Signature Field Trip

Filtering by: Signature Field Trip
New Year's Sunrise at Faville Grove
Jan
1
7:00 AM07:00

New Year's Sunrise at Faville Grove

  • Buddy’s Place at Faville Grove Sanctuary (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

There is simply no better way to start the New Year. We will enjoy the pre-dawn light as we meander through the prairie, arriving at the Mackenzie Overlook to see the sun rise over the beautiful Faville Marsh. We will spend the early morning exploring the winter marsh and surrounding uplands.

Photo by Drew Harry

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Fair Meadows Birding Day
Jan
14
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

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

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Winter Wonderland Hike
Jan
26
10:00 AM10:00

Winter Wonderland Hike

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

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Fair Meadows Birding Day
Jan
28
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

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

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Mid-winter Snowshoe at Faville Grove (date TBD!)
Jan
31
to Feb 1

Mid-winter Snowshoe at Faville Grove (date TBD!)

  • Faville Grove Sanctuary (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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

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Fair Meadows Birding Day
Feb
11
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

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

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Fair Meadows Birding Day
Feb
25
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

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

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Beginners Bird Walk
Mar
1
9:00 AM09:00

Beginners Bird Walk

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

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Fair Meadows Birding Day
Mar
11
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

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

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Prescribed Fire Workshop - Fire Ecology and Field Instruction
Mar
15
12:30 PM12:30

Prescribed Fire Workshop - Fire Ecology and Field Instruction

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

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Fair Meadows Birding Day
Mar
25
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

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

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Woodcock and Snipe Walk
Apr
8
6:30 PM18:30

Woodcock and Snipe Walk

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.

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Habitat Diversity at Faville Grove West
Apr
26
7:30 AM07:30

Habitat Diversity at Faville Grove West

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

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Butterflies and Birds of Spring Green Preserve East
Apr
26
10:00 AM10:00

Butterflies and Birds of Spring Green Preserve East

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

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Spring Migration at Zeloski Marsh
Apr
27
7:30 AM07:30

Spring Migration at Zeloski Marsh

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

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Beyond Backyard Birding: Lakeshore Nature Preserve
May
3
7:30 AM07:30

Beyond Backyard Birding: Lakeshore Nature Preserve

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

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Butterflies and Wildflowers of Pleasant Valley Conservancy
Jun
21
10:00 AM10:00

Butterflies and Wildflowers of Pleasant Valley Conservancy

Pleasant Valley Conservancy is a beautiful state natural area situated in the Driftless Area, with steep goat prairies, oak savanna, and a large, high quality marsh. We hope to see beautiful Baltimore Checkerspots and other wetland butterflies nectaring on wonderful native plants.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

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Odonates! Dragonfly and Damselfly Ecology and Identification
Jul
12
10:00 AM10:00

Odonates! Dragonfly and Damselfly Ecology and Identification

Odonates are a fierce group of insects with highly variable coloration and habitat preferences. Dragonfly expert Bob Honig will discuss the life history and ecological importance of dragonflies and damselflies. Then we’ll explore Goose Pond’s prairies and identify as many species as we are able!

Photo by Arlene Koziol

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Exploring Erstad Prairie & Schoeneberg Marsh
Jul
18
9:30 AM09:30

Exploring Erstad Prairie & Schoeneberg Marsh

  • Erstad Prairie & Schoeneberg Marsh (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Together, these properties provide beautiful and high quality habitats for wetland, grassland, and savanna wildlife. We'll walk though Erstad Prairie on mowed trails and then shift over to Schoeneberg Marsh which has a parking lot a half mile away. The WPA has accessible hiking (paved path and boardwalk) which terminates at an overlook with a great view of the marsh.

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Goose Pond Prairies: Land Trust Days
Aug
2
9:00 AM09:00

Goose Pond Prairies: Land Trust Days

Join us for this mostly sitting tour of Goose Pond Sanctuary's restored mesic prairies. Tallgrass prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world with less than 3% of the original area remaining. We will have a touring wagon ready to explore our trails, and there will be frequent stops to allow folks to get out and explore.

Photo by SoWBA

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Monarch Tagging
Sep
6
9:30 AM09:30

Monarch Tagging

Monarchs make a huge migration each year, from Wisconsin (and even further north) all the way down to their winter grounds in Mexico. It is an incredible journey, and one that scientists are still studying. This monarch tagging event, one of the most celebrated activities Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance hosts, will teach you about the amazing monarch life history, migration, and conservation needs. We will teach you how to safely catch, handle, tag, and release a monarch, all in the name of science and love of nature.

Photo by Michael Anderson

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Monarch Tagging
Sep
10
9:30 AM09:30

Monarch Tagging

Monarchs make a huge migration each year, from Wisconsin (and even further north) all the way down to their winter grounds in Mexico. It is an incredible journey, and one that scientists are still studying. This monarch tagging event, one of the most celebrated activities Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance hosts, will teach you about the amazing monarch life history, migration, and conservation needs. We will teach you how to safely catch, handle, tag, and release a monarch, all in the name of science and love of nature.

