Field Trips

Beginning Birding at Picnic Point
April 26 (Saturday) 7:30-10:00 AM
Come on a leisurely walk to learn techniques to help you enjoy identifying and observing birds in their preferred habitats. Co-sponsored by the Madison Audubon Society.
Meet near the bus shelter at the Class of 1918 Marsh Parking Lot.
Leader: Al Holzhueter (238-0546).

Walking Through Time: A Geologist's Perspective on the Preserve
April 26 (Saturday) 2:00-3:30 PM
Learn about the geologic history of the Preserve as revealed in the landscape of the Muir Woods area and in the grand stone buildings located on adjacent Bascom Hill. Meet at the north (Observatory Drive) side of North Hall, where John Muir once lived. Parking is available in Lot 34.
Leader: Bill Barker (263-0540)

In Search of Spring
April 27 (Sunday) 2:00-3:30 PM
Come join a naturalist’s spring exploration of the Preserve’s woods and fields to see what is blooming, who is singing, what smells so good, which plants you can eat, what is going on and why nature is so amazing. All ages welcome – especially the young at heart.
Meet at the Frautschi Parking Lot.
Leader: David Eagan (249-0409)

Wetland Appreciation
May 3 (Saturday) 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Develop an appreciation of the freshwater communities centered on the Class of 1918 Marsh – birds, insects, plankton, whatever shows up. Be prepared to wade into shallow water (using barn boots, old shoes, or sandals that will not come off in mud). We will supply some sampling gear. We will also look for effects of watershed land use on the marsh.
Meet at the Class of 1918 Marsh Parking Lot.
Leaders: Stanley and Ginny Dodson (email: sidodson@wisc.edu)

Wildflowers and Ecology of Bill's Woods
May 11 (Sunday) 1:00-3:00 PM
Experience the beauty of ephemeral wildflowers and learn why particular species of wildflowers have been reintroduced into specific sites in Bill’s Woods.
Meet at the Picnic Point Parking Lot.
Leader: Glenda Denniston (231-1530)

Warblers of Frautschi Point
May 14 (Wednesday) 7:30-9:30 AM
While we will focus on seeing warblers through the leafy foliage, we will also look for any other spring migrants. Meet at the Frautschi Point Parking Lot on Lake Mendota Drive.
Leader: Roma Lenehan (238-5406)

Birding Picnic Point
May 18 (Sunday) 7:30-10:30 AM
Join us to look for migrant and resident birds. Picnic Point is a migrant trap in bad weather and can produce spectacular collections of migrants. Co-sponsored by the Madison Audubon Society.
Meet at the Class of 1918 Marsh Parking Lot.
Leaders: Peter Fissel and Dan Doeppers (255-3013)

Bird Banding at Biocore Prairie Bird Observatory
May 24 (Saturday) 8:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Learn about bird banding (possibly with a bird in hand) and appreciate the importance of bird banding to conservation. Co-sponsored by the Madison Audubon Society. Park at the Frautschi Point or Picnic Point Parking Lot and walk to the Biocore Prairie.
Leader: Mara McDonald (274-2534)

Celebrate the Preservation of Wally Bauman Woods
May 31 (Saturday) 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Join us for a celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the National Heritage Land Trust in the first of its treasured preservation sites, Wally Bauman Woods. Learn about the history of this preservation effort and see this beautiful oak woodland and its wildflowers. Co-sponsored by the National Heritage Land Trust. Meet at Raymer's Cove Parking Lot off Lake Mendota Drive.
Leaders: Jim Welsh (258-9797), Jean Meanwell and Harriet Riley

Picnic Point Plans and Challenges in Restoration
June 14 (Saturday) 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Join with Cathie Bruner, Field Manager of the Preserve, to look at current conditions and to discuss restoration management plans for the Picnic Point peninsula. Share your ideas and learn about the Point’s history and future plans.
Meet at the Picnic Point Parking Lot.
Leader: Cathie Bruner (265-9275)

Biocore Prairie Restoration: History and Research
June 21 (Saturday) 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Experience this beautiful continually evolving prairie restoration. Learn about the ways the prairie restoration is used for undergraduate teaching and research.
Meet at the Picnic Point Parking Lot.
Leaders: Seth McGee and Janet Batzli (263-1594)

The Emerald Ash Borer
June 28 (Saturday) 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Learn about this potential insect menace – its history, biology, scope of the problem, potential damage, and various management options. Before you attend, please review Professor Williamson's excellent illustrated fact sheet: www.entomology.wisc.edu/emeraldashborer.
Meet at the Picnic Point Parking Lot.
Leader: Chris Williamson (262-4608)

Lake Mendota and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve
July 16 (Wednesday) 1:00-3:00 PM (Weather date on Wednesday, July 23)
Come learn about the ecotone (transition) and the interactions between the lake and the Preserve. Find out about the changes in Lake Mendota over the years. The boat we will use is the LIMNOS, operated by the Center for Limnology for teaching and research. Group size will be limited to 12 participants.
Meet at the Limnology Parking Lot 8. Park in Lot 34.
Leader: John Magnuson (email: jjmagnus@wisc.edu)

Butterflies and Dragonflies of the Picnic Point Area
July 19 (Saturday) 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Join us in a search for butterflies, dragonflies, and an occasional bird. Bring your binoculars.
Co-sponsored by the Madison Audubon Society and by the Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association.
Meet at the Picnic Point Parking Lot.
Leader: Edgar Spalding (265-5294)

Frautschi Point Savanna Restorations
August 16 (Saturday) 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Explore lesser-known parts of Frautschi Point with Glenda Denniston. She has transformed an ugly erosion gully into a beautiful insect garden and a buckthorn thicket into a cedar glade since her restoration efforts began in 2003.
Meet at the Frautschi Point Parking Lot on Lake Mendota Drive.
Leader: Glenda Denniston (231-1530)

Return of the Natives in Bill's Woods
August 23 (Saturday) 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Come see the increase in plant and insect diversity in the wet savanna restoration in Upper Bill's Woods, at bur oak saplings along field edges and at other savanna projects in the Preserve. With luck, many of these beautiful plants will be in bloom.
Meet at the Picnic Point Parking Lot.
Leader: Glenda Denniston (231-1530)

Fall Birding at Picnic Point
September 13 (Saturday) 8:00-10:00 AM
Come search for fall migrants, including confusing fall warblers and sparrows. Co-sponsored by the Madison Audubon Society. Meet at the Class of 1918 Marsh Parking Lot.
Leaders: Eric Wood and Marty Evanson (271-6846)

Bird Banding at Biocore Prairie Bird Observatory
September 13 (Saturday) 8:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Learn about bird banding (possibly with a bird in hand) and appreciate the importance of bird banding to conservation. Co-sponsored by the Madison Audubon Society.
Park at the Frautschi Point or Picnic Point Parking Lots and walk to the Biocore Prairie.
Leader: Mara McDonald (274-2534)

Madison Audubon Field Trips to the Lakeshore Nature Preserve
For specifics (time and place) about Audubon Field Trips, call 255-2476 or check the Audubon Caws or their Web Site: www.madisonaudubon.org)