2021 has been amazing!
As the year draws to a close, we have so much to celebrate. Thanks to the support of our members, volunteers, and partners, Madison Audubon has shared many bright, shining memories with you all, filled with pure joy and enthusiasm in 2021.
Here are a few of our favorites:
Well-preserved prairie and oak habitat (photo by Graham Steinhauer).
“Several of us visited a site that Madison Audubon will probably be able to buy and conserve—the owners have taken great care of it. We found a rare plant that has persisted on a little prairie and oak savanna remnant and then walked a big wetland and floodplain forest. Many varieties of great bird habitat. Can’t tell you where yet, but stay tuned. Oh, and the river might, just might, be home to Flathead Catfish, one of Wisconsin's most wonderful native fish and an apex predator.”—Topf Wells, board of directors
Interns smile and stand in the boggy water (photo by Drew Harry).
“The interns and I went exploring the wonders of the bog on the Kettle Pond on a hot and muggy June afternoon. Like true mammals, a few of the interns soon discovered the cool water of the ‘bog holes’ and took a dip in these peat-filled mires like it was their personal whirlpool.”—Drew Harry, Faville Grove Sanctuary land steward
“This summer, after over a year of no field trips and no events, Madison Audubon hosted our first public outing of 2021. Not only was it absolutely wonderful to see, laugh with, and catch up with many familiar folks and meet lots of new people, but we did that while on the waters of Otsego Marsh. It was a beautiful sunny morning, with calm waters and chattering birds. It felt like we took a collective deep breath of relief and delight together, paddling around in canoes and kayaks in search of whatever wildlife we could find. We saw mergansers, dragonflies, orioles, green frogs, and evidence of how wonderful this birding community is.”
—Brenna Marsicek, director of communications & outreach
Bird Collision Corps volunteers on a bird outing gaze upward at the UW-Arboretum (photo by Brenna Marsicek).
“Everyone knows that the pandemic has been a challenge and has limited our ability to enjoy each other’s company. So, I will look back fondly at all the wonderful opportunities this past year that I have had to spend time with folks engaged (safely!) in outdoor fun. Monarch tagging, field trips, citizen science, prairie plantings, Birds Bikes & Brews, and more. It’s been so nice to see everyone again—and it always recharges my batteries!”
—Matt Reetz, executive director
A group of monarch taggers smile, ready to capture some butterflies (photo by Jeff Galligan).
“Monarch tagging was so liberating and reconnected me to the young boy I once was, which was priceless. Not only the freedom that comes with chasing butterflies through a prairie, but the realization how important the citizen science this event conducts is to the existence of these amazing butterflies! It is my recommendation that every adult run through a meadow catching and tagging Monarchs every year; for themselves and for the Monarchs.”
—Jeff Galligan, board of directors
Milcah, Alexus, elementary educator Josie, and Carolyn at an outdoor class (photo by Carolyn Byers).
“It was a relief after such a long time teaching virtually to finally be back outside teaching together! We have been partnering with many of our teachers for six or seven years now, and we have built a wonderful classroom culture. It was amazing how quickly we fell back into it: our in-person relationship is just something that doesn’t fully resonate through Zoom. Having everyone together outside helps to create a more magical experience for our kids, and for us!”—Carolyn Byers, director of education
Prairie blooms at Faville Grove, including butterfly milkweed and coneflower (photo by Roger Packard).
“We drove to Faville Grove to begin our annual summer prairie enjoyment and walks. Traveling down Prairie Lane we were surrounded by a gorgeous prairie bloom before dropping through the Lake Mills Ledge to arrive at Charles Prairie. I was astonished. My last memory was a crop field. Now, here I was seeing a beautiful prairie restoration. The diversity of forbs was breathtaking. A transition of years presented itself in an instant. Oh the charm of blooming prairies and the accomplishments of our managers and volunteers!”
—Galen Hasler, board of directors
Kaitlin holds a safely captured Great Horned Owl (photo by Dylan Hughes).
“We were all completely shocked when we learned that a Great Horned Owl was trapped inside the same building as Madison Audubon’s offices in November. Coordinating with the Dane County Humane Society’s Wildlife Center and being part of the successful rescue and release of this beautiful bird was one of the biggest highlights of my year (and beyond)!”
—Kaitlin Svabek, communications specialist
An Eastern Bluebird perches on a branch (photo by Arlene Koziol).
“In the fall, the old cow lane back to Helga’s Prairie, lined with its many fruiting black cherry trees, was a birding hot spot. It was wonderful to observe the hundreds of bluebirds and Cedar Waxwings, plus woodpeckers and Blue Jays, among others, take advantage of the abundant food source.”—David Musolf, Faville Grove Sanctuary resident manager
A golden sunset over the Wisconsin River (photo by Becky Abel).
“On a beautiful evening in November, a small group of enthusiastic Madison Audubon supporters joined my fabulous colleague Kaitlin and me to watch and listen from an expansive Wisconsin River sandbar as migrating Sandhill Cranes headed downriver to roost, Bald Eagles circled, and flocks of robins gathered. In the waning light, a few Barred Owls and a Pileated Woodpecker called across the still night air. The constantly changing sunset provided a brilliant backdrop as we contemplated migration, changing seasons, the year behind, the year ahead, and all that is good in nature and the people who protect it.”
—Becky Abel, director of philanthropy
We’d love to hear your favorite moments from this year—comment to share them below!
Cover image: a hand holds a pale feather with the blue sky and clouds in the background (photo by Nathan Flick/Creative Commons).
