Chequamegon Audubon Society

07/02/2025

Join us at Beaver Hollow on Thursday, July 10th at 10am, as Bob Boucher discusses beavers' critical role as structural engineers who benefit watersheds, and the need to manage their population accurately using the best available science. Register for this free event here: https://northpikescreek.org/.../beavers-ecosystem-services/

Join us at Beaver Hollow on Thursday, July 10th at 10am, as Bob Boucher discusses beavers' critical role as structural engineers who benefit watersheds, and the need to manage their population accurately using the best available science. Register for this free event here: https://northpikescreek.org/calendar-event/beavers-ecosystem-services/

07/01/2025

Did you know 1 BILLION birds are killed each year in the United States from window strikes?
The good news is everyone can help! Breaking up the reflections of the sky and plants in windows with a ¼” sized dot or line spaced 2”x 2” apart helps birds see the window.
Even if you see birds fly away after hitting a window, unfortunately most of them will die from the injury.
For more information, ways to help, and options read more at: https://abcbirds.org/glass-collisions/ and https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/bird-friendly-building-toolkit

Photo: Necedah National Wildlife Refuge’s Visitor Center (along with all Necedah’s refuge buildings) are having bird collision prevention dots added to all windows with the help of additional USFWS staff from Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge by Katie Goodwin/USFWS

06/30/2025

Last day to comment is today, June 30. Link is in the article.

Caribou, migrating birds and many other types of wildlife rely on this expanse of wetlands and tundra. Humanity and the climate depend on a healthy Arctic, too.

06/29/2025

"For migrating songbirds, these agricultural fields offer little food and practically no shelter. Researchers compare the trek to flying over larger natural barriers like the Gulf of Mexico."

A Cornell University study has found that songbirds are changing their migration patterns when traveling through what’s known as the “Corn Belt,” vast stretches of farmland in the Midwest.

06/28/2025

As of today, June 26th, we’ve reached a record 85 pairs and 95 nests of Great Lakes Piping Plovers—surpassing our 2024 pair count by 4! We’re optimistic that this number could continue to grow a bit, as a few unpaired or previously paired individuals may soon find mates. Currently, we have 66 active nests or broods, with 22 still being incubated. So far, 154 chicks from 47 wild broods have hatched, and we’ve confirmed our first fledged brood in Green Bay, Wisconsin and several more will fledge over the next 2 weeks!
A couple of stand-out sites this year include Apostle Island NL, WI which reached 7 pairs, a record for the site! And Cheboygan State Park, MI had a pair establish a nest the first time at that site since 1989! At the Captive Rearing Center located at the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS), there are 24 chicks from 7 broods and 8 more eggs still incubating. The first captive reared chicks will be released into the wild in the coming weeks. While this season has brought its share of challenges and losses, there’s still so much to celebrate. These milestones wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated monitors, volunteers, zookeepers in captive-rearing and many more—thank you for all you do for the Recovery Effort!

Photo by Mary Lundeberg

06/28/2025

Researchers say urgent conservation efforts will be needed to mitigate the ‘shocking statistic’ that threatens to unravel ecosystems

06/21/2025

Fall Birding tour to the Veracruz Mexico area.
“River of Raptors” with up to 5 million hawks, kites and vultures moving through plus dozens of neo-tropical migrant species including songbirds and huge flocks of waterbirds.
Wide diversity of landscapes and habitats from coastal mangroves to pine and cloud forests.
Visits to at least 2 per-Hispanic sites from ancient Totonacan culture and one of the best anthropological museums in Latin America.
Excellent local Mexican, locally grown coffee and fruits.
Relaxed pace including ample time from the comfort of the Hawk Watch platform with an easy jump back into the van to other birding hotspots and even river boat birding.
Expect to observe 240+ species including several endemics. Eduardo Martinez is the Lead Guide.

Send a message to learn more

06/20/2025

Several of you have asked us how you start to convert your yard/flower garden into a native plant garden. It can seem so overwhelming! Joe Groshek and Sandy Sky have volunteered to let us use their garden as a demonstration area. Come join us! We plan to meet there on Saturday, June 21st, at 1 pm. Joe and Sandy will have the site prepped and ready to plant but we will talk about how to prep a site, how to choose plants, and how densely to plant. And then we will plant a small area! Everyone is welcome to this free event.

Send a message to learn more

06/18/2025

Swallows are a great example of "if they're on the ground, they need help"! While some swallows will occasionally forage insects off the ground, the vast majority of their food is caught "on the wing," or as they're flying. These birds never go through a "fledgling on the ground" phase like most other species - they fledge straight from the nest, capable of flight!
Often, generalized advice about fledglings having to spend a few days on the ground gets applied to inappropriate species, like swallows, which unfortunately leads to poor outcomes for these individuals. There are many species of birds that should NOT be on the ground unable to fly at all.

These young Barn Swallows were rescued after their nest fell. Unfortunately, the finder refused to attempt renesting, so the only option was to bring them in for care.

Swallows are a great example of "if they're on the ground, they need help"! While some swallows will occasionally forage insects off the ground, the vast majority of their food is caught "on the wing," or as they're flying. These birds never go through a "fledgling on the ground" phase like most other species - they fledge straight from the nest, capable of flight!

Often, generalized advice about fledglings having to spend a few days on the ground gets applied to inappropriate species, like swallows, which unfortunately leads to poor outcomes for these individuals. There are many species of birds that should NOT be on the ground unable to fly at all.

The best way to make sure you're addressing a bird emergency properly? Take pictures and call before bringing a patient in for care! By getting more information from you, we can determine the species and age of the bird, and give you the best advice based on this information.

Please do not assume that because a bird is on the ground and not flying that that is where it belongs. When in doubt, get pictures and contact your nearest bird rehabilitator right away!