Join us for a trek through recessional glacial terrain and Bring your snowshoes. We will explore the diversity of habitats at Faville Grove Sanctuary, which includes woodland, savanna, prairie, and wetland, as we search for animal tracks and enjoy the landscape.
Photo by Jeff McDonald
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
Citizen science is a wonderful way for community members to participate in important research studies, and the studies greatly benefit too! Through the Bald Eagle Nest Watch and Bird Collision Corps programs, volunteers with the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance help study Bald Eagle populations and nesting success, as well as the dangers windows pose to birds. Learn how these programs work and the important information the volunteers have collected in this presentation.
Photo by Lisa Frank
This field trip is now full. Join the waiting list. This field trip is designed for folks new to birding, and is family-friendly! We will explore the wonderful Cherokee Marsh North Unit, enjoying the sights and sounds of winter. We will share bird ID and talk about how to tell that bird species apart from others. This is a low-key, slow paced, no-pressure outing for beginners.
Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS
Join us for a day of fundraising and giving back! The Big Share is a day of online giving for 70 member organizations of Community Shares of Wisconsin, all focused on social and environmental justice. Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance is honored to be one of them.
Photo by Debbie Koenigs/USFWS
This presentation and gathering are designed for individuals who lead nature-related field trips and outings, regardless of topic! There will be two presenters, one with general tips and tricks for leading great hikes, and one with information about building accessibility into your field trips from the get-go.
Free to attend, with in person and online viewing options.
Photo by Kaitlin Svabek/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
Join like-minded conservationists in Madison on March 12, 2025 to advocate for the reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Gathering Waters staff will share success stories with legislators and demonstrate why its continued funding is essential for preserving Wisconsin’s outdoor legacy.
Photo provided by Gathering Waters
Don’t miss this inspiring evening with Christian Cooper, Emmy-winning host of Extraordinary Birder and bestselling author of Better Living Through Birding! This event will take place in the Playhouse Theater at the Overture Center for the Arts or through online live-stream on Wednesday, March 12.
This spring, when you order native plants through our special Native Plant Sale with Johnson’s Nursery out of Menomonee Falls, you get native plants delivered to Middleton, WI in May AND 15% of the sale totals go to Holy Wisdom Monastery and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (split 50/50).
Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS
This training is designed for people with little to no prescribed fire training and experience who would like to volunteer on prescribed burns. It is also an opportunity to learn why fire is an integral part of Wisconsin’s natural communities.
Photo by Ralph Russo
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
This field trip is now full. Join the waiting list. Are you curious about birds but not sure how to get started? Geared specifically towards people who newer to birding or venturing out for one of the first times, we’ll identify birds together at Nine Springs.
Photo via Pixabay
This spring, when you order native plants through our special Native Plant Sale with Johnson’s Nursery out of Menomonee Falls, you get native plants delivered to Middleton, WI in May AND 15% of the sale totals go to Holy Wisdom Monastery and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (split 50/50).
Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS
eBird is a community science platform where you can record bird observations. It keeps track of your life list, helps you discover new birding locations, and shows you what other birders in the community are finding. This online class will teach you the main functions and tools of the eBird mobile app for your smartphone, so you can be creating checklists on the go! Learn how to submit your observations, discover birding hotspots, and explore recent sightings all from your phone.
Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt
If you love all things nature and want to get to know the birds you'll find in and around Madison, this class is for you. This is a four-part session with both classroom and field-based learning, and geared toward adults. Each day involves a slightly more advanced set of skills and information, but this course is intended for entry-level birders. This is a judgement-free bird learning experience; join us!
Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar
Meet at the kiosk along Prairie Lane for an evening spent enjoying the unique spring displays of woodcock and snipe. Be prepared to be fascinated by the woodcock’s acrobatic flight, and to learn about the natural history of one of Aldo Leopold’s favorite birds. Binoculars are recommended.
Photo by Arlene Koziol.
Up to a 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 seminar will share some science behind why birds hit windows, how a local citizen science group is studying the problem and provide recommendations on ways to address problem windows at home to make them more bird-safe.
Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar
You’re invited to Audubon Great Lakes Advocacy Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol, a special day of action that will bring together Audubon members from across the state to speak up for bird-friendly policies.
Photo by Arlene Koziol
Join us for short presentations and hands-on activities to learn about how your favorite cup of coffee, backyard garden, and picture window can represent important and meaningful ways to have a positive impact on the birds you love.
