Capital Springs SRA - Hog Island
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L5620005
Habitat: Grassland, Successional Oldfield, Hardwood Swamp, Open Water.
Best Birds: Walking the grassland from the parking lot east toward the island often yields Eastern Kingbird, Sedge Wren, and Eastern Bluebird. Once in the woods, listen for warblers, Willow Flycatcher and Alder Flycatcher near the small retention pond to the southwest. Hog Island proper has Yellow-billed Cuckoo, occasional Red-Headed Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Prothonotary Warbler, but wear boots as it can get muddy! The adjacent, drier woods are often productive with several warbler and thrush species. In late winter and early spring, scan Lake Waubesa from the shoreline (south of Hog Island) for rafts of waterfowl and the occasional Horned Grebe and Common Loon. The prairie holds Sedge Wrens and sparrows . Follow the south-edge of the prairie due west to a wooded lot with a loop trail. This trail is wet and buggy, and is good for warblers and flycatchers during migration, and possible Winter Wren and Rusty Blackbird in April.
Directions: Located on the south side of Madison, two miles south of US-12/18, on Libby Road. Grass and dirt trails are accessible from a parking lot near the boat launch (43.025309, -89.330671).
Site Address & Additional Information:
4286 Libby Road, Madison, 53711
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/capsprings/recreation
Brandyn Kerscher
