Experience restorations of various stages from recent plantings to a well-developed 29-year old prairie. Other habitat features of this landscape include: a shallow wetlands, open water marsh/tamarack-sphagnum bogs, woodlands, and a black oak savanna. Join us for an enjoyable hike as we discuss the site’s history, stages of restorations, bird and plant identification, and more.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

This morning trip is especially for backyard birders looking to grow their skills! Come to have your bird questions answered and get help identifying all of those small, streaky brown birds and distant ducks! We'll also be keeping our eyes out for any exciting spring migrants! The walk will be on even trails at a leisurely pace so bring the whole family! We will have binoculars for loan.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) area in what is often called Wisconsin’s desert includes some of the state’s rarest plant communities in its sand and dry bluff prairies and black oak barrens. It hosts a diversity of unusual plants, insects, reptiles and birds. We should see cactus and, hopefully, Olympia Marble butterflies and Lark Sparrows. Co-hosted by Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Photo by Peter Gorman

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. Join us to look for spring migrants, including early warblers, vireos, thrushes, orioles and tanagers, and resident birds in this Important Bird Area. Learn how the Lakeshore Nature Preserve habitat serves as a “convenience store” for migrating birds, and how in bad weather, Picnic Point can produce spectacular collections of migrant birds who come down for shelter and safety. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them; Madison Audubon will also have a few sets of binoculars if you'd like to borrow a pair. Co-sponsored with the Friends of Lakeshore Nature Preserve.

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

This field trip is full. Join the waiting list. With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Join us for an early morning walk to look for colorful warblers and other spring migrants.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Come enjoy the sunrise from the Arboretum and listen to the morning chorus.

Photo by Cynthia Bridge

The Mississippi is a major migration route for numerous birds and the rugged bluffs make this breathtaking scenery a beautiful spot for a spring adventure. Observe hawks, warblers (including yellow-throated), lots of other birds, and a few spring wildflowers.

Photo by Madison Audubon

This field trip is now full. Join the waiting list. Join SoWBA and the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin for a slow paddle exploring the incredible diversity of Cherokee Marsh. Get a great experience looking for spring birds, insects, and aquatic plants by boat; we expect to see species like Green Heron, Kingfishers, swallows, Sora, and more!

Photo by Carolyn Byers

With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Early orioles or lingering waterfowl are also a possibility. Those new to birding and to experienced birders are welcome.

Photo by David Rihn

With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Join us for an early morning walk to look for colorful warblers and other spring migrants.

Cover photo by Phil Brown

With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Come enjoy the sunrise from the Arboretum and listen to the morning chorus.

Photo by Monica Hall

Join us for an evening stroll that is filled with the evening sounds of nature. Frogs, toads, and evening-active birds are calling heartily this time of year, and because each species has their own unique sound, we can identify which species are present even without seeing them.

Cover photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren

Grab the kids and join us for a fun morning outdoors learning about nature in our Family Field Trip series this summer! On May 11, we’re focusing on Pond Dipping! These field trips are designed to be fun and educational for families with kids. Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance educators will pair some of our school year lessons and games to make these outings not just informational but memorable and silly all in one.

Photo by Carolyn Byers / SoWBA

Join us as we walk the trails of this mature hardwood forest, much of which is part of the Olson Oak Woods State Natural Area, looking for a variety of migrating warblers, thrushes, tanagers, orioles, and others. There will be some up- and downhill hiking, although we will move at a leisurely pace.

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Early orioles or lingering waterfowl are also a possibility. Those new to birding and to experienced birders are welcome.

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

Join us for an adventurous, unique way to enjoy hearing and seeing our feathered friends: Birding by bike! This field trip will involve slow to moderate-paced biking along the Capital City State Trail, starting at the McDaniel Park parking lot in McFarland, northwest across the boardwalk at Lake Waubesa, through Lake Farm County Park and ending at the ponds near the sewerage treatment plant, before turning around and heading back. We will stop at multiple points along the way to enjoy the birds we see and hear in these great natural areas. Total distance biked is approximately 7 miles.

Photo by Ruth Smith

With over two dozen warblers moving in and through Madison this time of year, we always have fun tallying up how many we can find! Come enjoy the sunrise from the Arboretum and listen to the morning chorus.

