Mazomanie Oak Barrens SNA, Dane County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Oak Barrens, Dry and Sand Prairie, Pine Plantation, Wetlands.
Best Birds: In spring and summer Lark Sparrow can be found around the Old Y parking lot or the hunters parking lot. Before dawn and after dusk these two areas will also yield calling Eastern Whip-poor-will in spring and early summer. Field and Clay-Colored Sparrow can also be found here. In migration, the scrub lines along Highway Y can hold both White-Throated and then White-Crowned Sparrow.
Another half-mile further southwest along CTY Y is the pine-plantation parking lot. Northern Saw-Whet Owl have been found here in winter and in early spring and Pileated Woodpecker nest here, and this area - as well as the trail that heads south out of the plantation - have yielded Dane County’s only remaining reliable area for Ruffed Grouse (seen and drumming).
Anywhere in the SNA it is possible to hear or see Red-Shouldered Hawk during spring, summer and fall.
The wet prairie and occasional wetland patch may yield American Bittern.
Directions: 24 miles northwest of Madison. Park in one of three areas: Old Y Parking Lot (43.245109, -89.734352), Hunting Parking Lot (43.242342, -89.739451) or Pine Plantation Parking lot (43.241001, -89.746363).
Site Address & Additional Information:
The Mazomanie Oak Barrens State Natural Area is a 160 acre oak barren remnant which is part of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway.
9714 County Hwy Y, Mazomanie, WI
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=248
Shawn Miller, Aaron Holschbach
