CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 17-20, 2012
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.”
Winnebago Audubon is pleased to again sponsor the GBBC in our local area and we encourage participation at any level. If you want to learn more, go to the GBBC website at www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ . The beauty of this event is that everyone can participate by: watching your backyard feeder, driving to a special place to count, or trekking out into the country to look for birds. There are simple rules to follow to submit your results. Your efforts contribute important data regarding the movement of birds across North America. Winnebago Audubon encourages you to learn more and be a part of this annual citizen science project.
"Show & Tell" Ice Cream Social
Sunday, March 11, 2012
1:30 pm
Oshkosh Seniors Center - Oasis Room
200 N. Campbell Rd., Oshkosh
This annual event is always fun, free and open to the public! The Audubon board will treat you to ice cream and a variety of toppings. We invite you to share your photos, slides, videos, DVD slide shows, and stories of your outdoor adventures, flowers, birds, nature, etc. To allow everyone an opportunity to share, please keep your presentation to around 10-15 minutes. A slide projector, and LCD projector with a laptop/dvd drive will be provided. Please join us for an enjoyable "sundae" afternoon with friends and family - old and new!
Annual Midwest Crane Count
Saturday, April 14, 2012
5:30-7:30 am
The Annual Midwest Crane Count is a citizen science tradition createdby the International Crane Foundation (ICF) of Baraboo, WI, to monitor the general population trend of sandhill cranes in the Upper Midwest, as well as to promote awareness of cranes and wetland conservation throughout the count area. We invite you to help gather this valuable data to further ICF research. Volunteer counters of all ages can enjoy this early morning activity. Winnebago Audubon coordinates the count in Winnebago County which has 46 designated sites to be surveyed. After the count, join us for breakfast (Dutch Treat) at the Fin 'n Feather in Winneconne.
The Annual Midwest Crane Count is set to take place on Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 5:30 – 7:30 a.m. We will NOT hold an orientation meeting this year. Previous participants will be contacted. If you have not participated in the past, but would like to this year, please contact Evelyn (see below for contact information). If you would like to review a video about sandhill cranes and their calls, print out survey forms, etc., visit www.cranecount.org. Under Learn More, select Counter Information. There are many helpful links here for crane counters. You will need to print out both pages of the Data Sheet. Instructions in the Field may be helpful to have with you also.
In 2010, Winnebago County counted on 37 of its 45 sites. There were 78 observers that counted a total of 1,099 sandhill cranes of which there were 94 pairs. There were a total of 11,751 cranes counted in the Midwest; 10,892 were counted in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Counters Rock! You can watch the Annual Midwest Crane Count video by accessing www.youtube.com/user/ICFCraneTube. You will hear the unison call that is unique to a breeding pair of sandhill cranes.
If you are a “morning person” and interested in your environment, nature, birds, wildlife, sunrises, good company or just overall peacefulencounters, please join us for the Annual Midwest Crane Count on Saturday, April 14.
For more info contact Evelyn Meuret, Winnebago County Coordinator, at evelynmeuret57@att.net or 920-573-7828.
Based in Baraboo, Wisconsin, the nonprofit International Crane Foundation sponsors the Crane Count as a part of its efforts to preserve and study the world's 15 species of cranes and the natural communities on which they depend. Sandhill Cranes once experienced severe population declines in the late 1800s to early 1900s in the Upper Midwest, but have recovered successfully. The Crane Count has documented the growth of thesandhill population, and allows ICF to monitor crane abundance and distribution. Observations of the abundant Sandhill Cranes can often lend insight into the endangered crane species of the world. One local example is the flock of Whooping Cranes being released in Central Wisconsin, and led on migration to the Gulf Coast of Florida by ultralight aircraft. Participants may have a chance of sighting a Whooping Crane during the Crane Count.
Spring Banquet
Saturday, April 28
Primo's Restaurant, Oshkosh
$20.00 per person
(more info to follow about making reservations)
5:30 Social and Silent Auction
6:30 Brief Business Meeting
7:00 Dinner . . . followed by presentation of the Katherine D. Rill
Environmental Award and special program about Kirtland's Warblers
Please join us for a relaxing evening with Audubon friends that will include a Silent Auction, dinner, the presentation of the Katherine D. Rill Environmental Award and a terrific program about Kirtland's Warblers. Space is limited.
