Pine Island SWA--DNR station to Blount Rd., Columbia County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Pine Island SWA--Blount Rd to Stone House Rd., Columbia County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Marsh, Sedge Meadow, Dogwood Swamp, Open Water, Southern Hardwood Forest, Bottomland Hardwoods, Oak-Hickory Forest, Native and Restored Grassland, Oak Savanna, and Sand Prairie. The Wisconsin River flows through the north end of the property.
Best Birds: In migration look for waterfowl, warblers, and woodland birds. During the nesting season check the wetlands for Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Virginia Rail, Sora, Wilson’s Snipe, Least Bittern, Osprey, Marsh Wren, and Swamp Sparrow. Check the grasslands for Northern Bobwhite (dog training area), Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Sedge Wren, Grasshopper Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Henslow’s Sparrow, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and Dickcissel, the shrubby/ savanna areas for Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-billed Cuckoo, American Woodcock, Red-headed Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Brown Thrasher, Blue-winged Warbler, and Orchard Oriole, and the upland and floodplain wooded areas for Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Least Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Wood Thrush, Prothonotary Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager. Swallows can also be found in summer or in migration. Sandhill Crane use the river islands in large numbers for staging and roosting in the fall.
Directions: 41 miles N of Madison. In Portage, from the south bank of the Wisconsin River on Highway 33, go south 0.25 miles and then turn west onto Fairfield Street that changes to Levee Road where you pass under the interstate. After 3.7 miles the overlook is on the south side of Levee Road, (43.536711, -89.545312). There are 28 parking lots and miles of management trails for access. Blount Road, 0.1 miles east of the overlook, is an excellent area to drive. The dog training area (1.1 miles west of the overlook on Levee Road) is an excellent place to search for grassland birds. You can also view the Wisconsin River on the north side of Levee Road.
Site Address & Additional Information:
Levee Road and Blount Road, Portage WI
Pine Island Savanna State Natural Area
Leopold Reserve-Pine Island Important Bird Area
Mark and Susan Foote-Martin and Graham Steinhauer
