Join us for a slow-paced Birding by Boat through Otsego Marsh! This monthly field trip is designed to introduce new visitors to the area, as well as welcome back return paddlers to see how the wetlands change through the summer.
Space is limited to 6 boats. Sign up below!
More about the trip: Madison Audubon staffers Becky Abel and Brenna Marsicek will lead field trip participants on a slow paddle exploring the magical flora and fauna of Hawkos Pond at Madison Audubon’s Otsego Marsh. We’ll circle the 32-acre pond at least once to observe duck families, turtles, frogs, and dragonflies. We’ll watch for Wood Ducks, Red-headed and Pileated Woodpeckers, Belted Kingfishers, Blanding’s Turtles, and much more.
We will not cover a lot of water miles. Instead, we are going to stop to smell the water lilies! We’ll take our time to watch animal families going about their daily activities, insects pollinating, turtles basking, and marsh life happening. After our paddle, we can take a short jaunt across the road to visit Madison Audubon’s newest Otsego Marsh acquisition to look at native prairie and wetland habitat after the first year of restoration work and see firsthand how the new property protects and enhances Hawkos Pond.
Boat? No boat? No problem!
Don’t have a canoe or kayak? Not a problem, we have a few seats reserved in our canoes for folks like you!
If you have a canoe or kayak you will bring, we ask that you only register for people who can fit in your boat.
If you have a canoe and have an extra seat for another participant to ride with you, let us know! We’d appreciate it!
Bring your own life jacket if possible!
FIELD TRIP LEADERS: Becky Abel (babel@madisonaudubon.org) and Brenna Marsicek (bmarsicek@madisonaudubon.org)
RAIN DATE: None, canceled if poor weather
ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES:
Minimal walking required, though the canoe put-in site is unlevel
Field trip leader is adept at birding by ear and can accommodate individuals with vision impairments
APPROXIMATE DISTANCE FOR WALKING: Less than 1 mile
COVID-19 NOTES:
We follow the CDC guidelines in place at the time of the field trip.
All of our field trip leaders are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
We strongly encourage all participants to be fully vaccinated.
Children are welcome to attend, and required to wear masks when appropriate.
RSVP REQUIRED? YES, participation limited to 6 boats. Register below!
Photo by Brenna Marsicek / Madison Audubon
