Grand River Marsh SWA--Green Lake Co., Green Lake County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: Cattail Marsh, Non-native Grassland, Restored Prairie, Oak-Hickory Forest, Willow, Alder or Dogwood Swamp.
Best birds: American Bittern, Great Egret, Virginia Rail and Sora, Common Gallinule, Forster’s and Black Tern, Northern Harrier, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested, Willow, Alder and Least Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Marsh and Sedge Wren, Brown Thrasher, Field Sparrow, Henslow’s Sparrow, Orchard Oriole, Bobolink, and Scarlet Tanager. Both woodland and marsh-edge species can be found.
The Fountain Creek Wet Prairie SNA has shrubby areas where both Willow and Alder Flycatchers can be found. Henslow’s Sparrow can be found in some of the fields along Grand River Road.Trumpeter Swan have nested there in recent years, and Common Gallinule are sometimes spotted, and other marsh birds might be found.
Directions: 50 miles N of Madison. The intersection of County Roads B and H is at the southeast corner of the wildlife area. Hwy. B forms the southern edge of the wildlife area. An access road off Hwy. B (43.70194, -89.22374) goes to an overlook and grassland area, with forest to the north.
To explore the Fountain Creek Wet Prairie SNA, park at the end of a short road (43.69904, -89.20671) north of County Road B. Walk east or west into the natural area. The SNA is also accessible by canoe from the Highway B bridge 0.3 mile west of the access road, (43.69896, -89.21301).
Hwy H forms the eastern boundary and there is an access road (43.70765, -89.16889) that leads to parking lots where surrounding areas can be explored. Further north on H is the bridge where the Grand River crosses and meanders, and there is a wooded area.
A short distance north of the bridge take Grand River Road west to grasslands, marshy and shrubby areas. In 2.4 miles where the road makes a sharp bend to the north there is a parking area (43.72644, -89.20695) overlooking the distant marsh. Further up the hill there is another parking lot on the right (43.72933, -89.20662) on the edge of the forest. Take the short trail that leads to a boardwalk which extends into a small wetland. Near the north end of Grand River Road, there is a marshy area on both sides of the road.
Most of this wildlife area is in Green Lake County. In the west the road that goes north from B to the dam is in Marquette County.
Site Address and Additional Information:
Intersection of County Road B and County Road H, Dalton WI
Grand River Marsh Wildlife Area | Wisconsin DNR
Fountain Creek Wet Prairie State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
Grand River Marsh is an Important Bird Area (IBA).
Tom Schultz
