Horicon Marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States. Located in southeast Wisconsin, this vast wetland is only one hour drive from Milwaukee and Madison. While this marsh in renown for its migrant flocks of Canada geese, it is also home to more than 305 kinds of birds which have been sighted over the years.
Due to its importance to wildlife, Horicon Marsh has been designated as a "Wetland of International Importance" and a "Globally Important Bird Area." Horicon Marsh is both a state wildlife area and national wildlife refuge [Exit DNR] .
During the 1800s, ducks were very abundant on the marsh, but the Canada goose was rather uncommon. At Horicon Marsh, the state and federal management units were established as waterfowl nesting and migratory resting areas, during the 1920s and 1940s respectively. The State end of the marsh was restored at the urging of duck hunters while the National Wildlife Refuge was created as a nesting area for the redhead duck. Today, Horicon is still among the largest nesting area for this bird in the eastern United States. Every year, about 2,000 to 3,000 redheads use Horicon. Mallard and blue-winged teal are the most abundant nesting waterfowl, and during the spring and fall migration most all of the ducks common to Wisconsin can be sighted here.
Horicon was not managed for Canada geese until the late 1940s and early 1950s. With the growth in the total population of geese and the attractiveness of the Horicon area, these birds have been coming here in the numbers we now see for only the past 25 years or so. It was the restoration of the marsh in combination with the intensive agriculture in the surrounding area that lured the geese to east-central Wisconsin.
The reason for emphasizing waterfowl in the establishment and management of the marsh is that these birds are carefully regulated by state and federal laws because of the hunting season. In addition, most of our state and federal wildlife properties were purchased and developed with funds contributed by hunters. This money is collected through hunting license fees, state and federal duck stamps and excise taxes on firearms and ammunition.
That's better...I was falling down the hill with the other one. This is a terrific capture. I got one yesterday but only his head because the grass was so tall. This one has most of his plumage in it.
@swilde I originally thought it was straightened in Lightroom but then after I posted it I noticed the hill too. Please don't hesitate to point out things such as that if you ever notice them and I don't, I always appreciate the feedback. I know your comments are not meant to hurt but help
