Mud Lake SWA, Columbia County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Open Water, Marsh, Native and Restored Grassland, Oak Hickory Forest, and Oak Savanna.
Best Birds: The lake itself is 817 acres and ringed by emergent vegetation that attracts White-fronted Goose, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Virginia Rail, Sandhill Crane, Wilson’s Snipe, American White Pelican, Black Tern, American Bittern, Least Bittern, and Marsh Wren.
One of the most diverse groups at this site are the warblers. Uncommon warbler species to look for in the woodlands include Cerulean, Magnolia, and Wilson’s.
Extensive native and restored grasslands support nesting waterfowl, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Sedge Wren, and Eastern Meadowlark. Along woodland edges are Yellow-throated and Warbling Vireo, Eastern Towhee, Blue-winged Warbler, and Orchard Oriole.. American Woodcock, Great Horned, and Barred Owl are also present.
Directions: 31 miles N of Madison. From the intersection of State Highway 16 and County Trunk C in Rio, go south on C for 1 mile, then west on Drake Road 1.5 miles, then south on Tollefson Road 0.6 miles. 43.414443, -89.287223. There are 10 parking areas, two boat landings, and extensive management trails.
Site Address and Additional Information:
Tollefson Road, Rio, WI
Empire Prairies State Natural Area
Mud Lake Forest and Ponds State Natural Area
Mark and Susan Foote-Martin, Graham Steinhauer, and Jim Otto
