highly recommended new bird identification book

I recently received my new copy of the Peterson Guide to Bird Identification - In 12 Steps, by Steve N.G. Howell and Brian Sullivan.  There are a number of books that take one from the beginning steps of birding to the "next level" of advancing knowledge.  This book is different from many - the depth of coverage and sound advice address many topics more fully than some other superficially-similar books. The two co-authors have impeccable ornithological credentials, and they've put their years of experience to good use here. It is an ideal choice for a friend who has started birding and is ready to learn more. It's also valuable for experienced birders, providing new ways of looking at old challenges in identification. I recommend this book.

Chapters on plumage and songs/calls are especially good.

 Here are two reviews:


http://www.wellreadnaturalist.com/2018/03/peterson-guide-to-bird-identification/


https://www.acorn-naturalists.com/peterson-guide-to-bird-identification-in-12-steps.html

documenting female bird songs

There is an effort underway to document female bird song. Karan Odum and Lauryn Benedict, in The Auk - Ornithological Advances, make this call to researchers. Read this paper and learn more about this emerging field of study:  http://americanornithologypubs.org/doi/full/10.1642/AUK-17-183.1

women in bird conservation across the world

BirdLife's news:

"We interview the amazing women leading BirdLife’s work across the world"

http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/news/women-of-birdlife

research news on Golden-winged Warbler

Read a paper that provides background on the Golden-winged Warbler here: 

STATUS AND CONSERVATION PRIORITIES OF GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (VERMIVORA CHRYSOPTERA) IN NORTH AMERICA

http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1642/0004-8038(2007)124%5B1439:SACPOG%5D2.0.CO%3B2

then, some recent research news, here: 
  
The Mystery of the Golden-winged Warbler's Decline Starts to Unravel

http://www.audubon.org/news/the-mystery-golden-winged-warblers-decline-starts-unravel

Ph by Andy Reago and Chrissy McLarren

September 6-8th Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative conference

Go to this link to learn more about the September 6-8th Wisconsin Bird
Conservation Initiative conference: http://www.wisconsinbirds.org/

Learn about swallows, swifts, and nightjars:
* Recent research and monitoring updates
* Declining populations of common insectivore species
* Conservation actions
* Bird City Wisconsin - what communities can do

And more, including field trips!

next new species for the Wisconsin state list?

Keep your "eyes peeled", in flocks of geese this spring, for a Pink-footed Goose. Increasingly found as a vagrant in eastern North America, here are some key points to identifying this species.

 https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/pink-footed-goose

 http://blog.aba.org/2012/11/abarare-pink-footed-geese-maine-pennsylvania-and-newfoundland.html

(Remember to look carefully among white-fronted geese; it is similar).

spring migration maps 2018 (plus)

Take a look at Journey North's set of rapidly-changing maps and sightings for several bird species - plus many other seasonal phenomena, including sap flow, ice out, and monarchs: https://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/