We’re sorry, this field trip is canceled due to concerns around COVID-19.
If you feel you can safely get outdoors you can do this field trip on your own. Here is a brief description to guide you.
Birding Lake Farm County Park
Start at the Picnic shelter #1 off Libby Road. Check the area there for woodpeckers, cranes, Meadowlarks, Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and watch the skies for flyover birds, like gulls or pelicans.
From here walk over to the boat landing along Lake Waubesa. Along the way check the woods and flooded areas for Sapsuckers, Northern Flickers, Eastern Phoebe, Robins, Chickadees, blackbirds, pond ducks like Mallards, Wood Ducks and Blue-wing Teal.
At the boat landing scan the lake for migrating waterfowl, Loons, Canvasbacks, Ring-necked Ducks, Coots, Mergansers, Ruddy Ducks, Redhead Ducks, etc.
From there walk the main path along the lake (heading North) and look for woodland species as mentioned before. Stop now & then to scan the lakes for more waterfowl species.
Along the shore there may be Swamp, Song, Fox or Chipping Sparrows, or in marshy areas look for Rusty Blackbirds, Red-wing Blackbirds and pond ducks. Some years we hear Winter Wrens calling out near the end before the path joins the bike trail.
On the boardwalk section of the bike/hiking trail you can scan Upper Mud Lake for more waterfowl, Bald Eagles, possibly Tundra Swans or Pelicans.
Looking south, check the north end of Lake Waubesa for mergansers, loons, etc.
Heading back toward the Shelter 1 parking lot walk along the prairie trails and look for Killdeer, Meadowlarks, Goldfinches, bluebirds, Savannah Sparrows, some years a rare Harris Sparrows shows up, cranes, Canada Geese and flyover gulls like Ring-billed or Bonapartes.
Allow 2-3 hours to cover this area at a leisurely pace, stopping often to watch birds in a variety of habitat.
Have a great time birding and enjoy the outdoors. Take a kid along! Follow COVID-19 health suggestions if birding with friends. Be safe - stay well!
Patrick Ready
Field Trip Leader
This field trip focuses on birding the Lake Farm County Park area and nearby open water. Lake Waubesa and Upper Mud Lake should have a variety of ducks. On the trails we may find yellow-rumped warblers, phoebes, thrushes, and a variety of sparrows. We will walk part of the new Capital City Trail and check Lake Waubesa and Upper Mud Lake for ducks, loons, and other birds. Bring a scope for viewing the lake, if possible.
Meet at the No.1 shelter parking lot. Take South Town Rd. south from the Beltline to Moorland Rd. and turn left. Continue to Libby Rd. and turn left again. The shelter lot is a few blocks up on your left.
ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES:
Trail grade and number or type of trail impediments are ok for those with difficulty walking or wearing children in packs
APPROXIMATE DISTANCE FOR WALKING: 1-3 miles
RSVP REQUIRED? YES - email Brenna at bmarsicek@madisonaudubon.org to RSVP.
FIELD TRIP LEADER: Pat Ready, 608-239-0791, birdsready@gmail.com
Header photo by Phil Brown
