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 960 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
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
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Also on Amazon
November 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM
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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
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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
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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
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What a night!
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Who wants to help me find the Snow Buntings? You Ready? Let’s GO!!! 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
October 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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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
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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
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During the Q/A at Call & Response Books, someone asked me about a funny bird story… and let’s just say my daughter will never forget the day a juvenile Cedar Waxwing chose her as the perfect landing spot 💩😂 #WiscoBirder 🪶
October 21, 2025 at 12:01 AM
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Chicago showed so much love! 🙏🏾 In this clip, I talk with about what it means to be the first Black man to write a field guide — and to see Birds of the Great Lakes hit #1 on Amazon and become a Top New Release. Representation matters. Our stories matter. #BlackSky 📖✍🏾🫶🏾🪶
October 19, 2025 at 3:23 PM
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💚 A Little Favor, Friends! 💚

If you’ve picked up Birds of the Great Lakes, could you take a moment to leave a review on Amazon? It’s the Top New Release for Midwest US Travel Guides! 🫶🏾

🐦📖 a.co/d/02z3gRe
Screenshot showing the Amazon listing for Birds of the Great Lakes by Dexter Patterson. The book is labeled as a “Top New Release in Midwest US Travel Guides” with a 5-star rating from two reviews. The green book cover features white and blue icons of a bird, music note, feather, binoculars, and map pin, with the title text reading Best Little Book of Birds: Birds of the Great Lakes – How They Look & Sound, Where to Find Them, How to Protect Them by Dexter Patterson.
October 18, 2025 at 12:57 AM
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Yesterday’s stop on the Birds of the Great Lakes Book Tour took me to Elkhart, Indiana — and wow, what an incredible experience! Huge shoutout to Fables Books and the Wellfield Botanical Gardens for hosting me. What an amazing group and such a stunning place to share Bird Joy. 🫶🏾🪶
Dexter Patterson smiles in a selfie wearing glasses and a gray hoodie with three loon illustrations on it. Behind him is a calm pond surrounded by trees with golden autumn leaves reflecting in the water under a clear blue sky. A presentation setup in a bright room featuring a podium with a laptop and a large screen that reads “Welcome to Bird Joy for All” with an image of Dexter Patterson holding binoculars. A framed event poster for “Birds of the Great Lakes: Author Talk & Signing with Dexter Patterson,” showing the date, time, and location at the Wellfield Botanic Gardens, along with the book’s cover design. A display table with stacks of Dexter Patterson’s Birds of the Great Lakes books, a sign-up QR code for Fables Books, and promotional materials arranged neatly for the event.
October 17, 2025 at 12:30 PM
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Kicked off my Birds of the Great Lakes Book Tour at Call & Response Books in Chicago! 🐦📚 Great convo with Karlos from Chicago BIPOC Birders + awesome crowd. Huge thanks to Courtney for the hospitality. You ready? Let’s GO!!! 💪🏾 #BirdJoy #WiscoBirder 🪶
Dexter smiles outside Call & Response Books wearing a black corduroy jacket and a hat that says “#birdjoy.” A chalkboard sign reads “Fall in love with a new book!” outside Call & Response Books. A display table inside the bookstore with Dexter Patterson’s Birds of the Great Lakes featured among other titles. A wall mural with a Toni Morrison quote: “A writer’s life and work are not a gift to mankind; they are its necessity.”
October 12, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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Get your copy today! 📖🫶🏾🪶

timberpress.com/titles/dexte...
A joyful collage celebrating Birds of the Great Lakes by Dexter Patterson. The compilation includes photos of readers smiling and holding the green pocket-sized book in various cozy and everyday settings. In the top row, a mother and child pose with their copy while wearing blue caps, a woman reads the book with glasses on, and a photo shows the book beside a whipped-cream-topped iced coffee. The middle rows feature close-up shots of the book’s cover, readers relaxing with it, an open page showing a “Snowy Owl” spread, and a curious basset hound staring at the camera while someone holds the book. The collage also includes images of readers posting about their preorders and sharing excitement online, along with the repeated text “Birds of the Great Lakes” in green lettering. The overall tone is warm, enthusiastic, and community-focused, showing people and pets enjoying the new bird guide across different moments and places.
October 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
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Just a couple of Nelson’s Sparrows being ridiculously cute 😍 Fall migration never disappoints! 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
A Nelson’s Sparrow perched upright among tall green and brown grass stems, lit by soft golden morning light. The bird’s buffy face, streaked breast, and small bill are clearly visible as it stands alert amid the autumn vegetation. A Nelson’s Sparrow seen from behind at the edge of a muddy shoreline. The bird’s warm brown and olive back shows bold streaking as it holds a small insect in its bill, with water rippling beside it. A Nelson’s Sparrow partially hidden among dense green and brown marsh vegetation. The bird peeks through stems and seed heads, its pale chest and subtle face markings catching the sunlight.
October 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
🫶🏾
A man wearing a sun hat and blue shirt shows a young girl and several others a turtle inside a shaded outdoor education area. Three birders observe cranes from a paved path; one woman walks ahead with binoculars, another stands nearby, and an older woman in a light blue sweater sits on a motorized scooter looking toward the field. A group of people stand attentively outdoors under bright sunlight, watching birds in the distance. The man in the foreground wears a blue hat and shirt with “American Birdwatchers” on the sleeve, arms crossed, binoculars hanging from his neck.
October 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
wiscobirder.bsky.social
🪶
Two large gray and white cranes with red wattled faces stand among tall grasses near a pond under bright sunlight. A tall gray crane with a red head and neck bends down to forage in bright green grass. A Sarus Crane stands tall near a painted mural of wetlands behind a mesh fence, its long legs and red neck visible in the sunlight. A young gray crane with pale feathers and a light-colored head bends down to forage in grassy wetland vegetation.
October 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM