Sunday, Jan 18 at 8:30am at Urban Ecology Center-Menomonee Valley branch
3700 W Pierce St PIN: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HhQefkLqoSDX4pj17
Parking available on W Pierce St or W Canal St
Meet at the bridge north of the UEC-Menomonee Valley building. Most of the walk will take place along the Hank Aaron Trail either east towardsthe Domes or west towards the Brewer’s. Either direction the trail follows the Menomonee River and its shores. Possibility for ducks, herons, songbirds, sparrows and raptors depending on the season. We’ve always had nice surprises along the trail.
Join us! Walks are free and open to all levels of birders
Nearly every morning, there is a
FREE Bird Walk in Milwaukee
Subscribe! Each week, you’ll receive an email with where we’ll be birding next. Posts may go to your “Social” folder if using gmail
Milwaukee Birding News
Got five minutes? Living near Lake Michigan means you’re part of something special. The lake and its surrounding neighborhoods provide essential habitat for countless birds that rest, feed, and nest along the coast. Each spring and fall, migratory birds depend on the trees, gardens, and green spaces woven throughout our communities.
Even small actions make a difference. Native plants on a balcony, in a backyard, or at a local park help support birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.
Together, we can keep the Lake Michigan coast vibrant and full of life.
Lake Michigan Bird Observatory would love to hear from you.
Got 5 minutes or less? Take our quick survey to share how you connect with native plants and local wildlife along the Lake Michigan coast. Your feedback helps shape conservation efforts in our communities.
Take the survey:https://lmbo.questionpro.com/NHIP
Is climate change shifting bird ranges? Help answer this question with Audubon’s Climate Change Survey program. Learn more and sign up at https://www.audubon.org/community-science/climate-watch
Need more books about birds? Try anything and all of Bernd Heinrich. Personally recommend White Feathers, The Geese of Beaver Bog, The Mind of a Raven, Winter World and Summer World.
Last Week
Saturday: Eight of us set out on a very snowy morning from the Havenwoods State Forest visitor center. We saw very few birds, only seven species. The highlight was the three White-throated Sparrows Dennis found.
Sunday: The morning started with two American Kestrels near the parking area and over 1,000 Red-breasted Mergansers on the water. They were joined by a couple Greater Scaup and a few Common Goldeneye. We walked around the lagoon impressed at the positioning of the ice angler tents so close to the edge of the ice. The rocks under Summerfest grounds help many more Mallards than it first appeared. We also found lots more Goldeneyes in the lagoon.
The Kestrels took turns perching on the north side of the park where we had great views. Also seen were Herring and Ring-billed Gulls, a few Canada Geese and one Crow. We tried to find sparrows and finches, but struck out. The standout bird was a Redhead amongst the lagoon Goldeneye.
Upcoming Bird Talks & walks:
Have a birding event to share? email us on the Contact Page
JANUARY
NORTH TO ALASKA
Wednesday Jan. 14, 7:00pm in person @ Riveredge Nature Center and via Zoom
Karen Etter Hale, who chairs the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership, spent the summer of 2025 traveling north to Alaska with her husband in their camper van. This night, she offers us a photo tour of the wildlife and majestic landscapes from Lake Mills to Anchorage and back again.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84650366260pwd=Y1NUuLcaqRB7t9kOZaT7IFYbaBwY8B.1
Meeting ID: 846 5036 6260
Passcode: 840760
Aldo Leopold was for the birds! A lecture on birding
Thursday, Jan 15 5:30pm at South Milwaukee Public Library
Most people know Aldo Leopold for his book A Sand County Almanac, but he was also a life-long birder! Come see UW-Madison professor Stanley Temple speak about Aldo Leopold’s love of birding, and how his writings are impacting bird conservation today. No registration required. https://smlibrary.org/adults/events/
Uncovering Bird Behavior
Saturday, Jan 17 at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Details and Registration: https://www.schlitzaudubon.org/event/uncovering-bird-behavior/
Candlelight Hike and Owl Prowl at Horicon Marsh
Saturday, Jan 17
https://horiconmarsh.org/event/2026-horicon-marsh-candlelight-hike-parking-voucher-required/
Bald Eagle Watching Days
Saturday-Sunday Jan 17-18 in Prairie du Sac
Road trip and check out the details: https://ferrybluffeaglecouncil.org/
Owling at Paradise Valley
Sunday, Jan 18
BIPOC Birding Club of Madison and Milwaukee event
Details: https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/events/2026-owling-joint-event
How to work with eBird and Merlin by Tim Hahn
Sunday, January 18
Join the Benjamin Goss Bird Club at Retzer Nature Center. Details: https://gossbirdclub.org/events
Beyond our senses: Bank Swallows
Thursday, Jan 29 at Urban Ecology Center
Documentary showing and discussion with filmmaker David Andrew Busse
Registration and details: https://30781a.blackbaudhosting.com/30781a/Doc–Talk-Beyond-Our-Senses—Bank-Swallows-in-Milwaukee
** Follow Bird City Milwaukee on Facebook! for event announcements
Check out Chirp Chat episodes by Xcaret Nuñez. It’s all about birding Milwaukee area on WUWM 89.7 last Wednesday of the month
List of Milwaukee area BIRD CLUBS !
Milwaukee parks that need birding this week
The county needs eBird records throughout the year for every park and natural area. Every week there are priority parks needing eBird lists. A park could be a priority because no surveys have been done for that week. Alternatively, it could be prioritized because there are surveys, but MKE Parks suspect more species might reside there than previously identified.
We can help MKE Parks! Pick a priority park, go bird, eBird it and note time spent there.
MILWAUKEE COUNTY PARKS : January 8-14
- Alcott
- Armour
- Baran
- Barnard
- Chippewa
- Dineen
- Honey Creek Pkwy 4
- Johnstone
- Menomonee River Pkwy 8
- Milwaukee River Pkwy 2,3
- Mitchell Blvd Park
- Servite Park
- Southwood Glen Park (next to a school- if going on a school day let the office know you are there to bird)
- Zablocki Park
Based on the needs spreadsheet from MKE Parks, Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society (Thanks Colleen!) curates suggested locations based on accessibility to the property and availability on the ebird hotspots tool. Please track your time spent! At the end of the year WMAS provides hours to the county.
Follow Wisconsin Metro Audubon on Facebook for their weekly park posts.
Note- even if it’s already been birded this week, going another day or even a different time of day helps. The parks department wants a number of surveys for each park. Birding more than once in a week is very helpful!
Find a park and a park map: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Parks/Explore/Find-a-Park
Wisconsin Metro Audubon is also birding for Waukesha Parks…
Bird where you can and share your ebird list with their ebird account: WaukeshaCountyBirding
JANUARY bird surveys needed at these locations- all are ebird hotspots
- Note that seniors (60+) can purchase annual park passes for only $20!
- Berg Property – free – address S102W33451 CTH LO should get you there or very close.
- Minooka Park (pass or daily fee)
- Mukwonago Park (pass or daily fee)
- Muskego Park (pass or daily fee)
- Ryan Park (pass or daily fee)
- Ashippun Lake (free)
- New Berlin Trail (free)
- Berg Property – free – address S102W33451 CTH LO should get you there or very close.
- Minooka Park (pass or daily fee)
- Mukwonago Park (pass or daily fee)
- Muskego Park (pass or daily fee)
- Ryan Park (pass or daily fee)
- Ashippun Lake (free)
- New Berlin Trail (free)
Milwaukee Birders 