https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1240713
Habitat: Open Water, Marsh, Cropland.
Best Birds: Before the marsh developed, this area had been a good location for Western Meadowlark and Brewer’s Blackbird, and it remains the best place to find this species in Sauk County.
The marsh hosts nesting Common Gallinule, Sora, Virginia Rail, Northern Harrier, Marsh Wren, Sedge Wren, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. Large flocks of puddle ducks gather during migration. Impressive numbers of shorebirds and waders can also be found here, including uncommon species like White-faced Ibis, Black-necked Stilt, Marbled Godwit, Hudsonian Godwit, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, and Red-necked Phalarope. During fall migration LeConte’s Sparrow and Nelson’s Sparrow have been found here, and in winter this is a good area to watch for Short-eared Owl.
Directions: 43 miles W of Madison/7 miles northwest of Spring Green. From Lone Rock, travel 1.5 miles north on County Line Drive, then turn east (right) onto Mercer Road. Continue east on Mercer Road for 1.5 miles to reach Peck Road and the marsh.
Site Address & Additional Information:
Historically, this area had been cropland until heavy rains flooded the fields beginning in 2007. This fairly new marsh now extends from the Lone Rock airport to the east of Peck Road, and is bordered by Mercer Road to the south, and continues to the north of CTH-JJ.
Peck Rd, Spring Green, WI 53588
Aaron Holschbach
