Feminist Bird Club - Madison Wisconsin

07/15/2024

We are looking forward to our Beginning Birding for Families outing on July 27th! Register at the link below and join us at Cherokee South! All ages welcome, children and families encouraged, and no birding experience necessary. We'll have binoculars for adults and youth available to borrow.

https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/events/beginning-birding-families-1271201

Registration opens today for Beginning Birding for Families led by the Feminist Bird Club - Madison Wisconsin. Enjoy a guided bird outing at Cherokee Marsh - South Unit on Sat, July 27 from 9-10:30am where you can learn about the nesting behavior of local birds and how they raise their families while you wander the beautiful trails at the marsh. No birding experience is required and binoculars for youth and adults will be available. All ages are welcome, and children and families are encouraged! Registration is required and spots will go fast - sign up at madpl.org/beginningbirding

06/28/2024

Hi everyone, in our July newsletter we had advertised an FBC Social and Picnic for tonight at 6pm. Due to the weather forecast for this evening, the picnic social is cancelled. 🌧️

Our July newsletter will be coming out next week, so stay tuned for more upcoming FBC events!

06/10/2024

Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ We're very excited to offer our Q***r Nature Outings again this June. Check out our June newsletter for more details and sign up today! There's just a few spaces left.

June Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c48290199ce3/june2024

Pictured: FBC members at Lakeshore on a previous Q***r Nature outing

06/04/2024

We had a blast celebrating Black Birders Week with the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance this past weekend! 🖤 We're so grateful to be a part of such a diverse, welcoming community of bird and nature lovers.

05/26/2024

We had an incredible visit to Mead Wildlife Area this weekend! We'd love to thank the Mead Wildlife Education Team and Friends of Mead & McMillan Wildlife Areas for being such generous, knowledgeable, and gracious hosts to our chapter. They drove us around in a big ol' haywagon and helped us discover some of Mead's incredible birds. Despite covering a lot of ground, we barely scratched the surface of this birding hotspot and can't wait to go back!

Some highlights included: lots of bobolinks, a very generous chestnut-sided warbler who sang and posed for us, a scarlet tanager that flew in to check out our cool haywagon, multiple pairs of trumpeter swans, more pelicans than we could ever imagine, a show-off northern harrier, more indigo buntings than we could count, PLUS a last minute surprise American Bittern!

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us! Below are some photos from our visit.

📷: Caitlyn Schuchhardt and Sam DeRoche

05/24/2024

Need some Saturday plans? We've had some last minute cancelations for our day trip to Mead Wildlife Area, which was previously full. There's a few spots left to claim before tonight! Register here:

Join Feminist Bird Club members for a special day trip and birding tour of Mead Wildlife Area!

05/13/2024

We did it! Team Yes We Pelican! was able to match our species count from last year ... a whopping 158 species! 🤯

This was truly a team effort. We had a group of birders going all out since 4am this morning, we had over 50 FBC members join us at our series of small group outings throughout the day, and we had members helping round out our trip report with some hard-to-find species! We submitted 38 eBird checklists as a club today all while raising over $2,500 for the Great Wisconsin Birdathon! 🎉

We'll share some bird photos later as we are all very tired, but thank you everyone for following along, birding with us, or donating to the cause!

Photos: Our Big Day crew featuring Cass, Jackie, Josh, and Tyler scoping Lake Monona after arriving at our Birdathon social, and a group photo of FBC members who joined tonight's celebration.

05/12/2024

Our last group outing of the day is in the books! Our Birdathon team had to cut our time at Lakeshore short due to a sudden incoming severe storm, but we made it out of there with a new bird for today's list -- a Sharp-shinned Hawk!

We still have FBC members in the field birding hard, and our species count is still climbing ... we are just a few birds shy of last year's total!

Our fundraising, on the other hand? You helped us soar above and beyond!! Thank you so, so much to everyone who has donated, shared our fundraising page, birded with us in the field, and cheered our team on. We've flown by our goal and raised $2,450 so far and we are so grateful and proud of our birding community. ❤️

Stay tuned for the final species count, plus more photos of the birds we saw today!

Pictured: FBC members at Lakeshore Nature Preserve before a sudden storm rolled in. Photos by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

05/12/2024

Wow, the day is going by fast! Our birders at Cherokee South this morning had some fun highlights, as they got to see some baby killdeer and baby wood ducks -- fan favorites! Our Nine Springs crew didn't find as many shorebirds as they were hoping, but still saw over 60 species on their visit. And we just just wrapped up at Hoyt Park, where we found our only Golden-winged Warbler of the day so far! 💛

It is a gorgeous day for birding! Between our group outings and checklists from FBC members helping us out across Dane County, we are sitting at a whopping ... 139 species over 20 eBird checklists! 🤯 We've got much of the day to go. Stay tuned to see what we might find!

