Monarchs make a huge migration each year, from Wisconsin (and even further north) all the way down to their winter grounds in Mexico. It is an incredible journey, and one that scientists are still studying. This monarch tagging event, one of the most celebrated activities Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance hosts, will teach you about the amazing monarch life history, migration, and conservation needs. We will teach you how to safely catch, handle, tag, and release a monarch, all in the name of science and love of nature.

Photo by Kaitlin Svabek / SoWBA

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Goose Pond Sanctuary, located near Arlington, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting occurs almost every Saturday, 9:30-12:00 from Aug. 23 - Nov. 8.

The meeting location varies each week. RSVP to Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond Land Steward, at gsteinhauer@swibirds.org or 608-333-2947, to get involved.

Photo by Carolyn Byers

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

In addition to Swift Night Out, the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, the Feminist Bird Club - Madison Chapter, and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance will also be hosting informal get togethers each evening to watch the swifts. We’re calling it Swift Week!

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Prairies in fall can be spectacularly beautiful.  On this trip you will immerse yourself in the textures, colors, sounds, and smells of fall at Faville Grove. We will meet by the Kiosk at W7480 Prairie Lane, Lake Mills, and then tour the Prairie Lane restorations and take in the fall landscape with its autumn colors including late blooming wildflowers (such as gentians, asters, and goldenrods), talk about the role of seed collecting in our restorations, and more.

Photo by Jeff Pieterick

Calling all volunteers! Today is the first day of the Bird Collision Corps fall surveys! The Bird Collision Corps is a Madison, WI-based citizen science project that works with volunteers who help study what leads to bird deaths caused by window strikes. Volunteers who participate in this program are trained, receive materials, and conduct 1 hour surveys once a week at their site(s) through the spring survey period. Volunteer with BCC this fall!

Photo by Crystal Sutheimer

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm. Saturday participants can choose to join the morning, or afternoon, or both sessions.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Goose Pond Sanctuary, located near Arlington, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting occurs almost every Saturday, 9:30-12:00 from Aug. 23 - Nov. 8.

The meeting location varies each week. RSVP to Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond Land Steward, at gsteinhauer@swibirds.org or 608-333-2947, to get involved.

Photo by Carolyn Byers

September is a great month to explore New Glarus Woods State Park. Birders of all skill levels are welcome! We will hike the south side of the park through mature woods and restored prairies. Come see what fall migrants are visiting. The park is normally home to a variety of woodpeckers, songbirds, and wildlife such as deer, squirrels and turkeys. Best for hikers in good physical condition.

Photo by Mick Thompson

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during the Birding Day! This 374 acre sanctuary and State Natural Area has many trails and habitats to explore. During this Birding Day, attendees can grab a map, wipe their boots, and hit the trails independently. No guided walks are provided.

Fair Meadows Birding Days are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, except in November.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm. Saturday participants can choose to join the morning, or afternoon, or both sessions.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

This morning trip is especially for new birders looking to grow their skills! Come to have your bird questions answered and get help identifying all of those small, streaky brown birds! We'll also be keeping our eyes out for any exciting migrants and recently fledged birds! The walk will be on even trails at a leisurely pace so bring the whole family! We will have binoculars for loan.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Sketching birds from life can be tricky. The lighting can be funny, birds can be far away, and hardest of all… they move! In this Sketching Waterfowl class we'll share tips for getting quick sketches on paper while you're out in the field. You'll get to practice drawing using your eyes, binoculars, and spotting scopes.

Photo by Tom Koerner/USFWS

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Goose Pond Sanctuary, located near Arlington, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting occurs almost every Saturday, 9:30-12:00 from Aug. 23 - Nov. 8.

The meeting location varies each week. RSVP to Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond Land Steward, at gsteinhauer@swibirds.org or 608-333-2947, to get involved.

Photo by Carolyn Byers

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm. Saturday participants can choose to join the morning, or afternoon, or both sessions.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Train yourself to listen for the birds rather than looking for them! Birding by Ear is a great way to practice your skills at bird ID using a totally different sense. Join Bob Kendall, a wonderful birder and educator, to slowly walk through bird habitat, and practice the tools, tips, and techniques for birding by ear.

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Goose Pond Sanctuary, located near Arlington, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting occurs almost every Saturday, 9:30-12:00 from Aug. 23 - Nov. 8.

The meeting location varies each week. RSVP to Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond Land Steward, at gsteinhauer@swibirds.org or 608-333-2947, to get involved.

Photo by Carolyn Byers

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm. Saturday participants can choose to join the morning, or afternoon, or both sessions.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Goose Pond Sanctuary, located near Arlington, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting occurs almost every Saturday, 9:30-12:00 from Aug. 23 - Nov. 8.

The meeting location varies each week. RSVP to Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond Land Steward, at gsteinhauer@swibirds.org or 608-333-2947, to get involved.

Photo by Carolyn Byers

Celebrate World Bird Migration Day on Oct. 11 with an educational, hands-on crafting event! You will learn about incredible birds making epic journeys and what we can all do to reduce the threat of birds flying into our windows. 

Each attendee will receive at least one blank fabric bird body, which you can decorate to look like a species vulnerable to window collisions, or create your own make-believe bird. All completed birds will be sent to the artist Holly Greenberg, who is creating an educational art exhibit representing the 10,000 dead birds found by Chicago Bird Collision Monitors in 2023 after the birds hit windows.

Photo by Lisa Gaumnitz/SOS Save Our Songbirds

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during the Birding Day! This 374 acre sanctuary and State Natural Area has many trails and habitats to explore. During this Birding Day, attendees can grab a map, wipe their boots, and hit the trails independently. No guided walks are provided.

