This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Join SoWBA staff and board members for a slow paddle exploring the incredible diversity of Cherokee Marsh. Get a great experience looking for spring birds, insects, and aquatic plants by boat; we expect to see species like Green Heron, Kingfishers, swallows, Sora, and more!

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Join us for an evening stroll that is filled with the evening sounds of nature. Frogs, toads, and evening-active birds are calling heartily this time of year, and because each species has their own unique sound, we can identify which species are present even without seeing them.

Cover photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Come enjoy the sunrise from the Arboretum and listen to the morning chorus.

Photo by Monica Hall

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Join us for an adventurous, unique way to enjoy hearing and seeing our feathered friends: Birding by bike! This field trip will involve slow to moderate-paced biking along the Capital City State Trail, starting at the McDaniel Park parking lot in McFarland, northwest across the boardwalk at Lake Waubesa, through Lake Farm County Park and ending at the ponds near the sewerage treatment plant, before turning around and heading back. We will stop at multiple points along the way to enjoy the birds we see and hear in these great natural areas. Total distance biked is approximately 7 miles.

Photo by Ruth Smith

With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Join us for an early morning walk to look for colorful warblers and other spring migrants.

Cover photo by Phil Brown

With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Early orioles or lingering waterfowl are also a possibility. Those new to birding and to experienced birders are welcome.

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. The number of different species present in a small area can be remarkable! Join us for a “sit,” where we’ll remain in one spot while looking and listening for any birds who might be in the area. This trip is designed to be intentionally inclusive and accessible for birders of all skill levels (beginners welcome!).

Photo via Pixabay

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Come enjoy the sunrise from the Arboretum and listen to the morning chorus.

Photo by Monica Hall

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Join us for an early morning walk to look for colorful warblers and other spring migrants.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Fair Meadows Sanctuary and State Natural Area is full of vibrant bird life! Come explore this incredible sanctuary and learn about the birds that use the many habitats found here.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Early orioles or lingering waterfowl are also a possibility. Those new to birding and to experienced birders are welcome.

Photo by David Rihn

This field trip is now full. Join us as we walk the trails of this mature hardwood forest, much of which is part of the Olson Oak Woods State Natural Area, looking for a variety of migrating warblers, thrushes, tanagers, orioles, and others. There will be some up- and downhill hiking, although we will move at a leisurely pace.

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. This morning trip is especially for backyard birders looking to grow their skills! Come to have your bird questions answered and get help identifying all of those small, streaky brown birds and distant ducks! We'll also be keeping our eyes out for any exciting spring migrants! The walk will be on even trails at a leisurely pace so bring the whole family! We will have binoculars for loan.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

The Mississippi is a major migration route for numerous birds and the rugged bluffs make this breathtaking scenery a beautiful spot for a spring adventure. Observe hawks, warblers (including yellow-throated), lots of other birds, and a few spring wildflowers.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Come enjoy the sunrise from the Arboretum and listen to the morning chorus.

Photo by Cynthia Bridge

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Join us as we gather on Lake Mills State Wildlife Area- Zeloski Marsh with Wisconsin DNR’s Wildlife Management for a birding excursion. Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and WDNR’s Wildlife Management have been longtime partners on this property, beginning with SoWBI’s purchase and donation of the property to the Department of Natural Resources in 2006. This contribution from SoWBA and the management by the WDNR have led to Zeloski Marsh becoming a major stopover for waterfowl, wading birds, and songbirds during spring migration.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) area in what is often called Wisconsin’s desert includes some of the state’s rarest plant communities in its sand and dry bluff prairies and black oak barrens. It hosts a diversity of unusual plants, insects, reptiles and birds. We should see cactus and, hopefully, Olympia Marble butterflies and Lark Sparrows. Co-hosted by Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Photo by Peter Gorman

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Experience restorations of various stages from recent plantings to a well-developed 29-year old prairie. Other habitat features of this landscape include: a shallow wetlands, open water marsh/tamarack-sphagnum bogs, woodlands, and a black oak savanna. Join us for an enjoyable hike as we discuss the site’s history, stages of restorations, bird and plant identification, and more.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Birding by Ear is a wonderful way to experience birds without relying on sight! Join volunteers and staff affiliated with the Birding by Ear class, Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, and Aldo Leopold Nature Center for this great opportunity to advance your leadership skills.

Participants of this field trip will not learn bird songs or how to bird by ear; rather the focus will be on leading field trips to make them more accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek / SoWBA

This field trip is now full. Join the waiting list. View the sky dance of the American Woodcock at dusk and look for Sandhill Cranes, Wilson's Snipe, Bonaparte's Gulls, and other spring migrants and arriving resident birds. Co-hosted with the Friends of Cherokee Marsh.

Photo by Sally Meier

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Meet at the kiosk along Prairie Lane for an evening spent enjoying the unique spring displays of woodcock and snipe. Be prepared to be fascinated by the woodcock’s acrobatic flight, and to learn about the natural history of one of Aldo Leopold’s favorite birds. Binoculars are recommended.

Photo by Arlene Koziol.

This field trip is now full. Join the waiting list. Are you curious about birds but not sure how to get started? Geared specifically towards people who newer to birding or venturing out for one of the first times, we’ll identify birds together at Nine Springs.

Photo via Pixabay

This training is designed for people with little to no prescribed fire training and experience who would like to volunteer on prescribed burns. It is also an opportunity to learn why fire is an integral part of Wisconsin’s natural communities.

Photo by Ralph Russo

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during the Birding Day! This 374 acre sanctuary and State Natural Area has many trails and habitats to explore. During this Birding Day, attendees can grab a map, wipe their boots, and hit the trails independently. No guided walks are provided.

Fair Meadows Birding Days are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, except in November.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

This field trip is now full. Join the waiting list. This field trip is designed for folks new to birding, and is family-friendly! We will explore the wonderful Cherokee Marsh North Unit, enjoying the sights and sounds of winter. We will share bird ID and talk about how to tell that bird species apart from others. This is a low-key, slow paced, no-pressure outing for beginners.

Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during the Birding Day! This 374 acre sanctuary and State Natural Area has many trails and habitats to explore. During this Birding Day, attendees can grab a map, wipe their boots, and hit the trails independently. No guided walks are provided.

Fair Meadows Birding Days are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, except in November.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Join us for a trek through recessional glacial terrain and Bring your snowshoes. We will explore the diversity of habitats at Faville Grove Sanctuary, which includes woodland, savanna, prairie, and wetland, as we search for animal tracks and enjoy the landscape.

Photo by Jeff McDonald

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during the Birding Day! This 374 acre sanctuary and State Natural Area has many trails and habitats to explore. During this Birding Day, attendees can grab a map, wipe their boots, and hit the trails independently. No guided walks are provided.

Fair Meadows Birding Days are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, except in November.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during the Birding Day! This 374 acre sanctuary and State Natural Area has many trails and habitats to explore. During this Birding Day, attendees can grab a map, wipe their boots, and hit the trails independently. No guided walks are provided.

Fair Meadows Birding Days are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, except in November.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Join us as we explore our beautiful Fair Meadows Sanctuary and State Natural Area in mid-winter. We will look and listen for birds and mammals, and enjoy the vistas of the prairies and woodlands in the quiet of the season, hopefully covered in snow. Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Dark-eyed Juncos, and more are all expected to make an appearance. If we’re lucky, we might see otter slides and other mammal tracks!

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar