By: Annie Ellsworth (NRF Summer Intern)
Coming into LMBO as an intern this summer felt intimidating. I worried about starting field work with no idea what I was doing. Some people, including me, picture conservation work as all high-tech equipment, complicated math, and scientists in lab coats. While that can be part of the picture, I found from my time at LMBO that the real magic often comes from everyday people who roll up their sleeves, grab a measuring tape, and give a little of their time to something bigger than themselves, in other words, volunteers.
At the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory (LMBO), volunteers are our superpower. They are the reason we can collect large amounts of data, monitor countless nest boxes, restore habitat, and inspire more people to care about birds. They bring energy, stories, and knowledge that make our work richer and more fun. Leaving LMBO, I am grateful for the chance to work alongside our volunteers, and I have a newfound respect for citizen science. Before wrapping up my internship, I wanted to highlight a couple of these incredible people and their stories.
Meet Tim: The Lifelong Learner
Tim Stauder began volunteering because he wanted to keep learning and do something good for nature. “Volunteering with the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory allows me to achieve both goals,” he says. On his very first day of vegetation monitoring, LMBO staff introduced him to a Merlin, a small falcon he did not even know lived in southeastern Wisconsin, and they helped him identify its call. That moment added a new bird to his list and sparked a fresh curiosity about what might be flying over his own backyard. Tim’s contributions do not stop when he leaves our team. At home, he has built kestrel nest boxes, replaced invasive shrubs with native ones, and installed bird strike guards on his windows. His volunteer work has become part of his daily life in the best possible way.
Meet Tami: The Wren Wrangler
Tami Kesey joined LMBO to do something positive for her community without committing to an overwhelming schedule. As a bonus, it got her outside more often, which she considers a win. Nest box monitoring introduced Tami to a whole cast of tiny bird personalities, including one particularly moody house wren. “She would get right in my face and scream at me when I approached her box,” Tami recalls. “A little terrifying, honestly! But I admired how fiercely protective she was. Total tough mom vibes.”
One of her favorite moments was checking in on her two favorite chickadee nestlings (whom she named Pickle and Trish, pictured below). “Getting to see the nestlings one last time before they fledged was a highlight,” she says.
Why This Matters
Both Tim and Tami will tell you that volunteering has deepened their connection to nature in ways they did not expect. Volunteering is not just about checking boxes or collecting data. It is about noticing more, appreciating more, and building a personal connection to the natural world. As Tim puts it, “One person can do a lot to help birds through conservation, and the birds definitely need our help.” Whether it is vegetation monitoring, checking nest boxes, or participating in any form of community science, small acts add up to big change. Tami’s advice is, “Do it! It’s rewarding, it’s cute, it’s sometimes gross... but always worth it.”
How You Can Help
I could talk all day about how important our volunteers are, but I would rather see you out there with them. Whether you have one hour a month or every Saturday free, there is a place for you at LMBO. You do not need a lab coat, fancy equipment, or any prior experience. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to help. Who knows? You might spot your first Merlin, or meet your own Pickle and Trish.