Indian Mound Conservation Park
Indian Mound Conservation Park, Dane County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Open Water, Marsh, Southern Hardwood Forest
Best Birds: During migration, many warblers, vireos, thrushes and flycatchers can be found in the park. Late in spring migration, the wooded edges near the marsh can be good for Mourning Warbler, Canada Warbler and Connecticut Warbler.
The marsh area holds resident Warbling Vireo (and Rusty Blackbird in spring migration). The river is most interesting in winter when Tundra Swan (and occasionally a Trumpeter Swan) stop by on the way to Lower Mud Lake. This area also holds wintering Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, American Black Duck and both Greater and Lesser Scaup, and when it gets extremely cold and even Lower Mud Lake freezes up, there can be hundreds of waterfowl in the river area. The water tower on top of the hill is a perch for resident Turkey Vulture (dozens in fall migration). The park and adjacent neighborhood to the west are also home to Great-Horned Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl and Carolina Wren (these species are more easily detected in the winter season).
Directions: 10 miles southeast of Madison. Park along Exchange Street (43.006388, -89.298698) and enter the trail system.
Site Address & Additional Information:
The Indian Mound Park complex (technically four separate parks) is a great migrant trap situated between riparian habitat and hardwood forest.
4901 Burma Rd, McFarland, WI 53558
https://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/families/Forest.cfm
Shawn Miller
