MEET SORAYA CASTLE!
Faville Grove Sanctuary Land Steward, with organization since August 2024
Soraya collecting seeds at Faville Grove Sanctuary (photo courtesy of Soraya).
Hello, my name is Soraya Castle and I am very excited to start as a co-land steward at Faville Grove Sanctuary! I graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2024 and have been working here since being an intern that year, but I am ready for the shift in responsibility that comes with stewardship. I grew up in Austin, Texas and was lucky to spend lots of time visiting different national parks and natural areas as a kid, but never got to see the beauty of sweeping tallgrass prairie until I moved here. I love seeing prairies turn black after a spring burn, shift to being peppered with purple and gold flowers in the summer and then drying to a peachy color in the fall and winter. I can’t wait to see what creatures, plants and birds I’ll find at Faville Grove this year!
Why did you want to join the team at Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance?
Soraya with a vole after near a recent prescribed burn on a prairie (photo courtesy of Soraya).
I have always known that I wanted to spend my working life doing something interesting and meaningful. A childhood of exploring outside and watching wildlife documentaries has given me a curiosity for natural habitats all over the world while the threats of climate change and habitat destruction spurred me towards environmentalism. Being a land steward means I can be outside and interact with the land while doing something good for it, which is everything I hoped for in a career. In addition to native habitat restoration, I strongly believe in the other missions of Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance like youth education and nature accessibility.
What's your favorite bird?
It is a bit corny to say, but every bird is great in its own way and I don’t especially favor one over another. But if I had to choose, I would say the American Woodcock is my favorite because of its strange appearance and interesting behaviors. I love its silly call and the way it bobs with its head stationary when it walks around. The sky dance that it does in courtship is also amazing to witness and surprising to see performed by such an odd little guy.
Working on a prescribed burn (photo courtesy of Soraya).
Name your top three favorite outdoor places.
I have to include Lakeshore Nature Preserve on the UW–Madison campus because I have spent so much time there on peaceful morning runs, birdwatching walks, and to get fresh air with my friends after studying. Spring Green Preserve is such a cool place to visit in Wisconsin and the prickly pear scattered on the dry hilltops reminds me of Texas. I think the third would have to be Lake Tahoe, which I totally fell in love with last summer and am already planning to revisit.
Share something cool you've learned since joining the team.
So many things! Killdeer will pretend to have a broken wing and limp away from their nest to lure you from their babies. Last May, I saw two parents do just that as their babies scuttled away. Moments like that are fascinating but I think the coolest thing I’ve gotten to see is simply the unfolding phenology of our wetlands, woods and prairies.
Cover image: American Woodcock strutting through a gravelly patch (photo by Peter Rea/USFWS).
