Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society Newsletter

The mission of Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society is to inform the public and encourage wise environmental practices through education and conservation. We will work toward a future when children and adults will respect, appreciate, and protect the environment

FALL PROGRAMS AND EXCURSIONS
Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society programs are held the third Wednesday, unless noted, in the months of September, October, November, February, March and April. The programs are held at Wehr Nature Center in Whitnall Park. They begin at 7:00 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

BIRDING IN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND
When: October 19, 2011
Where: Wehr Nature Center
Presenters: Mariette and Dave Nowak

Mariette Nowak, retired Wehr Nature Center Director, author and lecturer, and her husband Dave, a photographer, recently enjoyed a month long trip to England and Scotland. They visited Dunbar, the birthplace of the famed conservationist John Muir, who spent much of his youth in Wisconsin. Along the way, they sighted many of the beautiful birds of Britain. These included shags and shelducks, puffins and lapwings.

Mariette, the author of: Birdscaping in the Midwest, a Guide to Gardening with Native Plants to Attract Birds, has made presentations for Wisconsin Metro Audubon in the past. Her knowledge on the plant/bird relationship goes a long way to benefiting birds and native plant species, as well as a multitude of other wildlife. Birds and native plants are of special interest to her.

Join us for the Nowak's presentation on October 19 at 7:00 p.m.

A REGION BUILT ON WATER: Milwaukee's Use and Abuse of a Vital Resource
When: November 16, 2011
Where: Wehr Nature Center
Presenter: John Gurda
John Gurda is a writer and historian who has been studying his hometown of Milwaukee since 1972. He is the author of nineteen books including The Making of Milwaukee which is a lengthy history of our community and the first published since 1948.
On November 16, he will share with us the results of his research on Lake Michigan and its adjacent watersheds; how they serve the community as transportation routes, recreational resources, and industrial corridors, and how they weathered a cycle of heavy use and flagrant abuse to emerge as focal points of both celebration and concern in the twenty-first century.

ILLINOIS BEACH STATE PARK HAWKWATCH FESTIVAL
When: Saturday, October 15, 8:15 a.m.
What: Car trip to Illinois Beach State Park
Meet at Wehr Nature Center to carpool
Hawks can cause mixed emotions as they soar effortlessly through the air and then suddenly swoop to the ground to catch their meal. Between late August and Thanksgiving, Illinois State Park's North Unit is one of the premier spots in the Midwest to view hawk migration. A diverse group of hawks may be observed during raptor migration.
The 2011 Hawkwatch Festival at Illinois Beach State Park is on October 15. Activities will occur throughout the day, including a visit by Dawn Keller from Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center with "Journey", a Ferruginous Hawk. Journey was struck by a train traveling between Calgary, Canada, and Chicago in 2009. He smashed into the front plow and was stuck there until rescued with severe injuries when the train stopped. Recovered from his injuries, but unable to fly, he is now used for education.
We will meet at Wehr Nature Center at 8:15 a.m. to carpool to Illinois Beach State Park. Call Diane (414) 425-9616 to register for this interesting trip.

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