Hotspot -- Lake Mills Wildlife Area--Zeloski Marsh Unit
Since the initial restoration, this property now contains breeding populations of most priority wetland bird species for Southern Wisconsin. Birders should expect Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Common Moorhen, bitterns, egrets, rails, Black Terns, Bobolink, Sedge Wren, Henslow’s Sparrow and many other species. In addition, early restoration efforts have already seen a tremendous migratory bird response. In the Fall of 2006 and Spring of 2007 birders and hunters have seen thousands of ducks, cranes and blackbirds using the marsh. In addition, one observer noted 18 Short-eared Owls on one October day.
The Rock River Coalition is organizing a monitoring program that will help to evaluate the restoration over time. One aspect to this monitoring is collecting birder observations throughout the seasons. As you go and explore this great area, please enter your observations into the Lake Mills Wildlife Area Zeloski Marsh Unit hotspot. This data will then be available to all who manage the property.
Birders can access Zeloski Marsh at one of three points. The south parking lot is along London Road just west of County Road A. The east parking lot is at the end of Alley Road just west of County Road S. A third alternative is to bring your bike and bird from the Glacial Drumlin Bike Trail! To access the trail park in the lot off of Finch Brothers Road off of County Road S.