Photo by Chad Horwedel FCC
View the sky dance of the American Woodcock at dusk and look for Sandhill Cranes, Wilson's Snipe, Bonaparte's Gulls, and other spring migrants and arriving resident birds. Co-hosted with the Friends of Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Sally Meier
Birding by Ear is a wonderful way to experience birds without relying on sight! Join volunteers and staff affiliated with the Birding by Ear class, Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, and Aldo Leopold Nature Center for this great opportunity to advance your leadership skills.
Participants of this field trip will not learn bird songs or how to bird by ear; rather the focus will be on leading field trips to make them more accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Photo by Brenna Marsicek / SoWBA
Experience restorations of various stages from recent plantings to a well-developed 29-year old prairie. Other habitat features of this landscape include: a shallow wetlands, open water marsh/tamarack-sphagnum bogs, woodlands, and a black oak savanna. Join us for an enjoyable hike as we discuss the site’s history, stages of restorations, bird and plant identification, and more.
Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) area in what is often called Wisconsin’s desert includes some of the state’s rarest plant communities in its sand and dry bluff prairies and black oak barrens. It hosts a diversity of unusual plants, insects, reptiles and birds. We should see cactus and, hopefully, Olympia Marble butterflies and Lark Sparrows. Co-hosted by Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance
Photo by Peter Gorman
Join us as we gather on Lake Mills State Wildlife Area- Zeloski Marsh with Wisconsin DNR’s Wildlife Management for a birding excursion. Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and WDNR’s Wildlife Management have been longtime partners on this property, beginning with SoWBI’s purchase and donation of the property to the Department of Natural Resources in 2006. This contribution from SoWBA and the management by the WDNR have led to Zeloski Marsh becoming a major stopover for waterfowl, wading birds, and songbirds during spring migration.
Photo by Arlene Koziol
This spring, when you order native plants through our special Native Plant Sale with Johnson’s Nursery out of Menomonee Falls, you get native plants delivered to Middleton, WI in May AND 15% of the sale totals go to Holy Wisdom Monastery and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (split 50/50).
Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS
With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Come enjoy the sunrise from the Arboretum and listen to the morning chorus.
Photo by Cynthia Bridge
This morning trip is especially for backyard birders looking to grow their skills! Come to have your bird questions answered and get help identifying all of those small, streaky brown birds and distant ducks! We'll also be keeping our eyes out for any exciting spring migrants! 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
With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Join us for an early morning walk to look for colorful warblers and other spring migrants.
Photo by Arlene Koziol
With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Come enjoy the sunrise from the Arboretum and listen to the morning chorus.
Photo by Monica Hall
Just as unique as their coloration and shape, bird sounds come in all tunes and pitches. Identifying birds by their song is an exciting activity and skill, and any experienced bird watcher will tell you that most birding is done without actually seeing the bird, but by hearing it.
This class teaches the tools and techniques for identifying birds by close listening (we don’t spend a lot of time memorizing particular bird songs). We welcome participants who are new to the hobby of birding by ear, as well as birders of any level interested in continuing to learn and practice their birding by ear skills. This class is for anyone interested in birding by ear, of all physical abilities, ages, and birding skills.
Photo by Mick Thompson
Join us for an evening stroll that is filled with the evening sounds of nature. Frogs, toads, and evening-active birds are calling heartily this time of year, and because each species has their own unique sound, we can identify which species are present even without seeing them.
Cover photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren
The number of different species present in a small area can be remarkable! Join us for a “sit,” where we’ll remain in one spot while looking and listening for any birds who might be in the area. This trip is designed to be intentionally inclusive and accessible for birders of all skill levels (beginners welcome!).
Photo via Pixabay
With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Join us for an early morning walk to look for colorful warblers and other spring migrants.
Cover photo by Phil Brown
Join us for an adventurous, unique way to enjoy hearing and seeing our feathered friends: Birding by bike! This field trip will involve slow to moderate-paced biking along the Capital City State Trail, starting at the McDaniel Park parking lot in McFarland, northwest across the boardwalk at Lake Waubesa, through Lake Farm County Park and ending at the ponds near the sewerage treatment plant, before turning around and heading back. We will stop at multiple points along the way to enjoy the birds we see and hear in these great natural areas. Total distance biked is approximately 7 miles.
