Upcoming events & field trips

Our community, events, and field trips are open to all BIPOC Birders at any level, and allies. We invite you to join in the fun, learn something new, connect with others, and become part of this great group! We are family- and kid-friendly and encourage anyone who has an interest in learning about birds and the outdoors to join us! Field trips are free to attend, and do not require RSVP.

Herding Cats: Tips on Leading Hikes
Mar
4

Herding Cats: Tips on Leading Hikes

This training covers what works as well as what might not work, how to start and finish, what to do in the middle, how to manage the group (without their knowing you're managing them), how to handle mixed groups of kids and adults, and how to answer difficult questions. Free to attend; in person and online options!

Photo by Kaitlin Svabek/Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance.

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Birds and People with Christian Cooper
Mar
12

Birds and People with Christian Cooper

Don’t miss this inspiring evening with Christian Cooper, Emmy-winning host of Extraordinary Birder and bestselling author of Better Living Through Birding! This event will take place in the Playhouse Theater at Overture Center for the Arts in Madison Wednesday, March 12, with in-person and virtual viewing options.

This event is part of the Birds and Beyond series.

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Annual Woodcock Walk - Madison
Mar
22

Annual Woodcock Walk - Madison

We are excited to host our annual Woodcock watch in Madison! Join us as we search for these cool little birds as they "peent" and do their quirky and elaborate courtship fights that are called "sky dances.”

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Women and Girls in Science - Milwaukee
Feb
9

Women and Girls in Science - Milwaukee

This event is part science fair, part job fair for kids ages 10 and up. Local scientists, engineers, and women in STEAM fields will share their stories, expertise, and engage you in hands-on activities.

Photo by Rita Flores Wiskowski.

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Birds & Climate Science
Jan
26

Birds & Climate Science

Join Davin Lopez, an endangered species biologist with the Department of Natural Resources since 2005, to learn what birds can teach us about the impacts of climate change. Davin will discuss overall climate change trends in Wisconsin, along with how these trends are impacting birds, ecosystems, and people.

This event is part of the Birds and Beyond series.

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Winter Waterfowl & Gulls
Jan
11

Winter Waterfowl & Gulls

Join us for a winter walk celebrating winter waterfowl and gulls! Bring your friends and family for a walk along the shores of Lake Waubesa as we bird Lake Farm Park!

Photo by Dexter Patterson.

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Learning to Bird at the MKE Zoo
Jan
4

Learning to Bird at the MKE Zoo

Hoping to turn a loved one into a full-fledged bird nerd? Looking to sharpen your bird identification skills? Just need a bird-related excuse to visit the Milwaukee County Zoo? Join us!

Photo by Rita Flores Wiskowski.

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Birding at Turville Point (MSN)
Oct
19

Birding at Turville Point (MSN)

Turville is a gem in the heart of the concrete jungle of Madison. With restored prairies and woodlands stretching along glacial Lake Monona, it offers great views and lots of great birding habitat.

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Introduction to the Carity Prairie (MKE-area)
Oct
12

Introduction to the Carity Prairie (MKE-area)

  • Exact GPS location: 42.88210692277, -88.03942313751281 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy is inviting the BIPOC Birding Club to the Carity Prairie, which is 23 acres of land in the suburb of Franklin that the conservancy is preserving and restoring.

Photo by Rita Flores Wiskowski.

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Birding Walk at the Farley Center (MSN-area)
Sep
14

Birding Walk at the Farley Center (MSN-area)

  • Farley Center for Peace, Justive, and Sustainability (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us in birding the Natural Path Sanctuary! Set amidst 25 acres of woods and meadows on the Farley Center land, the sanctuary is a way to preserve the natural beauty in perpetuity.

Photo courtesy Farley Center’s Natural Path Sanctuary.

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Return to Havenwoods State Forest
Jun
15

Return to Havenwoods State Forest

The inaugural Milwaukee area BIPOC Birding Club event was at Havenwoods, Wisconsin’s only urban state forest. We explored this beautiful land at the cusp of winter. Join us as we return in June to an area that has many nesting bird species including willow flycatchers, blue birds, many species of sparrows, indigo buntings and more.

Photo by Rita Flores Wiskowski.

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Badger Lands Army Ammunition Plant
Jun
8

Badger Lands Army Ammunition Plant

Join us for a day of birding at the historic Badger Army Ammunition Plant! We’ll be on the lookout for notable grassland bird species, including Bell’s Vireo. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just starting out, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and like-minded individuals.

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Birding by Boat: Cherokee Marsh South (FULL)
May
6

Birding by Boat: Cherokee Marsh South (FULL)

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 Jeff Galligan.

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Great WI Birdathon 2024: Team BIPOC Flock
May
4

Great WI Birdathon 2024: Team BIPOC Flock

Warnimont Park in Cudahy (southern Milwaukee County) is close to 250 acres and covers a variety of habitats that attract migrating birds including prairie, deciduous woods, ravines and more. Its east border is Lake Michigan. The bird species count is 234 including a number of rarities that show up every spring and have included Western Kingbirds, Northern Mockingbirds, Blue Grosbeaks, Prairie Warblers and many more.

Photo by Arun Christopher Manoharan

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Spring Birding at Wetland Woods
Apr
6

Spring Birding at Wetland Woods

Wetland Woods, as the name suggests, consists of diverse habitats including woods of mature maples and oaks, prairies, streams, and wetlands. We will be sure to see early migrants and resident birds throughout. The boardwalks give us access to the wetlands, and easy trails will lead us through the woods and prairies.

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Birding 101 (FULL)
Apr
6
to Apr 27

Birding 101 (FULL)

CLASS FULL - If you love all things nature and want to get to know the birds you'll find in and around Madison, this class is for you. This four-part class is taught annually by Jeff Galligan and Chuck Henrikson, done in partnership with Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance.

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

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Annual Woodcock Walk - Madison
Mar
23

Annual Woodcock Walk - Madison

We are excited to host our third annual Woodcock watch in Madison! Join us as we search for these cool little birds as they "peent" and do their quirky and elaborate courtship fights that are called "sky dances.”

Photo by Rita Flores Wiskowski.

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Hiking at Wehr Nature Center - SW Milwaukee
Mar
16

Hiking at Wehr Nature Center - SW Milwaukee

Join us for a hike at the Wehr Nature Center, an inland birding hotspot! The Wehr Nature Center is a 220 acre nature preserve and is part of Whitnall Park. The trails go through woodlands, prairies, around Mallard Lake, and near creeks.

Photo by Rita Flores Wiskowski.

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Winter Walk at the UW Arboretum - Madison
Feb
10

Winter Walk at the UW Arboretum - Madison

Join us for a walk through the UW-Madison Arboretum. We will be looking for "the usual suspects", our hardy overwintering friends. The arboretum can be a great place for raptors and does provide some surprises, so it will be a great adventure.

Photo by Arun Christopher Manoharan.

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