chapter meeting
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
7:00 PM
Lions Field House – 270 Elkhorn Road (Hwy 67), Williams Bay, WI
Free to attend and open to the public!
Guest Speaker: Emily Webb
Topic: “Bird Physiology – carotenoids, coloration, digestion, and nutrition.”
Bird coloration has been studied for centuries. There are two main classes of pigments responsible for the vast majority of bird coloration, melanin and carotenoids. Carotenoid-based coloration is primarily responsible for the red-orange-yellow portion of the visible spectrum. Because birds can only obtain carotenoids from their diet and carotenoids have other functions besides pigmentation, there is a natural connection between color and health. Some of these other functions include promoting immune health and filtering light in the retina (vision). Carotenoids have also been studied as antioxidants, although this literature is more controversial. Recently, more detailed genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying the production and condition-dependence of carotenoid-based bird coloration have been, and continue to be, uncovered.
About the speaker: Emily Webb is an assistant professor of biology at Rockford University with a BA from Ohio Wesleyan University and a PhD from Arizona State University. She teaches anatomy and physiology, genetics, and introductory biology courses. She currently conducts research with undergraduate students on the production of green coloration in warblers and vireos.
Native Plant Sale
“Go Native” for the birds, bees, and other wildlife.
Let’s dig in and make a difference!
- Do you want to help the birds, bees and other wildlife thrive in your own yard?
- Would you like to promote biodiversity right outside your door?
- Are you interested in the prospect of reducing your carbon footprint?
If so, then we urge you to add some native plants to your landscape this spring. Our plant sale makes finding these beneficial, native plants easy. Twelve different varieties are offered each year. This way, you can build upon your efforts every planting season, making your yard increasingly more biodiverse and inviting to wildlife.
Orders are due by May 27th, and the order pick-up is June 2nd at the Lions Field House in Williams Bay. Please see this year’s order form for more details.
(View the order form by clicking on the button link below)
Bird Walks at Big Foot
Saturdays
11:00 AM
Big Foot Beach State Park – N1550 S Lakeshore Drive, Lake Geneva, WI
Join us for a Bird Walk near the shores of beautiful Geneva Lake. We will follow the park’s trails while on the lookout for birds and other wildlife. Meet in the main parking area to the right of the entrance station a little before 11:00 AM. A state park sticker: $28 or daily pass: $8 ($13, $3 if age 65 or older) is required to enter Big Foot Beach State Park.
Please contact us if you are interested in attending a walk.
Kevin Dickey – https://lakelandaudubon.com/contact/ or +1 (262) 729-9702
Visit the events page to see a list of our scheduled bird walks.
bird walks at white river
Sundays
11:00 AM
White River County Park – 6503 Sheridan Springs Road, Lyons, WI
Get out and enjoy one of the best parks Walworth County has to offer. We’ll walk the trails and be on the lookout for birds and other critters. We’ll also watch for plant blooms and other interesting elements of nature. Meet at the kiosk by the parking lot a little before 11:00 AM.
Please contact us if you are interested in attending a walk.
Kevin Dickey – https://lakelandaudubon.com/contact/ or +1 (262) 729-9702
Visit the events page to see a list of our scheduled bird walks.
Christmas bird count results
Lake Geneva CBC-2025 (Data)
For anyone who is interested in the final numbers of last year’s CBC, simply click on the link below:
Lakeland Audubon Society 