus several less regular species of waterfowl. Sora Rails and a variety of gulls, terns and herons are regularly seen. Sandhill Cranes (sometimes many) are regular during spring migration and several pairs nest here. Many resident and migrant passerines and other types are also seen in season. The Lussier Family Heritage Center is located on the grounds of the original farm on the marsh side of Moorland Road about 1 mile south of the E-way parking lot. A viewing scope is available on the deck. Exhibits describe the cultural and natural history of the area, as well as a history of the development of the lagoons as a nature preserve. Capital City Bike Trail skirts the lagoons and crosses Moorland Road at the Heritage Center to continue through open prairie and woodlands. In approximately 7 miles it passes Dunns Marsh, the headwaters of the Nine Springs Creek. Lake Farm County Park: Proceed further south on Moorland Road to Lake Farm Road, then left on Libby Road to Lake Farm County Park. The park includes wetland and prairie restorations, and access to Lake Waubesa. There are trails for hiking, a boat landing, beach, camping, and picnic area. Nine-Springs E-Way. The E-Way trails lead the visitor through a variety of habitats wetland, sedge meadows, forest, and prairie restoration. Raptors, gulls, terns, Sandhill Cranes, herons, warblers, flycatchers and ducks are often found here. 14. Edna Taylor Conservation Park is adjacent to the Aldo Leopold Nature Center at the southeast edge of the city. They are on Femrite Drive, one block north of the intersec-

Lake Monona and Surrounding Area. Lake Monona is the sec ond largest of the Madison lakes. Several good birding sites are located around its shores and nearby.
9. The Yahara River Channel flows into Lake Monona from Lake Mendota and continues out of the lake to enter Lake Waubesa north of McFarland. The Channel is usually ice-free in winter, and in spring the water opens quickly at the entrance into Lake Monona near Rutledge Street and Riverside Drive. This area attracts ducks in winter and early migrating waterfowl in spring. 10. The Madison Gas and Electric Hot Water Outlet into Lake Mendota, south of BB Clarke Beach and behind the Elks Club near the junction of Jennifer, Blount and Williamson Streets, causes water to remain open all winter. Coots, mallards and shovelers are common. Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes and Canada Geese are found here in season. On good days in early spring one can see several species of diving and dabbling ducks. 11. The Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center and causeway along John Nolen Drive border Lake Monona on the west side. The water opens early in the spring and common loons, gulls, and various ducks and grebes find resting spots here. 12. Olin Park and Turville Park are good spots for scoping the west and southwest end of Lake Monona. There are hiking trails in Turville Park, and warblers and other spring migrants are attracted to its wooded areas. Enter from East Lakeside Street or from the intersection of Olin Avenue and John Nolen Drive. 13. Capital Springs State Park was designated as a State Park in November 2000. It encompasses the recreational resources within the Nine Springs corridor and includes the MMSD (Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District) Wildlife Observation Area (Nine-Springs Lagoon System). This is a 140-acre wetland area at the mouth of Nine Springs Creek and links the following observation areas. These are accessible from Moorland Road . From the Beltline (Hwy. 12-18), exit

