Mud Lake SWA -East
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L517577
Mud Lake SWA -West
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L446868
Waterloo Quartzite Outcrops State Natural Area
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2842612
Habitat: Marsh, Open Water, Bottomland Hardwoods, Native and Restored Grassland.
Best Birds: Mud Lake is a great spot for Sora, American and Least Bittern, Black Tern, Forster's Tern, and Yellow-Headed Blackbird. During Spring, waterfowl can be found here in abundance and shorebirds can be found here during drier years.
Mud Lake Rd leads to a trailhead for access to the Waterloo Quartzite SNA, an island in the middle of the floodplain marsh where Marsh Wren, Swamp Sparrow and numerous swallows can be found.
The best way to reach the marshland birds is paddling the Beaver Dam River. Garden Road in the SE corner has a boat launch that you can access the upstream marsh area. You can find restored grasslands on the way to the boat launch. Ranch Rd on the east side has a boat launch as well. The walking trail around the impoundment here can yield aCommon Gallinule.
Hubbleton Road in the SW accesses the Chub Lake Oak Savannah SNA which has good grasslands for Bobolink and meadowlark.
Directions: 34 miles NE of Madison/Northwest of Watertown. Mud Lake Wildlife area lies south of Reeseville to the east of County Road G.
Site Address & Additional Information:
Most of Mud Lake wildlife area is floodplain marsh, dominated by river bulrush. The Beaver Dam River runs through the heart of the property where it joins the Crawfish River at the southern portion. There are two shallow lakes, Mud and Chub lakes surrounded by hardwoods, grassland, and marsh.
Waterloo Quartite SNA, 43.274778, -88.838047
Garden Road Boat Landing, 43.229309, -88.873225
Ranch Road Boat Landing, 43.258134, -88.823351
Ranch Road Impoundment, 43.252074, -88.822694
Chub Lake Oak Savannah, 43.218580, -88.889426
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/WildlifeAreas/mud.html
Waterloo Quartzite Outcrops State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
Chub Lake Oak Savanna State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
Jeff Bahls
