https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4081898
Habitat: Southern Hardwood Forest, Native and Restored Grassland, Marsh, Open Water.
Best Birds: Lakeshore and woodland trails traverse a variety of habitats; Red-breasted Nuthatch and Pine Warbler can be found in the hardwood forests, Purple Martin can be found in the prairie. Other good birding areas within the Preserve are Frautschi Point (vireos. warblers and thrushes), Biocore Prairie (variety of sparrows), Class of 1918 Marsh (Sora, Virginia Rail), Picnic Point marsh (Prothonotary Warbler), Bill’s Woods (nesting owls) and University Bay (large concentrations of waterfowl in spring, fall and early winter, including Horned and Red-necked Grebe, large congregations of Tundra Swan, and occasional scoters and avocets).
The full range of migrating warblers, thrushes, sparrows and vireos are reliable each year, as well as nesting warblers, bluebirds and Willow and Great Crested Flycatcher. Other notable birds are Yellow and Black-billed Cuckoo, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and nesting Great Horned and Barred Owl.
Directions: In the city of Madison on University Bay Drive just west of the main UW campus.
There is a parking lot (free on Sat/Sun) at the entrance to Picnic Point on University Bay Drive, 43.08434, -89.42880. And a free lot at the Frautschi Point entrance on Lake Mendota Drive, 43.09075, -89.43377. Trails can be accessed from both entrances, with good maps posted at each.
Address & Additional Information:
The 300-acre Lakeshore Nature Preserve stretches for 4.3 miles along the south shore of Lake Mendota on the University of Wisconsin campus. The reserve is often referred to as Picnic Point, because of the peninsula that juts into Lake Mendota, affording the classic UW walk to the tip, as well as an ideal stopover for fall and spring migrants.
2000 University Bay Dr, Madison, WI
https://lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu/
https://www.friendslakeshorepreserve.com/
Field trips are offered by Friends of Lakeshore Preserve.
Judith Harackiewicz