Fair Meadows Birding Days are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, except in November.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm. Saturday participants can choose to join the morning, or afternoon, or both sessions.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Up to 3.5 billion birds die every year in the US after hitting windows, and almost half of those happen at homes. The good news is that the solutions are easy and affordable! This presentation will share some science behind why birds hit windows, and provide recommendations on ways to address problem windows at home and in our communities to make migration and buildings safer for birds.

Photo by Kaitlin Svabek/SoWBA

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Goose Pond Sanctuary, located near Arlington, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting occurs almost every Saturday, 9:30-12:00 from Aug. 23 - Nov. 8.

The meeting location varies each week. RSVP to Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond Land Steward, at gsteinhauer@swibirds.org or 608-333-2947, to get involved.

Photo by Carolyn Byers

Fall is a wonderful time to enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary, with many birds migrating south and migrant birds busy foraging. During this Slow Birding event, we will walk at a slow pace on our trails designated as accessible a short distance to a group of Leopold benches. When we arrive at the benches, we will sit and bird for 30 minutes, then walk back to the starting point.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm. Saturday participants can choose to join the morning, or afternoon, or both sessions.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Discover many ways to enjoy birding during Birdability Week this October! Join Dane County Parks, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, and Birdability for a FREE Birdability Week event at Fish Camp County Park for a variety of birding-related experiences. Birdability Week is a time to uplift and amplify the experiences of birders with disabilities and other health concerns, fostering joy, community, and connection with nature. This special event on October 25 is designed to make birding and the outdoors welcoming, inclusive, safe, and accessible for all.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Goose Pond Sanctuary, located near Arlington, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting occurs almost every Saturday, 9:30-12:00 from Aug. 23 - Nov. 8.

The meeting location varies each week. RSVP to Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond Land Steward, at gsteinhauer@swibirds.org or 608-333-2947, to get involved.

Photo by Carolyn Byers

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Goose Pond is a mecca for migrating waterfowl. Catch a glimpse of this incredible phenomenon as swans, geese, and ducks of all sorts pack into this prairie pothole by the hundreds or even thousands. Now, you can join Goose Pond Sanctuary staff and volunteers to learn more about them!

Photo by SoWBA

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during the Birding Day! This 374 acre sanctuary and State Natural Area has many trails and habitats to explore. During this Birding Day, attendees can grab a map, wipe their boots, and hit the trails independently. No guided walks are provided.

Fair Meadows Birding Days are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, except in November.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Did you know that cemeteries were a precursor to city parks? Starting in the early 1830s, “rural cemeteries” were established to create tranquil, beautiful settings where families could visit and commemorate their loved ones. Birdwatching quickly became one of many popular recreational activities in cemeteries.

Illustration by Kaitlin Svabek/SoWBA

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm. Saturday participants can choose to join the morning, or afternoon, or both sessions.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Late fall through winter is prime time to view dozens of waterfowl species that migrate through south-central Wisconsin. In this class, you'll learn about what species you can expect to find, useful field marks for identifying waterfowl in varied viewing conditions (especially if you don't have a scope!), helpful birding tips for waterfowl viewing, and recommended locations to visit. Before you know it, you'll be picking out a Redhead hiding in a raft of Canvasbacks!

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Faville Grove Sanctuary, located just north of Lake Mills, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting at Faville Grove Sanctuary is held Sept. 3-Nov. 1, Wednesdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:00pm.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Goose Pond Sanctuary, located near Arlington, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting occurs almost every Saturday, 9:30-12:00 from Aug. 23 - Nov. 8.

The meeting location varies each week. RSVP to Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond Land Steward, at gsteinhauer@swibirds.org or 608-333-2947, to get involved.

Photo by Carolyn Byers

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance has some of the largest restored prairies in Wisconsin. Our Goose Pond Sanctuary, located near Arlington, is a major part of SoWBA's restoration efforts... but our restoration work is only possible with the help of volunteers!

Seed collecting occurs almost every Saturday, 9:30-12:00 from Aug. 23 - Nov. 8.

The meeting location varies each week. RSVP to Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond Land Steward, at gsteinhauer@swibirds.org or 608-333-2947, to get involved.

Photo by Carolyn Byers

As winter sets in, smaller ponds and lakes in south-central Wisconsin freeze, causing migrating birds to become concentrated on Madison’s large lakes, which remain open longer. We will look for waterfowl, gulls, and winter birds. This trip has produced some unusual sightings in the past, including Red-throated Loons, so don’t miss it!

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during the Birding Day! This 374 acre sanctuary and State Natural Area has many trails and habitats to explore. During this Birding Day, attendees can grab a map, wipe their boots, and hit the trails independently. No guided walks are provided.

Fair Meadows Birding Days are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, except in November.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

The Waterloo Christmas Bird Count is coordinated by Karen Etter Hale, and includes a section that encompasses most of our Favile Grove Sanctuary. We are looking for volunteers to count birds at Faville Grove Sanctuary in Jefferson County to help tally birds at that site to contribute to the broader Waterloo CBC. We will go out in groups to various parts of the sanctuary to document the birds we see and hear in those areas.

Photo by Brenna Marsice/SoWBA

Penny and Gary Shackelford, resident managers of Fair Meadows, have been tallying birds at the sanctuary since the early 2000’s, concurrently with the Fort Atkinson CBC. Starting in 2023, we began offering a separate and fun Fair Meadows Christmas Bird Count! Although Fair Meadows does not have its own CBC circle, we submit data to eBird as CBC data anyway.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Madison is home to thousands of bird-lovers, just like you. The annual Christmas Bird Count is a great citizen science project that involves meeting other enthusiastic birders and helping collect important data about birds in the at the same time!

Photo by Monica Hall