Birding in Dodge County

More than 270 species of birds make their home in Horicon Marsh during some period of the year. The annual bird migration follows the same sequence year after year, with dates dependent on the progression of the changing seasons.

Several trips to Horicon Marsh throughout the year are required to see the greatest variety of birds, and witness firsthand, the diversity and abundance of wildlife that is attracted to and supported by Horicon Marsh.

WINTER BIRDING —

Migration comes to an end as snow cover forces geese to move on and winter finches, snow buntings and lapland longspurs settle on the surrounding uplands. Up to 40 species of birds can still be seen throughout the winter season, including northern harrier, red-tailed and rough-legged hawks, horned larks, snowy owls, short-eared owls, bald eagles.

SPRING BIRDING —

Wisconsin’s first “spring” migrant, the horned lark, returns in mid-February. Geese usually return by late February or early March and depart in late April. Red-winged blackbirds and grackles return after the geese, while the first sandhill cranes, robins, song sparrows and killdeer return by mid-March. Ducks begin to show up on the first open water in late March, followed by coots and pied-billed grebes.

Great blue herons are often seen in early to mid-March and can be seen throughout the day from April until the end of summer. Great egrets stay for another two to three weeks.

Snipe can be heard over the marsh, while rails, swamp sparrows, yellow-headed blackbirds and black-crowned night herons can be seen on the marsh or heard calling from the cattails. Bald eagles, osprey and peregrine falcons are also commonly seen during this period.

Shorebirds return in April and remain until mid-May. The first big waves of songbirds come through in April. Tree swallows will be seen first, with the warblers returning in early to mid-April. The palm, black-throated green, black and white warblers arrive a few weeks later. Big migratory waves and a great variety of other warbler species will follow in May.

Late April to mid-May is the best time to watch and listen to the spring songbirds, including tanagers, orioles, rose-breasted grosbeaks, vireos and flycatchers.

Late spring brings the green heron, least bittern and marsh wren. Rare, unusual wetland birds such as little blue herons, snowy egrets, glossy and white-faced ibis and white pelicans also visit during late spring.

SUMMER BIRDING —

Summer is the nesting season for birds such as the giant Canada geese, which is commonly seen throughout summer. By late July yellow warblers depart for tropical wintering areas. The first shorebirds, sandpipers and plovers, leave in August for arctic breeding grounds.

FALL BIRDING —

September is the beginning of the fall migration for most birds. Shorebirds continue to arrive, while the first migrating Canada geese are seen in mid-September. Summering ducks begin to flock up while migrant waterfowl arrive to join them. Warblers, vireos, flycatchers, thrushes and other songbirds pass through on their way south.

When the summer songbirds, herons, egrets and cormorants depart, geese and ducks are reaching their peak populations on the marsh. The Canada goose flock often peaks in November.