Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition: Year-round movements of Rough-legged Hawks wintering in WI
The OWBC is partnering with the Southern WI Bird Alliance to offer this program. From 2021-2022, nine GPS transmitters were attached to wintering Rough-legged Hawks in Wisconsin. Many of these transmitters are still functioning and have provided multiple years of full annual cycle movements. Come learn about the year-round movements of Rough-legged Hawks wintering in the great state of Wisconsin, and how these nine birds fit into the broader Rough-legged Hawk Project that has tracked nearly 200 hawks throughout North America.
Neil Paprocki recently completed his PhD at the University of Idaho studying differential migration in birds. Neil has been a professional ornithologist for 17 years and has been working with Rough-legged Hawks for nearly 15 years.
Ages 12+ | No registration necessary for this virtual presentation on Zoom.
Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition: New Years Field Trip & Lunch
The Noel J. Cutright Bird Club is inviting all members of Ozaukee Washington Birding Coalition organizations to participate in their annual “Every Bird Is a New Bird” Field Trip to launch your 2025 list! We will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Coal Dock Park in Port Washington and end at noon with lunch (sub sandwiches, chips, cookies and beverages) in the Riveredge Nature Center barn.
Ages 12+ | Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Please RSVP to Carl Schwartz at [email protected] or at 414-416-3272 by Dec 28 or sooner so that we have enough food. Yes — there is such a thing as free lunch! Trip leaders: Carl Schwartz and Joan Sommer
New and experienced birders needed to count birds within a 15 mile circle around Riveredge. Backyard feeder counters needed as well. Help for all or part of the day!
Ages 18+ (kids can assist)
Contact Mary Holleback at [email protected] or 262-416-1224 to register.
Pre-registration required by December 13 at 12:00 pm (noon)
Registration
Ages 18+ | Free Contact Mary Holleback at [email protected] or 262-416-1224 to register
Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition Owl Prowl at Cedarburg Bog
Join the Cedarburg Bog Owl Prowl team as we search for owls. We will be looking for Barred, Great-Horned, Northern Saw-whet, and Eastern Screech-Owls for sure and maybe a rare species such as Long-eared Owl. There are no guarantees as owls can be fickle; however, we have never struck out when weather conditions are right! Bring binoculars, water, and a small flashlight. We will mostly be owling along Blue Goose Road and possibly St. Augustine Road with a few short forays off these roads into the woods and/or into the Bog itself. We will be standing in place for extended periods of time so dress warmly with good walking shoes or boots. You may want to eat a snack or early dinner before arrival. If there are strong winds, heavy precipitation, and/or severe temperatures, this outing may be postponed. The OWBC will let you know in the afternoon by email if there is a postponement.
Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition Motus in WI at MNP & on Zoom
“Motus in Wisconsin: A Big Leap in Wildlife Tracking” by Jacob Woulf , Motus coordinator for Lake Michigan Bird Observatory
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is a collaborative research effort that uses small radio tags and receiving stations to detect animals (primarily birds) as they move across the landscape. Unlike GPS transmitters that give precise location data, Motus tags emit a radio signal that can only be detected within a short distance (~9miles) of a Motus tower. Many organisms that carry Motus tags are not large enough for a GPS transmitter; Motus tags are also significantly less expensive than GPS transmitters. Because of their limited detection range, Motus towers must be strategically placed. Lake Michigan Bird Observatory (LMBO) received a large grant to construct 16 Motus stations along the western shore of Lake Michigan and also is working on a buildout of stations moving westward across the state.
Woulf graduated from UW-Green Bay in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in animal biology and in 2022 with a master’s degree in environmental science and policy. While there he tracked movements of American White Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants during the breeding season; he was hired by LMBO to help expand the Motus network in Wisconsin.
We are excited to showcase new academic talent! Uncover insights into the natural world and support the next generation of scholars by attending the Student Research Symposium on November 9th. Undergraduate and graduate students from colleges and universities in our region will present their research with posters and oral presentations. The day includes a keynote from a distinguished speaker and a catered lunch. Come for all or part of the day.