Photo by Kaitlin Svabek/SoWBA

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Monarch Tagging
Sep
13
9:30 AM09:30

Monarch Tagging

Monarchs make a huge migration each year, from Wisconsin (and even further north) all the way down to their winter grounds in Mexico. It is an incredible journey, and one that scientists are still studying. This monarch tagging event, one of the most celebrated activities Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance hosts, will teach you about the amazing monarch life history, migration, and conservation needs. We will teach you how to safely catch, handle, tag, and release a monarch, all in the name of science and love of nature.

Photo by Kaitlin Svabek / SoWBA

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Fall Prairies at Faville Grove
Sep
14
9:00 AM09:00

Fall Prairies at Faville Grove

Prairies in fall can be spectacularly beautiful.  On this trip you will immerse yourself in the textures, colors, sounds, and smells of fall at Faville Grove. We will meet by the Kiosk at W7480 Prairie Lane, Lake Mills, and then tour the Prairie Lane restorations and take in the fall landscape with its autumn colors including late blooming wildflowers (such as gentians, asters, and goldenrods), talk about the role of seed collecting in our restorations, and more.

Photo by Jeff Pieterick

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Beyond Backyard Birding: Cherokee Marsh North
Sep
27
7:30 AM07:30

Beyond Backyard Birding: Cherokee Marsh North

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! We'll also be keeping our eyes out for any exciting migrants and recently fledged birds! 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

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Fair Meadows Birding Day
Dec
10
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during this monthly open house 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.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

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Madison Lakes Waterfowl (FULL)
Dec
7
8:00 AM08:00

Madison Lakes Waterfowl (FULL)

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. As winter sets in, smaller ponds and lakes in south-central Wisconsin freeze, causing migrating birds to become concentrated on Madison’s large lakes, which remain open longer. We will look for waterfowl, gulls, and winter birds. This trip has produced some unusual sightings in the past, including Red-throated Loons, so don’t miss it!

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

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Birding Lake Michigan
Nov
2
7:00 AM07:00

Birding Lake Michigan

Join us as we bird Lake Michigan and its shoreline during the migration of waterfowl through Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan Counties. Starting at the Texas Ave. overlook we will look for migrants such as Red-throated Loons, White-wing Scoter, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter, Red-neck Grebe, Mergansers, various wintering gulls, Peregrine Falcon, and late migrant songbirds.

Photo by Alenka Weinhold

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An Evening of Cemetery Birding (FULL)
Oct
29
4:00 PM16:00

An Evening of Cemetery Birding (FULL)

This field trip is full, join the waiting list. Did you know that cemeteries were a precursor to city parks? Starting in the early 1830s, “rural cemeteries” were established to create tranquil, beautiful settings where families could visit and commemorate their loved ones. Birdwatching quickly became one of many popular recreational activities in cemeteries.

Illustration by Kaitlin Svabek/SoWBA

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Fair Meadows Birding Day
Oct
22
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

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

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Birding by Bike (date correction - Oct. 9!)
Oct
14
4:00 PM16:00

Birding by Bike (date correction - Oct. 9!)

Join us for an adventurous, unique way to enjoy hearing and seeing our feathered friends: Birding by bike! This outing will follow the Capital City Trail from Nine Springs/Lake Farm County Park area (trailhead parking lot) west to Nevin Springs, and back. Total distance biked is approximately 8 miles.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

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Birding by Ear Meet-up
Oct
12
9:30 AM09:30

Birding by Ear Meet-up

  • Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North Unit (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Train yourself to listen for the birds rather than looking for them! Birding by Ear is a great way to practice your skills at bird ID using a totally different sense. Join Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance educator Mickenzee Okon for a trip to Cherokee Marsh - North Unit, where you will walk the paths through the woods and prairie, and learn tools, tips, and techniques for birding by ear.

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

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Birding by Bike
Oct
9
4:00 PM16:00

Birding by Bike

  • Nine Springs to Nevin Springs (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us for an adventurous, unique way to enjoy hearing and seeing our feathered friends: Birding by bike! This outing will follow the Capital City Trail from Nine Springs/Lake Farm County Park area (trailhead parking lot) west to Nevin Springs, and back. Total distance biked is approximately 8 miles.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

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Fair Meadows Birding Day
Oct
8
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during this monthly open house 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.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

View Event →
Fall Prairies at Faville Grove
Sep
29
9:00 AM09:00

Fall Prairies at Faville Grove

Prairies in fall can be spectacularly beautiful.  On this trip you will immerse yourself in the textures, colors, sounds, and smells of fall at Faville Grove. We will meet by the Kiosk at W7480 Prairie Lane, Lake Mills, and then tour the Prairie Lane restorations and take in the fall landscape with its autumn colors including late blooming wildflowers (such as gentians, asters, and goldenrods), talk about the role of seed collecting in our restorations, and more.

