GRAND TRAVERSE AUDUBON CLUB
2026 Program & Field Trip Schedule
Our regular programs are usually the second Thursday of the month. They are held typically at Boardman River Nature Center on Cass Road at 7:00 PM. (Except May/June/July/August) Everyone (including non-members) is welcome to attend!
Stay tuned as we’ll be adding more programs in the near future!
MARCH
March 12 (Thursday) Lower Rio Grande Valley Birding Adventure Program – Presented by:
Nate Crane / Matt Winkler / Jeremiah Stewart
Join us for this exciting recap of a destination birding trip to the Lower Rio Grande Valley that these fellas went on in January of this year.
APRIL
April 9 (Thursday) Traveling Birder’s Big Year – Daniel Bernard
Be prepared for lively Big Year tales by traveling birder, Daniel Bernard. Daniel embarked on a cross-country birding road trip on a personal project he’s titled “People, Places, Birds.”
April 25 (Saturday) Arcadia Marsh Field Trip
The Grand Traverse Audubon Club annual field trip to Arcadia Marsh (on Route 22, Manistee County) is scheduled for Saturday April 25th. 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, you can also meet up with the group at the marsh parking lot off of M-22 44.489058, -86.231795 at about 8:15. Contact leader Jenny Young with questions: jenny@timandjenny.com
April 25 (Saturday) – MakerFest by Recycle Smart and Traverse Area District Library 10am to 2 pm
Held at GT Civic Center. Join hundreds of folks attending the 3rd annual event at the Civic Center spotlighting adult and children’s activities with dozens of vendors. GT Audubon will have a table at this event with children activities, including a repeat of the popular Bird Shrink Art.
Sunday 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. Outing time for the next Bird Walks will be announced via Bird Alert. Contact Coordinators listed below.
(Stay tuned to the Sunday Bird Walks of 2026; more to be announced in the next coming months.)
April 5- 7:30 am – Medalie Park (south end of Boardman Lake)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oM9pEdQogMDwu6HQ7
Small grassy area, then paved pedestrian path and boardwalk.
Contact Leader Kirk Waterstripe(4walkinglightly@gmail.com)
April 12 – 8:00 am – Pyatt Lake Preserve (New Parking Lot off Peninsula Drive)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6khKb7uUxzHBqR4P6
ADA compliant 2 mile path through woods with overlooks
Contact Leader Kathie Wiley (dujour1@gmail.com)
April 19 – 6:30 pm – (EVENING Bird Walk) meet at Hull Park parking lot behind the Traverse Area District Library
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3Sajvj5DR4veHHsq8
Paved pathway with foot bridge
Contact Leader Kevin Breen (kevthebreen1@charter.net)
April 26 – 8:00 am – Timbers Recreation Area
https://maps.app.goo.gl/452AfyXWTZick8Re7
Walking surfaces are 2 miles of unpaved path through forest past Long Lake and Fern Lake
Contact Leader Jenny Young (jenny@timandjenny.com)
MAY
May 1 (Friday), 7 pm – City Opera House
As part of the Fresh Coast Film Festival, “Listers – A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching” with Special Guests Owen and Quentin Reiser will the featured documentary. The film follows Owen and Quentin as they attempt a Big Year in birdwatching across the United States. GTAC will have an informational table at this event. The film fest runs April 30th to May 3rd; more information about the event and ticket purchase can be found on their website:
May 2 (Saturday) 10am – 12pm Peak Spring Bird Migration – Interlochen Library & GT Audubon collaboration. Western Michigan is a key destination and pathway for some of the hemisphere’s most amazing birds. Shorebirds, yard birds, ducks and geese and swans, and the tiny, beautiful precious warblers all move through our area in May. We’ll discuss bird identification, eBird hotspots, and the use of birding apps for identification and prediction of migration through our area. We’ll discuss life lists and how to find different species in their habitats. Finally, we’ll mosey outside for a look at a nearby feeder. There will be an optional field trip to Riley Woods, with a round-trip hike through various habitats (mulched path, 0.6 miles round-trip). There will be a couple pairs of binoculars to borrow. This workshop is co-sponsored by Grand Traverse Audubon Club. Contact leader Maryellen Newport (maryellen.newport@gmail.com)
May 9 (Saturday) Elk Rapids Bird Walk by Green ER & G T Audubon Club GLOBAL BIG DAY
Join Kathie Wiley with Grand Traverse Audubon Club on an Elk Rapids Village Bird Walk on Saturday, May 9th at 8:00 am. You’ll be helping be citizen scientists in helping identify the birds and tally them for Cornell University & the National Audubon on Global Big Day 2026.
What to bring: Binoculars if you have them. (here is a video of how to focus them: How to focus binoculars ), and good walking shoes.