Photo by Ruth Smith
With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Come enjoy the sunrise from the Arboretum and listen to the morning chorus.
Photo by Monica Hall
Fair Meadows Sanctuary and State Natural Area is full of vibrant bird life! Come explore this incredible sanctuary and learn about the birds that use the many habitats found here.
Photo by Gary Shackelford
Join SoWBA staff and board members for a slow paddle exploring the incredible diversity of Cherokee Marsh. Get a great experience looking for spring birds, insects, and aquatic plants by boat; we expect to see species like Green Heron, Kingfishers, swallows, Sora, and more!
Photo by Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA
Join us for an energetic field trip to Patrick Marsh Wildlife Area! This field trip is geared for all levels, and will be especially fun for entry-level birders who want to enjoy a bird outing with Dexter "The Wisco Birder" Patterson, co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of WI.
Photo by Dexter Patterson
Join us for an adventurous, unique way to enjoy hearing and seeing our feathered friends: Birding by bike! This field trip will involve slow to moderate-paced biking with stops at multiple points along the way to enjoy the birds we see and hear in these great natural areas.
Photo by Brenna Marsicek/Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance
In a celebration of early summer, we'll hike the paths to listen, see, and smell the natural world on what should be a warm summer’s eve. This is the peak time of the year to see bats, glowworms and fireflies, and hear the calls of owls in the woods and the frogs, toads and night birds of the ponds and marshes. The spectacular display of fireflies at this site alone is worth the hike, and we may also get to hear the calls of coyotes nearby.
Photo by Gary Shackelford
Pleasant Valley Conservancy is a beautiful state natural area situated in the Driftless Area, with steep goat prairies, oak savanna, and a large, high quality marsh. We hope to see beautiful Baltimore Checkerspots and other wetland butterflies nectaring on wonderful native plants.
Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance
Odonates are a fierce group of insects with highly variable coloration and habitat preferences. Dragonfly expert Bob Honig will discuss the life history and ecological importance of dragonflies and damselflies. Then we’ll explore Goose Pond’s prairies and identify as many species as we are able!
Photo by Arlene Koziol
Together, these properties provide beautiful and high quality habitats for wetland, grassland, and savanna wildlife. We'll walk though Erstad Prairie on mowed trails and then shift over to Schoeneberg Marsh which has a parking lot a half mile away. The WPA has accessible hiking (paved path and boardwalk) which terminates at an overlook with a great view of the marsh.
Are you curious about birding but not sure how to get started? Geared specifically towards people who are learning about bird identification, this small group trip is for you!
Photo by Arlene Koziol
Join us for this mostly sitting tour of Goose Pond Sanctuary's restored mesic prairies. Tallgrass prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world with less than 3% of the original area remaining. We will have a touring wagon ready to explore our trails, and there will be frequent stops to allow folks to get out and explore.
Photo by SoWBA
Join us as we leisurely explore the gardens and landscape at and around the Lussier Family Heritage Center. Anything and everything is fair game on this trip: plants, birds, insects and whatever else catches our attention.
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 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
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 Michael Anderson
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
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
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
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
This morning trip is especially for backyard 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
Neonicotinoids are the most widely used insecticides in North America; they are applied to our crops, nursery plants, and lawns in vast amounts. These chemicals are uniquely problematic for birds; they are coated onto seeds, leached into waterways, and drifted into habitats. We will explore the chemistry behind neonics that makes them so harmful, the ways they are used in modern life, the various ways they impact birds, and learn how to reduce our dependence on them.
Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar
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
Join us at the Garden Expo to learn about how you can prevent birds from hitting your home’s windows. Up to a 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 seminar will share some science behind why birds hit windows, and provide recommendations on ways to address problem windows at home to make them more bird-safe.
Photo by Corliss Karasov
Join us at the Garden Expo to learn about how you can prevent birds from hitting your home’s windows. Up to a 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 seminar will share some science behind why birds hit windows, and provide recommendations on ways to address problem windows at home to make them more bird-safe.
Photo by Corliss Karasov
Join us for this online presentation. Participants will be invited to examine select artworks, sharing their observations. You'll also learn about the artists’ intentions and how these works connect to broader themes. Whether you are a professional artist, a casual art enthusiast, or you just like looking at birds, this program will help you appreciate birds as subjects of art, as well as develop a deeper connection to any art experience.
