Horicon Marsh

Wisconsin · Midwest

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandMarsh

Best Seasons

FallSummer

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

September-October

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Horicon Marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States, divided between a state wildlife area and a national wildlife refuge. In fall, it hosts spectacular gatherings of up to 200,000 Canada Geese, along with diverse breeding marsh birds in summer.

Location

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Notable Species

Canada Goose Sandhill Crane American Bittern Yellow-headed Blackbird Forster's Tern

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

3/4/2026Isherwood Rd (Portage Co.)1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/4/2026Our Homestead/Farm1 observed

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

3/4/2026Our Homestead/Farm1 observed

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

3/4/2026Upper Mississippi River NWR--Genoa National Fish Hatchery1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/4/2026Beaver Dam Lake (Waukesha Co.)2 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Elbert River Property1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/2026Elbert River Property2 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/4/2026Yahara River Widespread

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)

Junco hyemalis

3/4/2026Twin Lakes Ln (Eden)1 observed

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

3/4/2026Cty K and D1 observed

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

3/4/2026Fox River mouth (Oshkosh)1 observed

Great Tit

Parus major

3/4/2026Yard1 observed

Common Raven

Corvus corax

3/4/2026330th St between 890th and Aamodt’s farm1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/4/2026Yahara River Widespread10 observed

Harris's Sparrow

Zonotrichia querula

3/4/2026Supple Marsh1 observed

Canada Jay

Perisoreus canadensis

3/4/2026Sheltered Valley/Pine River Rd./FR 2182 (Forest Co.)1 observed

Townsend's Solitaire

Myadestes townsendi

3/4/2026S4W32726 Government Hill Rd, Delafield US-WI (43.0312,-88.3970)1 observed

Harris's Sparrow

Zonotrichia querula

3/4/2026Supple Marsh1 observed

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

3/4/2026Prentice Park1 observed

Common Raven

Corvus corax

3/4/2026LaSage Bottoms SNA1 observed

Recent Observations

Sandhill Crane

Holy Wisdom Monastery

3/4/2026

2 birds

House Sparrow

Home

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

Home

3/4/2026

1 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Home

3/4/2026

1 birds

Tufted Titmouse

Home

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Finch

Home

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Crow

Home

3/4/2026

2 birds

Turkey Vulture

Home

3/4/2026

2 birds

Northern Cardinal

Home

3/4/2026

2 birds

Bald Eagle

Ashland Courthouse

3/4/2026

1 birds

European Starling

Excellerate lot

3/4/2026

15 birds

Red-winged Blackbird

Excellerate lot

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Kestrel

Excellerate lot

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Herring Gull

Excellerate lot

3/4/2026

2 birds

Rock Pigeon

Excellerate lot

3/4/2026

2 birds

Canada Goose

Horkman Marsh and Meadow

3/4/2026

200 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Home

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Goldfinch

Home

3/4/2026

3 birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Home

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Robin

Home

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
Visit in October for peak goose numbers
2
The floating boardwalk trail is excellent for marsh species in summer

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Auto Tour Route

Boardwalk

Nearby Attractions

Horicon Marsh Education Center

Birding Guides

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

How to Start a Birding Life List

9 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Horicon Marsh for birding?▼

The best months to visit Horicon Marsh for birding are September-October. The best seasons are Fall and Summer.

What birds can I see at Horicon Marsh?▼

Notable species at Horicon Marsh include Canada Goose, Sandhill Crane, American Bittern, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Forster's Tern. The area supports wetland, marsh habitats.

How difficult is birding at Horicon Marsh?▼

Birding at Horicon Marsh is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Horicon Marsh?▼

There is no entrance fee at Horicon Marsh. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Horicon Marsh?▼

Horicon Marsh offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Auto Tour Route, Boardwalk.