Dexter Patterson aka Wisco Birder
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wiscobirder.bsky.social
Dexter Patterson aka Wisco Birder
@wiscobirder.bsky.social
3.1K followers 750 following 970 posts
Educator | Bird Nerd | Co-founder BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin | Author of Birds of the Great Lakes | Co-host of the Bird Joy Podcast 🫶🏾
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wiscobirder.bsky.social
Who wants to help me find Birds of the Great Lakes at Barnes & Noble? You Ready? Let’s GO!!!! 📖👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
November 25, 2025 at 1:43 AM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
There’s a lot of healing and JOY waiting for you in nature. 🫶🏾
A person outdoors smiling and taking a selfie along a grassy trail. They are wearing a green jacket, gray hooded sweatshirt, gray knit beanie, and black gloves, with a camera strap around their neck. The background shows a wide open natural area with dry grasses, patches of burned ground, leafless trees, and a dramatic sky filled with rippled white clouds against bright blue. A wide landscape view of a grassy trail stretching forward through an open field. The surrounding prairie grasses are brown and dormant, with dark burned patches on both sides of the trail. The sky is filled with a striking layer of textured, rippled clouds transitioning into bright blue near the horizon. A landscape scene showing rolling prairie with green and brown grasses and a line of leafless and late-autumn trees in the distance. The sky is covered in dense, wavy white clouds with hints of blue showing through.
November 23, 2025 at 3:18 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
Such a great morning at Picnic Point with an awesome flock of Bird Nerds. We had brand new birders join us and ended the hike with 29 species including a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers that showed off for everyone. Beautiful morning with even better people. Birding is for everyone, even YOU! 🫶🏾🪶
A large group of bundled up birders walks along a dirt trail at Picnic Point. Bare trees line the path under a cloudy gray sky. People of different ages carry binoculars and cameras as they smile and chat while hiking. A group of birders stands spaced along the sandy lakeshore looking out over the water through binoculars. The sky is full of thick gray clouds and the landscape is quiet and still. A line of birders stands shoulder to shoulder in the woods looking up through binoculars and telephoto lenses. Fallen leaves cover the ground and the trees are mostly bare. A selfie of Dexter smiling in the foreground with his spotting scope strapped to his back. Behind him a large group of birders is looking up into the trees with binoculars and cameras.
November 22, 2025 at 8:17 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
Another incredible night on the book tour. Milwaukee packed the house at Schlitz Audubon. Big love to Lindsay for the great conversation, Boswell Books for the sales support, and all the Bird Nerds who showed up to support my book Birds of the Great Lakes. 🗣️📖✍🏾🫶🏾🪶
Dexter stands at the front of a full event room holding a copy of Birds of the Great Lakes. Rows of attendees smile behind him. Two chairs and a small wooden table with a microphone and water pitcher sit in the foreground. Dexter sits in an armchair on stage holding a microphone while speaking with a woman seated across from him. She is smiling and holding a microphone. A small table with the book and a water pitcher is between them. A long line of attendees waits inside the Schlitz Audubon building for the book signing. Dexter sits at a wooden table near a large stone fireplace, signing books. A table display with neatly stacked copies of Birds of the Great Lakes arranged in rows. Next to the books is a sign featuring a smiling photo of Dexter Patterson and details about purchasing the book. A set of bright yellow flyers is fanned out beside the display. Wooden beams and a gift shop area are visible in the background.
November 21, 2025 at 9:17 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
Feeling grateful seeing the photos from the Wisconsin Book Fest. This tour keeps reminding me how powerful Bird Joy can be. I’ve been in Eau Claire, Milwaukee is up next, and more dates are coming. Meeting Bird Nerds, hearing your stories, and celebrating the birds we love has been incredible. 📖✍🏾🫶🏾
A large, joyful crowd packed into a bright room holds up copies of Birds of the Great Lakes. Dexter Patterson stands in the center of the group holding his book and smiling. People of all ages fill the space, many grinning toward the camera, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere. Dexter Patterson sits at the front of a crowded room, laughing as a woman standing beside him reads from a paper at a microphone. Audience members sit on chairs and on the floor, smiling and engaged. A slide on the wall reads “Birds of the Great Lakes.” A full room of attendees looks toward Dexter Patterson, who sits at the front next to a moderator. Many people in the audience raise their hands while smiling. The room is filled wall to wall with participants, creating an energetic community feel. Dexter Patterson sits at an author signing table during the Wisconsin Book Festival, laughing as two young people approach with copies of Birds of the Great Lakes. A line of attendees waits behind them in a bright, open lobby space.
November 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
Northern Lights above our East Madison Neighborhood! 🌌 😍
A nighttime landscape featuring a calm reflective pond in the foreground and a dark silhouette of rolling hills in the distance. Above the horizon, vibrant aurora lights stretch across the sky in bands of green, yellow, and bright magenta, blending upward into deep purple. Faint stars dot the sky, and a soft glow at the horizon adds contrast to the colorful northern lights. A vivid display of the northern lights fills the night sky above a dark hillside and a still pond. Bright streaks of pink, magenta, and green auroras rise vertically from the horizon and blend into darker purple tones overhead. A few scattered house lights are visible on the right side of the frame, adding a sense of scale to the dramatic, colorful sky. A darker nighttime scene showing faint green and teal aurora lights near the horizon beneath a mostly black sky. The foreground includes a reflective pond and the shadowed outline of a hillside. A warm yellow light appears near the bottom edge of the image, likely from a nearby house or streetlamp, contrasting with the cool aurora tones. A bright, colorful aurora display dominates the night sky above a silhouetted landscape and a reflective pond. Vertical beams of pink, magenta, green, and yellow auroras glow intensely near the horizon, fading into deep purple higher in the sky. The horizon line features hills and a few small lights from distant buildings, adding depth to the scene.
November 13, 2025 at 4:26 AM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
What an incredible day at Horicon Marsh! 🦅 We kicked things off with a bird walk featuring close looks at Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers, and late fall migrants like Tree Sparrows and Juncos. Wrapped it all up with cocoa, cookies, and a book signing. Grateful for everyone who came out! 📖✍🏾💚
A display table featuring stacks of Birds of the Great Lakes books arranged neatly with a carved bird sculpture perched on driftwood and a sign that reads “Get your copy! $18.99.” Dexter takes a selfie with a large, smiling group of birders bundled up in coats and hats, standing on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by tall golden cattails. Inside the visitor center, Dexter laughs while signing a book for an attendee wearing a blue hat and colorful scarf. A large presentation slide featuring his name and photo is visible behind them. A line of attendees waits to have books signed by Dexter at a table inside the Horicon Marsh Education Center, with a banner reading “Wetland of International Importance” on the wall.
November 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
Walmart 🤬🤬🤬
A screenshot of a Walmart shopping app search results page for “paper beats rock shirt.” The screen shows four black T-shirts in a grid layout. The top two shirts both have a white graphic of a paper hand in a Nazi salute covering a rock fist with the words “Paper Beats Rock.”
November 9, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Reposted by Dexter Patterson aka Wisco Birder
madison365.bsky.social
“I’m truly honored to step into this role with the Wisconsin Academy. This is an incredible opportunity to bring people together around science and community action,” Patterson said. “My goal is to help connect the dots between the pressing climate challenges and solutions across our state."
Dexter Patterson named director of sciences and climate for the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters
Dexter Patterson has been named director of sciences and climate for the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters. Patterson joins Jessica Becker, the new director of letters and communication,…
madison365.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
Big news! I’ve joined the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters as the Director of Science and Climate Programs. Grateful for this opportunity to build on my work at UW–Madison and grow as a science communicator across Wisconsin.

