Travis Willse
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traviswillse.bsky.social
Travis Willse
@traviswillse.bsky.social
Husband, father, Guilford College Mathematics Department chair, former expat. Birds (esp. frogmouths), math (esp. differential geometry), design, board games, language, code.
Delightful captures of a marvelous bird!
October 16, 2025 at 6:28 AM
The first printing might sell out before the new expansion (which doesn't release until Q1), but Stonemaier will print more of these to meet demand, and because the components are simple (just cards and packaging) the turnaround time from the manufacturer will be shorter than for a full game.
September 24, 2025 at 3:14 PM
"Each of these 6 packs feature 25 completely new birds in continents already covered by Wingspan (the art is consistent with the general style of all other birds in the game). They will be available on the Stonemaier Games webstore starting on October 15. (2/2)"
September 24, 2025 at 3:53 AM
From the publisher: "In cooperation with Elizabeth Hargrave, fan creation coordinator Travis Willse, and a few selected designers, we're officially printing some fan-designed bird promo packs. (1/2)
September 24, 2025 at 3:53 AM
I'm grateful to designer @elizhargrave.bsky.social and publisher Jamey Stegmaier for entrusting me to add their outstanding game by coordinating the fan-designed bird pack project. It's been gratifying to help expand the world of my favorite board game, including with some of my own designs.
September 24, 2025 at 3:52 AM
I'm as excited as anyone for the next WS expansion, but I'd rather Elizabeth take a decade if that's how long it takes to get things to her satisfaction than have SM ship something she's not happy with.
January 9, 2025 at 5:48 PM
I'm always puzzled to read complaints that the existence of Wyrmspan, and now Finspan, somehow take away from Wingspan. It wouldn't make sense, from either a game design standpoint or a financial one, for a publisher to withdraw material support from their bestselling game. 2/2
January 8, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Speaking as someone who's dedicated a /lot/ of time to Wingspan, as a player, a fan project designer, and in supporting the design in various ways---and been a lead playtester for all three games---I couldn't agree any more strongly with you here. 1/
January 8, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Favorite extinct species of bird?
December 19, 2024 at 5:03 AM
Does a shelf with mostly just the Wingspan Nesting Box on it count?
October 19, 2024 at 6:57 PM
Kiwi are hilariously larger than I expected---maybe because the same word is used for the (much smaller) fruit?
July 30, 2024 at 12:25 AM
From Wikipedia: "Because of aromatic compounds in the leaves they consume, and the bacterial fermentation required to digest them, the birds have a disagreeable, manure-like odor and are only hunted by humans for food in times of dire need; local people also call it the 'stinkbird' because of it."
May 28, 2024 at 3:04 PM
I know both Neotropical birds and African ones reasonably well---Antarctic ones less so, but of course there aren't so many choices there!
February 24, 2024 at 4:23 PM
Here's a family of jubilant frogmouths cheering you on! (The adult here had adopted the two nestlings, by the way. Readily adopting chicks is one of the species' more charming adaptations!)

Let me know if I can be of any help, of course.
February 23, 2024 at 11:31 PM
Racquel Mohr Halland and I made a fan card of this species for one of our fan packs. The dance really is spectacular, especially when seen from above, i.e., the usual vantage of the female bronze parotia.
December 15, 2023 at 8:12 PM
@rf-seattle.bsky.social's Cascadia (B.G.G. 1.83) has a card with family scoring rules (just count adjacent animals of like types), which simplifies both strategy and scoring a lot. Trails (1.82), is supposed to be good and to capture the flavor of Parks, but I don't how fast it is to teach.
August 19, 2023 at 12:27 AM