We're still shy of our fundraising goal. Can you help us reach it? Donate here: https://charity.pledgeit.org/t/WrEnWqC13L

Pictured: FBC members at Cherokee South and Hoyt Park

05/12/2024

It's Birdathon day for team Yes We Pelican! 🎉 How many species can we find for the Great Wisconsin Birdathon?! Can we match or break last year's incredible record?

Our first group outing wrapped up at Cherokee North, with highlights including American White Pelican (our namesake!), Scarlet Tanager, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Blackburnian Warbler, and a very exciting Black-billed Cuckoo that popped out right in front of us! 🤯 One of our members even got pooped on by a Palm Warbler - and word on the street is that that is good luck!

Some of our most intrepid team members got an an even earlier start today when they started birding at 4am! Their "early bird" plans paid off when they heard both American Bittern and Least Bittern calling in the marsh.

Today is a HUGE team effort for our chapter, with members joining us at outings all across town. You can show your support by leaving our team a donation! We are sooooo close to our goal!

Donate here: https://charity.pledgeit.org/t/WrEnWqC13L

Pictured: FBC members birding at Cherokee North. Photos by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

05/11/2024

Today is Global Big Day! We had a blast birding with the Friends of Owen Conservation Park this morning to help out as they participated in the Great Wisconsin Birdathon this weekend. Some of our highlights included multiple Scarlet Tanagers, lots of nesting bluebirds, and an Olive-Sided Flycatcher!

Do you love birding at Owen Conservation Park? You can show your support of this gorgeous park with a donation to the "Owen Park Owls" Birdathon team! https://charity.pledgeit.org/t/iINdC5jWhU

Our FBC Birdathon team "Yes We Pelican!" ventures out for our Birdathon tomorrow, and the BirdCast forecast is looking good! 👀 There's still time to join us at several small group outings throughout the day.

Pictured is one of our two groups of birders at Owen this morning, looking for a singing Nashville Warbler in a tree. Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

05/09/2024

We're so excited for this weekend! Our Birdathon day as team ✨Yes We Pelican!✨in the Great Wisconsin Birdathon is coming up on Sunday. We still have some open spaces in multiple small-group outings that we're hosting all across Madison. Sign up, bring a friend, or bring your mom and treat her to some Mother's Day birding! (We're biased, but bird joy is truly a lovely gift.)

Can't join us? We'd love your support with a donation to our Birdathon team! We'll be posting updates throughout the day about our species total and if we can break last year's record. 👀

➡️ Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birdathon-day-with-team-yes-we-pelican-tickets-715109831757
➡️ Donate to our Birdathon team here: https://charity.pledgeit.org/t/WrEnWqC13L
➡️ Read our May newsletter to learn about more upcoming events: https://mailchi.mp/da0dadeb0e4d/may2024

Team Yes We Pelican! is back for our fourth year of the Birdathon! We represent the Feminist Bird Club-Madison Chapter. Can we spot a lot of birds, raise funds for bird conservation, and build an inclusive birding community all at the same time? Yes We Pelican! By donating to our team, you're suppor...

04/18/2024

It's a dreary day, but we've got warblers on the brain! Last chance to register for tonight's Warbler ID Workshop on Zoom from 5:30-6:30pm. If you're new to warblers or feeling rusty on your ID skills with spring fast approaching, FBC's Megan Heneke will get you up to speed! Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtd--uqjksGdAxf74Zl4XthEWYCzAEOK9k

Black and White Warbler photo by Megan Heneke

04/04/2024

We're excited to collaborate with local artist and FBC member Beth Raboin on this upcoming art class. All levels of experience are welcome and encouraged to join! 🎨

Join FBC-Madison members for this special art class with local artist Beth Raboin! All experience levels and abilities are welcome.

03/20/2024

One of our favorite signs of spring is the arrival of American Woodcocks! These unique shorebirds will perform elaborate courtship displays on prairies at dusk. We're excited to share the wonder of woodcocks with our friends at Madison Public Library!

Sign up today to join FBC for a special evening outing through the library, on Saturday, March 30th from 7-8pm. You'll learn about what makes these shorebirds unique, discover where to find them, and get acquainted with their buzzy calls and flight display!

Registration is required on the library's event page: https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/events/spring-birding-wonder-woodcocks-1267921

03/20/2024

No binoculars? No problem! Check out a Birding Backpack from Madison Public Library and you'll have everything you need to step into the world of birding this spring!

It's the first day of spring, and if you're looking to get outside and explore, we've got just the thing! Our Birding Backpacks are a great way to try out a new hobby, enjoy nature, and learn about wildlife that surrounds us on a daily basis.

