Wisconsin Society for Ornithology - WSO

16/10/2026

The Upland Sandpiper has an unmistakable call with the final note being a long whistle. It feeds and nests in grasslands. They make a shallow scrape in the ground as its nest. They eat mostly insects and some seeds. Like other grassland loving birds, the Upland Sandpiper population has steeply declined.

Find out more about grassland bird habits and habitats at the UnConvention on October 17. https://wsobirds.org/what-we-do/unconvention

14/10/2026

As we prepare for our upcoming UnConvention we share another grassland bird found in Wisconsin. The Northern Harrier (sometimes affectionately called a marsh hawk) is a raptor found across Wisconsin's open country, grasslands, prairies, and marshes. They are known for their courtship display with males dancing in the air with flights up to 1,000 feet from the ground. Grassland birds have suffered the largest declines of any other group of birds due to habitat loss and degradation and can be especially vulnerable to climate change.

Find out more about grassland birds at the UnConvention on October 17. We start at 10 a.m. https://wsobirds.org/what-we-do/unconvention

14/10/2026

Be sure to join for this cool bird mystery! Who thinks birds can help solve the case? We do!

Come to Bird Book Club's Q&A with author Steve Burrows this Thursday, Oct 15, discussing A Deceit of Lapwings. Detective Domenic Jejeune investigates a murder tied to bird migration data, land deals, and intelligence intrigue. We'll discuss how ornithology inspires fiction and what makes Jejeune memorable. Great for mystery fans and birders. Bring your questions!
Register at https://www.migratorybirdday.org/bird-book-club

13/10/2026

This grassland bird is known for its melodious, flute‑like song. It lives and nests in grasslands, prairies, pastures, hayfields, and agricultural fields. While thought to be a common bird, Wisconsin breeding bird surveys have shown significant declines since the 1960’s. The Eastern Meadowlark is a species of concern in Wisconsin.
Find out more about the habits and habitats of grassland birds at the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology UnConvention Saturday October 17, 2026. https://wsobirds.org/what-we-do/unconvention

Driftless Area Land Conservancy

13/10/2026

Tonight (Oct. 13) is predicted to be a night of high bird migration. Turning off your lights can help birds navigate through the dark. Lights can disorient and confuse birds, especially young birds who are flying south for the first time.

So, turn out or dim your lights, keep your kitty inside, and make your windows safe. Visit https://www.lightsoutwi.org/ for more information and to sign up for your own alerts. The birds will love you!

13/10/2026

As we prep for the WSO UnConvention, we are highlighting a few Wisconsin grassland birds. Tonight we start with the Bobolink - one of the grassland bird species showing some of the steepest declines in the U.S.
Bobolinks are considered an indicator species for grassland health. Their decline signals ecosystem stress which can affect biodiversity, rural economies, and cultural heritage.

Join us Saturday Oct. 17 to learn more about grassland birds and their habitats. https://wsobirds.org/what-we-do/unconvention

Driftless Area Land Conservancy Audubon Great Lakes

photo credit USFWS

12/10/2026

Whoop whoop for community science and World Migratory Bird Day!

Environment for the Americas

See the last known locations of Whooping Cranes in the Eastern Migratory Population, shown at the county level.

10/10/2026

Happy World Migratory Bird Day!
Today, October 10, people across the globe are celebrating the birds that connect our continents and the people whose observations help protect birds.

This fall celebration marks the second peak celebration of World Migratory Bird Day 2026, timed to the height of fall migration. This year's theme, Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter, highlights the role everyday observers play in collecting the data needed to protect migratory species at a time when many bird populations are in decline.

Observed twice each year to reflect migration patterns in both hemispheres, World Migratory Bird Day 2026 puts the spotlight on community science.

No single researcher or organization can follow a bird along its entire journey. Community science fills that gap. Every sighting you log, whether through an established project or sharing your backyard checklist, adds to a growing record of migration patterns, population trends, and emerging threats, data that shapes real conservation and policy decisions.

So, let's celebrate birds - today and every day!

Environment for the Americas

09/10/2026

Interested in volunteering with the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology? It is not too late to join us for one of our virtual Volunteer Orientation sessions on October 13!

We are hosting two orientation webinars on October 13. A morning session at 10 a.m. https://wsobirds.org/birding-events/eventdetail/22297/-/wso-volunteer-orientation-morning-session
and an evening session at 7 p.m. https://wsobirds.org/birding-events/eventdetail/22298/-/wso-volunteer-orientation-evening-session

We can always use your skills and your ideas!

The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology is a volunteer, nonprofit organization established in 1939. Our mission is to promote enjoyment, study and conservation of Wisconsin’s birds.

09/10/2026

Want a little more information about the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas ll? Atlas II ran surveys to examine the distribution and abundance of over 220 species breeding Wisconsin. This huge community science project involved over 3,500 observers, generating more than 2.8 million observations.

Atlas editors are close to finalizing the 700 page book manuscript. This webinar was presented by Nick Anich, the Breeding Bird Atlas coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources during Northern Forest Birds Network meeting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pWHZAuUNa8&authuser=0