How many cups of coffee do you drink a day? A week? How often do you reach for a bit of chocolate, or give it as an expression of love? Coffee and chocolate are fundamental to many of our lives, and now you can combine your love of coffee, chocolate AND birds by buying certified Smithsonian Bird Friendly® products! These products support biodiversity in tropical rainforests where many of Wisconsin’s long-distance migrants like the Golden-crowned Warbler winter!
Photo by Dave Curtis FCC
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
Join Davin Lopez, an endangered species biologist with the Department of Natural Resources since 2005, to learn what birds can teach us about the impacts of climate change. Davin will discuss overall climate change trends in Wisconsin, along with how these trends are impacting birds, ecosystems, and people.
This event is part of the Birds and Beyond series.
This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Join us as we explore our beautiful Fair Meadows Sanctuary and State Natural Area in mid-winter. We will look and listen for birds and mammals, and enjoy the vistas of the prairies and woodlands in the quiet of the season, hopefully covered in snow. Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Dark-eyed Juncos, and more are all expected to make an appearance. If we’re lucky, we might see otter slides and other mammal tracks!
Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar
This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Enjoy the nighttime woods on this evening Owl Prowl at Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Great Horned and Barred Owls are regularly seen in this area, and we may get lucky and find Screech Owls as well!
Cover photo by Phil Brown
This presentation is rescheduled for February 26.
Photo by Lisa Frank
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
This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Enjoy the nighttime woods on this evening Owl Prowl at Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Great Horned and Barred Owls are regularly seen in this area, and we may get lucky and find Screech Owls as well!
Cover photo by Arlene Koziol
From 2021-2022, nine GPS transmitters were attached to wintering Rough-legged Hawks in Wisconsin, including two sponsored by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (learn about them here: https://swibirds.org/fff/tag/rough-legged+hawk). Many of these transmitters are still functioning and have provided multiple years of full annual cycle movements. Come learn about the year-round movements of Rough-legged Hawks wintering in the great state of Wisconsin, and how these nine birds fit into the broader Rough-legged Hawk Project that has tracked nearly 200 hawks throughout North America.
Photo by Phil Brown
There is simply no better way to start the New Year. We will enjoy the pre-dawn light as we meander through the prairie, arriving at the Mackenzie Overlook to see the sun rise over the beautiful Faville Marsh. We will spend the early morning exploring the winter marsh and surrounding uplands.
Photo by Drew Harry
Southern Wisconsin is home to a wonderful diversity of habitats and birds, including in winter! The annual Christmas Bird Count is a great citizen science project that involves meeting other enthusiastic birders and helping collect important data about birds at the same time. Join the Poynette Christmas Bird Count and help count birds at Goose Pond Sanctuary!
Photo by Arlene Koziol
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. Now for the second year, they are offering a separate and fun Fair Meadows Christmas Bird Count! Although Fair Meadows does not have its own CBC circle, we will submit data to eBird as CBC data anyway.
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
We invite you to join the Madison-area CBC Indoor Sit & Bird-watching event—an accessible, inclusive opportunity for folks of skill levels to enjoy some birding and camaraderie while contributing data to the count.
Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar
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
Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during this monthly open house 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.
Photo by Gary Shackelford
This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. 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
Join the Uplands Garden Club with members in the Dodgeville, Mineral Point and surrounding communities for a presentation by Brenna Marsicek about the Bald Eagle Nest Watch program!
Photo by Gail Smith
One of Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance’s important goals as an accredited land trust is to create high quality habitat to support a whole bunch of wildlife. At Faville Grove Sanctuary, that’s 177 different bird species. We are setting a big Giving Tuesday goal of 177 gifts to support those amazing creatures. Will you be one?
Photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren
If you want to find out more about some of the common bird species you’re seeing where you live this winter, this class is for you! Learn who they are, why they’re there, and how they survive winters in Wisconsin.
Photo by USFWS Midwest
We’re sorry, this event is cancelled during the month of November. Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during the Birding Day, 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 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!
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. 4-Nov. 2, 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
Join us as we bird Lake Michigan and its shoreline during the migration of waterfowl through Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan Counties. Starting at the Texas Ave. overlook we will look for migrants such as Red-throated Loons, White-wing Scoter, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter, Red-neck Grebe, Mergansers, various wintering gulls, Peregrine Falcon, and late migrant songbirds.
Photo by Alenka Weinhold
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
