GRAND TRAVERSE AUDUBON CLUB
2025 Program & Field Trip Schedule
Our regular meetings are usually the *Third Thursday of the month at the Boardman River Nature Center on Cass Road at 7:00 PM. (Except May/June/July/August) Everyone (including non-members) is welcome to attend! (* Changed from the 4th Thursday of the month in the past)
JANUARY
January 16 (Thursday) (Possibly Gull Identification, TBD)
FEBRUARY
1 – 2 (Saturday & Sunday) – Upper Peninsula Birding – FULL! (sorry!)
The Grand Traverse Audubon Club will be hosting a field trip to the UP for some winter birding. The dates are Saturday Feb 1st – Sunday February 2nd. We will leave Traverse City around 8 am Saturday and return late afternoon on Sunday. There is no charge for this event; however, all participants will be responsible for their own food and lodging. We have a block of rooms reserved at Budget Host Hotel in St. Ignace. Room rates (pre-tax) are $102.60 for single queen, $112.50 for single king, or $122.40 for 2 queens.
Our target birds include Snowy Owl, Sharp-tail Grouse, Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Shrike, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin, Bohemian Waxwing, Snow Bunting, and Evening Grosbeak (note: it would be highly unlikely to get all of these, but we’ll try!) We will explore Chippewa and Mackinac counties and will include a variety of stops such as Rudyard, Pickford, Whitefish Point and possibly Sault Ste Marie (depending on what is being reported up there as the date gets closer). In case you are interested, here is Jenny Young’s trip report from the last time she did this trip:
https://ebird.org/tripreport/288287
We’ll spend most of the time in a car caravan, stopping along snow-covered, gravel, or paved roads where we will have short walks looking for birds. Just so you are aware, bathrooms will be limited while we are out on the country roads.
Anyone interested in joining this field trip should register via the link below (FYI, we are limiting registration to 10 people):
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4AABAC29A3FE3-53581505-winter#
To secure a room, call the Budget Host in St. Ignace at (906) 643-9666. The block of rooms will be held until early January and is under Grand Traverse Audubon Club and Jenny Young’s name.
Any questions, feel free to email or give a call to Jenny Young.
jenny@timandjenny.com or 317-833-6425.
February 20 (Thursday) Skegemog Raptor Center.
Skegemog Raptor Center (SRC) is a safe place for sick and injured raptors to receive care. James Manley, SRC Executive Director, will share some unique features about raptors and practical ways individuals can help these birds out. In addition to learning more about how their rehabilitation work and research helps understand emerging health concerns and issues for raptor populations, we will have an opportunity to meet some of their raptor ambassadors! James began his work with raptors in 2006 volunteering and training at Wings of Wonder under the close supervision of founder Rebecca Lessard. He has been involved in education programs, rehabilitation work, and various building projects throughout the years. He has held his own state and federal rehabilitation permits since 2009. Contact leader Jenny Young with questions: jenny@timandjenny.com or 317-833-6425.
MARCH
March 20 (Thursday) – Great Lakes Piping Plover Recovery
Vince Cavalieri will be presenting a program on the recovery of the Great Lakes piping plover in the Great Lakes on March …. Vince is the wildlife biologist at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore where he leads an intensive effort to protect and study the population of Great Lakes piping plovers that occur at the park. In recent seasons Sleeping Bear has been the summer breeding site for 1/3 to ½ the entire Great Lakes piping plover breeding population and is thus extremely important for the survival and recovery of this federally endangered species. Vince is a Certified Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society and has spent the last 15 years working on Great Lakes piping plover recovery with both the National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Prior to his federal career Vince was a field ornithologist working on many different bird research and conservation projects and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in Wildlife Ecology from Oklahoma State University. His graduate research primarily focused on the Cerulean Warbler. Contact leader Mary Ellen Newport with any questions: (419) 494-6471
APRIL
17 (Thursday) Membership Meeting: Venue and Speaker TBD
19 (Saturday) Arcadia Marsh
The Grand Traverse Audubon Club annual field trip to Arcadia Marsh (on Route 22, Manistee County) is scheduled for Saturday April 19th. We’ll look for Sandhill Cranes, waterfowl, blackbirds, early warblers, and much more. *Parts of this trip will be accessible to those with mobility issues. Meet up at the car wash by Meijer on US 31 South at 7:00 AM and then carpool/caravan to the marsh. If if it more convenient for folks, we’ll also stop at Wendy’s parking lot at Interlochen Corners at 7:20 am to carpool/caravan to the marsh. If you would like to meet the group at the marsh parking lot off of M-22 (44.489058, -86.231795) please advise the leaders in advance. Trip Leader TBD at this time.