Photo by Monica Hall

The number of different species present in a small area can be remarkable! Join us for a “sit,” where we’ll remain in one spot while looking and listening for any birds who might be in the area. This trip is designed to be intentionally inclusive and accessible for birders of all skill levels (beginners welcome!). Co-hosted with Holy Wisdom Monastery.

Photo via Pixabay

Fair Meadows Sanctuary and State Natural Area is Madison Audubon’s newest property, and it came pre-restored and full of vibrant bird life! Come explore this incredible sanctuary and learn about the birds that use the many habitats found here.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

This event is full. Join the waiting list. Join the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, Feminist Bird Club of Madison, and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance for an awesome Black Birders Week event celebrating black birders and the birds they love on June 1 at Fair Meadows Sanctuary near Milton. The event includes a raptor presentation by Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center, guided and independent hikes through the sanctuary, and a picnic lunch!

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Join us for an adventurous, unique way to enjoy hearing and seeing our feathered friends: Birding by bike! This field trip will involve slow to moderate-paced biking with stops at multiple points along the way to enjoy the birds we see and hear in these great natural areas.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Grab the kids and join us for a fun morning outdoors learning about nature in our Family Field Trip series this summer! On June 13, we’re focusing on deer! These field trips are designed to be fun and educational for families with kids. Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance educators will pair some of our school year lessons and games to make these outings not just informational but memorable and silly all in one.

Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS

In a celebration of early summer, we'll hike the paths to listen, see, and smell the natural world on what should be a warm summer’s eve. This is the peak time of the year to see bats, glowworms and fireflies, and hear the calls of owls in the woods and the frogs, toads and night birds of the ponds and marshes. The spectacular display of fireflies at this site alone is worth the hike, and we may also get to hear the calls of coyotes nearby.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Pleasant Valley Conservancy is a beautiful state natural area situated in the Driftless Area, with steep goat prairies, oak savanna, and a large, high quality marsh. We hope to see beautiful Baltimore Checkerspots and other wetland butterflies nectaring on wonderful native plants.

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Curious and observant kids, join us for our new Nature Journaling Club for Kids this summer! Nature journaling can take the form of drawings, writing, notes, and more. We will see nature in a new way and grow our art and observation skills.

Photo by Carolyn Byers / SoWBA

On this midsummer morning walk, we’ll observe and learn about butterflies, those exquisitely beautiful creatures that dance around us in summer. We will observe a variety of butterflies as they take nectar from wildflowers, and learn about their identification, behavior, and lifestyle.

Cover photo by Arlene Koziol

Curious and observant kids, join us for our new Nature Journaling Club for Kids this summer! Nature journaling can take the form of drawings, writing, notes, and more. We will see nature in a new way and grow our art and observation skills.

Photo by Carolyn Byers / SoWBA

Join us for an adventurous, unique way to enjoy hearing and seeing our feathered friends: Birding by bike! This field trip will involve slow to moderate-paced biking with stops at multiple points along the way to enjoy the birds we see and hear in these great natural areas.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek/Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Ferry Bluff is one of the prettiest places in southern Wisconsin. It is also one of the few places to consistently hear the call of the Eastern Whip-poor-will. If you miss hearing this bird on a summer night or have always wanted to hear them, then this outing is for you! Join us for a short hike to the top of Ferry Bluff where we'll sit and wait for the whip-poor-wills to sing, usually about 30 minutes after sunset.

Photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren

Grab the kids and join us for a fun morning outdoors learning about nature in our Family Field Trip series this summer! On July 18, we’re focusing on owls! These field trips are designed to be fun and educational for families with kids. Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance educators will pair some of our school year lessons and games to make these outings not just informational but memorable and silly all in one.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Have you had a chance to explore our Otsego Marsh property? Join us on our walk through the open oak woodlands and recently planted prairies. We'll discuss flora and fauna at Otsego Marsh, the construction of wetland scrapes, and our goals for the site. Trails through the woodland and Old Co Road F (adjacent to the marsh) provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. A few species or groups of special interest include red-headed woodpeckers, scarlet tanangers, warblers, odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), and ferns.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek / SoWBA

Curious and observant kids, join us for our new Nature Journaling Club for Kids this summer! Nature journaling can take the form of drawings, writing, notes, and more. We will see nature in a new way and grow our art and observation skills.

