https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L1520075
Habitat: Open water, Conifer Bog, Beaches and Mudflats, and Cropland.
Best Birds: This area contains one of the few conifer bogs in southern Wisconsin, and has become one of the best shorebird locations in Rock County. Observations during migration include Black-necked Stilt, Semipalmated Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and Short-billed Dowitcher. Black and Forster’s Tern are also possible.
Directions: 40 miles SE of madison/5 miles WSW of Whitewater between E. Bower’s Lake Road and County Rd. N. This area includes the State Natural Area (SNA), other property owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and private property. The large pond south of the SNA is privately owned, but the eBird hotspot includes records from there as well as the bog and SNA. The pond can be viewed from the vantage of Bower’s Lake Road (42.805385, -88.848497). The SNA can be accessed through two easements. First is the limited parking and easement on Bower’s Lake Road (42.806406, -88.841668), 0.3 miles east of where the edge of the pond is closest to the road. From the parking area, go due north along the tree line into the SNA. A second easement provides access from the west. Park roadside at the intersection of E. Godfrey Road and County Rd. KK, (42.815068, -88.856605). Walk due east along the fencerow, a DNR easement. Lima Bog SNA does not have a trail system, and the bog habitat and vegetation are very sensitive to disturbance, so care must be used when visiting this site.
Site Address & Additional Information:
Bowers Lake Road, Whitewater WI
Bower’s Lake Road parking and easement, 42.806406, -88.841668
Godfrey Road easement, 42.815068, -88.856605
Bower’s Lake Road Pond vantage, 42.805385, -88.848497
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=219
Tom Klubertanz
