Birding Resource Center
Gather Your Tools
New to our Great Hall, the Birding Resource Center serves as a learning hub for both individual enthusiasts and our broader birding community. It provides high-quality and well-researched tools such as binoculars, guides and journals, books, and outdoor gear in addition to on-site guidance from expert staff. These resources go beyond education, helping visitors more fully enjoy, celebrate, and share their passion for birding. By supporting and connecting bird lovers, we strive to help birding flourish across Milwaukee and beyond.
The Birding Resource Center strengthens and complements both the avian splendor of Feeder Grove and the educational offerings of The Birding Academy. Visitors can take the spark of inspiration they feel while observing birds and find tools here to pursue that curiosity further—whether by identifying new species within and beyond our trails, keeping a nature journal, or diving into recommended resources from academy educators. Together, these three elements of The Barbara Stover and Susan Bell Birding Academy create a dynamic, interconnected experience that invites birders to keep exploring, learning, and engaging with the natural world.
The Space
Fitting seamlessly into the aesthetic of our Great Hall with its nature-inspired design, the Birding Resource Center offers a gateway to the outdoors. Staff built the shelves using recovered black locust and ash wood from the Schlitz Audubon property, giving dead and dying trees new life.
Resources Offered
Visit our Birding Resource Center to browse the following collections:
Optics
Binoculars and monoculars are a birdwatching staple, and we offer a small but mighty selection handpicked with expert input from Dan Panetti, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Mequon. The range of price points (from under $100 to $500), magnifications, and sizes support birders of any age and budget in expanding their hobby. The entire collection comes from Vortex Optics, a globally respected brand based in Barneveld, Wisconsin. Their products come with a lifetime warranty against damage, providing quality that lasts.
Field Guides
Field guides are essential tools for helping birders identify and learn about each species. Our collection includes a wide range of options suited to different interests, ages, and experience levels. Guides vary in size and scope, from compact pocket versions to comprehensive volumes, and feature both illustrations and photographs. Some focus on backyard birds or specific habitats such as woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, and the Lake Michigan shoreline, while others span larger regions—from local and Wisconsin-based guides to those covering the Midwest, Eastern U.S., or the entire country. Beginners may benefit from guides focused on smaller geographic areas, while more advanced birders might explore resources organized by bird families, including raptors, gulls, and warblers. Flash cards are also available, offering a fun and flexible way to build birding knowledge.
Field Notebooks and Journals
Our selection is curated to support nature observation, reflection, and creativity. Ideal for recording sightings, sketching in the field, or noting questions and insights, these tools encourage a thoughtful, immersive approach to birding and time in nature. Options include weather-resistant notebooks, pocket-sized journals for easy carrying, and larger formats suited for sketching. A variety of styles and price points ensure something for every preference, whether the focus is on scientific observation, artistic expression, or slow, mindful exploration outdoors.
Books
Our book collection offers a rich blend of education and enjoyment for bird lovers of all ages. From resources that deepen understanding of bird ecology, behavior, conservation, and habitats to creative guides that teach how to draw or paint birds, these titles support both skill-building and curiosity. The selection includes children’s books, novels, comedic titles, and beautifully illustrated art books by bird photographers and artists. Whether the goal is to learn more about the natural world or to engage with birds in a more playful or artistic way, this diverse collection offers something for every reader.
Outdoor Gear
Our selection of outdoor gear enhances comfort, safety, and ease while birding. It includes sun-protective hats in a range of styles—caps, bucket hats, and wide-brim options—as well as versatile bags like hip packs, slings, and weather-resistant shoulder bags for carrying essentials. Durable water bottles help with staying hydrated, and insect repellent adds protection during warmer months.