Wildlife
|
Comprehensive Conservation Plan Phone: 920-387-2658 Visitor Center Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:00pm
|
Birds and Migration Although famous as a fall stopover location for over 250,000 interior Canada geese, Horicon marsh hosts a remarkable diversity of other birds in spring, summer, and fall as well - over 300 species of birds have been sighted at the marsh. Late April, May, September and October are the best months for viewing migratory birds but many birds and other wildlife species are visible year-round. Bird Checklist (192 KB, pdf) Current Waterfowl Numbers and Bird Sightings April 27 Waterfowl Survey: Waterfowl migration is almost over and nesting season is underway. The large flocks of Canada geese have moved on and most of the geese you see now will stay here and nest. Some broods are already visible on the auto tour. The largest flocks of ducks include gadwall and redheads. Mallards, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, wood ducks, wigeon, shovelers, pintails, ring-necked ducks, ruddy ducks, bufflehead and hooded mergansers are seen in smaller numbers. Pied-billed grebes, cormorants, pelicans, and great blue herons are also visible throughout the refuge. Other sightings include a snowy owl (very unusual for this time of year!), black-necked stilts, yellow-headed blackbirds, bald eagles, sandhill cranes and two of the young whooping cranes released on the refuge in the fall of 2011. Many shorebirds can also be viewed from the south side of Hwy 49 as this impoundment goes through a managed water level called a drawdown to stimulate native vegetation and remove invasive carp. Visitors may also call the refuge waterfowl update line at 920-387-2658 and choose the option for "waterfowl numbers" (Option 5) for up-to-date numbers and sightings. Report your Sightings E-Bird - An E-Bird Trail Tracker kiosk is located in the refuge visitor center for reporting bird sightings on the refuge. You may also enter your sightings online at E-Bird. Please report whooping crane sightings at the site below:
Whooping Cranes Whooping crane reintroduction efforts were expanded in 2011 to include a Direct Autumn Release (DAR) of 8 chicks at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. These chicks are "trained" to feed etc. by a crane-costumed biologist but do NOT follow an ultralight on their migration south. All 8 successfully migrated south and we hope they return to the refuge in the spring! For more information on the ultralight training visit White River Marsh Wildlife Area (Wisconsin DNR) Operation Migration or the International Crane Foundation . If you encounter a whooping crane, please give them the respect and distance they need - 200 yards if on foot; 100 yards if in a vehicle. Also, please remain concealed as best as possible and do not speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you. Approaching cranes (and other wildlife) too closely can result in the animals becoming habituated to humans and if threatened can become aggressive toward humans and domestic animals. Additonal Birding Information Bird sightings throughout Wisconsin may be found at: Additional birding field trips and programs:
Common Wildlife Muskrat Redhead duck Leopard frog American white pelican Painted turtle Garter snake White-tailed deer Great blue heron Canada goose Mallard duck Northern harrier Tree swallow Red-winged blackbird Sandhill crane Coot Dragonfly
Canada Goose / Jack Bartholmai Tips for Wildlife Viewing
|
