We hope you will join us in May for Birding the Bluffs!
The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology is pleased to present our 83rd annual convention May 15-18 in La Crosse - Onalaska at the Stoney Creek Hotel. It includes the features we have all come to love: field trips, first-day social gathering, our awards ceremony, important discussions, and a banquet followed by an engaging keynote address. Birders of every experience level are welcome to come to the convention to greet friends old and new, and enjoy spring migration in the Driftless Region along the Mississippi River.
Convention registration will run from March 1 to April 25. Information is available on the WSO website at What We Do/Annual Convention. An online registration link is available there.
Schedule
For early birds, we are excited to offer a Birds & Beers Social and Bird Trivia Contest at the Backwater Bar & Grill in Prairie du Chien on the evening of Thursday May 15. We have a block of rooms available at two nearby hotels. The Waterfront Hotel has rooms under “WSO” for $109
+ tax, and the River District Hotel has rooms for $109.90 + tax, also under “WSO”. The Waterfront can be reached at 608-380-1021, and the River District Hotel at 608-326-7878. Make your reservations before April 15. We are choosing this location on Thursday to put us near our Friday morning field trip at Wyalusing State Park. (Of course, you can also just meet us there on Friday.) This is a fantastic area for spring migration, and a great place to find Cerulean, Kentucky, Prothonotary, and Yellow-throated Warblers!
Check-in for the convention and field trip signups will begin on Friday at 3 pm at the Stoney Creek Hotel in Onalaska. There will be items and experiences to bid on during our silent auction to benefit WSO programs. A cocktail social and dinner will follow at 5:30 pm. Starting at 7 pm, WSO will hold its annual awards ceremony.
On Saturday morning, a variety of field trips to local birding hotspots will leave from the Stoney Creek Hotel at staggered times. On Saturday afternoon, we will have our annual member meeting and convention goers will participate in a Conservation Conversation, a guided discussion about important issues for the birding community in Wisconsin.
Later Saturday, a social hour starts at 5 pm and bidding continues on our silent auction. A banquet dinner follows at 6:30 pm. This year’s keynote speakers, George Archibald and Anne Lacy, will begin at 7:30 pm. Archibald and Lacy come to us from the world-renowned International Crane Foundation in Baraboo presenting an Update on the Cranes of Wisconsin.
More field trips will be offered on Sunday morning.
The WSO Convention will once again include a silent auction at its convention this year. If you have an experience you'd like to donate or perhaps a bird/wildlife related art item (value >
$100, please), please contact vicepresident@wsobirds.org. The proceeds from the auction will help WSO continue its mission in promoting the enjoyment, study and conservation of Wisconsin's birds.
Pre-register March 1 – April 25 at the following rates:
Standard $70
Registration includes the Friday evening dinner but not the banquet.
Students $50
Students under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a registered adult
If you prefer to register at the convention, the standard registration fee will be $75 and student $55. Bring cash or a check.
Banquet and keynote speaker $55 Registration
Register in one of three ways:
- Online at https://wso.wildapricot.org/event-6079656 or go to the WSO website What We Do/Annual Convention
- By mail: Use the form in the Badger Birder newsletter, download the registration form from the Annual Convention webpage, or request a form from WSO staff. Send to PO Box 217, North Lake, WI 53064 with a check made out to WSO.
- In person: on arrival (food and T-shirts may not be available).
Hotel
WSO has reserved a block of rooms at the Stoney Creek Hotel for Friday and Saturday nights, May 16 and 17. Make your reservation by calling the hotel at (608) 781-3060 using the group code 2025WSOC. Rooms will be held, at a special rate of $150 + tax, until April 16, 2025. After that date, or when all the blocked rooms have been reserved, reservations will be provided if rooms are available and at the normal rate. Note that each room has a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker.
Camping
Goose Island County Park, Veterans Memorial Park (West Salem), and Perrot State Park as well as private campgrounds in the region.
