When submitting eBird observations at Lima Marsh Wildlife Area, it is most helpful to start a new checklist for each hotspot in the wildlife area. 

Signature Species: Common Loon, American Restart, American Bittern and Bob White Quail.

Rare species: Least Bittern, Red Crossbill and Red-headed Woodpecker.

Lima Marsh Wildlife Area is a 2,514-acre property comprised of 2,048 acres of state-owned land and 466 acres leased for public hunting. It is located northeast of Milton in Rock County. There are various parking areas scattered across the property including off Willow Road, Hartzell Road and Bowers Lake Road. The property consists of emergent marsh, restored prairie and remnant tamarack swamp.

Lima Marsh Wildlife Area was created in 1956 as a Federal Aid in Fish and Wildlife Restoration project for the purpose of protecting wetlands, preserving pheasant and waterfowl habitat, and to provide public hunting. In 1988, the Lima Bog was designated as a state natural area to recognize and protect it as one of the largest bogs in south central Wisconsin.

Sprinkled through the northeastern corner of Rock County, these two areas offer more than 2,500 acres of marsh, bog grasslands, lake and hardwood habitats. There are 3 small pothole lakes at Storrs Lake that attract ducks and interesting shorebirds in low water years. Yellow-headed Blackbirds nest on Round Lake. Look for good songbird migrations in April-May and again in August-September. Lima Marsh State Wildlife Area attracts waterfowl, rails and cranes. Wilson’s snipe is common here and can be heard with regularity in the spring. Lima Bog is a tamarack bog. Because of its proximity to oak woodlots, it attracts flycatchers, cuckoos, Field Sparrows and Red-headed Woodpeckers. 

Lima Bog State Natural Area is a stop on the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail.