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Promoting the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Wisconsin's birds.

Fewer, But More Spectacular, Snowy Owls Likely this Winter

As of Nov. 27, an estimated 27 Snowy Owls had been reported from 14 Wisconsin counties. Aside from several owls in the Superior and Ashland areas, most sightings have come from eastern Wisconsin south of the north woods. The Lake Michigan shoreline has been surprisingly quiet, according to WDNR biologist Ryan Brady, save for a bird earlier in the year at Sheboygan and continuing birds in the... Read More   

‘Tis the Season: Nominations for Passenger Pigeon Awards

The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology annually recognizes individuals or organizations that have made outstanding achievements in bird conservation, promoted the field of ornithology or contributed to the Society and is now seeking nominations for its 2019 Passenger Pigeon Awards. Please consider worthy individuals or groups for as many as seven awards to be presented at the 80th annual... Read More   

Give the Gift of WSO Membership!

Do you know someone who loves birds? Give them the perfect gift: Membership in the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology! All bird lovers - young and old, beginners, backyard enthusiasts, dedicated birders, tourists, conservationists, naturalists, and ornithologists WSO has something for everyone! Birding field trips throughout the year Annual birding convention Quarterly Journal,... Read More   

AmazonSmile and Your Holiday Shopping!

The holidays are approaching...! Did you know your purchases can make a difference? AmazonSmile donates to the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Inc when you do your holiday shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/39-6040605. Your purchase supports Wisconsin Society for Ornithology efforts, including the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II Project, research projects, grants, education, land purchases,... Read More   

Field Success Adds 9 Species that Need Atlas Sponsors

Donors rewarded with tanager-themed gifts The success of field volunteers for the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II has made it possible to offer project supporters the opportunity to sponsor nine additional species that will be featured in the final publication. These are in addition to the 239 species already offered and claimed through the Sponsor-a-Species program, the largest private source... Read More   

Several October Rarities Prove to be Cooperative

By Mark Korducki October started out warmer and wetter than normal but cooled off rapidly and temperatures were a bit below normal for the second half of the month. Light snow blanketed the field during a Badgers' home game and the entire state had a hard freeze on the third weekend of the month. A few cooperative rarities were observed. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are always a treat. An... Read More   

Milwaukee Bucks Open First Bird-friendly Arena

Fiserv Forum uses glass visible to birds, minimizes disorienting light The Milwaukee Bucks have achieved a first with their new arena: Fiserv Forum will be the world’s first bird-friendly sports and entertainment arena, upon completion of the Bucks’ application for LEED Silver® certification. This is a significant victory for bird conservation because up to 1 billion birds die annually... Read More   

WSO Seeks Nominations for Annual Passenger Pigeon Awards

The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology recognizes individuals or organizations that have made outstanding achievements in bird conservation, promoting the field of ornithology, and contributing to the society and is seeking nominations through the end of the year for its 2019 Passenger Pigeon Awards. Please consider worthy individuals or groups for the following awards which will be presented at... Read More   

Harrington Beach Hawk Watch 2018

Article written by Tom Schultz. Our group started gathering under cloudy skies in the lower parking lot at Harrington Beach State Park a little before 8:00 AM on Sunday, Oct. 7th. About 22 were in attendance. There was a moderately strong wind blowing out of the northeast, which we knew would create fairly lousy conditions for a hawk flight (west or northwest wind vectors would be much better),... Read More   

Extension of Stewardship Program Clears First Hurdle

This is the second in a series of reports on potential termination of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program in 2020. By Michael John Jaeger, WSO Conservation Committee Chair Since 1990, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has been a tremendous success in affording long-term protection to quality natural areas (such as WSO’s recent Honey Creek Nature Preserve expansion), the... Read More   

Bird Protection Fund tops $1 Million Mark for WI bird conservation

By Nora Simmons, Communications Director, Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin The Bird Protection Fund—a collaboration among the Natural Resources Foundation (NRF) of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI), and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources—has now raised and distributed a total of $1,014,566 for bird conservation since its creation in... Read More