Horicon Marsh is a Wisconsin landmark of regional, national and international significance. Its rich history offers many lessons in wetland and wildlife restoration and management. Horicon Marsh is a phenomenal location to observe nature’s creatures.

• Animals are most active during early morning and evening.
• Bring binoculars or a spotting scope, and a field guide. However, respect nesting and resting wildlife.
• More than 270 species of birds make their home in Horicon Marsh during some period of the year. Several trips to Horicon Marsh 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.
• Be patient and move quietly and slowly. This will increase your viewing opportunities.

In Dodge County, birdwatchers can spot up to 100 different species in a single day. Each new season brings a different collection of birds to the meadows, lakes, woodlands and marshes of Dodge County. Here’s a season-by-season look at the birds you’ll see in Dodge County.

WINTER
The Horicon Marsh may be frozen and the fields covered in snow, but that doesn’t mean all the birds have flown. Winter Finches, Snow Buntings, and Lapland Longspurs settle on the surrounding uplands. Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, Rough-legged Hawks and Snowy Owls can be seen soaring above the winter landscape. In fact, up to 40 species of birds can be seen on the marsh during winter.

SPRING
Even before the snow and ice begin to melt, the first new arrival at the marsh is already making his way back to Dodge County—the Horned Lark. The Horned Larks are soon followed by Canada Geese in late February and early March. Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles begin to show up shortly after the geese arrive, followed by Sandhill Cranes, Robins, Song Sparrows and Killdeer in mid-March. When the ice of the marsh begins to retreat, many species of ducks start to appear on the new open water. Great Blue Herons also arrive in mid-March, staying until the end of the summer. Late March and early April sees the arrival of a whole range of birds, from Swamp Sparrows, Yellow-headed Blackbirds and Black-crowned Night Herons to Bald Eagles, Osprey and Peregrine Falcons. Shorebirds begin showing up in April as well, leaving by mid-May. This time of year also sees the first big waves of songbirds, beginning with warblers in early April, and with even bigger waves of warblers in May. As Canada Geese begin leaving in late April, the fields and marshlands fill with the sound of Tanagers, Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Vireos and Flycatchers. In late spring, lucky birders will begin seeing Green Heron and Least Bittern. And recently, there has been a population of several hundred White Pelicans on the marsh.

SUMMER
The few Canada Geese that remain to breed in the marsh during the summer are of the Giant Canada Geese sub-species, which can weigh up to 20 pounds. The lush green marsh is extraordinarily beautiful at this time of year. In July, some of the birds that arrived in spring are already leaving, such as the Yellow Warblers who depart for their tropical wintering areas in late July. By the end of summer, some shorebirds will begin returning from their arctic breeding grounds.

FALL
September brings a flurry of migratory activity. Shorebirds continue their return. By mid-September, the air begins to fill with the sound of honking as Canada Geese make their way back to the marsh. Ducks that have lived and bred in the marsh through the spring and summer now begin to flock up, and migrating ducks from the north begin to join them. A range of birds, such as Warblers, Vireos, Flycatcher, Thrushes and various songbirds pass through the marsh on their way south. By the time the summer songbirds, herons, egrets and cormorants depart, ducks are at peak numbers in the marsh. By mid-November, the goose numbers are at their highest levels, making this the best time to see some breathtaking feeding flights.