At 7:00 AM on Sunday, August 11 we met at the main parking lot for the Horicon Marsh Auto Tour, took attendance, and then drove along the auto tour loop. The weather was fantastic – clear and calm, with a temperature of 56 degrees. 18 birders were present. We worked our way around to the west end of the Old Marsh Road, where we parked and walked out along the gravel road/dike.
COMMON GALLINULE - PHOTO BY TOM SCHULTZ
Lots of swallows were flying around, with thousands visible in the distance out over the marsh, and all species were identified. In the nearby cattails we saw PIED-BILLED GREBE, COMMON GALLINULE, MARSH WREN, SONG and SWAMP SPARROWS. Flying about were SANDHILL CRANE, WILSON’S SNIPE, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, BLACK TERN, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, GREEN HERON, and BELTED KINGFISHER.
AUTO TOUR - OLD MARSH ROAD WEST END - PHOTO BY TOM SCHULTZ
Out along the dike we observed a NORTHERN HARRIER that was eating its prey, and a couple of GREAT EGRETS were feeding along one of the ditches. Other birds observed there were EASTERN KINGBIRD, CEDAR WAXWING, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD and NORTHERN CARDINAL.
After about an hour we returned to the cars and worked our way to the parking area for the boardwalk. Birds seen or heard along the way included HOUSE WREN, EASTERN TOWHEE, COMMON GRACKLE, AMERICAN REDSTART and INDIGO BUNTING. Walking out onto part of the boardwalk we found EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE, EASTERN KINGBIRD, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, NORTHERN FLICKER and BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
Further along the Auto Tour we encountered a pond that hosted a HOODED MERGANSER, BLUE-WINGED TEAL and MALLARDS, as well as a few more BLACK TERNS that were flying about. Several PIED-BILLED GREBES were also present, as well as RING-BILLED GULL.
OLD MARSH ROAD EAST END - PHOTO BY TOM SCHULTZ
From there we drove over to the east side of the marsh, where we did some birding along Ledge Road. There we saw lots more AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, a GREAT BLUE HERON, several BLACK-BILLED NIGHT-HERONS, and some TRUMPETER SWANS. Other waterfowl included CANADA GOOSE, WOOD DUCK, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, MALLARD and REDHEAD. Along the adjacent ditch we had nice looks at GREEN HERON and a group of SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, and a LEAST BITTERN was heard calling from the cattails. A SORA was found and provided decent looks, and a little while later it flew across the ditch to another spot.
Our final destination was the east end of Old Marsh Road, where we hiked in from Point Road. We heard a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO calling, and saw lots more SWALLOWS perched on various dead trees. Along the way we spotted a young BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON that was perched on a log, and saw a GREATER YELLOWLEGS feeding in a ditch near a GREAT EGRET. A family of TRUMPETER SWANS provided good views as they loafed and preened nearby.
At around 11:15 many in the group called it a day and hiked back to the cars. Some decided to hike in further, and were rewarded by finding a SNOWY EGRET! Thanks to all who attended, and to Jeff Baughman for co-leading this event, which netted 64 species. The eBird trip report (containing many bird photos from the morning) can be found at: 
https://ebird.org/tripreport/266934