Meals
Friday’s buffet will include pulled pork with signature BBQ sauce, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw, green salad with French & ranch dressing, and dinner bread. Vegetarian and gluten- free plates must be requested. It is expected to be a vegetarian lasagna with gluten free noodles.
Saturday’s buffet will include roasted chicken, bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin, roasted red potatoes, steamed mixed vegetables, green salad with French and ranch dressing, dinner bread, and assorted plated cheesecake for dessert. Vegetarian and gluten-free plates must be requested. It is expected to be spaghetti squash with roasted vegetables.
2025 WSO Convention Field Trips (subject to change)
Saturday May 17th
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge / Perrot State Park (optional)
Leader: Dan Jackson
Meeting Place and Time: Parking lot of hotel - 6:00 AM
Local Meeting Place: Observation Deck at Visitor’s Center: 44.045, -91.535
Description: The Trempealeau NWR has grassland, wetland, open water, and wooded habitats. Highlights could include late waterfowl, waders, gulls, and terns, grassland birds including Meadowlarks and Sparrows (Grasshopper, Clay-colored, Field, and more), migrating Warblers, Common Nighthawks, and more. Perrot would offer more chance to see woodland species including Tufted Titmouse, etc.
The Kiep’s Dike, Pine Dike, and Perrot trails are flat and well developed with level walking. Total walking distance will be around 2+ miles.
Restrooms at Trempealeau NWR Visitor Center, Perrot.
Duration: 5 hours
WSO Haunts Link: https://wsobirds.org/haunts/haunts-trempealeau/1729-trempealeau-national- wildlife-refuge
eBird Link: 
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1624094
Perrot State Park
WSO Haunts Link: https://wsobirds.org/haunts/haunts-trempealeau/1607-perrot-state-park eBird Link: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L271449
Coulee Experimental Forest
Leader: Jon Thometz
Meeting Place and Time: Parking lot of hotel - 6:00 AM
Local Meeting Place: 2830 Russlan Coulee Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601
Description: Start at the trailhead at the end of Russlan Coulee Rd (from County M side). Depending on the duration, the group would then go to the Halfway Creek Marsh, the Upper Mississippi NWR prairie,and/or the bike trail to cover multiple habitats. The Coulee Experimental Forest has great woodland birding. Specialties include Ruffed Grouse, Acadian Flycatcher, Veery, Hooded, Mourning, and Blue-winged Warblers, as well as other woodland nesters and potential migrants. These locations will include a rougher trail that does include rises and changes in elevation. Total walking distance of 2+ miles. Restrooms at Kwik Trip in West Salem or Hwy 35/OT. Also, at Upper Mississippi River NRW Visitor Center
Myrick Marsh / Hixon Forest
Leader: TBD
Meeting Place and Time: Parking lot of hotel - 6:00 AM
Local Meeting Place: 789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse, WI 54601
Description: Start with a walk in the marsh, then a walk in Hixon, and finish with a walk in the prairies up on FA by the weather station. Perhaps include a walk out on the Rim of the City trail to enjoy the view and offer more woodland birding. These locations include wetland, woodland, and grassland birding. Wetland targets include late waterfowl, waterbirds, migrating passerines including warblers, and more. Woodland specialties include Wood Thrushes, Ovenbirds, Tufted Titmice, and many more. Grasslands will likely produce Henslow’s Sparrows, Bobolinks, Meadowlarks, and others. This is mostly a walking trip. Trails are wide and relatively flat with only a bit of rise and fall. Total walking distance of 2+ miles. Restrooms at Myrick Park Center, Hixon Forest Trailhead (portable), and Grandad’s Bluff. Duration:
New Amsterdam Prairie / Van Loon Prairie / Halfway Creek
Leader: Rob Tyser / Stephen Spear
Meeting Place and Time: Parking lot of hotel - 6:00 AM
Local Meeting Place: 7917 Old Na Rd, Holmen, WI 54636
Description: Start at New Amsterdam Grasslands parking lot with Rob Tyser. Rob has been surveying birds on this property for several years and will lead people in the closed area. Followed by stops at Van Loon and then Halfway Creek to fill the morning. Grassland specialties include Bell’s Vireo, Henslow’s, Clay-colored, and other Sparrows, Sedge Wrens, and more. Van Loon would be woodland birds including migrants. Halfway Creek includes ducks, Rails, waders, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and more. This is mostly a walking trip. Trails are wide and relatively flat with little change in elevation. The total walking distance will be 2+ miles. Restrooms at Kwik Trip on Hwy 35 west of Holmen (before Van Loon) and Upper Mississippi River NWR visitor Center if needed.
Goose Island
Leader: TBD
Meeting Place and Time: Parking lot of hotel - 6:30 AM
Local Meeting Place: 7917 Old Na Rd, Holmen, WI 54636
Description: Start at Goose Island with a walk on the Beier’s lake trail, a visit to the marsh overlook by campground office. This will be followed with a visit to Fishermen’s Road. The Goose Island bottoms are a migrant trap. This can be a great place to see migrating warblers, flycatchers, Vireos, and more. There is also a resident flock of Red-headed Woodpeckers and opportunity to see waterfowl and waders. Fishermen’s Road is another migrant trap that is also adjacent to grasslands. Lark Sparrows are a definite possibility along the edge of the airport property. This is a walking and car birding trip. Trails are wide and relatively flat with little change in elevation. The total walking distance of 1-2 miles. Restrooms at Goose Island picnic areas and/or Kwik Trip at Clinton Street.
Sunday May 18th
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge / Perrot State Park (optional)
Leader: Dan Jackson
Meeting Place and Time: Parking lot of hotel - 6:00 AM
Local Meeting Place: Observation Deck at Visitor’s Center: 44.045, -91.535
Description: The Trempealeau NWR has grassland, wetland, open water, and wooded habitats. Highlights could include late waterfowl, waders, gulls, and terns, grassland birds including Meadowlarks and Sparrows (Grasshopper, Clay-colored, Field, and more), migrating Warblers, Common Nighthawks, and more. Perrot would offer more chance to see woodland species including Tufted Titmouse, etc.
The Kiep’s Dike, Pine Dike, and Perrot trails are flat and well developed with level walking. Total walking distance will be around 2+ miles.
Restrooms at Trempealeau NWR Visitor Center, Perrot.
Duration: 5 hours
WSO Haunts Link: https://wsobirds.org/haunts/haunts-trempealeau/1729-trempealeau-national- wildlife-refuge
eBird Link: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1624094
Perrot State Park
WSO Haunts Link: https://wsobirds.org/haunts/haunts-trempealeau/1607-perrot-state-park eBird Link: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L271449
Coulee Experimental Forest
Leader: Jon Thometz
Meeting Place and Time: Parking lot of hotel - 6:00 AM
Local Meeting Place: 2830 Russlan Coulee Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601
Description: Start at the trailhead at the end of Russlan Coulee Rd (from County M side). Depending on the duration, the group would then go to the Halfway Creek Marsh, the Upper Mississippi NWR prairie,and/or the bike trail to cover multiple habitats. The Coulee Experimental Forest has great woodland birding. Specialties include Ruffed Grouse, Acadian Flycatcher, Veery, Hooded, Mourning, and Blue-winged Warblers, as well as other woodland nesters and potential migrants. These locations will include a rougher trail that does include rises and changes in elevation. Total walking distance of 2+ miles. Restrooms at Kwik Trip in West Salem or Hwy 35/OT. Also, at Upper Mississippi River NRW Visitor Center
If you have questions about convention and its activities, contact Convention Chairperson Steve Holzman at vicepresident@wsobirds.org
With questions about registration or payment, contact Membership at membership@wsobirds.org
