County DM Ponds
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L526453
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1676457
Habitat: Open Water, Mudflats, Cropland.
Best Birds: Flooded agricultural fields north of Waunakee provide rest and feeding stops for a great diversity of waterfowl including Tundra Swan (migration/winter only) and Trumpeter Swan, Greater White-Fronted, Ross’s, Snow and Cackling Goose, Canvasback, Ruddy Duck, Redhead, Gadwall, American Black Duck, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Greater Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and all three mergansers, and Horned and Eared Grebe
In addition to the common shorebird migrants, harder-to-find shorebirds that are found annually include Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson’s Phalarope, Black-necked Stilt, Ruddy Turnstone, American Avocet, and occasionally Red-necked Phalarope. Plovers include Semipalmated Plover as well as harder to get Black-bellied Plover and American Golden-plover.
Rails found include Virginia.
In recent years there have been records of White-faced and Glossy Ibis. Other related species found regularly at these ponds are American Bittern, Least Bittern, Great Egret, and an occasional Snowy Egret.
Gulls include Bonaparte’s and occasionally Franklin’s Gull.
Directions: 17 miles north of Madison. Along County Road DM east of the I-90/94 underpass near the intersection with County Road I (43.27592, -89.38345). And west of the underpass near the intersection with WIBU Road. These ponds are on private property so bird from the roadside.
Site Address & Additional Information:
5265-5249 County Rd DM, DeForest, WI, 43.27557, -89.40162
5000-5194 County Rd DM, DeForest, WI, 43.27592, -89.38345
Kristin Schmitt and Shawn Miller
