Sunday April 28, 7:30am Grant Park

Start at the Grant Park Beach by the Oak Creek Outlet and then move north to Warnimont Dog Park area, parking at the Kelly Senior Center to explore feeders and trails.

The beach is worth checking as the Wednesday flock of American Avocets was first seen there. Helen caught the pictures below when they landed at Bradford Beach.

Memorial Day Weekend:
Horicon Marsh Boat Tour
Sunday, May 26 9:00-11:00 am cost $38
Buy your ticket here: https://horiconmarsh.com/tours.php at Blue Heron Landing tours. We can car pool over. Before and/or after boat tour we can check out a few other places in the Marsh. Details to follow.

Found a baby bird or injured bird? The WI DNR has put together a key to determine what you can do to help the bird:
https://p.widencdn.net/0bb8mx/birdkey

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Green Birding Challenge with Urban Ecology Center
Biking and birding is a great combination. Katie and Donna are interested in being on a team. Who else? We can have more than one team. If you are interested, let us know on this form and we will coordinate team formation and meet-ups.

Teams limited to 4 people. Registration closes May 5. More details HERE.
Each team can choose their challenge option:
Soaring Eagle Challenge: Starts at 6 AM; 5 hours of birding

Rockin’ Robin Challenge: Starts at 8 AM; 3 hours of birding
 

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Last Week:

A small and hearty group met at a cold and windy Harrington Beach State Park for an American Woodcock walk.

eBird list Harrington Beach State Park: https://ebird.org/checklist/S169556605

Milwaukee parks that need birding this week

The county tracks every parkland and records to see if there are surveys recorded on eBird. Every year they identify priority parks by week. A park could be a priority because there are no surveys done in that week; or because there are surveys but they think there may be more species there than previously identified.

Based on the spreadsheet they create, Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society curates suggested locations based on accessibility to the property (some of the parkway locations are difficult to access) and availability on the ebird hotspots tool. Click on the triangle to see this week’s list.

Milwaukee Parks that need birding this week

Armour Park

Baran Park

Barnard Park

Chippewa Park

Currie Park

Doyne Park

Franklin Savanna (check for ticks afterwards)

Madison Park

Melody View Preserve

Milwaukee River Pkwy #5

Mitchell Blvd Park

Oak Creek Pkwy #1 (called Oak Creek Parkway Trail in ebird)

Pulaski (Cudahy- tip: this is a small park, try Warnimont after)

Pulaski (Milwaukee)

Root River Pkwy #10 (10 is called Root River Parkway in Ebird and best way to access is near the first disc golf tee at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. There is a trail that goes along the creek. It is currently very wet in places, rubber boots recommended)

Servite Park

Southwood Glen

Wyrick Park

Zablocki Park

Please track your time spent! At the end of the year WMAS provides hours to the county. Find a park and a park map: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Parks/Explore/Find-a-Park

Note- even if it’s already been birded this week, going another day (or a different time of day) helps. The parks department has a number of surveys it wants for each park, so birding more than once this week is very helpful!

Ongoing Bird Walks:

Sundays 8:00am Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society Bird Walk (WMAS)
Wehr Nature Center 9701 W College Ave. No registration required.

Second Sundays 10:00-11:30am The Art of Birding with Chuck Stebelton at Lynden Sculpture Gardens will run April through August. Register for walks HERE by the Friday before

Tues 8:00am Menomonee Valley Urban Ecology Center (UEC), 3700 W Pierce St
Wed 8:00am Washington Park Urban Ecology Center (UEC) 4023 W Galena St
Thurs 8:00am Riverside Park Urban Ecology Center (UEC) 1500 E Park Place

Fridays 8:00am Bird walks at Retzer Nature Center walks with Goss Bird Club

Third Saturdays 8:00am Schlitz Audubon Nature Center 1111 E Brown Deer Rd, Registration required, https://www.schlitzaudubon.org/event/saturday-morning-bird-walk-15/

Saturdays 7:00am Goss Bird Club bird around Waukesha County. See Field Trip Schedule – Next event Saturday at Monches Woods

Saturdays 8:30 Lake Park Warbler walks run April 20 through end of May

Check out Chirp Chat episodes all about birding Milwaukee

Migration Walks starting in May(details later):
Fridays 7:30am Riveredge Nature Center Bird Walks starting in May

Nearby Bird Clubs to checkout:
Benjamin F. Goss Bird Club meets at Retzer Nature Center.
Hoy Audubon Society meets in Racine
Ozaukee Washington Birding Coalition meets at Riveredge Nature Center, Lac Lawrann in West Bend, Mequon Nature Preserve and Cedarburg Bog
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center Bird Club second Wednesday at 6:30pm
Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society (WMAS), third Wednesday at 7:00pm Wehr Nature Center

Upcoming:

Have a birding event to share? Let me know, share on the Contact Page

APRIL

WINGS – Bird Window Collision Monitoring
April 15- May 31, Run by Urban Ecology Center
Volunteers still needed. Training provided by Urban Ecology Center. At training, sign up for mornings to monitor two downtown buildings. It takes 30-45 minutes for a team of two volunteers and begins at dawn. It is important data collection.  Learn more about the program here and fill out our interest form (for new volunteers).

