Bird & Nature Blog

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The Unexpected Benefits of Birding

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A couple of weeks ago, I realized that I would soon be approaching my “bird-iversary”—the anniversary of the day that I became a birder! And guess what? That day is today! Yep, I can 100% trace my birding journey back to a single bird walk I took on August 24, 2019—one year ago today.

As I look back on my first year of birding, I’ve realized how much my life has changed—in big ways, small ways, and sometimes imperceptible ways, but all positive ways. It’s really brought home that birding isn’t just about the birds. It’s a hobby that will ripple through your life, leaving little waves of wonder in its wake.

This week’s blog reflects on some of the ways that birding can change your world. If you’ve been thinking about a good time to start this hobby, I can guarantee that today is a good day to start.

Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

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Snakes and Birds Mix with Mixed Results

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Please see this link to assist the DNR in conserving reptiles and amphibians. DNR biologists need our help in identifying road crossings that cause a lot of herp mortality. Their work with turtles at such crossings have shown that such identification and subsequent work on signage or other steps can reduce that mortality.

One such crossing, which doesn't need such protection because our members and guests tend to be careful and drive slowly, is at Goose Pond on Prairie Lane between the prairie and the observation area and Goose Pond itself. Many salamanders over-winter in the prairie and return to the pond in late spring or early summer.

Photo by Nick Walton // DNR Press release

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Teaching Outside: Adapting to Online Learning

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We’ve reached the middle of August, and for many, the back-to-school jitters are settling in. This year we are all facing change, challenges, and opportunity when it comes to heading back to school—it is both daunting and exciting! This post is going to focus on how to incorporate outdoor learning as many are starting the school year at least partially online. It is an important piece to consider as we focus on connecting with our students and promoting their social and emotional well-being.

Spending time outside is important to the health of our country’s youth. Students are not necessarily going to have a structured recess time as this school year begins, and that may have been some students' only consistent time outside.

How can we promote healthy outdoor habits among our students? Let’s jump in.

Madison Audubon photo

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A Happy Home for Trout, Sculpins, Yellowthroats, and Flycatchers

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Time for some good news. Please see this link that will lead you to the news of the latest Dane County acquisition: 160 acres just south of Verona west and north of the intersection of STH 69 and River Road.

The press release focuses on Badger Mill Creek, the Sugar River, trout, flood control, and water infiltration, all important and in the context of this news, happy topics. Please note that the County has committed to restore almost all 160 acres to prairie. That's why the future management of the property will help protect streams and groundwater and mitigate floods but think of our grassland bird friends. A happy, happy home in their future.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

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Twitching, Pishing, and Dipping, oh my! Learning the Birding Lingo

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If you’ve started birding during the pandemic, you’ve probably been going it solo—without the company of fellow birders on a group walk or field trip. Thankfully birding is perfectly suited for this! You can social distance, explore nature at your own pace, and enjoy the meditative benefits that come with the hobby. But at some point, you’ll likely find yourself interacting with the larger birding community—whether locally or online—and you might find that you’ve been missing out on some birder-to-birder socialization.

Birding, like all hobbies, comes with its own culture. Learning the language that some birders use in the field can help you discover more about the hobby and how to participate in it responsibly, but also help you have more fun and connect with other birders over shared experiences.

This week’s Entryway to Birding blog brings some context to some of the stranger terms you might hear in the field. So if you’ve been wondering what it means to “dip” on the sighting of a “vagrant” bird, read on! This week is for you.

Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt