2024 has been wonderful!
As the end of the year approaches, we have so much to celebrate. Thanks to the support of our members, volunteers, and partners, our organization has been part of many delightful memories this year, full of wonder and awe.
Here are a few of our favorites:
Hatchling painted turtle crossing the road at Faville Grove in spring 2024 (photo by David Musolf).
“On April 27, while leading a field trip in the western portion of Faville Grove Sanctuary, we were surprised to discover a newly hatched painted turtle crossing the road! Apparently, its mother had laid her eggs in 2023 but the hatchlings did not emerge from the nest until the spring of 2024.” —David Musolf, Faville Grove volunteer resident manager
Birding by boat attendees at Cherokee Marsh South in May 2024 (photo courtesy of Jeff Galligan).
“My favorite memory of 2024 was co-leading the Birding by Boat event with Brenna and Becky on May 6. We have been doing these paddles for three years now and I love it every time like it was the first. This event is so relaxing and allows for recentering amidst the busyness we all feel. I also really love how there are first time paddlers that decide to join us for their first paddle.” —Jeff Galligan, secretary of the board
Birding by boat, May 2024 (photo by Jasmine Banks).
“One of my favorite ways to end a work day this year was on the water with some of my favorite people doing one of my favorite things: birding by boat with Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin. Of course, Black Birders Week is also ALWAYS a vibe thanks to so many folks who have and continue to create such sacred spaces for folks who look just like me. My sincerest and deepest gratitude go to Jeff and Dexter for co-founding the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin. Without your dream coming to life, I would still think ALL birds were simply birds.” —Jasmine Banks, board member
Left: prairie parsley, right: wild petunia (photos by Emma Raasch/SoWBA).
“One of my favorite parts about working outside is that no matter how good my tunnel vision gets—while searching for invasive plants to pull, seed heads to collect, monarch butterflies to tag—there is always something unique to catch my eye. While counting butterflies for the annual Mud Lake Butterfly Count, I realized that I was standing right next to state-endangered prairie parsley. Similarly, while collecting heart-leaved golden alexander seed, I stumbled upon another state-endangered plant, wild petunia, which had not been found at Goose Pond Sanctuary prior. It goes to show that even with your eyes on the prize, the prairie holds more gifts and surprises than you know to look for.”
—Emma Raasch, Goose Pond ecological restoration technician
Bird Collision Corps volunteers and partners at Dejope Residence Hall during the window treatment installation (photo courtesy of Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA).
“This summer, we helped get a window treatment installed at Dejope Residence Hall on the UW-Madison campus, where our Bird Collision Corps volunteers were documenting many birds dying after hitting the big windows overlooking the woods and Lake Mendota. The reason this is my favorite memory is because I am so darn PROUD of the hard work that our volunteers put in, the leadership our volunteers show (in this case, Krysta Koralesky, a BCC volunteer and Wisconsin Master Naturalist, led the charge), and the evidence that our work matters. We aren’t just collecting and analyzing data; we are making a difference for birds, and there are dots to show for it. We look forward to seeing how these dots reduce bird deaths at this site!” —Brenna Marsicek, director of outreach
Graham measures the pond levels in early July 2024 (photo by Graham Steinhauer/SoWBA).
“A highlight for us was seeing the water level changes at Goose Pond. In early May, it appeared we were going to have the third summer of drought conditions. However, it soon rained 7.4 inches. After the ground was saturated, pond levels began to rise. On July 8, Graham measured the water level at four feet. From May through November we received about 34 inches of precipitation, including several rains over two inches. River bulrush that began growing in 2022 and 2023 took off this summer. It provides ideal nesting habitat for marsh birds like Ruddy Ducks, American Coots, and Pied-billed Grebes. This is the best river bulrush habitat we have seen here since we became managers in 1979.”
—Mark Martin & Susan Foote-Martin, Goose Pond volunteer resident managers
Sunset birding on the Graber Pond boardwalk in July 2024 (photo by Kaitlin Svabek/SoWBA).
“We have such a fabulous field trip program that I can’t just pick one outing! Having the opportunity to explore new places, meet birders of all skill levels, and rave about nature with other folks are some of my favorite things. And there are always surprises—while enjoying sunset birding this summer, a sudden two-minute sun shower resulted in a lovely rainbow and wonderful camaraderie as we all quickly reapplied bug spray to fend off a rising cloud of mosquitoes. By the end of a field trip, I’ve always learned something new, like a fun fact or a catchy mnemonic for a bird call, but more importantly, I’m reminded of just how special birds are, in our world and in our lives.” —Kaitlin Svabek, director of communications
Left: turtlehead, right: marsh marigold (photos by Chris Kaplan/SoWBA).
“One of the highlights of the year for me was seeing the recovery of a degraded mound fen that we identified at Fair Meadows in 2023. The area was previously shaded by ash trees, reed canary grass, and other invasive species. In January 2024, we removed scores of dead ash trees (killed by the emerald ash borer) from the mound so that we could safely burn it, then reintroduced fire into the area in spring followed by some spot treatment of reed canary grass. It has been exciting to check in on this area all summer and see what is blooming: turtlehead, skunk cabbage, and marsh marigold, just to name a few!”
—Chris Kaplan, Fair Meadows land steward
Northern Cardinal (photo by Arlene Koziol).
“I loved reading about our members’ favorite birds on our member survey responses. Cardinals, crows, cranes, and hummingbirds were some of the most popular. And the reasons for loving a certain bird varied from striking plumage to spunky attitude and sass. It was delightful to read all the responses and get more insight into the connection between our members and the birds they love.” —Liz Pelton, membership & development associate
Mickenzee with her podcasting equipment (photo courtesy of Mickenzee Okon/SoWBA).
“My favorite memory from this year was recording and launching our educational podcast, Questions Asked by Curious Kids, or QuACK. I love to learn, so it was an awesome way for me to take a step back from my educator role, sit down, and just absorb. Kids ask such amazing and fun questions, so I really got to learn a ton thanks to them! This project also really allowed me to challenge myself to explore new creative skills like audio editing, logo design. . . heck, even coming up with a name!” —Mickenzee Okon, educator
Penny prepares to release a Blanding’s turtle back to the wild (photo by Gary Shackelford).
“Watching seven hatchling Blanding’s turtles scurry for a muddy haven after they were released on September 1 was my favorite moment in 2024. To see the tiny creatures in their favorite habitat (sedge meadow) instinctively and safely run for cover in the nearby mud seemed a validation of our work to restore native habitats for the benefit of a diverse array of species.” —Penny Shackelford, Fair Meadows volunteer resident manager
Greater fringed gentian at Faville Grove Sanctuary (photo by Roger Packard).
“I spent a memorable morning in late September touring Faville Grove Sanctuary with land stewards David, Roger, and a small group of Bird Alliance supporters. Among the guests was a gentleman who last hiked at Faville decades earlier. Listening to him marvel at how the area had changed from a patchwork of crops and a bit of restored land to the vast rolling native prairie and savannah landscape that is Faville Grove today was fascinating. I was inspired to imagine the time lapse camera he looked through as his eyes documented good ecological transformation—an altered landscape restored back to diverse, and stunningly beautiful, native prairie.” —Becky Abel, director of philanthropy
Dianne Moller releases a Red-tailed Hawk (photo by Pat Eagan).
“Kestrel banding is perennial favorite. Additionally, during a special event at Fair Meadows Sanctuary in October, Dianne Moller of Hoo's Woods Raptor Center gave a very interesting talk about raptors. She even introduced a few education birds and released a rehabilitated Red-tailed Hawk back to the wild.”
—Pat Eagan, board member
American badger at Fair Meadows in October 2024 (photo courtesy of Gary Shackelford).
“In mid-October, a trail camera at Fair Meadows Sanctuary captured a nighttime photo of an American Badger. Although I have never observed a badger at Fair Meadows, I am gratified to know that badgers occur in the restored habitats here.”
—Gary Shackelford, Fair Meadows volunteer resident manager
A controlled burn at Goose Pond Sanctuary in 2024 (photo by Graham Steinhauer/SoWBA).
“We lit a head fire at Wood Family Prairie after sufficient burned vegetation already surrounded our unit, a classic ring fire. Big fires make their own weather, and as the flames began to rage through the grasses, cool wind rushed in from all directions to replace the rising air. Thirty or more white baptisia plants, the tumbleweed of the Midwest, were sucked from the ground while still on fire and swirled together in a tight column that danced over the freshly blackened ground. I had never seen anything like it. In spring, the landscape will be lush with the blooms of rejuvenated prairie plants as a result of this essential and temporary destruction.” —Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond land steward
Fourth graders on a field trip at Lake Farm County Park in December 2024 (photos by Carolyn Byers/SoWBA).
“My favorite memories always seem to be from the first big snowfall of the year. This year's first snowfall also happened to be on a field trip with fourth graders to Lake Farm County Park. I love how the world we've been hiking and learning in throughout the school year is suddenly transformed into something new. It’s magical! S’mores help make a wintery field trip fun too!” —Carolyn Byers, director of education
What were some of your favorite moments from this year?
Cover image: a hand holds a pale feather with the blue sky and clouds in the background (photo by Nathan Flick/Creative Commons).
