Fair Meadows Sanctuary and State Natural Area is Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance’s newest property, and it came pre-restored and full of vibrant bird life! Come explore this incredible sanctuary and learn about the birds that use the many habitats found here. We expect to see warblers, warblers, and more warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, Sedge Wrens, Swainson’s and Gray-cheeked Thrushes, Eastern Kingbirds. May apples, wild geraniums, wild lupine, blue-flag iris, golden alexanders, shooting stars, marsh marigolds will likely be in bloom as well.

Please note that Fair Meadows Sanctuary & SNA is closed for general public access. This is an opportunity to access the property, which is closed to the public unless pre-arranged or on a field trip.

WHEELCHAIR USE: Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (formerly Madison Audubon) has one electric-powered wheelchair available for anyone to use for free. You can learn more about it here, and request it in the form when you register.

Or, if you want to use a more rugged, all-terrain, outdoor wheelchair for this field trip, Access Ability Wisconsin offers them for free! To reserve a chair and trailer, visit their website.

Questions? Contact Brenna Marsicek, bmarsicek@swibirds.org or 608-255-2473

FIELD TRIP LEADERS: Penny and Gary Shackelford, resident managers of Fair Meadows Sanctuary, Chris Kaplan, land steward of Fair Meadows Sanctuary

RAIN DATE:

ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES:

• Outdoor, electric-powered wheelchair available upon request

• Trails are primarily mowed grass. The route can be altered based on accommodation requests relating to hills, terrain, etc.)

• Field trip leader is adept at birding by ear and willing to accommodate those with visual impairments

• Not Accessible by public transportation

APPROXIMATE DISTANCE: 1-3 miles, dependent on group preferences and speed 

RSVP REQUIRED? Yes. Participation is limited to 25 participants. Registration will open 6 weeks in advance, on the Monday of that week.

Photo: Northern Parula by Gary Shackelford