Horicon NWR--Hwy. 49 (Dodge Co.), Dodge County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Horicon NWR--Auto Tour and Trails, Dodge County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Marsh, Open Water, Restored Grassland, Oak-Hickory Forest, Southern Hardwood Forest. Horicon Marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States and is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention of the United Nations. Horicon National Wildlife Refuge encompasses the northern two-thirds of the 32,000 acre marsh.
Best Birds: Hwy 49 passes through the north end of the marsh and provides excellent views of geese, ducks, grebes, herons, egrets, terns, rails and cranes. At peak migration there may be 100-200,000 waterfowl in the marsh with large numbers visible from the road. When water levels are low, there can be thousands of migrating shorebirds. The Auto Tour Route passes small woodlots, prairie, marsh and ponds with a diversity of songbirds as well as closer views of wetland birds. Some of the special breeding birds of the Horicon are Black-necked Stilt, Black Tern, American White Pelican, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Trumpeter Swan. This vast wetland is a draw to some of the rarest bird sightings in Wisconsin such as White-faced and Glossy Ibis and King Rail.
Directions: 66 miles northwest of Milwaukee. This area is accessed from Hwy 49, four miles east of the city of Waupun and 10 miles west of I-41. Hwy 49 is a state highway with a high volume of traffic but with excellent opportunities to safely view birds from the wide shoulder of the road, (43.63313, -88.64474). The Auto Tour Route is south of Hwy 49 on the west end of the property, (43.63310, -88.67144). This area consists of a 3-mile driving route, several upland walking trails and a floating boardwalk. From midway on the auto tour route, one may also access the Old Marsh Road in summer during posted times, (43.61605, -88.67356). Hiking this dike/trail provides access into the marsh interior with open water, cattail marsh and mudflats during drawdowns.
Canoeing/kayaking is not allowed in the NWR.
Address and additional information:
W10145 Hwy 49, Waupun, WI
Horicon - Horicon - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (fws.gov)
Bill Volkert
