Public Notice: Fire crews will be starting spring prescribed burn season so facilities may be closed periodically. Please check ahead before your visit.
Refuge auto tour off Hwy 49 is open to vehicles.
Visitor Center: currently closed to the public.
Discovery Trail open for hiking and porta potty available.
Main Dike Rd: now open to vehicles as well as hiking and bicycling (bicycling conditions are currently rough due to recent roadwork)
Old Marsh Rd: currently closed to hiking and bicycling for spring bird migration. (April 23-25th Old Marsh Rd Special Opening to Hiking & Bicycling in honor of Earth Day)
Refuge remains open for fishing at bank fishing locations (Main Dike Road, Ledge Road, and Peachy Road).
See maps for more information.
Please remember to practice social distancing and avoid trails and parking areas that may be experiencing higher visitor use. Stay local, stay safe and enjoy!
For more information email horicon@fws.gov or call 920-387-2658.
Refuge Map
Public Programs and Events
On refuge and marsh-wide.
*PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ALL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED OR POSTPONED.
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Spring 2021 Migration Report
4/14/2021
This is week five of waterbird surveys at the refuge for the spring migration.
Dabbling ducks were the most numerous waterfowl group this week. Their numbers total about 8,000 on this week’s survey. Three species, Northern shoveler, green-winged teal, and gadwall had numbers over 1,000. Blue-winged teal, American wigeon, and mallards were seen in the hundreds. Other dabblers seen in small groups included Northern pintail, American black duck, and wood duck.
Diving duck numbers increased this week to 4,500. Eight different species were seen this week. Ruddy ducks were the most numerous at over 2,500. Ring-neck ducks, scaup, redheads, and buffleheads were seen in the hundreds. A couple small flocks of canvasbacks were spotted. Only a couple common mergansers and hooded mergansers were seen.
Canada geese dropped considerably to about 3,500 this week – down from about 23,000 birds last week.
Other sightings to note:
•Forster’s terns were seen around the auto tour route.
•Shorebirds sightings were most numerous around the auto tour loop. Sandpipers and yellowlegs were seen on the mudflats. Several pairs of black-necked stilts have been hanging out there, as well.
•More than 30 bald eagles are still hanging around in the unit along Ledge Road.
•Great egret and great blue heron sightings are becoming more frequent.
•Often heard but not seen, bitterns and rails are back. Virginia rails and soras were heard. You might even hear the “pump-er-lunk” of an American bittern.
Ledge Road is still the “hotspot” and offers the most species for viewing .Travel down the west section of road that enters the marsh and look along the north side. Seventeen different species of waterbirds were counted – you may see even more. Large flocks of diving ducks were seen on the south side of Hwy 49 and on Main Dike Road (the 2 lane gravel road that enters the middle of the marsh) look on the north side of the road in the large open water area you will see rafts of ruddy ducks, scaup, and ring-neck ducks.
2021 Waterbird Blog April 14