This season at the sanctuaries (Spring 2026): learn what’s been going on behind the scenes, who you can expect to find when you visit, and how to get involved in the coming few months!
Photo by Monica Hall
Goose Pond Sanctuary Update, March 2026
The Carolina Parakeet, the Great Auk, the Heath Hen, and the Passenger Pigeon
All extinct, all lamented, and all caused by human action and inaction.
So, why did I keep thinking of the Passenger Pigeon (by the way, Wisconsin was the major nesting area for pigeons in the Midwest)? Because the Devil's Lake purchase might be the last major Stewardship Fund purchase before it becomes extinct.
Painting by John James Audubon, Special Collections Toronto Public Library
Update on the Cherokee Heights chimney effort
Madison Metropolitan School District has publicly committed to collaborating with Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance to build a faux chimney at the new school, based on the guidance and best practices that are known to benefit swifts. We are using construction templates from other successful sites with large chimneys like this, particularly one in Manitoba. It is our intent to keep a watchful eye on this project and weigh in on behalf of bird conservation. This includes making sure that the old chimney will remain on site and functional until the new chimney is available for swift use. We will be working closely with MMSD in the coming months and years to bring this to fruition, and monitor Chimney Swift use.
Photo by Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA
