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Bird City Wisconsin Info
Superior was again recognized as a Bird City for 2021 with a "Sustained Flight Award" for implementing sound practices and fostering public education on important bird conservation issues. The city became a Bird City in 2013.
About Bird City
Bird City Wisconsin, was created in 2009 and began recognizing communities the following year. The program recognizes municipalities for the conservation and education activities that they undertake to make their communities healthy for birds . . . and people.
To be recognized as a Bird city, a community must meet criteria spread across six categories: habitat creation and protection, community forest management, limiting threats to birds, education, energy and sustainability, and the official recognition and celebration of Word Migratory Bird Day.
The Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory assumed fiscal sponsorship of Bird City Wisconsin in October 2018. The Observatory is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that conducts coordinated research, monitoring, and education to advance the conservation of birds and bats in Wisconsin and throughout the Western Great Lakes Region. It took over from the Milwaukee Audubon Society, which served as Bird City's fiscal sponsor since 2009, when the society was awarded the TogetherGreen planning grant that launched the successful program.
Participating in Bird City Wisconsin results in:
- Improved habitat conditions for breeding and migrating birds
- Sound management of urban forests
- Reduced hazards for birds
- Improved public understanding and appreciation of birds and their needs
- Broad recognition of International Migratory Bird Day and the annual life-cycle of neo-tropical migrant birds
- Active and coordinated engagement in conservation activities by organizations, individuals, schools, local government, and businesses
- A strong sense of community pride in its conservation accomplishments and ethic.
For more information, visit www.BirdCityWisconsin.org.
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events at this time.
Public Education Links regarding creating and enhancing backyard habitats for birds
One important item is public education related to creating and enhancing backyard habitats for birds. The following are links to sites with important information about creating backyard habitats and protecting birds from window strikes and cats.- Preventing window strikes
- Protecting birds from cats
- Creating bird friendly communities
- Creating a bird friendly yard with native Wisconsin plants
- Attracting birds , tips from the National Wildlife Federation
- All About Birds by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
- Birding and Bird Conservation - Wisconsin DNR
- Visit Bird City Wisconsin for more information.
Bird Sightings
A female Common Eider took up residence with a fleet of Mallard ducks at the Barker's Island causeway (under the bridge) in 2015. This is the first time this bird has been spotted in Lake Superior in Wisconsin. It arrived in the area after a powerful storm in November and had been in Canal Park in Duluth, MN. However that area froze over and the bird made the jump to Wisconsin. She was obliging to birders and photographers, from 10-20 feet away. Here is a photo of the bird, taken by Robbye Johnson.
During the annual Christmas Bird Count on January 2, 2016, a Gyrfalcon was sighted on Connor's Point. Photo courtesy of Robbye Johnson
Below are some photos from our 2019 Celebration!
