https://ebird.org/hotspot/L276841
Habitat: Open Water, Pine Plantation, Jack Pine-Oak Barrens, Marsh, Sedge Meadow, Dogwood Swamp, Alder Swamp, and Successional Oldfields. The property is bordered by the Wisconsin River to the north, agricultural fields to the west, Village Edge Road on the south, and wetlands to the east.
Best Birds: The Arena Unit of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway is best known for Red-shouldered Hawk, Barred Owl, Carolina Wren, Prothonotary Warbler, and occasionally Yellow-crowned Night Heron.
From the boat landing, scan the Wisconsin River and sandbars for waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds like Sanderling, Willet, Franklin’s Gull, and Iceland Gull.
The wetlands are good for American Bittern, Sora, Virginia Rail, Marsh Wren, and Sedge Wren. During fall migration look for Nelson’s Sparrow along the edges of the marsh.
Breeding Black-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bell’s Vireo, and White-eyed Vireo may be found in the dense thickets, swamps, and overgrown fields east from the bridge along River Road. In winter watch for Short-eared Owls at dusk and dawn.
Check the pine plantation and barrens for Whip-poor-will, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Lark Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Pine Warbler, and a variety of winter finches.
Directions: 30 miles NW of Madison. From Hwy 14, at the village of Arena, go north one mile on Village Edge Road, follow the road as it curves west, and at the first stop sign turn north on River Road to the boat landing on the Wisconsin River (43.186725, -89.901147).
Site Address & Additional Information:
7416 River Road, Arena, WI 53503
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=246
https://dnr.wi.gov/maps/WR/SCR/7925arenacasselprairie.pdf
Aaron Holschbach
