Bird & Nature Blog

Winter 2024

Winter 2024

This season at the sanctuaries (Winter 2024): 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, November 2024

Goose Pond Sanctuary Update, November 2024

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance’s Goose Pond Sanctuary always has a ton going on. Bird conservation, habitat restoration, research, and outreach are always in season here. Learn more about Goose Pond in the latest update.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

An Under-appreciated Hoodie

An Under-appreciated Hoodie

Waiting for me this week was one of the coolest and most handsome Wisconsin waterfowl, a Hooded Merganser, aka the hoodie. This was a drake in his full plumage with his magnificent crest. He was socializing with a small group of Mallards but the connection did not last. They flew and he fished, more on that in a bit

Photo by Mick Thompson

Bluebirds, Kestrels, and SoWBA thank Jim Hess

Jim Hess was just awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin (BRAW) in recognition of the 25 years he has spent building, installing, and monitoring bluebird houses near his home in rural Blanchardville. For many of those years he has mentored bluebird lovers in Lafayette and Grant Counties to do the same. Please use this link to a story in the Monroe Times with more information on Jim's great accomplishments.

Photo by Arlene Koziol