Lake Mills SWA--Zeloski Marsh, Jefferson County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: 1,320 acres of Open Water, Wetland, Native and Restored Grassland, Southern Hardwood Forest, and Conifer Bog with Tamarack and Spruce.
Best birds: Look for a variety of waterfowl, including Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose, American Black Duck, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Hooded Merganser, Common Gallinule, as well as American White Pelican, Solitary Sandpiper, and Northern Rough-winged Swallow.
Virginia Rail, Sora Rail, Wilson’s Snipe, Black Tern, Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, Swamp Sparrow, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird (migration) can be found in the wetlands.
The grasslands support nesting Osprey, Field Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Western Meadowlark, and Bobolink.
The hardwood forest attracts Eastern Screech-Owl, Fox Sparrow, migrant wood warblers, and many other passerines.
Sandhill Crane can be seen in the conifer bog, and Osprey nest on a platform near the west entrance.
Directions: 23 miles E of Madison/South of Lake Mills, off London Road (west entrance, 43.038423, -88.981123) or Alley Road (east entrance, 43.052991, -88.970051). Besides several hiking trails within the marsh there’s a biking trail that meets up with the Glacial Drumlin Bike Trail, providing another method of access.
Site Address & Additional Information:
West entrance: W9042 London Rd, Cambridge, WI, 43.038423, -88.981123
East entrance: W8825 Alley Rd, Lake Mills, WI, 43.052991, -88.970051
https://ebird.org/wi/news/721/
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/WildlifeAreas/lakemills.html
Brad Webb