May Birdathon: Help Audubon Continue To Sponsor Programs and Activities in our Schools and Community! May is the perfect time for bird watching during the spring migration. And, so it is a great time for our Birdathon. You are invited to help us count! Give us a call to join one of our bird watching teams. We have a wonderful time visiting our favorite bird haunts to see, hear, count and record as many birds as we can in a 24 hour period. Spend an hour with us or the whole day. The Birdathon would not be a success without the generous contributions of our members and friends. Please sponsor our birders by pledging a per bird amount or fixed dollar amount. Your support allows us to continue providing quality events and programs in our community. Contact Carla Hansen for more information, to make a pledge, or join a team: 920-233-1129 or carlajhansen@sbcglobal.net
Celebrates International Migratory Bird Day
Saturday, May 5, 2012
6:00 am - 2:00 pm Menominee Park, Oshkosh
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Downtown Oshkosh Gallery Walk
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The second annual Oshkosh Bird Fest, Oshkosh’s newest event, celebrates International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 5 with a variety of activities for all ages and everyone interested in birds. Most of the activities will take place in different locations at Menominee Park from 6:00 am - 2:00 pm. Visit the Kiwanis Shelter for a complete schedule and directions. In addition, there will be yard tours hosted by Wild Ones Fox Valley Area members from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Then, visit downtown Oshkosh for Gallery Walk from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, which will feature a student bird art exhibit, local bird photographers and artists, and live birds of prey.
The day will begin with a “Big Sit” in two locations. Join Anita Carpenter and the Oshkosh Bird Club inside one of two 17-foot diameter circles for the Big Sit anytime from 6:00 am until Noon for as long as you want. Bring a chair and enjoy watching, listening, counting and learning about birds that you see and hear. This is sometimes described as “a tailgate party for birders”. Anita, an Oshkosh resident, is an avid birder and naturalist. She contributes articles to Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine and has a regular column in the Winnebago Audubon Lake Flyer newsletter.
From 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, you will find informative exhibits at the Kiwanis Shelter covering bird migration, landscaping with native plants, glacial habitat restoration, eagle/osprey surveys, county parks, and more. You won’t want to miss the presentations with live birds of prey at 10:30 and 12:30 by Beka Weiss of Aves Wildlife Alliance. Learn all about why and how bird banding is done from a licensed bird bander.
The Oshkosh Zoological Society will host educational and fun children’s activities from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. in the zoo. Children will make their own binoculars, then go on a bird walk and learn to identify birds. We will also be “banding” kids in an exercise to show them how birds are caught, processed and banded for research. Birds have different kinds of beaks and the children will be able try to eat like a bird using different tools.
Wild Ones Fox Valley Area members will host yard tours in Oshkosh from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Pick up a map at the Kiwanis Shelter. These yards are landscaped with native plants and the homeowners will share with you how they made their yards more bird and nature friendly.
The bird theme continues into the evening at Downtown Oshkosh Gallery Walk from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Downtown stores will feature live birds, bird art and bird photography. A specail feature will be the student bird art exhibit at the First National Bank building.
Oshkosh Bird Fest was planned by a committee of people who have a passion for birds and a healthy environment with affiliations to Oshkosh Bird Club, Oshkosh Zoological Society, Wild Ones Fox Valley Area, Winnebago Audubon Society, Winnebago Lakes Council, and Wisconsin DNR with support from the City of Oshkosh. The concept for a Bird Fest came from Bird City Wisconsin. Oshkosh has been recognized as a Bird City since 2011, after submitting its application and successfully meeting the criteria outlined. Our city proved that it not only can implement sound conservation practices on their own, but it can educate its residents to play an increased role in making our community healthy for birds . . . and people.
Bird City Wisconsin is a coalition led by Milwaukee Audubon Society, the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative and the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology to ensure that Wisconsin’s city folk maintain healthy populations of birds and grow an appreciation for them. With funding from TogetherGreen, an alliance between National Audubon Society and Toyota, the program addresses an increasing problem: the decline of urban bird populations. Bird City participants will learn how to protect and manage greenspace; landscape with native plants in backyards and parks; adopt architecture and lighting systems that reduce bird collisions; and making our community hospitable to breeding, wintering, and migrating birds that seek safe places to spend time and find food. Check out the Bird City website at www.birdcitywisconsin.org.
Oshkosh Bird Fest is free and open to the public. For more information about the first annual Oshkosh Bird Fest, contact Janet at wiss@centurytel.net or 920-589-2602. Opportunities to volunteer or provide financial support are available.
MENOMINEE PARK
6am-Noon: Two Big Sits, a unique way to bird watch. You can enter the circle and
participate. How many birds will we see and hear from a 17 ft. circle?