26 (Saturday) Digiscoping workshop – (Registration required, keep posted for registration opening)
Time TBD
Join Grand Traverse Audubon on April 26th as we welcome Jeremiah Oden from Indiana to share his knowledge about digiscoping, which is a technique for taking photos using a smartphone through the eyepiece of a spotting scope. Digiscoping is a cost-effective way to take highly zoomed photos without the need for a heavy telephoto lens and expensive camera body. Jeremiah is a Kowa Sporting Optics Ambassador and will bring a few spotting scopes to demonstrate different techniques for digiscoping as we scan Boardman Lake for ducks, shorebirds, and other waterfowl. Check out his Instagram account at @the_phone_birder to see some of his digiscope shots! Although Jeremiah didn’t start birding seriously until 2020, he has already racked up almost 700 species in the US and is passionate about grassland habitat conservation. The exact time will be determined as the date gets closer; attendees will be limited, so watch Bird Alert in late February or early March for registration.
April 6,13,20,*27 (Sundays) – Sunday Morning Bird Walks
Join us at various locations around the area for a birding experience designed for those just getting started or wanting to polish their skills. We’ll focus on identification skills, not just a big list. Outings will start at 8:00 AM and last about 2 hours. Note that the walks may start earlier as the days get longer! *The last Sunday of the Month will be held in the evening. For April 27th, that will be a Woodcock Sky Dance walk.* The weekly location will be announced early in the week via BirdAlert. Contact leader and coordinator Kirk Waterstripe (4walkinglightly@gmail.com) with any questions.
Apr 6 @ 7:30 am – Logan’s Landing/ Medalie Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GofJG8yfWZ1FNGen9
Walking surfaces are paved and mostly level
Apr 13 @ 7:30 am – YMCA Pond
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HKPCZWMRMcvkLqXn8
Waking surface is paved and level
Apr 20 @ 7:30 am – Leelanau Trail at Fouch Road
https://maps.app.goo.gl/inqCCLvJ1aurkC556
Walking surfaces are paved and level
*Apr 27 @ 8:30 pm – WOODCOCKS! Veronica Valley Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NaPojijM32onvDRf8
Walking surfaces are grassy, a bit damp, and mostly level
MAY
3 – (Saturday) – Sportsman’s Park (East Jordan area in Charlevoix County)
45.1525467, -85.1319056 Join member Curt Hofer for a pleasant morning of birding beginning at 8:00 am. There is a nice marsh that attracts a variety of ducks and waders plus some seasonal shorebirds. Interesting raptors such as Merlin’s and Harriers often show up as well as passerines that like wet areas. An American White Pelican has been known to visit the area as well. New last year is a nature trail / board walk through part of the marsh that is an easy hike. A spotting scope would be helpful but it isn’t necessary. Contact leader Curt Hofer (curthofer1@gmail.com) with any questions.
10 – (Saturday) – Global Big Day: Held at Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Northport.
Lighthouse West – Come explore the wonders of spring migration on this property maintained by the Leelanau Conservancy. We’ll find a variety of birds in the different habitats as we make our way over to Lake Michigan. Meet at the parking area on Cathead Bay Drive, just south of Leelanau State Park. Walking surfaces are natural, and not always level. You might just fall in love with this place! Contact leader and coordinator Kirk Waterstripe (4walkinglightly@gmail.com) with any questions.
Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QD45UwJ8ixYZ66zu8
24 – (Saturday) – Bridge Lake Kayak Birding Adventure
BYOK: Explore water-loving warblers from your kayak on lovely Bridge Lake in Interlochen, MI Bridge Lake – Interlochen. You can check out the Bridge Lake hotspot on eBird, including the species list. Limited number of spaces, sign up here for directions and details. We will meet up at 7:30 am. Bring your own kayak! Contact leader Mary Ellen Newport with any questions: (419) 494-6471.
