At the annual member meeting on May 18 during the WSO convention, members heard about WSO accomplishments and activities during the previous year. The annual report slides are now posted here. They include reports on the 2023 financials, conservation highlights, board committees, membership, events and other WSO activities.
The annual report also...
Read More
Greater Prairie-Chicken Solar Farm Update
We asked and birders responded. Over 300 birders and conservationists, as well as their organizations, sent in comments about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement in the Public Service Commission proceeding about the Vista Sands Solar project adjacent to Buena Vista Wildlife Area in Portage County.
WSO sent in a comment also, and you can find it here. WSO emphasized the sixty (60) plus years...
Read More
Horicon Marsh Wetland I-3 Rejuvenated by Drawdown
Horicon Marsh is a 33,000 acre wetland dominated by cattail. It is designated as a Wetland of International Importance and Important Bird Area separated into both State Wildlife Area and National Wildlife Refuge.
Wetland productivity relies on a cycle of wet and dry conditions. Naturally, this wetland cycle tracks precipitation cycles....
Read More
2024 WSO Field Trip to Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit.
On Saturday, June 1, at 5:30 AM, 17 people gathered at Jersey Flats Prairie Restoration Project for the WSO’s Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit field trip. The day’s weather was cloudy; with a light SE breeze, and temps in the mid-60s.
Our route for the day included; Jersey Flats, Zillmer Trail parking lot, the New Prospect Horse Riders Camp, Haushalter Lane, Mauthe Lake...
Read More
2024 WSO CONVENTION RECAP
By Nancy Nabak, Convention Volunteer
“Great Birding On A Great Lake’ – you ain’t a kidding! And great people! What a fantastic convention in Two Rivers from the beginning to end!
It all started with a fun gathering on Thursday night - Birds & Beers/Bird Trivia at Cool City Brewing Company. Many folks socialized and enjoyed appetizers and bird-themed beverages, including...
Read More
Kettle Moraine SF June 1 2024
2024 WSO Field Trip to Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit.
On Saturday, June 1, at 5:30 AM, 17 people gathered at Jersey Flats Prairie Restoration Project for the WSO’s Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit field trip. The day’s weather was cloudy; with a light SE breeze, and temps in the mid-60s.
Our route for the day included; Jersey Flats, Zillmer Trail parking lot,...
Read More
ACTION ALERT: SPEAK UP FOR GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS BY JUNE 14!
We need your help today.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin is currently reviewing a proposal by Vista Sands Solar (VSS) to construct a 9,854-acre solar farm near the towns of Grant and Plover in Portage County. The project will cover approximately 10 square miles and will be immediately adjacent to the Buena Vista State Wildlife Area in several locations. ...
Read More
Honey Creek Birdathon 2024
The attendees were pleased with great weather conditions this year for the Honey Creek Birdathon. The afternoon and early evening of the prior day had been very rainy, but fortunately the weather cleared overnight. The early morning was chilly, with a low temperature of 45 degrees, but there were calm conditions and clear skies – which are always appreciated. The high...
Read More
White River Marsh 4 MAY 2024
Our traditional start time for this field trip is 5:00 AM – an early start to experience the dawn chorus on the marsh – but I’d heard a couple of YELLOW RAILS near our starting point the day before, so I encouraged anyone interested in trying for them to arrive by 4:30! Sure enough, as we arrived in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday, May 4 there was a YELLOW...
Read More
Mead Wildlife - 20 April 2024
This year’s outing was held, Saturday, April 20, 2024. Like last year, this is the latest date we’ve ever had this trip. (AGAIN a good thing, as Marathon County’s April weather has felt more like February). The weather was cold 30 degrees, very breezy and partly cloudy. By the time we were done it was still only 35degrees. We had a total of 15 attendees from across...
Read More
Dane and Columbia County Ponds - 23 March 2024
This has been a very strange spring, with mild weather arriving already in late February – bringing big flocks of waterfowl to Wisconsin much earlier than normal. As this late-March field trip approached, we wondered how many ducks and geese would still be around. In addition, the recent precipitation has been well below normal, so fewer fields have been flooded this...
Read More
