https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L585649
Habitat: 900+ acres of Open Water, Marsh, Bottomland Hardwoods, Oak Barrens, Oak Savanna, and Sand Prairie.
Best Birds: Virginia Rail, Least Bittern, and Marsh Wren are among the wetland species that can be observed by canoe or from multiple viewing areas along the inner road going west to a boat launch at Cruson Slough and to the east at the boat launch with access to Smith Slough.
Listen and look for Red-shouldered Hawk and Prothonotary Warbler in the floodplain forest and sloughs to the south and west of the Cruson Slough boat launch. Both sloughs are good places in early spring to check for migrating waterfowl. There are no maintained trails. Access to the floodplain forest, depending on the water level of the Wisconsin River, is across the dike at the west boat launch.
Directions: 46 miles WNW of madison. From the junction of Highways 14, 133, and 130 in Lone Rock, go 1.5 miles west to the main entrance. There are 5 viewing areas along the half-mile long inner road between the main entrance (43.19437, -90.22887) and the west boat launch area (43.19351, -90.23912). These overlooks are reached by short (150 - 200 ft.) rutted dirt lanes going south. To get a close look at birdlife in the Cruson Slough east of the entrance, pull off the road where the water is visible and go on foot. The east road ends at a parking area and boat launch on Smith Slough (43.18714, -90.21754) within the north boundary of the Smith Slough and Sand Barrens SNA.
Site Address and Additional Information:
This property is part of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway and includes the 307-acre Smith Slough and Sand Prairie State Natural Area.
Hwy 14, Lone Rock WI
Main Entrance, 43.19437, -90.22887
Cruson Slough, west boat launch, 43.19351, -90.23912
Smith Slough, east boat launch 43.18714, -90.21754
https://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/lakepages/LakeDetail.aspx?wbic=1236300
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=250
Barbara Duerksen