tion of Monona Drive and East Broadway. A sign marks the parking lot and trail beginning. There are woods, a marsh and three small ponds. Warblers and other migrants can be found there. Lake Wingra and Surrounding Area. Lake Wingra is a small lake which attracts a variety of waterfowl in spring and fall. The University of Wisconsin Arboretum includes several excellent birding areas around Lake Wingra; it is quite large and varied in its habitats. 15. Wingra Park, a small city park south of Monroe Street at the end of Knickerbocker Street, offers a good vantage point for scoping the lake. 16. Ho-Nee-Um Pond, south of Monroe Street and four short blocks west of Wingra Park, is part of the UW Arboretum. There is a parking lot on Arbor Drive; trails lead to a spring and savanna restoration. Warblers may be seen in spring and the lagoons are good for Wood Ducks and grebes. 17. The Duck Pond is west of Ho-Nee-Um Pond on Nakoma Road; a parking lot is about 1 block south of the intersection of Monroe Street, Odana Road and Nakoma Road. The spring-fed ponds name comes from the large flocks of resident mallards that remain year around. Wood and Black Ducks may be seen here in winter. A stream leading toward the lake remains open all winter, making it attractive to robins, an occasional rail and many of the winter finches. Winter finches are also seen at the feeders by the homes around the parking lot. 18. The largest portion to the UW Arboretum is located south of Lake Wingra. The east entrance is near St. Marys Hospital Medical Center on S. Mills Street and Arboretum/McCaffery Drive, and affords a view of Lake Wingra and Redwing Marsh. The west entrance of the Arboretum is at Seminole Highway and Arboretum/McCaffery Drive. Parking lots are along the drive with trails leading into various parts of the Arboretum. The drive ends at the centrally located Arboretum Visitor Center, headquarters for the Arboretum, and its parking lot. A locked gate prevents through traffic on Arboretum Drive, except on Sunday afternoons when the gate is open for drive-throughs. Maps of the Arboretum and a list of recent bird sightings can be found at the Arboretum Visitor Center. 19. Curtis Prairie , a large restored prairie, is south of the Arboretum Visitor Center. In summer, Common Yellowthroats, Sedge Wrens and various sparrows nest here. A short hike down the hill, toward Lake Wingra, from the Wingra-Gallistel Woods parking lot on Arboretum/McCaffery Drive, toward Lake Wingra, brings you a series of springs a good area for warblers, vireos and thrushes. The stream stays open all winter. There also may be activity to the east of the springs at the Skunk Cabbage Bridge. South of Arboretum/McCaffery Drive are trails that lead to Teal Pond and conifers that may shelter crossbills in winter. A tunnel leads from this area under the Beltline to the Grady Tract.

20. The Grady Tract is part of the Arboretum located south of the Beltline (Hwy 12-18) and along Seminole Highway. The parking lot for the Grady Tract is near the Seminole Highway overpass and frontage road. Habitat includes hardwoods, pine plantings and prairie. Bluebirds, woodcock, Ovenbirds, sparrows and meadowlarks may be seen. Dunns Marsh is .25 mile southwest of the Grady Tract on the west side of Seminole Highway. A railway track across the marsh provides the best viewing access. It is good for marsh birds and waterfowl. A parking lot is off Seminole Highway, south of the marsh. 21. Odana Pond is at the west end of Odana Hills Golf Course. The easiest way to access it is to drive on Odana Road to the west end of the course, turn south on Wedgewood Way, then to the mini-parking lot at the end of Wedgewood Way. This is a good location for nesting Baltimore Orioles and Green Herons and occasional Great Horned Owls as well as offering excellent views of warblers, puddle ducks and thrushes during migration. Madison Audubon Society About 2,500 members strong, Madison Audubon is one of Wisconsins largest conservation organizations. Founded in 1937, the Society is a certified chapter of the National Audubon Society. Madison Audubon holds meetings and publishes a newsletter, the CAWS. It employs 4 part time office staff and a Sanctuary Manager. The Society conducts many field trips which are announced in the CAWS. Annual events include an Awards and Recognition Banquest, Madison Audubon Art Fair, and Prairies Jubilee!-a celebration of prairies. The Madison Audubon Society owns and maintains Goose Pond Sanctuary, Otsego Marsh, and Erstad Prairie. It also maintains Faville Grove Sanctuary north of Lake Mills where prairie, wetland and oak savanna is being restored. The mission of the Madison Audubon Society is to educate our members and the public about the natural world and the threats that natural systems are facing, to engage in advocacy to preserve and protect these systems, and to develop and maintain sanctuaries to save and restore natural habitat. Introductory memberships, which include National Audubons AUDUBON magazine, are $20 per year. Applications, with full name and address should be sent to: Madison Audubon Society, 222 S. Hamilton Street Suite #1, Madison, WI 53703. Gifts to the Madison Audubon Society for the Chapter, or its sanctuaries, are tax deductible to the extent provided by the law, and may be sent to the above address.

The Guide to Birding in the Madison Area was made possible by the following assistance: Allen Holzhueter, local birders for Madison Audubon Society , Text: Madison Audubon Society members. Graphics: Patrick Ready (April, 1986; 1999; updated 2004) 2/04 3000