Photo by Jeff Pieterick

View Event →
Beyond Backyard Birding: Cherokee Marsh North (FULL)
Sep
28
7:30 AM07:30

Beyond Backyard Birding: Cherokee Marsh North (FULL)

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! We'll also be keeping our eyes out for any exciting migrants and recently fledged birds! 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

View Event →
Fair Meadows Birding Day
Sep
24
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

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

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Swift Week: Cherokee Heights Middle School
Sep
14
6:30 PM18:30

Swift Week: Cherokee Heights Middle School

  • Cherokee Heights Middle School (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

New this year: In addition to Swift Night Out, the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, the Feminist Bird Club - Madison Chapter, and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance will also be hosting informal get togethers each evening to watch the swifts. We’re calling it Swift Week!

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA

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Swift Week: Cherokee Heights Middle School
Sep
11
6:30 PM18:30

Swift Week: Cherokee Heights Middle School

  • Cherokee Heights Middle School (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

New this year: In addition to Swift Night Out, the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, the Feminist Bird Club - Madison Chapter, and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance will also be hosting informal get togethers each evening to watch the swifts. We’re calling it Swift Week!

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA

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Monarch Tagging
Sep
11
9:30 AM09:30

Monarch Tagging

Monarchs make a huge migration each year, from Wisconsin (and even further north) all the way down to their winter grounds in Mexico. It is an incredible journey, and one that scientists are still studying. This monarch tagging event, one of the most celebrated activities Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance hosts, will teach you about the amazing monarch life history, migration, and conservation needs. We will teach you how to safely catch, handle, tag, and release a monarch, all in the name of science and love of nature.

Photo by Kaitlin Svabek / SoWBA

View Event →
Swift Week: Cherokee Heights Middle School
Sep
10
6:30 PM18:30

Swift Week: Cherokee Heights Middle School

  • Cherokee Heights Middle School (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

New this year: In addition to Swift Night Out, the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, the Feminist Bird Club - Madison Chapter, and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance will also be hosting informal get togethers each evening to watch the swifts. We’re calling it Swift Week!

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA

View Event →
Fair Meadows Birding Day
Sep
10
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during this monthly open house 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.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

View Event →
Swift Week: Cherokee Heights Middle School
Sep
9
6:30 PM18:30

Swift Week: Cherokee Heights Middle School

  • Cherokee Heights Middle School (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

New this year: In addition to Swift Night Out, the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, the Feminist Bird Club - Madison Chapter, and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance will also be hosting informal get togethers each evening to watch the swifts. We’re calling it Swift Week!

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA

View Event →
Swift Week: Cherokee Heights Middle School
Sep
8
6:30 PM18:30

Swift Week: Cherokee Heights Middle School

  • Cherokee Heights Middle School (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

New this year: In addition to Swift Night Out, the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, the Feminist Bird Club - Madison Chapter, and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance will also be hosting informal get togethers each evening to watch the swifts. We’re calling it Swift Week!

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/SoWBA

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Swift Night Out + Swift Week
Sep
7
6:00 PM18:00

Swift Night Out + Swift Week

  • Cherokee Heights Middle School (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Swift Night Out returns this September, and we are collaborating with fellow bird-loving organizations to celebrate the incredible natural phenomenon of Chimney Swifts coming in to roost during migration! In addition to Swift Night Out, our organizations will also be hosting informal get togethers each evening to watch the swifts. We’re calling it Swift Week!

Hosted by BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, the Feminist Bird Club - Madison Chapter, and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance.

Photo by Steve Benoit

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Monarch Tagging
Sep
7
9:30 AM09:30

Monarch Tagging

Monarchs make a huge migration each year, from Wisconsin (and even further north) all the way down to their winter grounds in Mexico. It is an incredible journey, and one that scientists are still studying. This monarch tagging event, one of the most celebrated activities Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance hosts, will teach you about the amazing monarch life history, migration, and conservation needs. We will teach you how to safely catch, handle, tag, and release a monarch, all in the name of science and love of nature.

Photo by Kaitlin Svabek / SoWBA

View Event →
Monarch Tagging
Sep
4
9:30 AM09:30

Monarch Tagging

Monarchs make a huge migration each year, from Wisconsin (and even further north) all the way down to their winter grounds in Mexico. It is an incredible journey, and one that scientists are still studying. This monarch tagging event, one of the most celebrated activities Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance hosts, will teach you about the amazing monarch life history, migration, and conservation needs. We will teach you how to safely catch, handle, tag, and release a monarch, all in the name of science and love of nature.

Photo by Michael Anderson

View Event →
Birding by Ear Meet-up (FULL)
Aug
28
8:30 AM08:30

Birding by Ear Meet-up (FULL)

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Train yourself to listen for the birds rather than looking for them! Birding by Ear is a great way to practice your skills at bird ID using a totally different sense. Join Kaitlin Svabek and Becky Abel at Tenney Park, where you will walk the paths through the woods and prairie, and learn tools, tips, and techniques for birding by ear.

Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS

View Event →
Fair Meadows Birding Day
Aug
13
6:00 AM06:00

Fair Meadows Birding Day

Come enjoy Fair Meadows Sanctuary during this monthly open house 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.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

View Event →