Join the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, Feminist Bird Club of Madison, and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance for an awesome Black Birders Week event celebrating black birders and the love of birds on June 1 at Fair Meadows Sanctuary near Milton. Fair Meadows is usually closed to the public, but this special event will give you access to enjoy the beautiful prairies, woodlands, and wetlands of the sanctuary and state natural area. Join a guided walk through the sanctuary, or explore on your own.

Wapaha the Golden Eagle that will join in the Black Birders Week event. *Photo provided by Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center*

In addition to exploring Fair Meadows, you will get a chance to learn about and see UP CLOSE four wonderful, live, educational raptors provided by Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center in Milton! The raptors that Hoo’s Woods will bring to the event are a Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Saw-whet Owl, and if weather permits, a Great Gray Owl. Attendees will learn about these birds while Hoo’s Woods staff hold them.

FAMILY FRIENDLY:

This event is great for kids and adults alike! In addition to the raptor event and hikes, we will have Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance educators available with materials and activities for kids to engage in during the event.

AGENDA OF THE EVENT:

10:00 Arrivals and orientation
10:30-12:00 Raptor presentation by Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center
12:00-12:30 Lunch provided by event hosts
12:30-2:00 Guided and solo hikes through Fair Meadows Sanctuary

WHEELCHAIR USE: Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (formerly Madison Audubon) has one electric-powered wheelchair available for anyone to use for free. You can learn more about it here, and request it in the form when you register.

Or, if you want to use a more rugged, all-terrain, outdoor wheelchair for this field trip, Access Ability Wisconsin offers them for free! To reserve a chair and trailer, visit their website.

ABOUT BLACK BIRDERS WEEK: Black Birders Week is May 26-June 1, 2024. This week-long nation-wide series of events highlights and celebrates birders and naturalists of color in the outdoors. Black Birders Week is organized by The BlackAFInSTEM Collective – a collective that “seeks to support, uplift, and amplify Black Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics professionals in natural resources and the environment through professional development, career connection, and community engagement.”

ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES:

Trail grade and #/type of trail impediments are ok for those with difficulty walking or wearing children in packs
Field trip leader is adept at birding by ear and can accommodate those with visual impairments
Outdoor electric-powered wheelchair provided upon request

APPROXIMATE DISTANCE HIKED: 0-3 miles (depending on your preferences of activities)

RAIN DATE: June 2

RSVP REQUIRED? Yes, space is limited.