Northwoods Bird and Wildlife Festival - 20th Annual

Festival Schedule: 

If you wish to attend one of the field trips, you must register for it ahead of time. Space is limited for certain field trips, so secure your spot before its too late!

Friday, May 9^th

7-8:30am – Field Trip: Northwoods Flora, Birds and Buds at MECCA Trails (please register for this program separately)

Join Discovery Center Naturalist Licia as we explore the wonderful trails of MECCA near the Little Turtle Flowage for signs of spring - including early bird arrivals and spring flowers and plants!

10:30-2:00pm – Birding paddle on the Manitowish River 

Join Discovery Center Naturalists Jenna and Hannah for a leisurely birding paddle on the Manitowish River. We'll look for birds that prefer riverine habiats such as great blue herons, bald eagles, kingfishers, and so many more! Canoes, paddles, and PFDs will be provided. Registered participants should meet at NLDC where we will carpool to the put-in location. 

5-6pm – Welcome reception with appetizers, desserts, and cash bar

Join us in kicking off the 20th Annual Northwoods Bird and Wildlife Festival with light appetizers, desserts, and a cash bar before the evening presentation in the NLDC Main Lodge. This social hour will also feature an informational table highlighting the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest in celebration of their 100th anniversary. Beth Feind, NHALSF Property Manager, and Eric Margenau, Wildlife Habitat Specialist from the American Bird Conservancy will be present to talk about the NHALSF and birding habitat. 

6-7pm – Presentation: Creating Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Habitat with Ashley Strabel of the Ruffed Grouse Society

If you're interested in the ecological components that makes great habitat for birds like the American woodcock, ruffed grouse, golden-winged warblers, and many others, this presentation is for you.  We will explore the ecological needs of bird species which are dependent on young forest ecosystems. Various management activities will also be shared to provide guidance on how to create habitat for early successional species. 

Saturday, May 10^th

5-8am – Breakfast & Registration

5:30am – Bird banding with Bruce Bacon

Drop in at the Bird Habitat Enclosure to see Bruce Bacon demonstrate techniques for live bird banding. See birds up close and learn about how banding research is important for survival, productivity, and distribution of birds. You may even have an opportunity to release a bird once it’s been banded!

5:30am – Sunrise warbler walks on NLDC trails 

These short hikes are a great way to catch some early birds! View and listen for bird activity around NLDC trails at the busy hours of the morning. Routes will be assigned based on when your next field trip begins. 

6-11am – Field Trip: Iron County Hotspots with Zach Wilson 

Head deep into the wilds of north central Iron County with Zach Wilson to visit an amazing diversity of forest types from old growth hemlock hardwoods to tamarack keg swamps to early succession aspen stands. Zach will lead you on the hunt for gray jays, spruce grouse, northern goshawk, and more!

6-11am – Field Trip: Presque Isle hotspots – Pipke park and Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area with Colleen Matula

Take a tour of Northwoods hidden treasures in Presque Isle with Colleen Matula. You'll hike around the Pipke Ponds, a little known birding hotspot that provides opportunities to view both shoreline and woodland bird species, as well as the Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area, which is sure to be rich with biodiversity because it serves as a link between the one-million-acre Ottawa National Forest and the 220,000-acre Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest.

7:30-11am – Field Trip: Powell Marsh with John Bates

Visit Powell Marsh with lifetime birder John Bates to explore one of the best spots for a variety of species from waterfowl to shorebirds to sparrows. You'll have time to experience some of the less traveled parts of the marsh as you search for birds and wildlife.  Large, open peatland habitat is rare in northern Wisconsin, making Powell Marsh a regionally important wetland because of its large size and open character. The wetland system currently seen at Powell Marsh was maintained by wildfires for thousands of years.

7:30-11am – Field Trip: TFF Big Island Trail with Frank Schroyer

Venture out to the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area Big Island Trail with Frank Schroyer. The flowage, known for its high density of bald eagles, osprey and common loons, is also home to black terns, merlins, trumpeter swans and over 150 other bird species. You will be sure to see a variety of species that prefer open-water habitats and wetlands, but also upland and forested habitats as the trail meanders through many different types of ecosystems. 

11-11:45am – Lunch in the main lodge

Sit down with your fellow birders and talk about your festival excursions over a well-earned lunch! Lunch will be provided.

12-1pm – Presentation: Response of Wisconsin's Wildlife to Climate Change with Mike Meyer

Join Mike Meyer of Wisconsin Green Fire for an insightful discussion on the latest climate trends and future projections for Wisconsin’s wildlife. Recent data shows that the state is experiencing warmer winters and increasingly unpredictable precipitation patterns, changes that are already impacting local wildlife.
Mike will highlight specific species and how they are responding to these shifts, with a focus on habitat changes driven by temperature and precipitation fluctuations. These environmental changes are influencing migration patterns, breeding cycles, and food availability for wildlife species.
By understanding these dynamics, we can better anticipate and prepare for their effects on wildlife populations. We invite you to join us in exploring these developments and discussing ways to support and protect Wisconsin’s wildlife in a changing climate.

1:15pm-1:55pm – Concurrent Sessions 

• Bird Photography Basics with Mark Westphal
• Amphibian Survey with Hannah Thorpe
• Upcycled Bird Feeder Building

2:05pm-2:45pm – Concurrent Sessions 

• Nightjars - Nocturnal Beauties with Jenna Richardson
• Bees & Gardening with Jamie Van
• Antlers, Skulls, Skins, and Scat - A Hands-On Look at Wisconsin Wildlife with Licia Johnson 

3pm – Closing and grand bird tally 

If you're interested in volunteering for this event, you can view the volunteer opportunities here.