Bird Watching

Designated a “Wetland of International Importance” by the Ramsar Convention of the United Nations, Horicon Marsh is a 33,000-acre wetland carved out by a glacier thousands of years ago. It features over 5 miles of hiking trails, a paddle trail, a wetland boardwalk and an education and visitor center. Bald eagles, great blue herons, black terns and more can be spotted here.

In western Burnett County, Crex Meadows is made up of wetlands, pine-oak barrens, meadows and marshes. Numerous rare wetland birds can be found, as well as large populations of common yellowthroat and clay-colored sparrow. It features several miles of trails and three overlooks.

This predominantly grassland area is home to the largest concentration of greater prairie chickens in Wisconsin. In the spring, you can reserve a blind to watch the annual prairie chicken mating ritual. Other birds, including Henslow’s sparrows, short-eared owls and upland sandpipers, can also be found.

Lulu Lake is about a 35-minute drive from Milwaukee. Osprey, sandhill cranes, great horned owls, common yellowthroats, ovenbirds and yellow warblers can be found there. Two miles of hiking trails cross rolling hills with mostly gravel and sections of grass.

The Lakeshore Birding Area stretches along Lake Michigan in Manitowoc. It includes a facility that holds excavated material from harbor dredging, where many migratory birds like to stop on their journeys. More than 300 species of birds have been recorded in the area, including migratory birds, waterfowl, songbirds and shorebirds.

Cherokee Marsh is Dane County’s largest wetland. The North Unit has trails through prairie, oak savanna and woodland areas, complete with boardwalks and a dock for launching canoes and kayaks. It offers monthly free, volunteer-led bird and nature walks.