Whether you’re a seasoned birder or want to experience the peak of spring bird migration, Madison has plenty of options. Here’s a roundup of some of the best birding spots in the Madison area.
Perhaps it’s no surprise that a place with prairies, savannas, woodlands, wetlands, and big trees is a great place for birds. The 5.3-mile loop is adjacent to the Wingra Lake and is open year-round.
🐦 What you’ll see: Waterfowl, Red-winged Blackbirds, Wild Turkeys, and more.
Nestled inside the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, the mile-long peninsula extends into Lake Mendota’s south shore. For the best viewing, head toward the Lake Mendota Lakeshore Path and the adjacent mash.
🐦 What you’ll see: The University of Wisconsin-Madison website has an extensive list of the birds you’ll find depending on the time of the year.
At more than 33,000 acres, Horicon Marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the country. It is also recognized as a Wetland of International Importance, both as a Global and State Important Bird Area, by the Ramsar Convention of Wetlands.
🐦 What you’ll see: Ideal for migratory birds like redhead ducks and Canada geese, waterfowl, and songbirds.
It might be a small park but it contains the largest natural springs in southern Wisconsin. They also allow dogs as long as they’re kept on leash.
🐦 What you’ll see: Trushes, northern cardinals, sandhill cranes, and more.
Ready to take flight as a full-blown birder? We spoke to Dexter “The Wisco Birder” Patterson, co-founder of BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, about his favorite birding spots and their program to donate birding kits to community centers and schools.
