Goose Pond

Wisconsin · Midwest

ModerateView on eBird

Habitat

Lake

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Goose Pond is a productive birding destination in Wisconsin, with 237 species recorded on eBird. This lake habitat attracts Greater White-fronted Goose, Canada Goose, and Tundra Swan among many others. Spring migration along the Mississippi and Central Flyways makes this a vital stopover for diverse species.

Location

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Notable Species

Greater White-fronted Goose Canada Goose Tundra Swan Mallard Northern Pintail

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

3/5/2026Yahara Heights County Park/Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area—West Trailhead1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/5/2026Yahara Heights County Park/Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area—West Trailhead1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/3/2026UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve (general)2 observed

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

3/3/2026Yahara Heights County Park/Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area—West Trailhead1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/3/2026Burning Wood Way, Madison US-WI1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/3/2026Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park--North Unit14 observed

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

3/2/2026Roznos Meadow West1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/2/2026Cherokee Park1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/2/2026University Bay (Madison)3 observed

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

3/1/2026Yahara Heights County Park/Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area—West Trailhead1 observed

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

3/1/2026Yahara Heights County Park/Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area—West Trailhead1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/1/2026Lake Wingra2 observed

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

3/1/2026Yahara Heights County Park/Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area—West Trailhead3 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/1/2026Lake Wingra2 observed

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

2/28/2026Devils Lake SP--Roznos Meadow1 observed

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

2/28/2026Devils Lake SP--Roznos Meadow1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

2/28/2026Lake Wingra2 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

2/27/2026Yahara Heights County Park/Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area—West Trailhead2 observed

Rusty Blackbird

Euphagus carolinus

2/27/2026Yahara Heights County Park/Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area—West Trailhead2 observed

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

2/27/2026Yahara Heights County Park/Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area—West Trailhead1 observed

Recent Observations

Greater White-fronted Goose

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

20 birds

Canada Goose

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

1000 birds

Tundra Swan

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

33 birds

Mallard

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

100 birds

Northern Pintail

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

2 birds

Ring-necked Pheasant

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

1 birds

Mourning Dove

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

4 birds

Sandhill Crane

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

3 birds

Killdeer

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

1 birds

House Sparrow

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

6 birds

American Tree Sparrow

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

6 birds

Red-winged Blackbird

Goose Pond

3/5/2026

30 birds

American Crow

Goose Pond

3/4/2026

1 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Goose Pond

3/4/2026

4 birds

House Finch

Goose Pond

3/1/2026

1 birds

White-crowned Sparrow

Goose Pond

3/1/2026

2 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

Goose Pond

2/27/2026

1 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Goose Pond

2/27/2026

1 birds

Horned Lark

Goose Pond

2/27/2026

2 birds

Rough-legged Hawk

Goose Pond

2/21/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.
2
Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.
3
Time your visit during the first week of May for maximum species diversity.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

More in Wisconsin

Horicon Marsh

Largest US cattail marsh with massive fall goose concentrations and breeding marsh birds.

6th Avenue Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Wisconsin with 227 recorded species.

Adam Birding Conservancy

Grassland birding hotspot in Wisconsin with 217 recorded species.

Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City: The Complete Urban Migration Guide

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Goose Pond for birding?▼

The best months to visit Goose Pond for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Goose Pond?▼

Notable species at Goose Pond include Greater White-fronted Goose, Canada Goose, Tundra Swan, Mallard, Northern Pintail. The area supports lake habitats.

How difficult is birding at Goose Pond?▼

Birding at Goose Pond is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Goose Pond?▼

Goose Pond offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.