Fond du Lac Area Bird & Nature Alliance (formerly Audubon) offers programs, field trips, activities, and workshops related to the environment.
BIRD & NATURE ALLIANCE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
Programs at MPTC will be in Room E120. Park in lot C and enter door C2. Follow the signs to Building E. For more information about these events, contact dianahbeck@gmail.com or 920-922-7931.
Audubon Bird Seed Sale
Saturday, January 31, 9 –11 am
Haentze Floral Company, 658 Fond du Lac Avenue
Pre-order bird seed by January 10. See our flyer or the order form. We offer high-quality seed to attract a variety of birds to your feeders. There is limited seed available if not pre-ordered.
How to get information:
1) email fondyaudubon@gmail.com and we’ll email or snail mail a flyer, or
2) check our website: fdlaudubon.org, or
3) call Lori at 920-960-7930
Gardening for Pollinators Using Native Plants (Presentation)
Wednesday, February 11, 7 pm, MPTC, Room B141
Margie Winter, Fond du Lac Audubon vice-president, will give this presentation about supporting pollinators as well as birds with the use of native plants in your yards and gardens. Margie will share information and photos of native plant species (trees, shrubs, and wildflowers) that she grows in the gardens on her property that maintain adult pollinators as well as pollinator larvae. Learn about plants for sun, part-shade, and shade. Discover gardening practices that encourage pollinators.
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 13–16, your own backyard
Contribute to this successful bird count. More than 173,000 people of all ages 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. 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
Wisconsin Conservation–Statewide Support, Local Action (Presentation)
Wednesday, March 11, 7 pm, MPTC, Room E120
This presentation will highlight the conservation work happening statewide through Wisconsin Land+Water and locally within the Fond du Lac County Land and Water Conservation Department. Attendees will learn how both organizations support landowners, farmers, and communities through youth education, technical assistance, soil health initiatives, and watershed-based partnerships. Presenters are Amber Cannon, Conservation Engineering Technician, Fond du Lac County LWCD and Kim Warkentin, Youth Education Director/Operations, Wisconsin Land+Water.
Eldorado Marsh Spring Full Moon Hike
Wednesday, April 1, 6:45 pm, Dike Road
Come on a sunset and full moon hike on the dike in Eldorado Marsh on Wednesday, April 1. There should be an opportunity to see and hear the birds in the marsh. The moon will be rising at 7:17 pm and the sunset is at 7:20 pm. Our hike will last about an hour. We will meet in the parking lot at the end of Dike Road on the east side of Eldorado Marsh at 6:45 pm. Bring binoculars, wear good hiking shoes, and dress warmly. We will cancel the event if skies are overcast.
A Look into Wisconsin Ducks (Presentation)
Wednesday, April 8, 7 pm, MPTC, Room E120
Join Jeff Bahls, President of the Horicon Marsh Bird Club, Wood Duck Society board member, and 2018 Wisconsin Society of Ornithology bronze Passenger Pigeon award recipient for outstanding contributions in study and enjoyment of birds. His presentation will feature on Wisconsin’s ducks, from those that pass through on migration, to those that call Wisconsin their breeding grounds. Enjoy learning about this family of birds and why Wisconsin is so important to their life cycle.
The Mystery of Migration (Presentation)
Wednesday, May 13, 7 pm, MPTC, Room E120
This presentation by Bill Volkert, will explore the annual migration of birds, their seasonal phenology, and explore recent studies that are revealing more information and instilling greater wonder over the phenomenon of bird migration.Bill Volkert worked as the naturalist and wildlife educator for the Wisconsin DNR at Horicon Marsh for 27 years and has studied birds for 50 years.
Horicon Marsh Pontoon Boat Birding Adventure
Saturday, May 16, 6 pm, Blue Heron Landing, 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.
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. The rest is payable before departure. If we do not fill the boat, the owners will open the remaining seats to the public. Signups with deposit will begin in March at our March events. Or call 920-922-7931 or email dianahbeck@gmail.com.
Meet at 5:00 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 at 305 Mill Street in Horicon for a 6:00 pm departure.
Thank You Picnic at Kay’s Ledge
May 30, 10:30 am – 2 pm (Open House)
Complimentary Lunch from Noon – 1 pm
Rain Date: Sunday, May 31
N7836 County Road WH
To our wonderful Weed Warriors and the Fond du Lac Bird & Nature Alliance members: We want to say thank you for your hard work in controlling invasive species and supporting our mission. Your help has been essential to the preservation of Kay’s Ledge.
The Carolyn A. Victor Land Conservancy, Inc. invites you to a picnic at the property. Please join us for the lunch, take a walk through the woods at your own pace, or pull up a chair for a chat in the shade. If the weather is cool, we’ll have a fire for warmth.
• Location: Kay’s Ledge, N7836 County Road WH, Fond du Lac. Drive east on County Road WH, up the ledge .9 miles from the 151 bypass to the entrance (west side). See Audubon signs by the road.
• RSVP: Contact Elizabeth Victor at 920-251-5563 or elizabethvictor126@gmail.com by May 28.
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)