2024 World Migratory Bird Day events
Insects and their importance to migratory birds is the focus of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day celebration. Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species, not only during the breeding seasons but also during their extensive journeys and greatly affect the timing, duration, and overall success of bird migrations.
World Migratory Bird Day is officially celebrated on the second Saturday of May in Canada and the United States, and the second Saturday of October in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Known Wisconsin events on the official day or another day are listed below in chronological order and alphabetically by host community. If your event is missing, please send information to lisa.gaumnitz@sossaveoursongbirds.org
Thursday, April 25
World Migratory Bird Day for Fond du Lac, 6 p.m., Fond du Lac Public Library, McLane Meeting Room, 32 Sheboygan Street, Fond du Lac
Friday-Saturday, April 26-27
Bird Fest in Green Lake, Friday, April 26, 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 27, 3:30 p.m., Town Square Community Center,
492 Hill Street, Green Lake
Saturday, April 27
Bird City Algoma’s International Migratory Bird Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1715 Division St., Algoma
Wausau World Migratory Bird Day, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monk Botanical Gardens, 1800 North 1st Ave., Wausau
Sunday, April 28
Madison Bird & Nature Festival, noon to 4 p.m., 2930 North Sherman Ave., Madison
Thursday, May 2
Fond du Lac Bird City & World Migratory Bird Day Celebration, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, 51 Sheboygan Street, Fond du Lac
Saturday, May 4
Wings Over Alma Mini Train Ride, 1 p.m. View returning flyway birds on this non-guided mini-train ride through the Tiffany Bottoms. Reserve your seat now.
Party for the Planet, Henry Vilas Zoo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 702 S. Randall Ave., Madison
Oshkosh Bird Fest, 6 a.m. to noon, Lakeshore Park Pavilion, 1875 Punhoqua St., Oshkosh
Friday-Sunday, May 10-12
Northwoods Birding and Wildlife Festival, North Lakeland Discovery Center, 14006 Discovery Lane, Manitowish Waters
Friday-Friday, May 10-17
Brew City Bird Festival in Milwaukee, various locations. Register for events.
Saturday, May 11
Crex Meadows Spring Festival in Grantsburg, events from 5.30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Registration for some events.
Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge World Migratory Bird Day, Turner Tract, Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, N541 County Highway H, Genoa City
Waukesha County Land Conservancy's event, “Conservation Chronicles” is a children's book reading and an optional guided hike from 10 a.m. to noon at the pavilion and native plant sale pickup. Order online at Johnson's Nursery through May 5, pick up from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at WCLC's Hartland Marsh Preserve in Hartland.
Manitowoc World Migratory Bird Day, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lincoln Park Zoo, 1215 N 8th St., Manitowoc
World Migratory Bird Day walk in Monona, 8 a.m., San Damiano Park, 4123 Monona Drive, Monona
McFarland Bird Festival, 9 a.m. to noon, Lewis Park, 5012 Highland Drive, McFarland
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge Annual Birding Festival, 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the refuge, W28488 Refuge Rd., Trempealeau
Friday-Monday, May 10-13
2024 Horicon Marsh Bird Festival, Horicon. Registration required for events.
Thursday-Sunday, May 17-19
Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Convention at Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve, 3000 Hawthorne Ave., Two Rivers. Advance registration closes April 25; onsite registration at the conference.
Washington Islands Birding Festival. Registration deadline is May 5.
May 17th - May 19th, 2024
Saturday, May 18
Woodland Dunes Nature Center’s Bird Breakfast & Migration Celebration, 8-11 a.m., 3000 Hawthorne Ave, Two Rivers. Advance registration required.
Thursday-Saturday, May 23-25
Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival, Ashland. Registration required.