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Promoting the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Wisconsin's birds.

2024 WSO CONVENTION RECAP

  By Nancy Nabak, Convention Volunteer “Great Birding On A Great Lake’ – you ain’t a kidding! And great people! What a fantastic convention in Two Rivers from the beginning to end! It all started with a fun gathering on Thursday night - Birds & Beers/Bird Trivia at Cool City Brewing Company. Many folks socialized and enjoyed appetizers and bird-themed beverages, including... Read More   

Kettle Moraine SF June 1 2024

2024 WSO Field Trip to Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit. On Saturday, June 1, at 5:30 AM, 17 people gathered at Jersey Flats Prairie Restoration Project for the WSO’s Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit field trip. The day’s weather was cloudy; with a light SE breeze, and temps in the mid-60s. Our route for the day included; Jersey Flats, Zillmer Trail parking lot,... Read More   

ACTION ALERT: SPEAK UP FOR GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS BY JUNE 14!

  We need your help today. The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin is currently reviewing a proposal by Vista Sands Solar (VSS) to construct a 9,854-acre solar farm near the towns of Grant and Plover in Portage County.  The project will cover approximately 10 square miles and will be immediately adjacent to the Buena Vista State Wildlife Area in several locations. ... Read More   

Honey Creek Birdathon 2024

The attendees were pleased with great weather conditions this year for the Honey Creek Birdathon.  The afternoon and early evening of the prior day had been very rainy, but fortunately the weather cleared overnight.  The early morning was chilly, with a low temperature of 45 degrees, but there were calm conditions and clear skies – which are always appreciated.  The high... Read More   

White River Marsh 4 MAY 2024

Our traditional start time for this field trip is 5:00 AM – an early start to experience the dawn chorus on the marsh – but I’d heard a couple of YELLOW RAILS near our starting point the day before, so I encouraged anyone interested in trying for them to arrive by 4:30!  Sure enough, as we arrived in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday, May 4 there was a YELLOW... Read More   

Mead Wildlife - 20 April 2024

This year’s outing was held, Saturday, April 20, 2024.  Like last year, this is the latest date we’ve ever had this trip.  (AGAIN a good thing, as Marathon County’s April weather has felt more like February).  The weather was cold 30 degrees, very breezy and partly cloudy.  By the time we were done it was still only 35degrees. We had a total of 15 attendees from across... Read More   

Dane and Columbia County Ponds - 23 March 2024

    This has been a very strange spring, with mild weather arriving already in late February – bringing big flocks of waterfowl to Wisconsin much earlier than normal.  As this late-March field trip approached, we wondered how many ducks and geese would still be around.  In addition, the recent precipitation has been well below normal, so fewer fields have been flooded this... Read More   

Sheboygan Lakefront – 9 March 2024

   The field trip participants gathered at 8:00 AM in Kohler-Andrae State Park at the Sanderling Nature Center parking lot.  The skies were clear and sunny and the temperature at 33 degrees, but with a chilly wind blowing out of the northwest.  This field trip was following on the heels of a mild winter and early spring, so our expectations were not high.  After taking... Read More   

WSO Convention Registration Open

                    We hope you’ll join us in May for Great Birding on A Great Lake! By WSO Convention Organizers Come join us for WSO’s annual convention on May 17-19 in Two Rivers at the Lighthouse Inn and Conference Center right on Lake Michigan. Convention registration will run from March 1 to April 25. More information is... Read More   

Announcement of the 2024 WSO Passenger Pigeon Awards

Announcement of the 2024 WSO Passenger Pigeon Awards By Wendy Schultz, WSO Awards Coordinator With so much political turmoil in the world, it is comforting to know the positive impact birds and nature can have on us when we immerse ourselves in it. A simple walk in the woods will tamp down anxiety, bringing us that famous “peaceful, easy feeling” that connects us to the natural world.... Read More   

Buena Vista Grasslands 2024

 – Field Trip Report The morning was cloudy as we gathered in Bancroft, and the temperature was 26 degrees – relatively balmy compared to many previous years that were closer to zero!  Unfortunately, the wind was fairly stiff out of the northwest, which definite kept things chilly in this open landscape.  The recent mild temperatures had melted nearly all of the snow cover,... Read More