March is a time of melting snow, warmer temperatures, and early returning migrants. Along with the joy that warblers are just a month away, we get to witness the first birds of spring – a Red-winged Blackbird flock, a flyover Killdeer, or maybe a Common Loon calling at night. Below is a list of my favorite places to bird in the county in March, with the Ebird hotspots linked to the month of March.

Grobschmidt Park

Once the ice thaws, this is a must-go place, with new species of ducks appearing almost daily until mid-April. The trail that gives close access to the water is great for photos, but wear some boots.

Key species: American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, Redhead, Canvasback, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Horned Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Common Loon.

Lake Vista Park

This is a great place to hear the returning Meadowlarks and Killdeer calling, and my favorite spot to experience Spring and Fall hawk migration along the lakefront.

Key species: Eastern Meadowlark, Killdeer, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin.

Franklin Landfill

A nice drive around the dump to see over-wintering raptors, larks, and the other rarities that pop up… What could be better?

Key species: Bald Eagle, Rough-legged hawk, Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Eastern Meadowlark, Sandhill Crane, Snow Goose, Northern Shrike, Horned Lark, European Goldfinch.

Milwaukee Municipal Mooring Basin

A good place to go when the inland lakes are still frozen, this body of water is accessible from three points: the E Bay St. loading dock area, UWM Freshwater Sciences building, and Kaszube’s Park.

Key Species: Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Redhead, American Black Duck, Canvasback, White-winged Scoter, Iceland Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Root River Parkway #13 (Oakwood Rd. and 60th St.)

The roads in between here and the landfill are some of the first places to see Rusty Blackbird flocks return, and maybe an elusive Brewer’s among them. This makes a great stop in between Pennsylvania Avenue and the landfill.

Key Species: Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Greater White-fronted Goose, Tundra Swan, Rusty Blackbird, Brewer’s Blackbird, Horned Lark.

Oak Creek Parkway #8 / Pennsylvania Ave.

The pond behind the dance studio is great for migrating ducks and geese, and the ditches along the road will get the first of the year Snipe and Woodcock, which can be heard calling during their flight displays at night.

Key species: Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Trumpeter Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, Wilson’s Snipe, American Woodcock, Sandhill Crane, Red-tailed Hawk Dark Morph (calurus/alascensis).

Wehr Nature Center

Wehr is one of the first places to get warblers and other migrants, and also some species that will nest here in the summer. In addition, there is always a chance that a night hike could yield a few owl species.

Key Species: Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Phoebe, Belted Kingfisher, Tufted Titmouse, Fox Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Brown Creeper, Barred Owl, Hermit Thrush.