There will becash prizes up to $300 awarded for the best oral and poster presentations. This year, we’ve increased the award pool, creating more chances to win! Plus, all student presenters will receive a Riveredge Membership just for participating!
Student Presenter: $15 – Register by November 4th to have your abstract considered Supporter registration by November 3: $5 Supporter registration after November 3: $7 Children under 12: free (must be accompanied by an adult)
We invite college students to submit an abstract of a current research project to present in oral or poster form at our Student Research Symposium. This year’s theme is “Signals, Systems, and Seasons.” Submissions are welcome in the categories of biology, environmental science, chemistry, geology, and other sciences, but also in the humanities, arts, and other disciplines where research intersects with the overall theme. Judging and prize information coming soon! To apply, register using the button above and submit the following to Jana Gedymin at [email protected]. There will becash prizes up to $300 awarded for the best oral and poster presentations. This year, we’ve increased the award pool, creating more chances to win! Plus, all presenters will receive a Riveredge Membership just for participating! DEADLINE: November 4th!
-Email subject line: RNC Abstract 2024_[your last name] -250-500 word description of your research -Name / pronouns -School, major / focus -Indicate graduate /undergraduate level -Working title for presentation -Preference for oral presentation (12 minutes) or poster
“Adventures in Studying the Diversity of Life,” Dr. Gary S. Casper, Director of Biodiversity Programs, Mequon Nature Preserve
About Dr. Casper: Dr. Gary S. Casper was involved with the initial creation of the Mequon Nature Preserve (MNP) through the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, and continues to direct wildlife studies at MNP. He has over 40 years’ experience in wildlife ecology and biodiversity studies. After 20 years at the Milwaukee Public Museum, he has continued to focus on wildlife conservation in the western Great Lakes region through the UWM Field Station, Great Lakes Ecological Services, and local land trusts. Gary has over 100 publications; his latest book is Field Guide to the Amphibian Eggs and Larvae of the Western Great Lakes.
Gary participates in many ecological restoration projects and biodiversity studies in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. His team invented the concept of Species of Local Conservation Interest in order to identify biodiversity at risk on local landscapes. He runs biodiversity programs for the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, land trusts, and private land owners, and has developed protocols for surveying crayfish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds that are in widespread use. Gary has pioneered the use of automated bioacoustic systems for monitoring wildlife. Gary enjoys recreating in the Kettle Moraine landscapes.
Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition Owls- Fact or Fiction at Riveredge & on Zoom
“Owls – Fact or Fiction?” with Mary Holleback & Dan Wundrock What’s a group of owls called? How far away can an owl see at night? How do they find their prey? Just how good is their hearing? Learn some fun trivia about a variety of Wisconsin’s most secretive night time avian predators. You might even find out “who cooks for you” or whoooooo’s the earliest nester in the state!
This program is offered in-person and virtually. If joining in person, meet at Riveredge. The presentation will be held in the barn. Zoom link is found below!
Ages 18+. Free to attend. No pre-registration required.
The Noel J. Cutright Bird Club, in cooperation with the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory and OWBC, will host its annual “Big Sit!” at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve, five miles north of Port Washington. The count begins on the Bill Cowart Memorial Hawk Watch Platform on the northeast corner of the preserve. The Sit’s 17-foot circle is on the perfectly-sized hawk watch platform at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve. Since 2007, birders have recorded a total of 262 species at Forest Beach. Join for a half- hour, or just part of the day!
Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition Fall Bird Identification at Riveredge & on Zoom
Are you baffled by confusing fall warblers? Do lbb’s (little brown birds) have you stumped? Would you like to impress other birders with your knowledge of hawk identification while watching them stream by the platform at Forest Beach? Then this program is for you. Carl Schwartz, president of the NJC Bird Club, will share some tips and tricks to help you ID some of Wisconsin’s most challenging fall migrants.
This program is offered in-person and virtually. If joining in person, meet at Riveredge. The presentation will be held in the barn. Zoom link is found below!
Ages 18+. Free to attend. No pre-registration required.
