#BlackInNature: Top birding spots

#BlackBirdersWeek2021 wraps up today, and Saturday’s theme is #BirdsOfAFeather! Black birders all over the world are invited to go birding and submit eBird checklists of the birds they see. Scroll down for virtual events.

If you’re looking for some great local places to explore, check out these favorite birding spots preferred by our friends Dexter Patterson (@wiscobirder on Instagram, he’s awesome) and Jeff Galligan (educator, photographer, naturalist, one of our amazing board members).

Dexter Patterson

Dexter Patterson

Dex's Top 5 Birding Spots in Dane County 

  1. Patrick Marsh Wildlife Area —A great spot to view Pelicans, Cormorants, Scarlet Tanagers, Orioles, and various Warblers.

  2. Elmer and Edna Nature Conservancy — My go-to place for Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Kingbirds, and all types of Thrushes.

  3. Cherokee Marsh North Unit — Great site for Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, Indigo Buntings, Sandhill Cranes, Sparrows and Warblers.

  4. UW Arboretum — Excellent birding spot for Cedar Waxwings, Pine Siskins, Warblers, and Vireos.

  5. Token Creek Conservancy — I see lots of Flycatchers, Phoebes, Songbirds, Nuthatches, and Orioles.

Jeff Galligan

Jeff Galligan

Jeff’s Top 5 Dane County Birding Places

  1. Indian Lake

  2. Lake Kegonsa State Park

  3. Spring Green Preserve

  4. Lake Farm/Nine Springs

  5. Cherokee Park North and South Units

Jeff’s Top Wisconsin Places

  1. Horicon Marsh

  2. Wyalusing State Park

  3. Buena Vista Grasslands

  4. Killsnake State Wildlife Area

  5. Lake Michigan waterfront

From the Black AF In Stem website

Here are a few other opportunities for getting involved in the day:

With eBird we invite you to try to make a list of the birds you’re seeing today. We hope to see checklists from as many states, and countries, as possible. If you don’t see anything, that’s OK! You can still submit an empty list, and we’re going to be accepting a link to or screenshot of your list for this day’s giveaway. There will be a short IG Live with BAFiS members going out birding and a livestream with Jerome Ford, assistant director of Migratory Birds at FWS. If you don’t get a chance to get out, hop online and help NOAA select the names of their newest research birds! Hosted on our Facebook Page!

  • 7 AM CT: Birding with Danielle and Sheridan on BAFiS Instagram

  • 8 AM-9 AM CT: Virtual Bird Hike with Isaiah Scott on BAFiS Instagram

  • 12 PM CT: NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries #NameThatShearwater Event on BAFiS Facebook

  • 1 PM CT: Birding with Chelsea on BAFiS Instagram

  • 2-3 PM CT: Q & A with Jerome Ford and US Fish and Wildlife Services