Near Kiwanis Shelter
7am: Bird Banding near Kiwanis Shelter
9am-2pm: Informative Exhibits, Vendors, Food at Kiwanis Shelter
10am-2pm: Live Birds of Prey with Bird Rehabilitator Beka Weiss, Aves Wildlife
Alliance. Presentations at 10:30 & 12:30 at Kiwanis Shelter.
Children's Activities in the Zoo
Yard Tours hosted by Wild Ones Fox Valley Area
Pick up map at Kiwanis Shelter
6pm-9pm: DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH GALLERY WALK and
Student Bird Art Exhibit at First National Bank Building
For more infomative webpages go to our Links page.
We are currently finalizing the programs and field trips for the first half of 2012. Here are some of the things we are working on:
Apri 28: Spring Banquet
May 19: Frog Night Hike
May 26: "Adult" Night Hike at Uihlein Marsh with Anita Carpenter
June 10: Paddle Rush Lake
Monarch Tagging
Prairie Walk
Sept. 19: Bhutan - Land of the Thunder Dragon
Nov. 15: Mike Lizotte/Winnebago Lakes Council
PAST PROGRAMS
Eagles and Ospreys of NE Wisconsin
Saturday, February 4, 2012
1:30 pm
JP Coughlin Center
625 E. County Road Y, Oshkosh
Winnebago Audubon invites you to a presentation on the eagles and ospreys of northeast Wisconsin on Saturday, February 4 at 1:30 pm at the JP Coughlin Center, 625 E. County Road Y, Oshkosh. Steve Easterly, Wildlife Technician with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, will talk about the continuing efforts to monitor the recovery of these two magnificent birds. Aerial surveys are conducted every spring and early summer by the DNR. This is an opportunity to learn how these surveys are done and to hear about the results of the 2011 surveys. The road to recovery has not been an easy one for these two previously endangered raptors. With the assistance of concerned citizens, conservation groups, private companies, as well as state and federal agencies there has been a dramatic rebound for both the bald eagle and the osprey. Preserving and protecting habitat, changes in land use, enacting legislation, and erecting nesting platforms have all been important steps in this amazing story. This program is free and open to the public.
Following Easterly’s presentation, Winnebago Audubon will provide information about the Great Backyard Bird Count which is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event, which runs from Feb. 17 through Feb. 20. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.
If you want to learn more about the GBBC visit www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ . The beauty of this event is that everyone can participate by: watching your backyard feeder, driving to a special place to count, or trekking out into the country to look for birds. There are simple rules to follow to submit your results. Your efforts contribute important data regarding the movement of birds across North America. Winnebago Audubon encourages you to learn more and be a part of this annual citizen science project.
If you would like more information about this program, contact Janet Wissink at wiss@centurytel.net or 920-589-2602.
Restoration and Management of Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid at Uihlein WPA
Thursday, November 17, 2011
6:30 pm, Evergreen Retirement Community
Winnebago Audubon and Wild Ones Fox Valley will co-host a program about a special native orchid that grows in Uihlein Waterfowl Production Area in western Winnebago County. Jim Lutes, District Wildlife Biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, will give a presentation about the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid, its ecology and status in Wisconsin, and its history on Uihlein WPA. When the USFWS purchased this property, management actions were undertaken to support the recovery of this species on the property. Join us to find out the results of their efforts on Thursday, November 17, at Evergreen Retirement Community, 1130 N. Westfield St., Oshkosh (lower level). Social time begins at 6:30 pm followed by the program at 7:00 pm. It is free and open to the public.
Lutes has held his position as biologist for the Leopold Wetland Management District since 1999. He is primarily responsible for overseeing the restoration, management, and monitoring of upland and wetland habitats, and the wildlife that depends on them, on over 13,000 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas scattered throughout 17 counties of eastern and southeastern Wisconsin.
Work Party on the Wiouwash
Saturday, October 22, 2011
10:00 am - Noon
We will work on a section of the trail north of Maxwell Rd.
It’s that time of year again when the prairies along the Wiouwash trail north of Oshkosh look forward to a little help from Winnebago Audubon and its volunteers. So, once again, the chapter has scheduled a work day to discourage the encroaching shrubs and thereby encourage the prairie elements that have persisted since before the first European settlers arrived.
Lend us a hand on Saturday, October 22 from 10:00 am until noon. We will be working the section of the Wiouwash Trail north of Maxwell Road. Loppers and pruners are the tools of choice to bring although a bow saw has occasional value.