Each backpack includes a pair of adult + child binoculars, adult + child field guides, and our local Birding Guide, which identifies not only parks and natural areas that are close to each of our library locations, but also what birds you might see there in each season. The idea, funding and sooo much bird knowledge for the Birding Backpacks came from the Feminist Bird Club - Madison Wisconsin with additional funding from Madison Public Library Foundation.

You can check out a backpack from any of our library locations - no holds available, this is a walk-in collection. Learn more: madpl.org/birdingbackpacks

11/10/2023

We're big fans of BirdNote and the incredible stories they share to inspire a love of birds and nature. Their year-end event is coming up on November 30th, featuring an iconic showdown between author and illustrator David Sibley and comedian and actor H. Jon Benjamin (of "Bob's Burgers"). They will also be joined by internationally-acclaimed musician Andrew Bird.

It will be a night you don't want to miss! 🤩 Registration is free, but donations and proceeds from the event's online, bird-themed auction will support BirdNote's mission to inspire people to care about the natural world and take steps to protect it. 🐦

Learn more about the event and RSVP here: https://www.birdnote.org/ultimate-bird-drawing-throwdown-showdown-and-online-auction

11/02/2023

Excellent news about the Bird Names For Birds movement! 🎉 The AOS has committed to changing the English names of all bird species currently named after people. Names matter, and this is a historic step in addressing the racist, oppressive legacy tied to many eponymous bird names.

We are excited to follow along as the renaming begins. This is a big project but the AOS will start next year with the first ~80 names on their list.

The AOS will change all English bird names currently named after people within its geographic jurisdiction—one step in an effort to address past wrongs & engage more people in the enjoyment, protection & study of birds

10/26/2023

Leaves are changing color, there's a chill in the air, our favorite fall birds are starting to arrive ... and Halloween is just around the corner! Join FBC to celebrate the spookiest of seasons at our third annual Halloween Hootenanny on Friday night. 👻

We'll have a social gathering with hot cocoa and s'mores to start the evening before going on an owl prowl to listen for Hoyt Park's resident owls. 🦉

Bird-themed costumes are optional but highly encouraged, and we've got a special prize for the crowd's favorite costume!

Let us know you'll be coming by signing up:

Join FBC members for a Halloween social with treats and hot cocoa, followed by an evening owl prowl!

09/25/2023

"Bird migration waits for no one!" If you joined us at Swift Night Out and wondered where on earth our Chimney Swifts went, then check out this recent blog by Madison Audubon to learn about the incredible migration of these always-on-the-move birds!

What draws most people’s attention to Chimney Swifts in the fall is their incredible roosting behavior. Chimney Swifts spend 90% of their lives flying—only pausing their lives on-the-wing to roost and to nest. They eat, sleep, mate, and bathe while flying. In migration, flocks of Chimney Swifts ...

09/18/2023

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us at Swift Night Out! Despite their presence at this chimney allllll week long, the swifts didn't show! 😭

While it's a bummer that we couldn't experience the roost together, we're finding so much joy in seeing the ✨️incredible✨️ crowd that came out to celebrate swifts with our birding community! It was a gorgeous night to picnic on the field and bring together members our Feminist Bird Club, the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, Madison Audubon, and the Chimney Swift Working Group, so thank you all for joining in our birder flock!

We're also grateful to SOS Save Our Songbirds and the Dane County Humane Society's Wildlife Center for joining us to table and to Kona Ice of Madison for slinging some tasty slushies!

We appreciate everyone's good spirits and cheer despite the lack of birds! We're wishing our chimney swifts a "swift" and safe migration as they make their way to South America. ❤️

Photos by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

09/13/2023

✨Important Update!✨We have had to change the date and location of this year's Swift Night Out! The new date and location will be SUNDAY, September 17th from 6-8pm at Cherokee Heights Middle School.

Why the change? Birds are unpredictable! Despite favoring Blessed Sacrament's chimney last year, the swifts decided to make a return to Cherokee Heights and are showing in great numbers there. And we gotta follow the birds! 🐦 Because Cherokee Heights' soccer field will be in use late on Friday, we're moving the event to Sunday.

The good news is we're anticipating nice weather and lots of swifts and will have a big nice soccer field to spread out on. The bad news is that not all our food carts can make it. Kona Ice will still be there with sno-cones and slushies, but if you'd like dinner, grab some take-out or pack a picnic! 🧺

Get the full update on the Swift Night Out event page: https://madisonaudubon.org/all-events/2023/9/15/swift-night-out

We're still so excited for this event and we hope you can come support all our event partners including the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, Madison Audubon, the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group, and FBC. ❤️

09/11/2023

You can help shape WSO's strategic plan by taking this survey! Their work impacts not only bird conservation, but our birding community statewide. 🐦 All bird and nature lovers are encouraged to fill it out - you do not have to be a member and responses are anonymous.

