Town of Rome : Bird City
In 2016, the Town of Rome became the 96th community in the state to officially be recognized as a Bird City. Since 2016, Rome has annually submitted applications and received acceptance for Bird City Renewal. Our destination boasts one of the most distinctive habitats in the country. Once the bed of a glacial lake, Rome’s landscape consists of spectacular sand barrens and rolling pines. Home to the endangered Kirtland Warbler, Whooping Crane, Clay Colored Sparrow, and Karner Blue Butterfly, the Town of Rome is a bucket list destination for nature-enthusiasts and birders.
Richard Wagner, a local resident and avid birder in Adams County, WI, spent much of the 2020 season birding in the Town of Rome and surrounding area. Birding was ideal during the pandemic due to the socially distanced nature of the activity.
Wagner shares, “I birded Adams quite a bit last year after moving back from Asia and the emphasis on the local during this pandemic. About four months into 2020, I saw in ebird that a well-known name in Wisconsin birding, the Rev. Samuel Robbins, Jr., had a 219 year in 1955, so for kicks I set out to try to beat it as I had a decent foundation for a big year from the first four months.”
*A “219” year refers to documenting 219 different species of birds throughout the calendar year.
Wagner set the ambitious goal to beat the historic 1955 record held by Rev. Samuel Robbins, Jr. for his “219 year” in Adams County, WI. Meticulously logging each bird viewed and the locations, Wagner documented his bird sightings. His 2020 “Big Year” list is in taxonomic format -- many of the sightings were here in Rome Township. To view Wagner’s 2020 log, click on the button below.
Wagner recapped, “I got to 220 just as the sun was setting on December 31 (an immature Northern Goshawk on Akron Dr) -- sort of strange how that stuff happens.”
A big congratulations to Richard on his record-setting accomplishment this 2020 season!
Though many previously scheduled Town of Rome birding events were canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sand Valley Restoration Trust was able to hold their 3rd Annual Christmas Bird Count on December 16, 2020. 13 surveyors counted a total of 1,258 birds and 34 different species.
Stay tuned for more information regarding upcoming Birding Events and activities taking place in the Town of Rome this upcoming 2021 season.
To learn more about birding in the Town of Rome or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, contact Sand Valley Field & Operations Manager, Chelsea Sorbo at csorbo@sandvalley.com
Pictured : A “birds-eye” view of 2020 record-setting birder - Richard Wagner.