Presented by UW’s McPherson Eye Research Institute, Vision at the Arboretum offered a glimpse in to the world of avian eyesight.
On Saturday, August 8, bird enthusiasts flocked to the UW–Madison Arboretum to gain a better understanding of how our avian neighbors quite literally see the world around them. Hosted by UW’s McPherson Eye Research Institute, Vision at the Arboretum welcomed guest lecturers who discussed the important connection between vision and a bird’s survival. Attendees were also able to meet owls, falcons and hawks before taking guided walks through the Arboretum with an expert birder.
A house sparrow munches on a bug while looking through the windows of the Arboretum. The natural area includes the oldest and most varied collection of restored ecological communities in the world, making it a welcoming home for a variety of birds.The Arboretum Visitor Center provides hands-on learning activities for children of all ages. During the event, some of the younger attendees made the most of the “Build A Nest” box.A community member looks tests a pair of binoculars inside the Arboretum Visitor Center, which offers unobstructed views of the plant and wildlife of the area. Simply owlsome! An attendee poses with their own stuffed raptor while waiting for the live bird demonstration. Attendees were able to see a great horned owl, peregrine falcon and broadwinged hawk from Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center in Milton, Wisconsin. Ready for it’s close up, a peregrine falcon stares at the camera during the live bird demonstration.Dianne Moller, the director of Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center (second from right), poses for a photo with her peregrine falcon. Attendees were able to get a close-up view of the raptor. Melissa Kesling from Oregon, Wisconsin (right) points out a group (also known as a charm) of goldfinches during a guided walk through the popular natural area.Birders look for signs of life in a nearby tree at the Arboretum. Vision at the Arboretum was a family-friendly event, educating people of all ages on the vision, care and daily life of birds and raptors.Chuck Henrikson (left) points out a bird’s nest to Ken Hofmaster (right), an employee of the UW–Madison Veterinary Hospital who attended the event.