Responses are due by Sept 14. Set aside 10 minutes and take part today!

https://bit.ly/WSOplanningsurvey

WSO is undertaking a strategic planning process. We invite all birders and nature lovers to share your thoughts in the survey below:

https://bit.ly/WSOplanningsurvey

The survey takes about 10 minutes and will be open through September 14

All responses are anonymous and will not be shared directly with WSO.

Thank you for sharing your insights about the future of birding and WSO!

09/07/2023

The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology - WSO recently awarded our Feminist Bird Club-Madison Chapter a ✨Special Recognition Award✨ acknowledging the work that our birding group has done to create an inclusive, welcoming space in the birding community. Thank you, WSO!

Our Leadership Team was proud to accept this award, but we know that creating such a lovely community doesn't happen alone! There are so many people who have helped shape our chapter, from our group's founders, to past team members and committee members, and most importantly to those of you who show up at our events!

Our chapter thrives because YOU show up and help us create a fun, welcoming, and joyful space for new and experienced birders alike.

Read more about this award and latest FBC news in our September newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/9974072fb801/september2023

📷 Photo: FBC-Madison's Leadership Team receiving WSO's award. Pictured left to right are Caitlyn Schuchhardt, Shaina Stewart, Megan Heneke, and Lizzie Condon. Photo taken by Ben Lam.

08/21/2023

With fall migration upon us, more and more birds are migrating through Wisconsin. One of the threats they'll face is window collisions. Coming up this Wednesday, August 23rd, there's two free webinars where you can learn how to prevent window collisions at home, brought to you by Wisconsin's SOS Save Our Songbirds team. Sign up for free at the link below!

https://www.sossaveoursongbirds.org/webinar

07/24/2023

Our friends at Madison Audubon are hiring a full-time land steward for Faville Grove Sanctuary! Be sure to check out this incredible opportunity and share widely with your networks. Whoever is hired in this role would live rent-free in the house on Prairie Lane overlooking Faville Grove and get to enjoy that gorgeous view every day! 😍

Are you passionate about conservation? Eager to make an impact restoring habitats and ecosystems? Excited about helping shape the future for Wisconsin birds and other wildlife?

We are now hiring a full-time land steward at Faville Grove Sanctuary! The land steward is responsible for continuing the excellence in habitat restoration and management at the sanctuary. Learn more and apply at madisonaudubon.org/employment

*Apply by August 14, 2023 for best consideration.
(📷: Arlene Koziol | Great Egret)

07/12/2023

Our FBC chapter had an incredible visit to Horicon Marsh this past weekend! An American Bittern flew over our heads before we even left the parking lot and it was a sign of a wonderfully birdy day ahead. We had a day full of our marsh favorites - from Whooping Cranes, Black Terns, Black-crowned Night Herons, Black-necked Stilts, Marsh Wrens galore, and more soaring Pelicans than we could possibly count! 😍

We looked for, but did not find, the rare Limpkin that's been frequenting Hwy 49, but our consolation prize was watching beautiful Forester's Terns dive right in front of us!

We were especially grateful to be joined by one of the International Crane Foundation's Crane Conservation Fellows, Alicia, who answered all our questions about Wisconsin's Whooping Crane population and the particular pair that we happened to see. Thank you, Alicia, for birding with us and sharing your knowledge!

Enjoy these fun photos from the day! 📷 People photos are by Caitlyn Schuchhardt and bird photos are by Sheryl Thormann and Megan Heneke

06/21/2023

We're excited for our Q***r Nature outings this week! 🌿🏳️‍🌈 We have had a few spots open up on Saturday's 8:30am session. Join us early before the heat sets in! RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/646674329327

Pictured: The leaf of a violet, a flower that has been a symbol of le***an love since the 6th century - and Wisconsin's official state flower! 💜

06/08/2023

Did you know that there was a pair of BIRDS that helped shift public perception around homosexuality in the late 1970s? Check out this podcast about a le***an gull couple and how their discovery changed how we understand nature and its q***rness!
https://radiolab.org/podcast/seagulls

Eager to learn more about the q***r nature of birds, plants, and fungi? Join FBC for our Q***r Nature outings later this month! 🌿🏳️‍🌈

How a study about seagulls from the 1970s rocked our understanding of what’s natural in animals... and in us.

05/28/2023

starts today and this beautiful reflection by Christian Cooper is a must read!

Why — of all the spectacular creatures with which we share this planet — do birds captivate as no others can?