Waubesa Wetlands (Nature Conservancy), Dane County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Waubesa Wetlands SNA, Dane County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Marsh, Southern Hardwood Forest, Native and Restored Grasslands, Oak Savanna, Cropland.
Best Birds: At the Waubesa Wetlands Nature Conservancy tract, the pasture immediately surrounding the parking area can yield Field Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, and Dickcissels. The prairie further east is home to American Woodcock, Sedge Wren (in most non-burn years), and Henslow’s and Clay-Colored Sparrow. The trail through the oak savannah habitat that goes north is good for migrant warblers and flycatchers. The trail winds through a stand of pines that also holds many warblers in migration and is home to Great Horned Owl, and then descends further north down the oak knoll and towards the marsh. The woods here is full of bugs and a great migrant trap. Summer residents include Yellow-Billed Cuckoo and Great-Crested Flycatcher.
The marsh holds Northern Waterthrush in migration. The woods/prairie edges can hold Willow Flycatcher and Orchard Oriole. Osprey nest in the area and are often perched on tall trees along the edges.
At Waubesa Wetlands SNA, the alfalfa field as you approach the parking area on Stace Road is good for migrating Bobolink and resident Eastern Meadowlark and Dickcissel. From the parking area, head north along the easement gravel road and then west until it enters a hilltop prairie. The gravel path is scrubby and can hold good numbers of American Tree-Sparrow in winter, White-Crowned Sparrow in migration as well as oddities like Yellow-Breasted Chat. The prairie is good for Field and Clay-Colored Sparrows and Orchard Oriole. The powerline towers hold nesting Osprey every year as well as a resident pair of Red-Tailed Hawk (local Bald Eagles regularly pass over the property as well). The wooded area surrounding the prairie holds many species of woodpeckers and a good diversity of Sharp-Shinned Hawk, warblers, vireos and flycatchers in migration, and Short-Eared Owl in winter.
Directions: Eight miles south of Madison. The Conservancy is on Lalor Road with parking at 42.993009, -89.361611 and the SNA is on Stace Road with parking at 42.982983, -89.342448. There are no connecting trail between these adjacent areas.
Site Address & Additional Information:
Waubesa Wetlands Nature Conservancy: Lalor Road, Oregon, WI, 42.993009, -89.361611
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/waubesa-wetland-preserve/
Waubesa Wetlands SNA: 4420 Stace Rd, McFarland, WI, 42.982983, -89.342448
https://www.danecountyparks.com/WildlifeArea/Waubesa-Wetlands-Wildlife-Area
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=114
Shawn Miller