Please join us for the fresh air, conversation, and the physical contribution to a prairie remnant of state significance. Questions may be directed to Tom Underwood at (920) 410-9703.
Shoreland Restoration Project on Miller's Bay in Menominee Park
Saturday, October 1, 2011
8:00 am - Noon
The first phase of this project will consist of planting seed and a minimal number of 2 year plant plugs in the area approximately 7-10 feet back from the water up to the trail. This area will be first seeded at a pretty heavy rate, and then covered with a quality straw cover to keep in moisture and eliminate any possibility of runoff. We are going to finalize with a small planting of the plugs. We may also proceed on this day with creating the shore-access pathways.
We will meet at Ames Point at the northern tip of Menominee Park at 8:00 am and will plan on working for 3-4 hours on the restoration. We have a goal of 25 volunteers to make this possible. We're covering a large area so your help is essential. Several organizations are working with the city on this project. Let's have a great showing of Audubon members.
If you are willing to make a commitment to help on Oct. 1, please sign up as soon as possible by contacting Pat Nichols at 920-426-0261 or jvnichols@earthlink.net.
Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and the Land Ethic
in the 21st Century
Thursday, September 29, 2011
6:30 pm
Oshkosh Senior Center, Willow Rooms, 200 N. Campbell Rd.
Winnebago Audubon invites you to view “The Green Fire Story” with Shannon Davis-Foust, Lecturer, Environmental Studies, UW Oshkosh. The extraordinary film, Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and the Land Ethic in the 21st Century, will be shown on Thursday, September 29 at 6:30 pm in the Willow Rooms at the Oshkosh Senior Center, 200 N. Campbell Rd. It is free and open to the public. This film introduces the viewer to the famed conservationist and writer, Aldo Leopold, who is sometimes referred to as the "father of wildlife management." It traces his life in the American environmental movement; his legacy can be traced to many of today's conservation projects. The film helps viewers to understand "land ethic" and how this way of thinking can be applied to the environmental problems we face today. Audiences are challenged to contemplate humanity's relationship with the natural world and inspired to actively engage in land stewardship projects in their communities.
“We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes—something known only to her and to the mountain. I was young then, and full of trigger-itch; I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters’ paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view.” - Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac, 1949
For more information about the film checkout this website: http://www.aldoleopold.org/greenfire/index.html. If you have questions about the evening, please contact Dana at 920-582-4498 or danahartel@yahoo.com.
All About Fungi:
Magical Molds and Mystical Mushrooms
(why mycologists have more fungi)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
1:30 pm
Ripon College, Todd Wehr Hall, Room 104 & South Woods
Winnebago Audubon is hosting Dr. Stephen P. Bentivenga, Professor of Mycology at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, to give an introductory overview of fungi, focusing on mushrooms. In his presentation, he will cover the basics of mushroom identification and make suggestions on how to get started mushroom collecting.
The presentation will take place at Ripon College, Todd Wehr Hall, Room 104, starting at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 25. After learning about fungi, magical molds and mystical mushrooms for about an hour, we’ll venture out to South Woods for another hour or two collecting whatever mushrooms we find. Hope for lots of rain in August and September so the conditions are better for our hunt. Plan to wear appropriate footwear if we do get the rain they need.
Dr. Bentivenga has been teaching mycology at UW Oshkosh for 15 years. He has authored and coauthored many publications. See a list of his publications and find out more about Dr. Bentivenga by googling Stephen Bentivenga. Join us for an afternoon of fun(gi). The program is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Evelyn Meuret at 920-573-7828 or evelynmeuret57@att.net.
Directions: From Oshkosh take Hwy. 44 to Ripon. At the four-way stop sign turn left onto Blackburn St. After the stoplights, watch for W. Blossom St. Turn right onto Blossom which will end at Ransom St. directly in front of Todd Wehr Hall. Look for Parking signs, faculty/staff lots are open on Sunday.
Prairie Walk on the Wiouwash
Sunday, September 11, 2011
1:30 pm
Meet in parking area on Oakridge Rd.
A walk down the Wiouwash Trail has been arranged with Anita Carpenter and Tom Underwood, who will escort you through one of the prairie remnants that still retains some of its character of pre-settlement times. With Anita’s acute observational skills when it comes to insects and other critters, and Tom’s knowledge of the prairie plants, you can count on this to be an interesting afternoon for the whole family. The outing will begin at Oakridge Rd., where the county maintains a small parking area, and move south along the converted railroad grade of the Wiouwash Trail. Dress for a mile and half of easy walking and the weather conditions. This field trip is free and open to the public.