www.wisconsinacademy.org/sites/wiscon...
Dexter Patterson smiles while standing next to a tall blue banner for the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters. The banner features the Academy’s circular sunburst logo and the words “Choose Connection & Curiosity.” Dexter is wearing glasses, a light green shirt, and a denim jacket, standing in a well-lit hallway.
November 5, 2025 at 8:59 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
Another incredible stop on the Birds of the Great Lakes book tour! 📚 Huge thanks to everyone who came out to the Appleton Public Library last night. The local bookseller sold out—let’s gooo! 🙌🏾💚 Grateful for all the love and support, Appleton. #WiscoBirder 🪶
A presentation room filled with people seated and facing a large projection screen. The slide reads “Welcome to Bird Joy for All” with a photo of Dexter “The Wisco Birder” Patterson smiling and holding binoculars surrounded by pine branches. A wider view of the same event showing a large, modern room with high ceilings, overhead lights, and rows of attendees seated as the presentation begins. Dexter Patterson takes a selfie at the front of the room, flashing a peace sign while smiling. Behind him, the audience faces the projected “Welcome to Bird Joy for All” slide. A whiteboard titled “Today I saw…” covered with colorful handwritten bird species names such as Trumpeter Swans, Bald Eagle, Sandhill Cranes, and Northern Cardinal.
November 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
For all my Fox Valley Bird Nerds — I’ll be in Appleton tonight at the Appleton Public Library! 🗣️🪶🫶🏾

