https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L911505
Habitat: Open Water, Marsh, Sedge Meadow, Willow, Dogwood and Alder Swamp, Bottomland Hardwoods, Residential, Successional Oldfield, Non-native Grassland.
Best Birds: The open waters of the impoundment host large numbers of waterfowl. Prominent species include both Tundra and Trumpeter Swan. Rafts of diving ducks dominate the offshore waters, with Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback, Redhead, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, and Ruddy Duck being the most characteristic. This site attracts divers seldom reported at other inland locations. Among these are White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, and Greater Scaup. Dabbling ducks are best observed by scanning the impoundment’s marshy edges. All species that commonly migrate through Wisconsin have been seen here.
In addition to waterfowl, other notable waterbirds include gulls, terns, grebes, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, and Common Loon. Waders and shorebirds occur in small numbers, but have included Little Blue Heron, Willet, Avocet, and Hudsonian Godwit, as well as more common species. Bald Eagle and Osprey are frequent visitors and may be nesting in the vicinity.
Directions: 43 miles ENE of LaCRosse, in the city of Tomah. The primary viewing location, Winnebago Park, is on Brandon Street. The trail is accessed from Parkview Drive.
Site Address & Additional Information:
Lake Tomah is a shallow impoundment of 245 acres of open water, with several hundred acres of marsh, sedge meadow, and shrub swamp south and west of the lake. Some bottomland hardwoods occur within these non-forested wetlands.
Winnebago Park, on the east side of the lake, provides the best access to the lake. Additional public access is available via landings on the north and southeast sides of the impoundment. Use of a canoe or kayak is the best way to observe birds frequenting the wetlands.
At the northeastern corner of the lake is a paved trail that follows the South Branch of the Lemonweir river below the dam, passing through grassland and successional old field habitat. This provides the site’s best access to migrating and resident songbirds.
1020 Brandon Street, Tomah, WI
Winnebago Park, 43.9813281, -90.518074
Tomah Recreational Trail, 43.987017, -90.515229
Eric Epstein