We will be starting at the Gazebo near Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor, looking for any ducks like Mergansers as well as Tree Swallows and Chimney Swifts. Next, we’ll walk toward the library to look for warblers such as Yellow Warblers and possibly Gray Catbirds and Warbling Vireos. We’ll then venture to the south side of the library and cross Library Bridge over the Elk River. We’ll then walk toward E. Rapids Community Housing listening for birds, probably Chipping Sparrows and Pine Warblers. Along the way expect to hear/see American Redstarts and perhaps a Black-throated Green Warbler or Ovenbird. For added enjoyment, if you get a chance, please look up the birds mentioned in this description for both their markings and their calls before the hike. Registration is preferred: Elk Rapids Village Bird Walk GLOBAL BIG DAY registration. Contact Leader and Coordinator: Kathie Wiley (dujour1@gmail.com)
May 15-16 (Friday & Saturday) Tawas Point Migration Days
http://ausablevalleyaudubon.org
Spend an amazing weekend witnessing a spectacular spring migration in northeastern Michigan along Lake Huron. View a wide variety of migratory birds as they rest and feed at Tawas Point State Park. From waterfowl to songbirds, you’ll see it all! The Tawas Point Migration celebration offers nonstop birding activities and interesting information sure to entertain everyone.
Birding and photography volunteers will be available at Tawas Point (Free to all) 8 a.m. to dusk on Friday & Saturday. Information will be available for birding spots, including Hale, Oscoda, Tawas City, and East Tawas, such as Tuttle Marsh, Largo Springs, Lumberman’s Monument, and the Scenic River Road Byway. A bird sighting list will be on display near the lighthouse trailhead on Friday & Saturday. Potential GT Audubon group travel to festival. More details to follow.
May 23 – (Saturday) Birding and Kayaking the Lower Platte River.
9:00 am BYOK: We’ll see and hear waterbirds, shorebirds, warblers, and others. We’ll be passing through Loon Lake and end at Lake Michigan with breathtaking views of Platte Bay and Sleeping Bear Dunes. Paddle trip is estimated at 2 to 2 1/2 hrs. Participation is understood to be at one’s own risk. Limited number of spaces (8). Registration required: Birding and Kayaking Registration. We will meet up a the put in/drop off and ready to shuttle by 9:00. Lower Platte River Kayak Drop Off. We will shuttle to the take-out at Platte Beach. *National Park Pass Required*
Contact Leaders Jenny Young (jenny@timandjenny.com) & Kathie Wiley (dujour1@gmail.com)
May 30 – (Saturday) – Bridge Lake Kayak Birding Adventure (sign up below)
8:00 am 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. This is a small, private inland lake with sparse obstructions. We’ll report our findings to Interlochen Center for the Arts as part of their biodiversity survey. Participation is understood to be at one’s own risk. Limited number of spaces (8). Registration required: Bridge Lake Kayaking Birding Registration. We will meet up at 8:00 am. Bring your own kayak! Contact leader Mary Ellen Newport with any questions: (419) 494-6471.
May Sunday 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. Outing time for the next Bird Walks will be announced via Bird Alert. Contact Coordinators listed below.
(Stay tuned to the Sunday Bird Walks of 2026; more to be announced in the next coming months.)
May 10 – 8:00 am – Old Mission Point Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dbnS47GNfh6jyFUo9
Hiking trails through woods / Sandy beach areas
Contact Leader: Kathie Wiley (dujour1@gmail.com)
May 17 – 7:00 pm (EVENING Bird Walk) Timbers Recreational Area
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mkaHggj5NMFgHSLm7
Hiking trails through woods, foot paths
Contact Leader: Kevin Breen (kevinthebreen1@charter.net)
May 24 – 8:00 am –Shumsky Road
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Yh9QYuQv5cPHLFMTA (Shumsky’s Canoe Launch)
Walking surface is a short walk along the road and Boardman River.
Contact Leader Jenny Young (jenny@timandjenny.com)
May 31st – 8:00 am – Port Oneida (meet at the grass parking lot just north of the Kelderhouse Cemetery & Farmhouse on east side of the street)
*Need a Federal Park Pass* : Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2ZuQKkVirJSyCgTW8
2 to 3 mile hike on foot path.
Contact Leader: Kevin Breen (kevinthebreen1@charter.net)
JUNE
June 6th (Saturday) Mason County Birding Field Trip (down by Ludington).
Time TBD and more info forthcoming. Targets: Cerulean Warbler, Hooded Warbler, and Acadian Flycatcher. Contact Leader and coordinator Curt Hofer (curthofer1@gmail.com).
June 13 (Saturday) Kalkaska County Kirtland Warbler Field Trip
Meet at Fife Lake Roadside Park at 7:00 AM and we’ll caravan about a half-hour drive to a Kirtland’s warbler nesting area in Kalkaska County. We’ll walk one to two miles total out-and-back on a level dirt road. Contact leader and coordinator Tim Webb (tlwebb166@gmail.com).
Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/He2aPPprLymvN97N7
June Sunday 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. Outing time for the next Bird Walks will be announced via Bird Alert. Contact Coordinators listed below.
