2025 World Migratory Bird Day and Other Birdy Events
World Migratory Bird Day events ahead
Scores of communities recognized for their bird-friendly ways through the Bird City Wisconsin program will be hosting bird festivals in the next few weeks, including on Saturday, May 10. That’s the day recognized globally as World Migratory Bird Day, and many birding organizations will be hosting events as well.
Migration, when 60-70% of bird mortality occurs, is the most perilous time of a bird’s life. Storms, loss of stopover habitat, window collisions, power lines, outdoor cats and other predators are part of the gauntlet birds survive to reach Wisconsin, Brady says.
The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2025 is "Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities." This theme emphasizes the importance of creating and adapting urban and rural spaces to support migratory bird populations. It highlights how communities can contribute to bird conservation through practices like reducing light pollution, planting native plants, and preventing bird collisions with windows.
Below is a list of many events compiled by SOS Save Our Songbirds and Bird City Wisconsin by date, and then alphabetically by location. Check your local nature center and bird conservation organization for listings as well.
Tuesday, April 15-June 15
Great Wisconsin Birdathon opens with novice and expert birders setting out across Wisconsin to see how many species they can find while raising money for the Bird Protection Fund. Start a team, join a team, or surprise a team with a donation big or small.
Wednesday, April 23
Powered Up Baraboo’s Native Shrubs & Trees for Birds & Bees, 6:30 p.m., Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library, 230 Fourth Avenue, Baraboo
Thursday, April 24
Fond du Lac’s World Migratory Bird Day with Amber Eschenbauch, kestrel researcher, 6-8 p.m., Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan Street, Fond du Lac
Friday-Saturday, April 25-26
Bird Fest in Green Lake, Friday-Saturday, April 25, 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 27, 3:30 p.m., Town Square Community Center, 492 Hill Street, Green Lake
Saturday, April 26
Bird City Algoma’s World Migratory Bird Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1715 Division St., Algoma
Sunday, April 27
Madison Bird & Nature Festival, noon to 4 p.m., Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Dr., Madison, WI
Thursday, May 1 – Monday, June 2
Waunakee World Migratory Bird Day Scavenger Hunt. Pick up a clue sheet starting May 1 at the library or village center and search for bird images hidden around the village for a chance to win a prize.
Friday, May 2-Friday, May 9
Fat Bird Week celebrates Wisconsin’s chunky native birds and shares how to help them! Every day people can vote online for their favorite bulbous bird from among 8 chubby contestants competing in a single elimination, bracket-style tournament.
Saturday, May 3
Wausau World Migratory Bird Day, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Marathon County Public Library Aquarium Room, 300 First Street, Wausau, WI 54403
Wings Over Alma Birding by Mini Train, 7:30 a.m.-Noon, with a warm brat lunch! 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, Shelter #1 (Kiwanis), 576 Pratt Trail, Menominee Park, Oshkosh
Friday-Saturday, May 9-10
20th Annual Bird & Wildlife Festival, North Lakeland Discovery Center, 14006 Discovery Lane, Manitowish Waters
Friday-Friday, May 9-18
Brew City Bird Festival in Milwaukee, various locations. Register for events.
Saturday, May 10
Crex Meadows Spring Festival in Grantsburg, events from 5.30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Registration for some events.
Wings of Spring Migration Celebration, 6 a.m. - noon, Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 279 South Cove Road
Hudson
Manitowoc World Migratory Bird Day, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lincoln Park Zoo, 1215 N 8th St., Manitowoc
World Migratory Bird Day celebration, Monona, 8 a.m.-noon, San Damiano Park, 4123 Monona Drive, Monona
McFarland Bird Festival, 9 a.m. to noon, Lewis Park Shelter, 5012 Highland Drive, McFarland
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge Annual Birding Festival, 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the refuge, W28488 Refuge Road, Trempealeau
Wausau’s Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum hosts “Keeping a Bird Friendly Yard,” 1-2:30 p.m., at the museum, 700 North 12th Street, Wausau, WI, 54403
Wauwatosa Bird City World Migratory Bird Day Spring Bird Tour at County Grounds Park, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Friday-Monday, May 9-11
2025 Horicon Marsh Bird Festival, Horicon. Registration required for events.
Thursday-Sunday, May 16-18
Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Convention, Stoney Creek Hotel, Onalaska
Washington Islands Birding Festival. Registration deadline is May 5.
Saturday, May 17
Forest Exploration Center’s World Migratory Bird Day Celebration, 7:30-9 a.m., Wauwatosa
Lake Michigan Bird Observatory World Migratory Bird Day and Native Plant Sale, 9-1 p.m., Picnic Area 6, Upper Lake Park, 554 N Lake St Port, Port Washington, WI 53074.
Bird City Wisconsin Rapids joins Wisconsin Rapids Kiwanis annual Youth Outdoor Day, 9 a.m., Wood County South Park – Red Sands Beach for a fun and educational bird identification and binoculars activity for youth 8-16 and their parents.
Woodland Dunes Nature Center’s Bird Breakfast & Migration Celebration, 8-11 a.m., 3000 Hawthorne Ave, Two Rivers. Advance registration required.
Thursday-Saturday, May 22-24
Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival, Ashland. Registration required.
Tuesday, June 10
Bird City Wisconsin Rapids hosts a Birding by Ear event, 7 p.m. at Helen’s House at the Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo, 1911 Gaynor Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids