Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Audubon Goose Pond (No. 86)

Overview

Location

Columbia County. T10N-R9E, Section 25 NE¼. 81 acres.

Access

From Arlington, go south and east on Highways 51 and 60 for 0.5 mile, then south on Goose Pond Road 1.5 miles. The area is on the west side of the causeway.

Description

Description

Goose Pond is a small, isolated, prairie pothole located within a marshy basin in ground moraine. The area was designated a bird species preserve because of the number of bird species that have been sighted on the property (243 species). Waterfowl and shorebirds are the main interests. Twenty-eight species of waterfowl have been observed and about 23 species visit each spring. Eight species of ducks nest at the pond. During migration, tundra swans number in the hundreds some years as they stop to feed on plant tubers. Water levels fluctuate due to runoff conditions, and in years of very high or very low water, shorebirds congregate on exposed mudflats. Thirty-four species of shorebirds have been observed at the pond. In late summer, great blue, green-backed, and black-crowned night herons, along with common egrets, are regular visitors. Other wildlife of interest are marsh birds, raptors, reptiles, and amphibians. Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) reside at the pond, and peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) stop in migration. Arrowhead and river bulrush are the dominant wetland plants. The water is generally turbid and hard with exceptionally high conductance. Goose Pond is owned by the Madison Audubon Society and was designated a State Natural Area in 1970.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

• Line Map [PDF, 38 KB]

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)