Photo by Carolyn Byers / SoWBA

In this joint trip between Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and the Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association, we will visit our newest property, Fair Meadows Sanctuary near Milton. This 374 acre sanctuary has been lovingly restored to prairie, woodland, and wetland, with plants like pale purple coneflower, compass plant, spiderwort, and many others in full bloom. There is a large sedge meadow.

Photo by Peter Gorman

Curious and observant kids, join us for our new Nature Journaling Club for Kids this summer! Nature journaling can take the form of drawings, writing, notes, and more. We will see nature in a new way and grow our art and observation skills.

Photo by Carolyn Byers / SoWBA

Are you curious about birding but not sure how to get started? Geared specifically towards people who are learning about bird identification, this small group trip is for you!

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Join us for this mostly sitting tour of Goose Pond Sanctuary's restored mesic prairies . We will have a touring wagon pulled by a truck travel along our trails, with frequent stops to allow folks to get out and explore.

Our focus will be on burned prairies which are much more colorful and full of blooms than unburned prairies due to an increase in vigor.

Photo by SoWBA

Curious and observant kids, join us for our new Nature Journaling Club for Kids this summer! Nature journaling can take the form of drawings, writing, notes, and more. We will see nature in a new way and grow our art and observation skills.

Photo by Carolyn Byers / SoWBA

Grab the kids and join us for a fun morning outdoors learning about nature in our Family Field Trip series this summer! On August 8, we’re focusing on insects! These field trips are designed to be fun and educational for families with kids. Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance educators will pair some of our school year lessons and games to make these outings not just informational but memorable and silly all in one.

Photo by Carolyn Byers/SoWBA

Odonates are a fierce group of insects with highly variable coloration and habitat preferences. Dragonfly expert Bob Honig will discuss the life history and ecological importance of dragonflies and damselflies. Then we’ll explore Goose Pond’s prairies and identify as many species as we are able!

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Curious and observant kids, join us for our new Nature Journaling Club for Kids this summer! Nature journaling can take the form of drawings, writing, notes, and more. We will see nature in a new way and grow our art and observation skills.

Photo by Carolyn Byers / SoWBA

Join us as we leisurely explore the gardens and landscape at and around the Lussier Family Heritage Center. Anything and everything is fair game on this trip: plants, birds, insects and whatever else catches our attention.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek / SoWBA

Prairies in fall can be spectacularly beautiful.  On this trip you will immerse yourself in the textures, colors, sounds, and smells of fall at Faville Grove. We will meet by the Kiosk at W7480 Prairie Lane, Lake Mills, and then tour the Prairie Lane restorations and take in the fall landscape with its autumn colors including late blooming wildflowers (such as gentians, asters, and goldenrods), talk about the role of seed collecting in our restorations, and more.

Photo by Jeff Pieterick

This morning trip is especially for backyard birders looking to grow their skills! Come to have your bird questions answered and get help identifying all of those small, streaky brown birds! We'll also be keeping our eyes out for any exciting migrants and recently fledged birds! The walk will be on even trails at a leisurely pace so bring the whole family! We will have binoculars for loan.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Goose Pond is a mecca for migrating waterfowl. Catch a glimpse of this incredible phenomenon as swans, geese, and ducks of all sorts pack into this prairie pothole by the hundreds or even thousands. Now, you can join Goose Pond Sanctuary staff and volunteers to learn more about them!

Photo by BBA

Did you know that cemeteries were a precursor to city parks? Starting in the early 1830s, “rural cemeteries” were established to create tranquil, beautiful settings where families could visit and commemorate their loved ones. Birdwatching quickly became one of many popular recreational activities in cemeteries.

Illustration by Kaitlin Svabek/SoWBA

Join us as we bird Lake Michigan and its shoreline during the migration of waterfowl through Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan Counties. Starting at the Texas Ave. overlook we will look for migrants such as Red-throated Loons, White-wing Scoter, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter, Red-neck Grebe, Mergansers, various wintering gulls, Peregrine Falcon, and late migrant songbirds.

Photo by Alenka Weinhold

As winter sets in, smaller ponds and lakes in south-central Wisconsin freeze, causing migrating birds to become concentrated on Madison’s large lakes, which remain open longer. We will look for waterfowl, gulls, and winter birds. This trip has produced some unusual sightings in the past, including Red-throated Loons, so don’t miss it!

Photo by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance