Habitat: 229 acres of Open Water, Successional Oldfields, and Southern Hardwood Forests.
Best Birds: Gibbs Lake Park is a year-round birding destination. The diversity of habitats and large acreage produces high species counts, and rarities occur annually in the park. It is a very good site for owls like Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned, Barred, Northern Saw-whet.
Winter songbirds include Winter Wren, Purple Finch, and Pine Siskin. In years with irruptions of boreal species, mature conifers near the parking area provide attractive habitat for Red and White-winged Crossbill.
During migration, Gibbs Lake is good for finding Red-breasted Merganser, along with a good diversity of waterfowl. The availability of water and diverse habitats generate impressive spring warbler diversity. The portions of the park away from the lake are under-birded.
Directions: Located 10 miles northwest of Janesville on W. Gibbs Lake Rd., 2 miles north of UW Hwy 14. The main entrance to the park (42.785664, -89.181103) provides the best view of waterfowl on the lake. From there, locate trails heading east beyond the rest rooms. These trails cover the eastern and northern portions of the park, including a trail loop on the north side of Gibbs Lake Road 0.4 miles east of the main entrance.
Site Address & Additional Information:
9103 W. Gibbs Lake Rd.
Janesville, WI 53545
https://www.co.rock.wi.us/parks-gibbs-lake
Tom Klubertanz