Catch and Tag Migrating Monarchs
POSTPONED UNTIL SUN., SEPT. 4
Saturday, September 3, 2011 (raindate Sunday, September 4)
1:00 pm Green Lake Area
Families, friends, young and old alike, can participate in the autumn migration of monarch butterflies on Saturday, September 3 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. We will meet at the Londowski farm (see below for directions) where there will be a short orientation and a demonstration of the tagging process. Then participants will head out to the clover and alfalfa fields on the farm to net monarchs and attach numbered tags to their wings, record data, and release them as part of a nationwide research project by the University of Kansas called MonarchWatch (www.monarchwatch.org).
These amazing fliers will migrate 1800 miles to spend the winter in the mountains of central Mexico.
This event is suitable for children four years and up. We recommend that children wear long pants, shoes and socks. It is free to Winnebago Audubon members. The non-member fee is $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per child 17 years and under. Pre-registration is not required. Non-members may join at the event for only $20.00 for a one year family membership. A limited number of butterfly nets will be available, so please bring your own if you have one.
Teachers or families who are raising monarchs and are interested in tagging their butterflies may contact Janet for tags and forms.
For more information contact Dave Moon at 920-235-4429 or djmoon@northnet.net.
CARPOOL: If you would like to carpool, meet at Carl Traeger School, in the eastside parking lot, 3000 W. 20th Ave., Oshkosh. Arrive early to depart at 12:15 pm.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Meet us at the Londowski farm at 1:00 pm. From Hwy. 44 just southwest of Oshkosh take Hwy. 91 to Berlin. In Berlin turn left (south) on Hwy. 49 to County Road J. Turn right on County Road J. The Londowski farm is one mile down the road.
Oshkosh Farmer's Market
Saturday, August 27, 2011
8:00 am - 12:30 pm
Visit us at our booth in downtown Oshkosh, which will feature a Monarch butterfly display. Learn about their lifecycle and amazing migration to Mexico.
Bird by Bike
Sunday, August 21, 2011
1:30 pm
Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, 1305 Plank Rd. (Hwy. 114), Menasha
This family-friendly 5 mile bike ride explores nature here in the Fox Valley with a unique tour of area parks and trails.
Learn about the plants and wildlife with Winnebago Audubon naturalists and confident cycling with a Bike Federation of Wisconsin instructor.
After a walk at the Reserve and an intro to bike safety, we will bike to Fritse Park on the Trestle Trail in Menasha. BIKE HELMETS REQUIRED.
For more information, contact Scott Reilly at scott.reilly@bfw.org or Janet at wiss@centurytel.net or 920-589-2602.
Terrell's Island Tour
Saturday, July 30, 2011
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Directions: Just east of Omro on State Rd. 21 (at skydiving school) take Rivermoor Road north. At about 3 miles, turn right onto Shubert Rd. and follow to parking area.
Join Winnebago Audubon for a tour of Terrell’s Island on July 30th. We will start our tour at 8 a.m. and will finish by 11 a.m. Wear appropriate clothing for this adventure. It is recommended that you wear long pants and bring along a long sleeved shirt because of the mosquitoes. Also, wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet and/or dirty. I’ve been informed that there are ‘tons’ of pelicans inside the breakwall on Terrell’s Island as well as many other birds attracted to the habitat available there. Following is a brief description of what the Butte des Morts Conservation Club has done to preserve and expand this important habitat. For lots more information on the birds of this area visit the club’s website at www.bdmcc.org/Terrells.htm
From the BDMCC Website:
In 1998, the Butte des Morts Conservation Club, with the assistance of public contributions, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource grant programs, purchased 1183 acres of this habitat known as Terrell's Island and placed it in 'public trust' for perpetuity. In 2010 we added 18 acres bringing the total acreage of Terrell's Island to 1201.
This wetland area has all of the basic ingredients necessary to rebuild and restore a healthy and productive wildlife habitat and spawning grounds for a vast variety of marine life. The long term commitment by the Butte des Morts Conservation Club to Conserve, Preserve,and Restore the habitat of Terrell's Island is the primary focus of the club's efforts on Lake Butte des Morts.
In March of 2008 the Butte des Morts Conservation Club, together with the WDNR, built several nesting islands on Lake Butte des Morts that successfully attracted eleven nesting pairs of the State Endangered Common Tern.
