Grand River Marsh SWA--Marquette Co., Marquette County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot
Habitat: 7,000 acres of Oak-Hickory Forest, Native and Restored Grassland, Oak Savanna, Marsh, Sedge Meadow, Open Water.
Best Birds: Grassland and savanna species include Eastern Whip-poor-Will, Northern Harrier, Red-headed Woodpecker, American Kestrel, Clay-colored Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Orchard Oriole, and Dickcissel.
As the open grasslands give way to forest and shrubs expect to find Yellow and Black-billed Cuckoo, hawks, Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, other woodpeckers, flycatchers, Willow Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, vireos including Bell's, Wood Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Blue-winged Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, and Scarlet Tanager.
Observations from the dike road overlooking the marsh and open water include Trumpeter Swan, most duck species during migration, grebes, Virginia Rail, Sora, Common Gallinule, American Woodcock, Wilson's Snipe, other plovers and shorebirds, Black Tern, Forster's Tern, American White Pelican, herons, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Marsh Wren, and Yellow-headed Blackbird.
Directions: 51 miles N of Madison/5 miles south of Montello on State Hwy. 22. Exit County Hwy. B east for 3 miles to gravel entrance road (43.708790 - 89.255686). Several pull-over and parking sites are available along the 1.4 mile road to the dam. Road is closed from Labor Day to the first Saturday in May, but walk-in access is allowed. North access at 43.733807 - 89.264372 from Lake Puckaway Road.
Site Address & Additional Information:
Dam Site, 43.72881 - 89.26072
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/WildlifeAreas/grandriver.html
Daryl Christensen
