Audubon offers programs, field trips, activities, and workshops related to the environment.
We have a new room for our programs this year at MPTC. Our room will be B141. People can park in the B lot on the north side of MPTC and enter door B3.
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 14 – 17, your own backyard
Contribute to one of the most successful bird counts. More than 173,000 people of all ages and walks of life worldwide join the four-day count annually to create a snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds. Observations can be made from the comfort of your home and only involve a minimum of 15 minutes. Even beginners can help. The website has wonderful aids for identifying the birds in our area. Enter the results online. Final totals and results are available later to all participants. Details are on the website: gbbc.birdcount.org
Bald Eagle Nest Watch (Presentation)
Wednesday, March 12, 7 pm, MPTC, Room B141
Bald Eagle Nest Watch is a Wisconsin volunteer citizen science program that works with community members to monitor hundreds of Bald Eagle nests each nesting season. Come learn about how the program works and how you can join to watch an eagle family grow while collecting important data.
Brenna Marsicek is the director of outreach for Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (formerly Madison Audubon), and coordinates the statewide Bald Eagle Nest Watch effort. She enjoys connecting people with the natural world through programs, field trips, events, and more.
Eldorado Marsh Spring Full Moon Hike
Thursday, March 13, 6:30 pm, Dike Road
Come on a sunset and full moon hike on the dike in Eldorado Marsh. At this time of evening, there should be an opportunity to see and hear the birds in the marsh. The moon will be rising at 6:34 pm and the sunset at 7:00 pm. Late tonight, there is a lunar eclipse. Our hike will last about an hour. We will cancel the event if the skies are overcast.
We will meet in the parking lot at the end of Dike Road on the east side of Eldorado Marsh at 6:30 pm. Bring binoculars, wear good hiking shoes, and dress warmly. For more information, call 920-922-7931 or email dianahbeck@gmail.com.
Canaries in the Coal Mine:
Birds and Climate Change (Presentation)
Wednesday, April 9, 7 pm, MPTC Room B141
Dr. Benjamin Zuckerberg will present on how birds are responding to modern climate change in Wisconsin and the world. He will provide examples of changes in behavior, phenology, and range changes.
Dr. Zuckerberg has been studying the impacts of climate change for over twenty years and works closely with conservation agencies to think about how to reduce the vulnerability of wildlife to the stressors of climate change.
Spring Flower Hike at Kay’s Ledge
Saturday, April 19, 10:30 am, N7816 County Road WH
Enjoy a leisurely hike through Kay’s Ledge during the early spring in search of the many different spring ephemerals. Please wear boots for the hike because early spring can be wet and muddy. Bring binoculars for spotting birds as well.
The hike will start at 10:30 am and last about an hour and a half. Afterwards, you are welcome to stay for a picnic lunch around a bonfire. If you would like to contribute some food to the picnic, contact 920-922-7931. Dogs will be allowed if kept on a leash. Canceled if raining.
Directions – Drive east on County Road WH, up the ledge .9 miles from the 151 bypass to the entrance on the west side. Watch for Audubon signs by the entrance.
CSA Earth Day Fair
Saturday, April 26, 320 County Road K
This event is sponsored by csasisters.org
Bird City World Migratory Bird Day
Walks, Hikes, Art, Program
First weekend in May
Look for the Bird City flag at the locations below. See birds and native plants on these guided walks.
Friday, May 2
• 6 pm, Camelot Business Park, 28 Camelot Drive
Saturday, May 3
• 7 am, CSA Oak Woodland, 320 County Road K
(park at top of hill.)
• 10 am, Greenway Arboretum, 55 W. Pioneer Road
• 1 pm, Lakeside Park East and West (park in lot south of Frazier Point; bridge parking lot.)
Saturday, April 26
• 6 pm, Fond du Lac Public Library – Join Amber Eschenbauch and her kestrel ambassador, Goose, from Central Wisconsin Kestrel Research for a program about North America’s smallest falcon and the research happening in the Buena Vista Grasslands.
TBD – Bird Art by local artists
Invasive Species Removals
April 12 to June 21. Find out how to help here.
The Marsh in Our Backyard – Eldorado (Presentation)
Wednesday, May 14, 7 pm, MPTC Room B141
James Christopoulos is the DNR wildlife biologist for Fond du Lac County/Property Manager for Eldorado Marsh and also manages the Glacial Habitat Restoration area (GHRA) lands in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties. In all, these encompass about 16,000 acres of mostly restored grasslands and wetlands. He will give us a general overview of the property and management at Eldorado Marsh.
Horicon Marsh Pontoon Boat Birding Adventure
Saturday, May 17, 6 pm, Heron Landing in Horicon
Over 290 species of birds live in or visit Horicon Marsh each year. Participants in this 2-hour evening narrated bird trip through the marsh will seek and identify some of them. Experienced and casual bird watchers will enjoy the quiet of the marsh on this early evening tour. Bring binoculars, bird book, insect repellent, and dress for the weather. Meet at 5 pm at the southeast corner of the Fleet Farm parking lot to form a carpool for the 35 minute drive to Blue Heron Landing in Horicon. Or meet the group at Blue Heron Landing, 305 Mill Street in Horicon,
for a 6 pm departure.
The cost is $38 per person. To reserve a spot on the pontoon boat (limit of 16), a non-refundable deposit of $20 is required before April 15, with the balance due before departure. If we do not fill the boat, the remaining seats will be open to the public.
Signups with deposit will begin at our March events. Or call 920-922-7931 or email dianahbeck@gmail.com.
For more information on these events, call 920-922-7931 or email dianahbeck@gmail.com.
Explore Local Trails with Your Family
We encourage you and your families to explore some of the beautiful trails in our area on your own and with your families.
• Kiekhaefer Park
• Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum
• Peebles Trail
• Greenway Arboretum
• Hobbs Woods
• Shaginappi Park
• Eisenbahn State Trail
• Archer Thomas Olsen Trail at Lakeside Park West
• Mascoutin Valley State Trail (Rosendale)
• Northwoods (Rosendale)
• Riggs Park (Ripon)