Seasons of Wildlife
- Fall migration on the refuge offers impressive numbers of Canada geese, ducks and sandhill cranes.
- Spring migration offers a variety of unique waterbirds and songbirds and the sounds of frogs chorusing.
- Summer is nesting time at the marsh so wildlife is often less visible.
- Winter is a quiet time at the marsh but wildlife is still abundant including otters, muskrats, hawks, owls and coyotes.
2026 Spring Migration Surveys
3/12/2026
Total birds counted during survey - 7,732
Top Species Sighted by Bird Group
- Dabbler - Mallard - 1,347
- Diver - Ring-necked duck - 1,267
- Geese - Canada goose - 3,126
- Marsh Bird - Ring-billed gull - 72
- Swan - Trumpeter swan - 59
- Wading Bird - Sandhill crane - 168
3/24/2026
Total birds counted during survey - 11,996
Top Species Sighted by Bird Group
- Dabbler - Mallard - 2,102
- Diver - Common Merganser - 571
- Geese - Canada goose - 6,874
- Marsh Bird - Ring-billed gull - 176
- Swan - Trumpeter swan - 23
- Wading Bird - Sandhill crane - 73
4/1/2026
Total birds counted during survey - 12,942
Top Species Sighted by Bird Group
- Dabbler - Mallard - 3,240
- Diver - Ring-necked duck - 298
- Geese - Canada goose - 4,813
- Marsh Bird - American coot - 100
- Shorebird - Sandpiper sp - 14
- Swan - Trumpeter swan - 18
- Wading Bird - Sandhill crane - 131
4/9/2026
Total birds counted during survey - 15,474
Top Species Sighted by Bird Group
- Dabbler - Green-winged teal - 1,281
- Diver - Lesser scaup - 2,681
- Geese - Canada goose - 4,301
- Marsh Bird - American white pelican - 312
- Shorebird - Black-necked stilt - 4
- Swan - Trumpeter swan - 25
- Wading Bird - Sandhill crane - 25
4/15/2026
Total birds counted during survey - 7,877
Top Species Sighted by Bird Group
- Dabbler - Mallard - 456
- Diver - Ruddy duck - 832
- Geese - Canada goose - 3,720
- Marsh Bird - American white pelican - 404
- Shorebird - Greater yellowlegs - 12
- Swan - Trumpeter swan - 31
- Wading Bird - Great egret - 26
4/23/2026
Total birds counted during survey - 4,505
Top Species Sighted by Bird Group
- Dabbler - Green-winged teal - 762
- Diver - Ruddy duck - 1,310
- Geese - Canada goose - 515
- Marsh Bird - American white pelican - 642
- Shorebird - Black-necked stilt - 55
- Swan - Trumpeter swan - 29
- Wading Bird - Sandhill crane - 8
4/30/2026
Total birds counted during survey - 2,230
Top Species Sighted by Bird Group
- Dabbler - Blue-winged teal - 164
- Diver - Ruddy duck - 117
- Geese - Canada goose - 530
- Marsh Bird - American white pelican - 341
- Shorebird - Black-necked stilt - 71
- Swan - Trumpeter swan - 25
- Wading Bird - Great egret - 6
Featured Species
The marsh provides critical habitat for more than 300 species of birds as well as muskrats, red foxes, turtles, frogs, bats, dragonflies, fish and much more.
Muskrat
Muskrats are often seen swimming or feeding on cattails and make their homes in cattail “huts” throughout the refuge. The original “marsh managers”, they create open areas of water for waterfowl to swim and feed.
Redhead duck
Originally established for this species, the refuge supports the largest nesting population of redhead ducks east of the Mississippi River. Thousands use the marsh each year.
American white pelican
American white pelicans nest abundantly on islands in the interior of the marsh and may be seen feeding in large groups - “herding” fish into shallower water for easier dining.