31 (Saturday) – SE Grand Traverse County
Some birding gems await in southeastern Grand Traverse County, with forest, marshes and ponds. Meet at Fife Lake Roadside Park, and we’ll caravan to nearby spots like Headquarters Lake and Walton Marsh. Walking surfaces are dirt roads. Contact leader and coordinator Kirk Waterstripe (4walkinglightly@gmail.com) with any questions.
Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/He2aPPprLymvN97N7
May 4,11,*18,**25 (Sundays) – Sunday Morning Bird Walks
Join us at various locations around the area for a birding experience designed for those just getting started or wanting to polish their skills. We’ll focus on identification skills, not just a big list. Outings will start at 7:30 AM and last about 2 hours. Note that the walks may start earlier as the days get longer! **The last Sunday of the Month will be held in the evening. The weekly location will be announced early in the week via BirdAlert. Contact leader and coordinator Kirk Waterstripe (4walkinglightly@gmail.com) with any questions.
May 4 @ 6:30 am – Maple Bay Natural Area
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpyJoAr3euTSqv3s6
Walking surfaces are natural tails
May 11 @ 6:30 am – Reffitt Preserve
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MJk37RhgiSd2J5d7A
Walking surfaces are forest floor and boardwalks
May 18 @ 7:30 am – Shumsky Road with Maryellen Newport (Questions: (419) 494-6471
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZPD7Dj3YrFQvjZ7z9
Walking surface is a dirt road
*May 25 @ 7:00 pm – Mitchell Creek Preserve
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pGJdKt5FwELooPrZ9
Walking surface is gravel, grassy, and boardwalks
JUNE
June 1,8,15,22,*29 (Sundays) – Sunday Morning Bird Walks
Join us at various locations around the area for a birding experience designed for those just getting started or wanting to polish their skills. We’ll focus on identification skills, not just a big list. Outings will start at 7:30 AM and last about 2 hours. Note that the walks may start earlier as the days get longer! *The last Sunday of the Month will be held in the evening.* The weekly location will be announced early in the week via BirdAlert. Contact leader and coordinator Kirk Waterstripe (4walkinglightly@gmail.com) with any questions.
June 1 @ 7:00 am – Boardman Valley (Towhees)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ceg2NDw2Tpi8zPnL8
Walking surface is a dirt road
June 8 @ 7:00 am – TART east end
https://maps.app.goo.gl/J3vnYd2kZGJ3uBJv8
Walking surface is a paved trail
June 15 @ 8:00 am – Platte River Fish Hatchery
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nNDC2kEWFHQRuszL8
Walking surfaces are paved and gravel trails
June 22 @ 7:00 am – White Road, Solon Twp.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SbAPevRKrKnUbYYL7
Walking surface is a roadside
*June 29 @ 7:30 pm – YMCA Pond (calling rails)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HKPCZWMRMcvkLqXn8
Waking surface is paved and level
AUGUST
16 – (Saturday) Houghton Lake Sewage Pond Field Trip
Directions to Houghton Lake Sewage Ponds
Before birding, we’ll be greeted by one of the staff of the HL Sewer Authority who will sign us in and give us a brief overview of how the ponds help ecology, hence birds. It’s a big thing that they are offering this special access on a Saturday to Grand Traverse Audubon. They typically limit birding to these ponds to Monday through Friday during business hours. Caravan/Carpool option: Meet up in the MDOT Park-n-Ride lot at the Acme Meijer at 7:00am for anyone that is interested in carpooling. Curt will be there to greet all and encourages car-pooling. Directions to MDOT Park n’ Ride Acme Meijer’s
We’re looking forward to seeing lots of ducks and shorebirds. Contact leader Curt Hofer (curthofer1@gmail.com) with any questions.
SEPTEMBER
September 18 (Thursday)- TBD
OCTOBER
October 16 (Thursday) – TBD
NOVEMBER
November 20 (Thursday) – TBD
DECEMBER
December 18 (Thursday) – TBD