The following list of online and published references offers a range of useful tools for discovering, studying, and simply enjoying the rich bird life in and around Madison. Topics include regional and local habitats where one might find birds, lists of species commonly found in the Madison area, and references for further study. Published works are available through the Madison Public Library.
Regional Birding Spots—Sighting Reports—Field Trips
A project of the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative that divides the state into five regional birding and nature trails. Dane County is in the Southern Savanna region. An interactive Google map highlights the sites in the region, nine of which are in Dane County. Brochures are available for each region. Interested persons can nominate sites for inclusion.
Another project of the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative that has identified 88 habitats as critical for protecting the state’s bird populations. Site map has slightly different regional configuration. Dane County is part of the Central region. Descriptions of 86 of the 88 habitats have been published (see under "Wisconsin Ornithology" below).
- Wisconsin Department of Tourism, The Great Outdoors: Birding
Directory of sites that can be narrowed by location. List of events and other birding news.
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Explore Outdoors
Database of outdoor recreational activities that includes birding. Search delimiters include county, distance from location, property type, and activity.
- Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, Find Birds
Field trips and society publications.
Birding news and sightings. Observations can be submitted by registered users.
Email discussion list for news and sightings.
Collaborative Birding Map of Southern Wisconsin that includes and expands on sites listed by the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail. Local birders can add sites of interest.
From the home page you can follow links to the schedule of field trips, a message board reporting sightings, and the sanctuaries managed by the Society in nearby Columbia and Jefferson counties.
Local Habitats
The County Parks Division has also set aside Natural Resource Areas to preserve their natural state. There usually are no amenities. Hunting is permitted on some of these areas.
Fourteen Madison parks are designated Conservation Parks. These are specifically managed to maintain native plants and wildlife. [Brochure]
- Arboretum, University of Wisconsin-Madison [Interactive Map: Click on "Wildlife." Birding hotspots are color-coded.]
- Lake Shore Nature Preserve, University of Wisconsin-Madison [Interactive Map]. One of the Wisconsin Important Bird Areas.
- Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Wildlife Observation Unit, Nine Springs Lagoons [Map]
- Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton [Interactive Map]
- City of Fitchburg Park & Open Space Directory. Scroll down for Natural Areas.
- See also: Denise Thornton, "Where the wild places are: Get lost in nature around Dane County," Isthmus (21 June 2012).
Published Guides
- Betchkal, Steve. All of This and Robins Too: A guide to the 50 or so best places to find birds in Wisconsin. Eau Claire, Wis.: Adarol Publishing, 2008.
- Drake, David, Scott Craven, and Jamie Nack. Birding in the Badger State & Beyond: How to Get Started. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin-Extension, 2010. [PDF]
- Judd, Mary K. Wisconsin Wildlife Viewing Guide, Watchable Wildlife Series. Helena, Mont.: Falcon, 1995.
Precursor to the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail.
- Tessen, Daryl D. Wisconsin's Favorite Bird Haunts: A guide to 1100 of Wisconsin's most favored locations for birding, with maps. 5th ed. Waukesha, Wis.: Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, Inc., 2009.
- Thompson, Bill III. Wisconsin Bird Watching: A Year-Round Guide. Nashville, Tenn.: Cool Springs Press, 2004.
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail: Southern Savanna Region. 2008. [PDF}
Checklists
- Wikipedia, "List of Birds of Wisconsin"
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Checklist of Wisconsin Birds, 2nd ed. (2008). [PDF]
- Madison Audubon Society, BirdLists.
Database that can be delimited by North America, Wisconsin, or Madison Isthmus. List of birds can be sorted alphabetically or taxonomically. The names link to the eNature field guide (with full description, images, and voice recordings). The "#" indicator links to an eBird range map that pinpoints reported sightings and lists them chronologically (with link to a checklist of the observer's other sightings at the location).
- Madison Audubon Society, Birds of the Madison Isthmus: A Checklist. [PDF]
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, Checklist: Arboretum Area Bird Sightings (2009).
Not available online, but a printed copy can be obtained from the information kiosk in the Visitor’s Center.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Bird Checklists (2006).
Downloadable in several formats.
- Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton: Dreux J. Watermolen, Michael A. McDowell, and Patricia A. Trochlell, Birds of Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Madison, Wis.: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2004. [PDF]
Wisconsin Ornithology
- Cutright, Noel J., Bettie R. Harriman, and Robert W. Howe. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Wisconsin. Waukesha, Wis.: Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, Inc., 2006.
The companion website allows users to compile lists of birds breeding in particular areas and also has libraries of images and audio recordings.
- Robbins, Samuel D. Wisconsin Birdlife: Population & Distribution Past & Present. Madison, Wis.: University of Wisconsin Press, 1991.
- Steele, Yoyi, ed. Important Bird Areas of Wisconsin: Critical Sites for the Conservation and Management of Wisconsin Birds. Madison, Wis.: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2007.
- Temple, Stanley A., John R. Cary, and Robert E. Rolley. Wisconsin Birds: A Seasonal and Geographical Guide. 2nd ed. Madison, Wis.: University of Wisconsin Press, 1997.
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