Milwaukee Lakefront Field Trip Report - January 2022
By Tom Schultz
On Sunday, January 9, WSO held its first field trip of the year, with 27 birders gathering at South Shore Yacht Club at 8:00 AM. Although the initial temperature was around 24 degrees, it felt much colder with a 15-25 mph NW wind ushering in a strong cold front. The temperature fell through the morning, eventually dropping to 12 degrees, with the brutal wind...
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Is Hunting Sandhill Cranes Truly Necessary?
by Augustus Dougherty
Conservation efforts once saved the iconic bird from extinction. Now, Wisconsin lawmakers want to legalize hunting them again. Read the full article here: Is Hunting Sandhill Cranes Truly Necessary?
By Mary Korkor WSO President
2021 was supposed to be the year we returned to normal, but as we all know now… there seems to be a “new normal.”
Sometimes, a new normal means improved outreach, better communication, consistent follow-through and more opportunity for impact. That is how I am feeling about 2022, with the addition of our new executive...
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WSO director’s agenda for 2022: Help members become educated, engaged conservationists
By Jennifer Lazewski Executive Director Wisconsin Society for Ornithology
Happy New Year! I am looking forward to sharing 2022 with you in my first full year as WSO’s executive director. While my first few months have been spent mostly working with WSO leaders and getting to better know others in the Wisconsin birding community, I am ready for outreach and action now. We will be discovering...
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November Rare Birds: Ross’s Gull, Lewis’s Woodpecker top off exciting month
By Mark Korducki
November started out quite mild but quickly turned to more seasonal temperatures with a few light snowfalls in some parts of the state. There was a pattern of strong westerly winds that can be conducive to bringing rarities to the state. Overall it was a good month of birding with some exciting finds.
The highlight of the month was a Ross's Gull found Nov. 27...
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New cap, book available at WSO Store
By Dar Tiede WSO Store Manager
WSO is pleased to announce two additions to our store offerings. Current inventory for each of these new items is limited to about 20 and restocking before Christmas is unlikely given current delivery times. We plan to restock these items during 2022 as needed. Please place your order as soon as possible for delivery before Christmas. We will do our...
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Flight Forward Campaign: Securing the Future of Wisconsin Brirds
The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology is a statewide organization with over 1,100 members that is dedicated to fostering a love of birds through research, conservation advocacy, and educational outreach.
For more than 80 years the WSO has been the state’s go-to organization for the study of birds.
Each year the WSO awards grants to researchers who are working diligently...
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WSO Conservation Committee Stewardship Fund, crane hunt, wildlife act, golf course are all on its radar
In an Oct. 17th report to the WSO Board of Directors, the Society’s Conservation Committee, chaired by Carl Schroeder, reported that is acting on or monitoring these issues: Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund: The KN Stewardship Fund was reauthorized for four years by the State Legislature and signed by the governor on July 8 at an annual funding level of $33.25 million. While this is less than...
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October Rare Birds: Breeding Barn Owls highlight otherwise slow (but warm) month
By Mark Korducki
October continued the above normal temperature pattern we have seen throughout the year. At this point it has been the warmest autumn on record. Perhaps due to this mild weather, the birding was a bit slow from a rarity standpoint.
The most exciting report came in from the western part of the state when Barn Owls were confirmed nesting for the first time in more than 20...
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WSO opposes state hunt of Sandhill Cranes
WSO administrative assistant Rebecca Gilman delivered this statement at an Oct. 19 hearing of the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues:
The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, a statewide organization with over 1,100 members whose mission is to promote the study, enjoyment and conservation of Wisconsin’s birds, opposes Senate Bill 620.
Sandhill...
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Bird Protection Fund Giving back to birds: NRF announces 2021 funding projects
By Caitlyn Schuchhardt Outreach Coordinator Natural Resource Foundation
Photo courtesy of Grupo Quetzalli Canada Warblers captured in Nicaragua’s first constant effort mist-netting station in the Central Highlands.
Madison -- Wisconsin’s love for birds flies high—and nowhere is that more apparent than in the results of the 2021 Great Wisconsin Birdathon, the annual fundraiser for the...
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