The Lakeshore Nature Preserve provides opportunities to view a wide variety of birds in a relatively small area.  The area provides diverse habitat, allowing it to support diverse populations of birds.  The Preserve has woodlands (Picnic and Frautschi Points, Eagle Heights Woods), marshes (Class of 1918 Marsh, University Bay Marsh), open water (Lake Mendota, University and Second Point Bays) and prairie and open lands.

Over 255 bird species have been seen in the Preserve (see Bird Checklists).  Most birds that regularly occur in south central Wisconsin have been found in the Preserve.  Birding in the Preserve is best during migration.  Migrants can be found anywhere in the area.  Even though the Preserve is best known for its migration, it supports a diverse breeding bird population as well.  During the 2000 to 2002 Breeding Bird Study, 69 breeding bird species were confirmed (see Breeding Birds).

Immature Red-tailed Hawk, 1918 Marsh

The birds of the Preserve vary by season.  Preserve bird species composition has also varied through time.  In order to learn about some of the interesting birds in the Preserve, some history of these birds, and where and when to find them, see:

The Preserve has been used by bird watchers for many years.  For Laura Erickson’s memories of the watching birds in the Preserve, see: