Lake Michigan Bird Observatory

09/01/2026

This data is why Motus is so incredible. We’re thrilled to have Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve as part of the Motus Wisconsin network.

08/21/2026

We asked Milwaukee residents why protecting birds matters to them, and here is what they said:

“Birds make life here better!”
“When birds thrive in our community, everyone benefits!”
“The bird song outside of our condo windows is such a bright spot in our lives.”

Do you live in the City of Milwaukee? Add your voice by signing our community letter in support of Milwaukee’s Urban Bird Treaty City application.

Sign today: https://tinyurl.com/UBTMKE

Already signed or live outside the city? Please share this post with a Milwaukee resident!

08/19/2026

Join us for a special screening of Beyond Our Senses: Bank Swallows at Mequon Nature Preserve on Thursday, September 17!

• 6 p.m. Guided bird walk through Mequon Nature Preserve
• 7 p.m. Film screening and behind-the-scenes talk

After the screening, Emmy Award-winning Wisconsin filmmaker David Busse will share the story of the time he spent following Lake Michigan’s bank swallows and bringing their incredible world to the screen.

The event is free, with a suggested donation of $20.
Register at tinyurl.com/BankSwallow
Hosted by Lake Michigan Bird Observatory and Mequon Nature Preserve. Partnering with the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology - WSO

08/12/2026

Birds have some pretty wild ways (check out #3) to stay cool because they can't sweat like we do.

1. Panting and Gular Fluttering - Many birds pant, while others rapidly vibrate the muscles in their throat (called gular fluttering). Both increase evaporation to help cool the body.
2. Built-in Radiators- Some birds, like shorebirds, can send more blood to their legs, feet, bills, or bare skin, allowing heat to escape into the air and cooler blood to circulate back through the body.
3. An Unexpected Cooling Trick- Herons, vultures, and a few other species use a strategy called urohidrosis (or, releasing excrement onto their legs). As the liquid from the excrement evaporates, it cools the blood vessels in their legs, helping lower their body temperature.

Which cooling method surprised you the most?

American Avocet photographed by Joel Trick

08/11/2026

Come watch *WILD INSIDE* with us this Sunday!

This documentary follows Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle-Owl who found himself free in Manhattan after his enclosure at the Central Park Zoo was vandalized in 2023.

Following the August 16 screening at the Oriental Theatre, LMBO Chief Scientist Dr. Medhavi Ambardar will join other community partners for a post-film discussion.

Click here for more information - https://mkefilm.org/films/6a4684fd31d466acb43ae321/

08/05/2026

Big news at LMBO!

After 3.5 years of helping grow our Motus program into what it is today, our Motus Coordinator, Jacob Woulf, is beginning a new chapter with the City of Marinette.

Over the next couple of months, Jacob will move from full time to part time to help finish several Motus station installations before fully focusing on his new role.

We’re so grateful for everything Jacob has contributed to LMBO and wish him all the best.

As we begin this transition, we're also looking for LMBO's next Motus Coordinator. If you or someone you know is passionate about bird conservation, wildlife tracking, and field research, check out the job posting below.

https://lmbo.org/employment-opportunities

Please join us in thanking Jacob!

08/05/2026

We had such a great morning with Friends of the Manitowoc River Watershed and Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve, exploring native plants and looking at bird habitat. Check out both organizations for other great events. Thanks for having us!

08/03/2026

We couldn't have planned this better!

Right after we launched our binocular fundraiser, Vortex binoculars went on sale, letting us stretch every donation even further. But the sale ends tomorrow.

If you want your dollars to have a little extra impact, even a $5 gift today helps us make the most of it!

Help More People Experience Birds Up CloseBinoculars are one of the most important tools we use to connect people with birds and the natural world. Whether we're leadi...

07/17/2026

Did you know most baby birds don't actually drink water? They get almost all the water they need from the food their parents provide.

Caterpillars, dragonflies, and other insects are filled with moisture, so every meal is also a drink. That's one of the many reasons insects are so important for growing chicks.

Photo by Kate Redmond