Whether you’re a birding enthusiast or just looking for another reason to get outside, we’ve got good news for you. It’s time for the annual Great Wisconsin Birdathon.
The event is put on by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin and serves as the state’s biggest bird conservation fundraiser. The event was founded in 2012 and has since raised almost $1 million dollars for bird protection in Wisconsin.
Money has been used to protect some of the state’s most threatened and endangered bird species, conduct research, education, outreach, and more. This year, the group hoped to raise $125,000.
How It Works
It’s simple, really. The concept is similar to a walk-a-thon style fundraiser, but instead of counting miles, participants count birds. Just rally a team to bird with and register online, from there, the adventure is up to you.
Teams can compete over a 24-hour period, over a weekend, or throughout the entire birdathon anywhere in Wisconsin. Sightings can be logged through June 15 and so far, more than 60 teams have joined the event.
Hot tip, the city hosts free bird and nature adventures throughout the year at various parks throughout Madison. Like the birdathon, these events are always family-friendly and free to attend.
If you need gear, try checking out a birding backpack from the Madison Public Library. Several local neighborhood community centers were also recently gifted birding backpacks from the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin.
Fat Bird Week
New this year, the foundation is also organizing Wisconsin Fat Bird Week.
From April 19 through April 26, eight different birds will go head to head and voters will determine who advances to the next round until one bird ultimately claims the title chonkiest of them all. In the bird world, fat is a good thing, and the more the better.
The competitors include the Plump Pine Warbler, Top Heavy Tree Swallow, Hefty Horned Lark, Gluttonous Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Dumpy Dark-Eyed Junco, Bountiful Barn Swallow, Rotund Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, and Chonky Canada Warbler.
The winner will be announced at a special webinar April 30.
Only one chonk will reign supreme and my money is on Dumpy.
