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Horicon Marsh Field Trip!
Saturday, May 18 @ 8:00 AM – Sunday, May 19 @ 5:00 PM
The Horicon field trip is full.  If you would like to be put on a waiting list in case there are any openings send Natalie an email. Â
Natalie at natcatcher7gmail.com
Join DBC members on a field trip to Horicon Marsh May 18 and 19. Located in southeastern Wisconsin, Horicon Marsh covers 32,000 acres and is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States. It has been recognized by the Ramsar Convention of the United Nations as a Wetland of International Importance. More than 300 species of birds have been sighted at the marsh. We are hoping to see as many of them as we can! Possible birds are: herons, least bittern, marsh wren, white pelicans, yellow-headed blackbird, rails and terns.
There are several planned activities for the weekend. You may pick and choose what you would like to do. You must register for any activities you choose by April 1st so that we have firm numbers to give our hosts.
Saturday, May 18, at 12:30 we will meet at the Horicon Education & Visitor Center (Wisconsin DNR) for a history and introduction to the marsh. This is a great place to get to know Horicon and learn about the trails and birding options. Director Liz Herzman will guide us through the exhibits and answer all our questions.
Saturday afternoon, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. we have made arrangements for a special boat tour for those who want to explore the marsh on the water. Blue Heron Landing will take us on a two-hour birders’ charter boat. The boat trip will include an expert local guide from the Horicon Marsh Birding Club who tends to keep track of where the most interesting sightings are located any given day. This is the only event with a fee. There is a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 participants for this boat tour. The cost is $38 per person, and we require a firm commitment with payment by April 1.
Saturday evening, before sunset, drive through the three-mile paved Autotour road at the northwest corner of Horicon Marsh to the Egret Trail and floating boardwalk. Many of the waterfowl fly over the one-quarter mile long boardwalk en route to the middle of the marsh for the night, so this should be a good opportunity to see them. The Autotour also boasts five miles of hiking/biking trails.
Sunday morning, May 19, we will meet at the Horicon Education & Visitor Center parking lot at 7:00 a.m. for a field trip led by local birder Jeff Bahls from the Wisconsin DNR, who is also President of the Horicon Marsh Birding Club. This will be about a five-hour trip in which we will carpool to different birding hot spots and walk the trails. The trails are level and most are gravel. There will be opportunities for restroom stops as we move from area to area. We will also have transportation back to the Nature Center should anyone want to return early. This is a great opportunity to bird the marsh with someone who knows it intimately.
You may choose to join us on any or all of the above planned activities. There is no fee for the Saturday afternoon visit to the Horicon Education and Visitors center with Liz Herman and there is no fee for the Sunday morning field trip with Jeff Bahls, but you must register for them by April 1. There is a $38 fee for the boat ride on Saturday and, again, you must register by April 1.
There is a scenic three-mile paved Autotour road at the northwest corner of Horicon Marsh which takes you to the Egret Trail and floating boardwalk. Many of the waterfowl fly over the one-quarter mile long boardwalk en route to the middle of the marsh for the night so this would be a good evening or early morning activity if you have the time. The Autotour also boasts five miles of hiking/biking trails.
Horicon Marsh is one of the most diverse birding areas in the Midwest. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore it with some very knowledgeable locals as your guides!
Please note: If you are planning to spend the night in the area, be aware there are limited lodging options and they fill up fast in May. We strongly suggest you make your lodging reservations now! Natalie has a list of lodging options.
This trip has been organized by Natalie McFaul and Sherry Courtney.
Contact Natalie McFaul at natcatcher7@gmail.com to register, for details, and to answer any questions.
You may register for any or all of the activities. Hope you can join us!
To find out more about Horicon Marsh, check out this video: Horicon Marsh Video