(Stay tuned to the Sunday Bird Walks of 2026; more to be announced in the next coming months.)
June 14 – 8:00 am – Reffitt Preserve
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MJk37RhgiSd2J5d7A
Walking surfaces are forest floor and boardwalks
Contact Leader Kathie Wiley (dujour1@gmail.com)
June 28 – 8:00 am – DeYoung Natural Area
https://maps.app.goo.gl/r2NK5y4TSjhuGrJK6 (Park in lot by the farmhouse)
Walking surface are a 1.5 mile upland trail through forests, open fields and past a stream
*If time permits, we will cross the road to walk the .5 mile trail to Cedar Lake.
Contact Leader Jenny Young (jenny@timandjenny.com)
(No July Sunday Bird Walks)
AUGUST
August Sunday 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. Outing time for the next Bird Walks will be announced via Bird Alert. Contact Coordinators listed below.
(Stay tuned to the Sunday Bird Walks of 2026; more to be announced in the next coming months.)
August 9 – 8:00 am Fulton Park/ Carter Road
https://maps.app.goo.gl/m7Bux2C7jJY5phH37 Permission to park in Bodies in Motion parking lot
Paved Bike Path headed south from parking lot, then short boardwalk, short footpath through woods.
Contact Leader Kathie Wiley (dujour1@gmail.com)
August 16 – 7:00 pm (EVENING Bird Walk) Ingraham Preserve at the Cedar River Preserve
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KTW6g2g6hrACUetM8
A Leelanau Conservancy hike through woods, foot path.
Contact Leader Kevin Breen (kevinthebreen1@charter.net)
August 23 – 8:00 am Mitchell Creek Meadows Nature Preserve
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PXg8VVktKSjNYGgV9
1 mile hike through wetlands, meadows and forest restoration areas; pretty flat
Contact Leader Jenny Young (jenny@timandjenny.com)
SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER PROGRAMS AND FIELD TRIPS TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER ON IN THE YEAR.
2026 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS:
Everyone is welcome to help count birds for the 127th annual National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. Contact the CBC compilers listed below for details on how to participate and become a part of history! For more information about how the Christmas Bird Count works go to:
https://www.audubon.org/answers-your-top-questions-about-christmas-bird-count
18 (Friday) December – Antrim County
Contact: Curt Hofer
curthofer1@gmail.com
(TBD)- December – Benzie County
Contact: Doug Cook
nedthebirder@gmail.com
(TBD)- December – Grand Traverse County
Contact: Nate Crane
231-499-5460
(TBD)- December – Leelanau County
Contact: Kirk Waterstripe
4walkinglightly@gmail.com
*COMPLETED 2026 PROGRAMS AND FIELD TRIPS*
January 8 (Thursday) Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Completed)
Max Henschell, PhD, with Michigan Audubon will explain to us what a Motus Tower is, how it is used to track birds and other wildlife for scientific purposes. While there are currently 24 towers in the project, there is a need along the eastern Lake Michigan coast. Max will touch on estimated costs and fundraising tips, installation requirements, and maintenance of the towers. In addition, this is first Membership Meeting of the year, help us review and vote on the upcoming budget for the club and briefly review last year’s budget.
February 7th (Saturday) 10am to 12pm Winter Birding – (Completed)
Hey Folks! We’re offering a Birding for Beginners class at the Interlochen Public Library. Winter is a great time to learn birding, as there are relatively few species out and about. We’ll figure out how to use the Merlin and eBird apps. Learn how to focus your binoculars and BYO binoculars if you have them! Dress warmly since there is great habitat behind the library and feeders behind the township offices. There will be an optional trip to see a Snowy Owl afterwards (if they are around!) Experienced birders are more than welcome! Happy to answer questions here or via PM. Happy birding! This workshop is co-sponsored by Grand Traverse Audubon Club. Contact Leader Maryellen Newport (maryellen.newport@gmail.com)
February 12 (Thursday) Planting Native to Attract Birds Program- Guest Speakers Tom Ford & Brian Zimmerman (Completed)
Join us for a discussion with Tom Ford and Brian Zimmerman from Four Seasons Nursery to learn about how to landscape with native plants and improve bird and pollinator habitat in your yard.
February 14th (Saturday) Great Backyard Bird Count – Medalie Park & Mitchell Creek Meadows (Completed)
9 am – 11 am – Medalie Park
11:30 am – 12:30 am Mitchell Creek Meadows
GT Audubon and GT Regional Land Conservancy are collaborating to bring you this special winter field trip. Come to Medalie Park at the south end of Boardman Lake at 9:00 AM participate in the global Great Backyard Bird Count happening February 13th – 16th, an annual bird census conducted throughout the world by volunteers like you. You’ll help count birds and we’ll enter the data into the Ebird app. At 11:30 AM, travel to a nature walk at Mitchell Creek Meadows off 3 mile Rd. Contact Leader Kathie Wiley – (dujour1@gmail.com) Registration preferred: Great Backyard Bird Count 2026 Registration