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.
Details:
Most walks start at 7:30AM, but times may vary depending on season or location. We normally wait about 5 extra minutes before beginning the walk before birding for anyone running a little late. Duration and distance of each walk vary depending on season and relevant weather conditions. During spring we may be out for 4-5 hours and walk up to 3 miles, in winter outings may be point counts via car caravan and may only be out for an hour and change. Each walk description will go over what to expect. Walks may be cancelled due to inclement weather - heavy rain, subzero temperatures, or other forms of severe weather would warrant cancellation. Check either the Portage County Birding or SP Nature Wander Pages for updates.
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:
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Binoculars
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Camera if you have one
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Weather appropriate garb
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Good hiking shoes/boots
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Good vibes
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.
Since the walks began in December 2023, we have recorded over 160 species and had 100 participants!
Schedule is below.
Winter Bird Walks
Winter Bird Walks (December-February)
December 2025-January 2026
Buena Vista Grassland
Saturday, December 27 - 3:00PM
Sunday, January 11 - 3:00PM
We will meet at the historical marker at the intersection of County W and County F in the grassland. This will be a car caravan where we drive different roads in the area and get out to survey at different points. If blizzard like conditions exist or the forecast calls for inclement weather, plan on the outing being cancelled or postponed.
Google Maps Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JqKA8TLjpeCBpx7w7
GPS Coordinates: 44.337228644757865, -89.64339663066146
Description: This outing will be point counts around the grassland. Hopefully we will encounter some owls and other fun winter species that utilize the grassland during the winter season! Expect to be out until around dusk. We will stick to well-maintained roads in the area. While we will be in vehicles for the most part, plan to dress accordingly for the times we will be outside of the cars looking for birds.
January-February 2026
Wisconsin Rapids Riverfront
Saturday, January 24 - 7:30AM - Canceled due to extreme cold forecasted
Sunday, February 15 - 7:30AM - Will run depending on weather
Meet at Mead Rapids View Park in Wisconsin Rapids. We will walk portions of the riverfront looking for waterfowl. Check weather conditions beforehand, if temps are projected to be below zero or heavy snowfall is predicted, expect this outing to be cancelled or rescheduled.
Google Maps Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RPuqMkfWTmgQ3wbU7
GPS Coordinates: 44.39315682721459, -89.82327722125481
Description: For this walk we will walk along the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin Rapids. Access to the river is mostly concrete and the terrain is flat. Dress warm as we will be outside for most of these outings. We may opt to drive to a few other locations to increase species seen. Expect to be out for an hour at least and we will walk a half mile or so.