Whether you're a seasoned birder or just starting, this blog is your go-to resource for birding in the Wausau area. Grab your binoculars and field guide; let’s embark on this feathered adventure together!
Getting started in birding is a delightful journey into the world of nature, offering both tranquility and excitement as you connect with your surroundings. Start with local parks, nature reserves, or even your backyard, and familiarize yourself with the common birds in your area. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t spot rare or exotic species right away; the joy of birding lies in the small discoveries and the gradual development of your observational skills. Remember, birding is as much about patience and appreciation as it is about seeing birds, and with each outing, you'll deepen your connection to the natural world around you.
Finding a Feathered Friend-Oriented Community
Joining a local birding group or participating in community birdwatching events can provide valuable insights and camaraderie. The Wausau Bird Club is a wonderful resource and a place to start in finding a birding community. If you want to learn more about the Wausau Bird Club or the birds in central Wisconsin, come to one of their monthly meetings and introduce yourself. You can also join the Wausau Area Birders & Bird Watchers Facebook Group, where you can see and share sightings and photos of birds in the Marathon County, Wisconsin, birding and birdwatching community.
Planning Your Bird Watching Routes
Here are the top hot spots in the Wausau Area:
Bluegill Bay Park is a 68-acre park located near the Wisconsin River. This allows ample views of marshland varieties and woodland birds. The park also has many hiking trails where keen eyes can spot birds up above in the trees.
Located right on Lake Wausau, Rookery Park is home to a great blue heron rookery. The two-acre peninsula holds large open land that is great for viewing birds.
A fan favorite spot is the George W. Mead Wildlife Area. With its diverse habitats and wildlife, over 267 bird species have been documented on the property.
Wausau’s Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area is the crown jewel of our county forest system at just over 4,900 acres of mixed uplands and marshes. This hotspot is loved all year round.
More bird-watching groups and resources in the Wausau area can be found here.
Feeling ready to acquire a good pair of binoculars and a field guide tailored to your region? Wild Birds Unlimited is a nature shop filled with all kinds of supplies ranging from bird feeders to bird baths. Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together through the hobby of backyard bird feeding and nature products.
Birding to Change the World
If you’re the type that needs a push from a good read, Trish O’Kane’s memoir Birding to Change the World documents how O’Kane became an accidental ornithologist. After Hurricane Katrina devastated her home, it was the resilience of feathered creatures that inspired her to move forward. O’Kane recounts her relocation to Madison, WI, and her unending hours at Warner Park, cultivating her love for the birds. Birding to Change the World details the astonishing science of aviary life and how it influenced O’Kane’s activism, social justice, and community.
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Birds have a rich history in Wausau. Besides being here since the dawn of time, starting in 1976, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum has presented Birds in Art each year, seeking to showcase the best contemporary artistic interpretations of birds and related subject matter. Over 1,100 international artists have had their work displayed at the exhibition. Each artwork, from the delicate watercolor depictions of migratory songbirds to the bold, abstract representations of raptors in flight, invites viewers to appreciate the elegance and complexity of these feathered creatures. Accompanying the visual splendor are installations and informative panels that delve into the significance of the artwork and birds featured in its annual exhibition, which typically opens on the first Saturday following Labor Day. The Birds in Art exhibition opening is part of Wausau's Artrageous Weekend.
Discovering the avian life in our town offers a unique and enriching experience that connects us with nature right in our backyard. Whether it's the joy of spotting a vibrant cardinal in a city park or hearing the melodious song of a sparrow as we walk down a suburban street, birding reminds us of the beauty and diversity in our everyday surroundings. Keep an eye out, and you’ll see birds everywhere in Wausau, whether in flight or captured in art!
