-By Bob Domagalski-
In 2018 three new species were added to the state list: Tufted Duck, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Hammond’s Flycatcher. Also, there was an accidental species, the Clark’s Nutcracker, last found in Wisconsin back on Jan. 13, 1973, in Manitowoc County by Darwin Tiede.
Photo by Justin Streit. The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was first picked out of a crowd of...
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Prairie Chicken Hit by Car: REGI to the Rescue!
For the first time ever the Raptor Education Group, Inc., in Antigo has been called on to care for a Greater Prairie-Chicken, a state of Wisconsin threatened species.
The bird was hit by a vehicle and suffered serious injuries including internal bleeding. She was in extremely critical condition when REGI volunteer Kathy Esqueda transported her to the Antigo wildlife rehabilitation center and...
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80th Convention to Honor Passenger Pigeon Awards
-By Wendy Schultz, WSO Awards Committee Chair-
The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology faced a daunting challenge this year in reviewing a stream of nominations for its Passenger Pigeon Awards recognizing individuals and organizations for outstanding achievements in advancing bird conservation, promoting the field of ornithology and contributing to the Society.
The Board of Directors...
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Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Hearings
Kari Hagenow Conservation Committee Chair Wisconsin Society for Ornithology
March 18, 2019
RE: Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Hearings
Dear WSO Members and Friends:
My name is Kari Hagenow. I recently accepted the position of Conservation Committee Chair on the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Board. Professionally, I work for a non-profit organization, The Nature Conservancy, out...
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Columbia County Ponds Field Trip Report 2019
-Written By Tom Schultz (WSO Field Trips Co-Chair)-
The morning was fabulous, with clear skies, light winds, and a starting temperature around 27 degrees as our group gathered at Goose Pond on March 23 – which was our 2nd possible date for this trip. The ponds there were still frozen, although there was a bit of open water on the north side. Due to that factor, we and the 25-30 attendees...
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WSO Sheboygan Lakefront Field Trip 2019
Written by Jeff Baughman
On Sunday, March 10, about 20 people assembled at the Sheboygan Marina at about 8 AM, for WSO’s annual spring lakefront field trip. We were happy to have seven members of Wisconsin’s Young Birders group and their chaperones participating, too. The weather was chilly but a gusty west winds put a bite to the air – so hats, gloves and a heavy coat were in order.
Most...
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A Salute to WSO’s 2018 BIGBY Birding Champs!
-By Wendy Schultz, WSO BIGBY Birding Coordinator-
WSO would like to congratulate all the BIGBY birders of the state — for the many miles they put on their bikes and feet, and for the birds they found, photographed and eBirded. They can be proud of their accomplishments.
Here are the 2018 Champion BIGBY birders and their stories:
FIRST PLACE goes to Emily Weiser of Onalaska in La...
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Time to Gear Up for 2019 Great WI Birdathon
-By Diane Packett, Great Wisconsin Birdathon Coordinator-
Preparations are underway for the Great Wisconsin Birdathon 2019. Now in its eighth year, the Birdathon is the primary fundraiser for the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s Bird Protection Fund, which has raised more than $1 million for bird protection and research since 2008.
Funds...
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A Crucial Call for Volunteers to Attend Workshop
-By Carrie Becker and Lisa Gaumnitz-
The snow may be flying, but Great Horned Owls are already sitting on eggs, defying the idea of creature comfort. Their breeding activity is spurring hundreds of volunteers to begin the fifth and final season of collecting data for a comprehensive, once-in-a-generation statewide breeding bird survey.
To energize these volunteers for the final push and...
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Registration Opens for Very Special WSO Convention
-By Dar and Cathy Tiede WSO Convention Committee Chairs-
Daylight hours are getting longer, cardinals are singing, and spring is on the way! Time to open registration for WSO’s 80th annual convention! The convention will take place Friday May 24 through Monday May 27 in the Eau Claire area with the Gaylord Nelson Audubon Society as local co-host.
Convention activities will take...
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Rare Birds Brought Unexpected Color
-By Mark Korducki-
The month of January begin with mild conditions and no snow. Milwaukee had a record high of 54 degrees on the 5th. These warm conditions continued until the middle of the month before much of the state was blanketed by snow and the polar vortex moved in and dropped temperatures well below zero. Temperatures during the month’s final few days were expected to...
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