Bird & Nature Outings

Discover nature by foot, paddle or pedal! Thanks to our nature expert volunteers, Madison Parks offers free, family-friendly Bird & Nature Outings at various park locations throughout the year. No registration is required. Participants are asked to wear appropriate clothing for the day, be prepared for mosquitoes when in-season, and wear footwear for the weather when hiking. Dogs are not permitted. Binoculars, cameras and children are welcome.

Thanks to the Madison Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) for their dedication and enthusiasm. Join the FUN! For more information or to volunteer, contact Paul Noeldner, (608) 698-0104.

Upcoming Events

• Saturday, August 24, 2019
  10:00am to 11:30am

  Bird & Nature Outing - Edna Taylor Conservation Park area

  Learn Bird ID with Dane Gallagher ~ Join Dane Gallagher with the Dane Co Humane Society Wildlife Center to explore hiking trails at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Edna Taylor Conservation Park.  Along the way Dane will help you look for birds and learn about Bird ID.   Join a naturalist for an easy family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation … Read more

• Sunday, August 25, 2019
  1:30pm to 3:00pm

  Bird & Nature Outing - UW's Lakeshore Preserve

  Citizen Science with Eva Lewandowski ~ Eva Lewandowski coordinates Wisconsin DNR Citizen Based Monitoring projects.  Join Eva for a fun and interesting walk at the Lakeshore Preserve.  Learn how people are helping count Wisconsin birds, identify native bees, and other ways we can get involved in learning more!   Join a naturalist for a family-friendly nature walk starting at Picnic Point to … Read more

• Sunday, September 1, 2019
  1:30pm to 3:00pm

  Bird & Nature Outing - Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, North

  Wildflower Wander with Sheila Leary ~ Join Master Naturalist Sheila Leary to wander paths in Cherokee Marsh and look for wildflowers in bloom. There will be many wildflowers to see in the prairies and wetlands. We’ll also learn about some invasive plants and Do-Not-Touch plants that cause rashes and blisters!  Wear comfortable hiking shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Bring bug … Read more

• Saturday, September 7, 2019
  2:30pm to 4:00pm

  Bird & Nature Outing - Tenney Park

  MSCR Pontoon Water Tour with Robin Kling ~ Special location and extended time!  Enjoy FREE MSCR Pontoon Water Tours at 1pm and 2:30pm!  Space is limited to 14 people each tour so arrive early at the MSCR Pontoon dock to check in with the crew and get your life jacket.  Join Master Naturalist Robin Kling for a water tour and learn about SECCI disks and other tools for water quality testing.  … Read more

• Sunday, September 8, 2019
  1:30pm to 3:00pm

  Bird & Nature Outing - Turville Point Conservation Park

  Fall Walk with Friends of Olin Turville ~ Join Andria Blattner and other Friends of Olin Turville to explore easy hiking paths at Turville Point Conservation Park on Madison's south side near the Coliseum.  Learn about the historic oak woodlands where Great Horned Owls nest and Native Americans came by canoe to pick berries and nuts. Follow the Bluebird Trail around the restored central prairie … Read more

• Saturday, September 14, 2019
  2:30pm to 4:00pm

  Bird & Nature Outing, Owen Conservation Park

  Fall Birding is Fun! with Chuck Henrikson ~ Join birding enthusiast Chuck Henrikson for a fun and eductional fall walk at Owen Park to look for birds.  Enjoy scenic vistas at the highest point on Madison's west side with the Capitol in the distance. Learn Fun Facts about bird feathers, bones, beaks and other fascinating details. Explore Owen Conservation Park on gentle trails through historic … Read more

• Sunday, September 15, 2019
  1:30pm to 3:00pm

  Bird & Nature Outing - Warner Park

  Native Technology and Natural Resources with Kathlean Wolf ~ Learn how the Ho-Chunk and other Wisconsin tribes used the abundant natural materials like those present in Warner Park to create comfortable and beautiful homes and clothing; gather and preserve healthy food and medicine, and build precision tools and luxury items. Enjoy an informal family and kid-friendly nature walk around the … Read more

• Saturday, September 21, 2019
  10:00am to 11:30am

  Bird & Nature Outing - Starkweather Creek area

  Bike Tour with Friends of Starkweather Creek ~ Take a 'slow roll' nature outing to explore the wonderful bike trails along Starkweather Creek!  Friends of Starkweather Creek board members will show you the way and help you learn about this beautiful urban waterway flowing through the heart of Madison's east side and the parks and natural areas that surround it.  Some bikes may be available to … Read more

• Sunday, September 22, 2019
  1:30pm to 3:00pm

  Bird & Nature Outing - UW's Lakeshore Nature Preserve

  ICF Crane Walk with Hannah Jones ~ Join International Crane Foundation staff on a nature hike as we explore the importance of wetlands and nearby natural habitat for crane conservation.  What does our world look like from the viewpoint of a Sandhill Crane?  If you’re lucky, we may even see a pair of cranes! Attend this walk and see what cranes are all about!   Join a naturalist for a … Read more

• Saturday, September 28, 2019
  10:00am to 11:30am

  Bird & Nature Outing - Edna Taylor Conservation Park

  Early Bird Migration with Dane Gallagher ~ Join Dane Gallagher with Dane Co Wildlife Center to explore hiking trails and look for birds at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and through the ponds and woodlands of beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park on Madison's south east side. Some birds are already starting fall migration!  Dane will help you spot them and share some Fun Facts. NOTE: Meeting … Read more