Birding in Madison: where to watch birds, free walks and local groups

Places to watch birds

• Cherokee Marsh – North Unit, 6098 N. Sherman Ave.: the city's page says sandhill cranes nest in the wetlands, bald eagles and osprey can be seen over the river, and red-headed woodpeckers, scarlet tanagers, indigo buntings and rose-breasted grosbeaks use the wooded areas and edges. Eastern bluebirds and tree swallows nest in the prairie, wood-warblers stop during migration, and American woodcock perform a spring "sky dance." About 4.1 miles of trails include boardwalks with observation decks over the upper Yahara River.
• Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton: 682 acres of marsh, springs, prairie and woods shared by Dane County, the DNR and the City of Middleton. The volunteer Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy say more than 190 migratory bird species have been spotted there.
• Capital Springs State Recreation Area (including Nine Springs): about 2,700 acres managed by Dane County Parks and the DNR. The DNR says "birding is excellent throughout the year due to the variety of natural habitat." The area has more than 6 miles of trails and boardwalks, and the county lists a Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District wildlife observation unit as a point of interest.
• UW–Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy.: the Arboretum lists bird watching among its suggested activities, alongside wildflowers and fall color. It has more than 17 miles of trails through prairies, savannas, wetlands and forests, and it is free.
• Owen Conservation Park, 6021 Old Sauk Rd.: the city says its stormwater and wildlife ponds near Jetty Drive are expected to attract herons, wood ducks and shorebirds.

Goose Pond Sanctuary near Arlington

Goose Pond Sanctuary, run by the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (the new name of Madison Audubon), is a birding day trip from Madison. It is one mile south of Arlington, which the group puts about 20 minutes north of Madison. The visitor kiosk is at W7468 Prairie Lane.

The sanctuary has about 500 acres of restored tallgrass prairie, more than 60 acres of wetland and over 10 miles of trails. The group says about 270 species have been recorded, that migration brings waterfowl and shorebirds, and that tundra swans visit the pond. A snowy owl may appear in winter. The Wingspan pavilion overlooking the pond is ADA accessible. The DNR's state natural area page notes few or no facilities.

Dogs aren't allowed, though leashed service dogs are permitted. The Bird Alliance's public use policy also prohibits flying drones, foraging and collecting specimens. Hunting is generally prohibited, but managers may grant case-by-case permission at Goose Pond, so check before a fall visit.

Free walks and programs

City of Madison Bird & Nature Adventures. Madison Parks lists free, volunteer-led, family-friendly guided nature walks, including bird walks, held monthly and year-round with no registration. Recent listings show a rotation of parks, such as Cherokee Marsh on the first Sunday of the month, Owen Conservation Park on the second Saturday, and Edna Taylor, Tenney and Turville Point on other dates. Each walk has its own theme, so check the listing. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and pets aren't allowed.

UW–Madison Arboretum. Free guided nature walks run Sunday afternoons, last one to two hours and are led by naturalists. The Arboretum's description covers plants, animals, fungi and ecology rather than birds specifically, and walks can be canceled for extreme weather.

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance. The chapter of the National Audubon Society for south-central Wisconsin offers guided field trips, adult education and volunteering. Its events page lists field trips such as Madison Lakes Waterfowl, Owl Prowls and winter hikes, plus Christmas Bird Counts, with registration for most trips opening about six weeks ahead. As of November 2026 it lists a Madison Lakes Waterfowl trip for December 12 and Christmas Bird Counts on four December dates; it offers a free electric wheelchair at most events. Some of its sanctuaries, such as Fair Meadows, are open only to registered trip participants.

Friends groups. The Friends of Cherokee Marsh and the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy host events and volunteer days. See our volunteering guide for more ways to help.

Borrow binoculars from the library

Madison Public Library lends birding backpacks. Each holds adult and kids' binoculars, an adult Sibley field guide, a youth field guide from Madison Audubon and a guide to nearby birding spots. Every library location has two. They are first come, first served, with no holds, and the loan period is seven days. Ask at the front desk or call your branch to see whether one is in. More in our libraries guide.

What you may see, by season

We stick to what the organizations above describe:

• Spring: the Bird Alliance says migrating birds return to Wisconsin, and Madison Parks describes woodcock displays and passing warblers at Cherokee Marsh.
• Summer: per the city, sandhill cranes, bluebirds and tree swallows nest at Cherokee Marsh.
• Fall: the Pheasant Branch Friends list sandhill cranes and loons among fall migration passers-through, and Goose Pond is described as worth visiting in any season, with waterfowl and shorebirds during migration.
• Winter: the Bird Alliance runs waterfowl trips, owl prowls and Christmas Bird Counts, and says a snowy owl may appear at Goose Pond.

Rules and etiquette

• Dogs: not allowed in city conservation parks, the Arboretum or Goose Pond. In Dane County parks, dogs need a county permit and a 6-foot leash; the county says that rule applies at Pheasant Branch Conservancy too. At Capital Springs, the DNR requires a leash of 8 feet or shorter.
• Stay on trails. The Arboretum asks visitors to stay on trails, firelanes, lawn areas or the paved road, and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve asks for marked trails. The Arboretum also prohibits disturbing animals.
• Drones, collecting and foraging: prohibited at the Arboretum and at Bird Alliance sanctuaries.
• Hunting seasons: the DNR notes hunting and trapping are allowed in open areas of Capital Springs during the state parks season. Wear blaze orange if you visit then.

Browse more places to go in the parks directory.