Paddle Rush Lake
with Tom Ziebell (and Anita Carpenter)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Start: 7:30am (Plan to be on the lake for 2 to 3 hours)
No charge, but PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Limit 12 boats.
(You must provide your own canoe/kayak.)
Make your reservation SOON - only 2 spots open - with Janet at
wiss@centurytel.net or 920-589-2602.
Winnebago Audubon invites you to explore Rush Lake with us. Our guide will be Tom Ziebell, who knows Rush Lake and its birds very well. Learn about the restoration of this important remnant prairie pothole lake from the vantage point of a canoe or kayak. Enjoy a morning on the water, in the reeds and cattails, observing the birds and wildlife of the lake. Some of the birds we might see are black terns, yellowheaded blackbirds, redhead ducks, bitterns, pied-billed grebes, herons and egrets.
What to bring: Canoe or kayak, life jackets, binoculars, camera, sunscreen, insect repellent, drinking water, snack.
Where to meet: Rush Lake East Boat Landing on County Road M between State Road 44 and State Road 91. Please arrive early so that we are ready to launch at 7:30 am.
Calling All Frogs! A Night Hike
Saturday, May 21, 2011
7:30 - 9:30 pm
This is a hit with the kids and adults alike!
Winnebago Audubon will hold the popular frog night hike led by Randy Korb on Saturday evening May 21. An indoor orientation to Wisconsin frogs will begin at 7:30 pm. Participants will get to know the calls of our 12 species. Children may hold and feed frogs,toads, and salamanders during the orientation. Once we're familiar with frogs we'll venture out at dusk to hear them. We will be driving to a nearby location on Rush Lake. The eastern gray tree frog is in peak breeding season in late May and we expect to hear a lusty chorus. Other local callers at this time are American toads, spring peepers, and green frogs.
This event is free for Winnebago Audubon members and no pre-registration is required. The fee for non-members is $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per child under 17. Non-members may join Audubon at the door if they like. Participants should bring flashlights and old tennis shoes, boots or hip boots for possible wading into shallow water.
We will meet at the Pickett Community Center, 6687 State Road 44, Pickett. For more information contact Janet at 920-589-2602 or wiss@centurytel.net.
Spring Banquet
"Learn to Think Like a Bluebird"Saturday, April 9 at Robbins Restaurant, 1810 Omro Rd., Oshkosh
$20.00 per person - Make your reservations today!
5:30 Social, Silent Auction and TogetherGreen Planning Grant Display
with Megan Thiel, Habitat for Humanity
6:30 Brief Business Meeting
7:00 Dinner . . . followed by presentation of the Katherine D. Rill
Environmental Award and special program "Learn to Think
Like a Bluebird"
Please join us for a relaxing evening with Audubon friends that willinclude a Silent Auction, dinner, the presentation of the Katherine D. Rill Environmental Award and a terrific program about Bluebirds. Please click on the link above for the reservation form and send it in today. Space is limited.
Kent D. Hall, Ph.D, aka Dr. Bluebird, will have a PowerPoint presentation with colorful slides to highlight the different nest box species. We will learn about nest box styles that attract bluebirds, tree swallows, chickadees, and wrens and where and how to place them for success in our own yards.
Dr. Hall has coordinated the Audubon Bluebird Trail (ABT) in centralWisconsin since its inception 9 years ago. During that time, it has been recognized as the top trail in the nation by the North American Bluebird Society and has been the largest and most productive trail in Wisconsin for the past two years. During its 9-year history, the ABT has
produced 32,000 songbirds, 25,000 of which were bluebirds.
Easy Home Composting
Saturday, March 26, 2011
9:30 am - 11:30 am
James P. Coughlin Center, Room A
625 E. County Road Y, Oshkosh
Joint program with Wild Ones Fox Valley Area
Dave Misterek will demonstration just how easy it is to convert household food items such as fruit and vegetable trimmings, coffee grounds and other kitchen wastes along with yard wastes such as leaves and grass clippings into a valuable soil conditioner for your garden, flower bed or yard. Dave is a member of Winnebago Audubon and has worked for Wisconsin DNR for 37 years as a Waste Management Specialist and Recycling Specialist. Through training as a Master Composter he is aware of the importance of recycling organics such as yard waste and food wastes into rich compost rather than filling up our landfills with organic materials. No fee or registration is necessary. No need to bring binoculars, boots, gloves or shovels. Just come and enjoy a pleasant morning of composting.