Local Bird Walks
Come Walk with Us! - Join other nature and bird nerds on a local bird walk to see if we can find birds around natural areas in Stevens Point. Please note: During the summer, the schedule is not every week. Scroll down for dates and times.
Details:
Arrive at 7:30AM. Walk begins at 7:35. Duration of walk is weather dependent. With milder temperatures walks average one mile and last about 2 hours at your average birder’s leisurely pace. Walks alternate between Saturdays and Sundays and sample the same location for 2 weeks. Expect walk duration to increase with the warmer temps and increased bird diversity in the spring. Walks take place in most weather conditions. In below zero temperatures we may opt for a different activity other than the walk.
Walks are free and open to anyone interested. No pre-registration required to attend, just simply show up to the rendezvous point listed for each week at 7:30AM. Hope to see you there!
What to bring:
-
Binoculars
-
Camera if you have one
-
Weather appropriate garb
-
Good hiking shoes/boots
-
Good vibes
Weekly announcements and reports are made on the Portage Co Birding and SP Nature Wanderings Facebook groups. For questions contact Rob Pendergast at acadiantigerheron@gmail.com or call/text (715) 498-4885 - email is preferred.
Schedule is below.
Spring Bird Walks
Spring Bird Walks (May - June)
No walk May 10/11
Self-guided Bird Walk Tips
May is an amazing time to get out and experience the spectacle of migration! Warblers are always one of the most exciting groups this time of year. Many of our local parks and trails can yield good results. Paper Mill Trail, Mead Dike Trail, Iverson Park, Koziczkowski Park/Erickson Natural Area, and Galecke Park can yield all sorts of fun.
Buena Vista can also be productive. The predawn chorus is unparalleled, many birds will be singing before the sun rises. Grasshopper and Henslow’s Sparrows will be back and singing. Orchard Orioles will also be present in most forest edge type habitats. Butterfly diversity will also start to pick up.
May 2025
Paper Mill Trail
Sat, May 17 - 7:30AM
Sun, May 25 - 7:30AM
Meet at the terminus of Cedar St W in Whiting. We will hike to the confluence and then over to the old mill site looking for warblers, migrating raptors, and Lark Sparrow. Expect to walk around 3 miles and be out for a few hours.
Google Maps Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SsEGWRFRyj9wRHB6A?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
GPS Coordinates: 44.4864391, -89.5576202
Description: This section of trail includes a few hills, but is well maintained and consists mostly of gravel. Mosquitoes may be out around these dates, so wear long sleeves and pants or bring bug spray. If the weather calls for thunderstorms or heavy rains, expect the walk to be canceled. After the walk, anyone that is willing to come help pull garlic mustard from Erickson Natural Area is welcome!
May - June 2025
Buena Vista Grassland
Sat, May 31 - 9:00AM
Sun, June 8 - 9:00AM
Meet at the historical marker near the intersection of County W and County F. We will carpool to a few different sites looking for birds and butterflies. Most walks will be short in duration and we will stick to roads that are maintained.
Google Maps Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/72GZ8W8dt55sKBqYA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
GPS Coordinates: 44.3371459, -89.6434382
Description: We will cover several roads that are paved or dirt, the route may vary depending on road integrity. Mosquitoes may be present depending on rain, so be prepared for biters in certain areas. Walking will be mild and expect to be out for at least 2 hours.