Come join me for Birds, Joy, and Connection at 6:30pm. Let’s talk birds, community, and all the things that bring us joy. 💚
Event flyer for Birds, Joy, and Connection featuring Dexter Patterson. The background is teal green with large white text reading “Birds, Joy, and Connection.” On the left side is a tilted photo of Dexter Patterson smiling against a light blue background, wearing glasses and a white jacket. His name is handwritten in green below the photo. On the right, white text reads: “Tuesday, November 4, 6:30pm, Appleton Public Library.” The bottom of the flyer includes logos for the Appleton Public Library and the Friends of Appleton Public Library.
November 4, 2025 at 8:46 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
What a perfect fall day exploring Havenwoods State Forest with the Underground Hiking Collective. This place is truly special — a pocket of peace right in the heart of Milwaukee, surrounded by a vibrant Black and Brown community. #WEOUTSIDE 🌳🥾🫶🏾
A large, joyful group of BIPOC hikers smiles for a selfie on a sunny fall morning at Havenwoods State Forest. The trees in the background are full of golden autumn color, and everyone looks energized and happy to be together outdoors. A Cedar Waxwing perches on a branch filled with bright red berries and golden-yellow leaves, plucking a berry with its beak against a vivid blue sky. A person dressed in a golden yellow hoodie and hat stands under a tree with matching yellow leaves, smiling brightly while holding onto a branch. A joyful group of BIPOC Birding Club members poses together outdoors at Havenwoods State Forest on a crisp fall day. Everyone is dressed warmly in jackets and hats, smiling beneath a brilliant blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds. Golden grasses and autumn trees with pops of orange and yellow color the background, capturing the beauty and community spirit of the day.
November 2, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Reposted by Dexter Patterson aka Wisco Birder
bluehousebooks.bsky.social
What a night! @wiscobirder.bsky.social's visit to BHB for “Birds of the Great Lakes” was such a success! 🐦

Birding fans of all levels came out to hear Dexter chat with Rick Fare about birding in the Midwest, ask questions, and get their books signed.🪶

A huge thanks to everyone who joined us.
A photo of author Dexter Patterson sitting in front of a sold out audience at Blue House Books with his conversation partner, Rick Fare, Education Chair of Hoy Audubon, talking all things bird joy, the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, and his field guide- "Birds of the Great Lakes". A photo of author Dexter Patterson sitting in front of a sold out audience at Blue House Books with his conversation partner, Rick Fare, Education Chair of Hoy Audubon, talking all things bird joy, the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, and his field guide- "Birds of the Great Lakes". A photo of Rick Fare (left), holding up the book, "Birds of the Great Lakes", and Dexter Patterson (right) after the event. A photo of a couple of customers crowding around Dexter at his signing table to get their copy of the book signed.
November 1, 2025 at 6:16 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
Another incredible stop on the #BirdsOfTheGreatLakes book tour! Huge thanks to everyone who came out to @bluehousebooks.bsky.social in Kenosha — we packed the house with Bird Nerds and even sold out every copy in the store! Feeling so humbled and grateful for all the love and support, Kenosha. 📖✍🏾🫶🏾🪶
Exterior view of Blue House Books at night, warmly lit from the inside. The front window display is filled with colorful books, small pumpkins, and potted plants. A cozy reading chair and lamp are visible through a side window. Smiling man with gray hair stands in front of wooden shelves lined with multiple copies of Birds of the Great Lakes. He’s wearing a dark jacket and speaking to someone just out of frame. View of a packed event space at Blue House Books. People sit in rows of chairs listening to a speaker at the front of the room. The walls are painted dark blue with warm lighting and wooden shelves filled with books. Smiling selfie of Dexter Patterson wearing a white hoodie with a binocular graphic and a blue cap that reads “Conservation Leadership.” Behind him, several copies of Birds of the Great Lakes are displayed on wooden shelves.
October 31, 2025 at 3:43 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
These adorable little toasted marshmallow-looking Snow Buntings made my day! They’ve arrived along the lakeshore, bringing a touch of Arctic charm to Wisconsin during fall migration. 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
A close-up of a Snow Bunting perched on a gray rock near the water, showing its soft brown and white plumage and a bright orange bill glowing in the sunlight. Two Snow Buntings forage along mossy rocks by the shoreline, their white and brown feathers contrasting beautifully with the green algae and dark water. A single Snow Bunting perches gracefully on a large rock, the calm water in the background reflecting soft greens and blues. A Snow Bunting faces the camera directly on a rock, its round white belly and small orange bill giving it a charming, curious expression.
October 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
This is what Bird Joy looks like! 🫶🏾