Birding Beyond the Feeder – Birding by Ear
Saturday April 27 9:30-12:00 at Wehr Nature Center
Cost $20 per person; $17 for Milwaukee County residents; $15 for Friends of Wehr Members
Bird enthusiasts, can you identify birds by sight? Are you interested in expanding your birding skills? Beginner and experienced birdwatchers and birders alike are invited to come learn to identify birds by their songs and calls. We’ll use ornithologist tips and tricks from the field to learn 10-ish species local to Wehr Nature Center and test new skills with live birds on the trails.
Reservations guarantee a space. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows.
Information for participants: Dress for the weather, held rain or shine. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. Recommended for Ages 13 and older.

Please see this link to register: https://friendsofwehr.org/…/birding-beyond-the-feeder…/ 

Lights Out! author reading
Saturday, April 27 10:00-11:00am at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Free, Registration required, Family event children welcome
Join us to hear author Jessica Stremer read her book Lights Out! Based on the real-life Lights Out movement, this inspirational picture book shows how even the smallest of actions, like flipping a switch, can make a big difference in helping migrating birds. Our event includes a reading followed by a book signing and a craft. Books will be available for purchase at this event courtesy of Boswell Book Company. Registration and info here: https://www.schlitzaudubon.org/event/story-time-with-jessica-stremer-author-of-lights-out/

May

UWM Field Station at Cedarburg Bog starting in May. Click on class link for more information and to register:

1. Introduction to Bird Song, Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm, May 02 – June 06, 2024
2. Field Herpetology: Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin, May 31-June 01, 2024
3. Sedges of Wisconsin, June 07-08, 2024
4. Experiences in Great Lakes Ethnobotany, June 28-29, 2024
5. Frolic, Fetch & Sketch, July 26-27, 2024
6. Got Algae? Algal Diversity of the Kettle Moraine, August 02-03, 2024
7. Wetland Delineation, August 09-10, 2024
8. Restoring Upland Plant Communities, August 23-24, 2024
9. Understanding Bird Populations and How They Change,
   Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm, September 12 – October 17, 2024

Birding Beyond the Feeder – Bird I.D.
Saturday May 4 8:00-12:00 at Wehr Nature Center
What was that bird that just flew by? Learn basic bird identification using behavior, field marks, shape, and more, then test your new skills on a hike. Binocular and field guide/bird app information included. Bonus pre-class hike at 7 am. Accessible options available; contact carol.howard@milwaukeecountywi.gov or 414-425-8550. Ages 13 and older.
Fees: $20 per person; $17 for Milwaukee County residents; $15 for Friends of Wehr members
Reservations guarantee a space. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows.
Information for participants: Dress for the weather, held rain or shine. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. 
$5 parking applies to non-members.

Brew City Bird Fest
May 10-17, 2024 Urban Ecology Center and other sites around the city
Celebrate spring migration with Urban Ecology Center at the Brew City Birding Festival Friday May 10th to Friday May 17th. We’ll have bird themed lectures, field trips, and other events all week including bird art night on Wednesday, Wingspan game night Monday, Bird Trivia at Gathering Space on Thursday, and of course, the return of our popular Horicon Marsh field trip! [Note: All activities have a fee and require registration, see detailed list link below]
Kick it all off with our 12th Annual Green Birding Challenge on Saturday May 11th. Compete to see the most species without using fossil fuels or bring the family for some Fledgling Fun!
Featured Speaker: Tiffany Kersten on doing a Big Year and elevating women birders. She leads birding tours, completed a big year, trains for American Ninja Warrior and advocates for safety on the trail in birding. Should be a great talk!

Lots of details for the week’s events

Harriet Tubman Art and Birding with Nearby Nature
Saturday May 11, 10:00-Noon at Tubman Park Pavilion 4750 N 58th St Milwaukee
We’re celebrating Black Birding week early by installing birdhouses along Wahl Creek in Harriet Tubman park to support urban wildlife. Join us for a bird walk and a paint a free decorative birdhouse to take home, while supplies last.
Free and family friendly. More Details Here.

Birding Seminary Woods with Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society
Saturday, May 11 8:00-10:00am
As part of World Migratory Bird Day, Bill Holton will be leading a walk at Seminary Woods on Saturday May 11th at 8 AM. We will meet in the parking lot behind the Archdiocese of Milwaukee at 3501 S Lake Dr. This has been a very popular resting spot for birds heading further north.

Big Sit for Global Big Day
Saturday May 11 7:00am start at Wehr Nature Center
It’s BIG! Over 51,000 birders + 201 countries = 7673 species last year in the world’s largest bird count and research project. Join naturalists at Wehr or bird anywhere for as short or long as you want and record your sightings in eBird. Accessible options available; contact carol.howard@milwaukeecountywi.gov or 414-425-8550.
The hike at Wehr will be rain or shine. Bring your own binoculars or borrow ours.
No fee or registration

Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Annual Convention
May 17-19 in Two Rivers
Talks on Gull Id, Scientific Illustration, Aquatic Insect Emergence and Birds, as well as a Keynote on Climate Change and Birds. Plus lots of birding opportunities!
Details and registration info here, https://wsobirds.org/what-we-do/annual-convention

Birding Forest Home Cemetery with Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society
Saturday, May 25 8:00am
Join Rita Wiskowski for a walk through beautiful and historic Forest Home Cemetery as we look for migrating and resident birds. We will meet at 8 AM on Saturday May 25th outside the main office (near the corner of 27th & Layton Blvd). Extra binoculars will be available so this is the perfect event to bring those new birders in your life!

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