WSO Menu

Promoting the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Wisconsin's birds.
  2. Home|
  3. Recent Articles

World Migratory Bird Day focuses on bird-tracking technologies

By Susan Bonfield Director, Environment for the Americas In 2009, scientists captured a Whimbrel in coastal Virginia, an important stopover site for the species. When the bird, a female nicknamed Hope, was released, she carried a satellite transmitter that provided details about her future travels. Shuttling between breeding grounds in northwestern Canada and a wintering site in the Virgin... Read More   

New name, logo, energy and IBA project for bird partnership

  A state bird organization is entering 2020 with new energy, a new name, a new logo, a new hire and a major new project – all aimed at recapturing its role as one of the nation’s leaders in mobilizing statewide bird conservation. The Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI) is now the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership (WBCP), highlighting its structure and the mission it... Read More   

Time to submit 2019 Checklist Totals

WSO annually invites its members to update their Wisconsin year and life totals, their ABA Area life totals, their BIGBY total and all of their county life totals.

But you have only until March 1 to submit them. 

 

Submissions are now closed for 2019.

 

... Read More   

WSO invites student poster submissions for May convention

  Call for Undergraduate and Graduate Student Poster Submissions WSO Annual Convention May 14-17, 2020 Two Rivers, Wisconsin   The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology (WSO) invites current undergraduate and graduate students to submit poster abstracts to be considered for presentation at our 2020 WSO Convention. The convention will offer students the opportunity... Read More   

Buena Vista and Necedah Field Trip Report – January 26, 2020

  Tom Schultz, Field Trips co-chair As our group gathered near the Buena Vista kiosk around 8:00 AM, the temperature was fairly mild for January – about 27 degrees.  There was a moderate wind out of the northwest, which brought a bit of a wind chill, but at least we weren’t dealing with severe cold.  The skies were overcast, and our group numbered about 20, with... Read More   

The atlasing revolution began in Wisconsin -- and Cornell and eBird say thanks

By Ian Davies eBird Project Coordinator Cornell Lab of Ornithology Five years ago, the Wisconsin birding community went out on a limb — and forever changed bird atlasing. Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II, the first dedicated eBird atlas portal, has led the way for the next generation of bird atlases. The efforts of Wisconsin birders have shown how an integrated online atlas platform can make... Read More   

Milwaukee Lakeshore Field Trip Report – January 19, 2020

Tom Schultz, Field Trips co-chair   Following two weather cancellations due to forecasted snow events, we finally got this field trip off!  Unfortunately, the eventual date brought much colder weather, with a strong northwest wind producing a nasty, subzero wind chill. Despite the 8 degree morning temperatures, a number of us gathered at South Shore Yacht Club at 8:00 AM –... Read More   

Avian cholera killed 3,800+ cormorants this fall on Green Bay

The bacterial disease avian cholera has been linked to the die-off of thousands of Double-crested Cormorants in Green Bay, according to the Wisconsin DNR. In late September, avian cholera was confirmed in cormorants submitted for necropsy to the USGS-National Wildlife Health Center in Madison. These cormorants were collected from the Cat Island causeway in Green Bay. Avian cholera is a common... Read More   

December 2019 Rare Birds

An assortment of tanagers, Varied Thrushes, odd ducks and solitaires By Mark Korducki After a cold and snowy November, December was mild and largely snow free over the southern half of the state.  The north was blanketed by heavy snow and there was little open water. Likely as a direct result of the mild temperatures, Milwaukee feeders hosted two species of tanagers.  A female Summer... Read More   

2020 WSO Convention has some interesting new wrinkles

By Tim HahnWSO Convention Committee Get ready for Great Birding on a Great Lake! Two Rivers, located on the breezy shores of Lake Michigan, will be hosting the 81st annual WSO convention on May 14-17.  Attendees will enjoy a wonderful weekend full of field trips, social events, and educational presentations.Thursday, May 14Check-in begins in Two Rivers Central Park where we’ll host a... Read More   

2020 WSO Small Grants Program

The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology sponsors three research grants: The Steenbock Award, which is intended for beginners, amateurs, and independent researchers, has been used to fund a wide variety of independent bird-related projects. Graduate students and professionals in ornithology may apply for personal projects only. Applicants need not include recommendations or references. The... Read More   
Page 20 of 28