Photo by Jane Rotunda @wibookfestival.bsky.social
A large, enthusiastic audience fills a bright conference room with floor-to-ceiling windows on the left side. Nearly everyone is smiling and holding up a green book titled Birds of the Great Lakes. People of all ages are seated closely together, some sitting on the floor in front, creating a joyful, packed-house atmosphere. The crowd extends to the back of the room, showing a vibrant community gathered for the Wisconsin Book Festival event.
October 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Reposted by Dexter Patterson aka Wisco Birder
birdzork.bsky.social
I've had a great day with my family in downtown Madison, and it started at the Wisconsin Book Festival with a packed-room presentation by my friend @wiscobirder.bsky.social. So proud of him for getting published and being able to share his bird joy with even more people! 🐦
Three smiling people stand together, two of whom have books signed by the third person, the "Wisco Birder," Dexter Patterson.
October 26, 2025 at 11:30 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
I’m still buzzing from today’s packed Wisconsin Book Festival event — standing room only, and folks even sitting on the floor! The energy in that room was incredible. 🥹

I’m beyond grateful for everyone who came out to show love and support. Thank you, Madison! 🙏🏾

#WIBookFest 📖✍🏾🫶🏾🪶
A tall banner for the Wisconsin Book Festival hangs on the side of the Madison Public Library building, stretching several stories high. The banner features colorful orange, green, and blue book-shaped blocks with the festival logo and sponsors, including the Madison Public Library Foundation and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation. Reflections of the banner appear on the glass windows beside it under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. Dexter Patterson smiles for a selfie in front of a packed room at the Wisconsin Book Festival. Behind him, dozens of attendees fill every seat, with some standing along the walls. The audience looks cheerful and engaged, with many smiling at the camera. Dexter wears a black hoodie featuring the Bird Collective logo. A wide shot of a standing-room-only crowd at the Wisconsin Book Festival. Every seat is filled, with attendees lining the walls and windowsills. Large floor-to-ceiling windows on the left side let in natural light, illuminating the diverse and enthusiastic audience eagerly awaiting the event to begin.
October 26, 2025 at 8:34 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
Who wants to help me find the Snow Buntings? You Ready? Let’s GO!!! 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
October 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Dexter Patterson aka Wisco Birder
bikehfxlobby.bsky.social
@wiscobirder.bsky.social I’m flying high after your @birdability.bsky.social week talk! Thank you for sharing your bird joy and giving a masterclass in creating inclusive, joyful events. It’s a real privilege to learn from you!
October 25, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Reposted by Dexter Patterson aka Wisco Birder
gcoakford.bsky.social
Y’all: the virtual panels this week all look great. And you do not want to miss the Sat., 10.25, presentation by @wiscobirder.bsky.social at 4p ET. Find out more at birdability.org/birdabolity-week.
October 23, 2025 at 4:58 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
Madison Peeps! 🪶📚
Catch me this Sunday at the Wisconsin Book Festival!

🎁 BONUS: Everyone who attends gets a FREE copy of Birds of the Great Lakes!

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Central Library Community Room 301 Let’s GO! 📖✍🏾🫶🏾
wisconsinbookfestival.org/events/birds-great-lakes
Dexter Patterson smiling and holding a copy of his new field guide Birds of the Great Lakes in front of a colorful, abstract mural. Screenshot of the Wisconsin Book Festival webpage showing event details for the 24th Annual Fall Celebration, held October 23–26, 2025, in partnership with the Madison Public Library Foundation, with the cover of Birds of the Great Lakes displayed below. A newspaper clipping showing Dexter Patterson’s feature for his October 26 event at 10:30 a.m. in the Madison Public Library’s Community Room 301, where attendees will receive free copies of Birds of the Great Lakes.
October 24, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Reposted by Dexter Patterson aka Wisco Birder
jenshep.bsky.social
Hey @wiscobirder.bsky.social look what I found in the October issue of The Isthmus! Very cool that copies of your birding book will be given out. 👏👏 🪶
A clipping from a local Madison, Wisconsin newspaper featuring three speakers at events in late October. There’s a small photo of each speaker and a short blurb about their talk. Dexter Patterson is one of the speakers, talking about his new bird field guide on October 26th.
October 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
What a special stop on the Birds of the Great Lakes book tour! 💚 Huge thanks to Sydne at Ink Cap Books for hosting such a memorable event. 🪶

And bonus? Sydne told me it was the longest book signing line they’ve ever had at the shop! 🙌🏾

Thank you to everyone who came out to support. Let’s GO! 📖✍🏾🫶🏾
Dexter Patterson smiling and holding a copy of his book “Birds of the Great Lakes” inside Ink Cap Books, surrounded by colorful bookshelves in the background. A lively scene inside Ink Cap Books showing Dexter Patterson seated at a signing table smiling and talking with guests. People stand in line holding books while chatting amid cozy shelves of books and colorful displays. A book display at Ink Cap Books featuring multiple copies of “Birds of the Great Lakes” alongside other nature and sustainability titles. Dexter Patterson smiling for a selfie inside the bookstore, standing in front of a display of “Birds of the Great Lakes” and other nature books.
October 23, 2025 at 12:56 AM