Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance

Butterfly Walk at Matthaei Botanical Gardens
2025-09-14 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Detroit) | Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
Please join us for a return to Matthaei Botanical Gardens as Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance and resident butterfly experts help to observe, appreciate, and learn about another one of our winged beauties.

We will catch (with permission) observe, photograph, document, and release many species to provide attendees with an up close study of organisms.
Portions of the walk will be in the prairie so prepare to be in the sun. Walking will be a long trails on flat terrain. We will have extra binoculars for those that need them. Bring your curiosity and questions for this wonderful walk.
Photographers are highly encouraged to attend as we attempt to document all of the species we find. Data gathered will be shared with Matthaei staff and to iNaturalist. You can view our past butterfly observations and photos here.
Leader: Jerry Paulissen

& Matt Spoor

Directions: Meet at the conservatory steps of Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Parking is $2 per hour, but bikes are free! Unfortunately, AAATA does not provide reasonable transit to this location.

Monday Migration Evenings at Matthaei
2025-09-15 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-22 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
Join us for a walk through the trails at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens to look and listen for birds during their migration. This leisurely stroll will wind through the woods on the Botanical Gardens’ well-maintained dirt paths and will involve ~2 miles of walking or less.
The pond often hosts waterfowl and shorebirds, and the trails will take us through excellent habitat to look for warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, the occasional cuckoo, and other birds that briefly pass through Washtenaw County (and we’ll be sure to take notice of our local birds, too!).
All are welcome to attend, and please note that it is perfectly appropriate to attend for only a portion of the walk and depart as needed. New birders are especially encouraged to come along—the very best way to learn more about birds and birding is to spend time in the field. Please join us!
Visit Matthaei’s eBird hotspot page to see what species have been recently seen at the Botanical Gardens.
Leader: James Weir and guest
Directions: Meet in front of the main entrance to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens building at 1800 N. Dixboro Rd.
eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist shared with you, please give us your email or eBird username here (you may do this onsite well): tinyurl.com/eBirdList
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.

Thursday Fall Migration Walks at Nichols Arboretum
2025-09-18 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-25 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-02 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-09 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-16 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-23 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-30 08:00 - 11:00 | Nichols Arboretum – Dow Prairie, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103, United States
Join us Thursday mornings at Nichols Arboretum as we search for fall migrants. These walks are a great opportunity to join with other birders of all skill levels. In addition to the birds, the Arb’s trees and other flora offer delights of their own.
Curious about what birds you may see? Visit the eBird Macaulay Library to view photos taken in the Arb in September and October here, or view the eBird hotspot species list to see what birds have been reported recently.
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.
Directions: Meet at the east end of the Arboretum at the Dow Prairie entrance on Riverview Dr. From Geddes Ave., turn north onto Riverview and stay right until it terminates at the cul-de-sac.
eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist shared with you, please give us your email or eBird username here (you can sign up to receive the eBird checklist during the walk as well).

The Detroit River Hawk Watch--Lake Erie MetroPark
2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Detroit River Hawk Watch, 3RH4+HG7, Brownstown Charter Twp, MI, United States
A standardized monitoring program, the Detroit River Hawk Watch, is conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (DRIWR), and its friends group, the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance (IWRA), at the Lake Erie Metropark in Gibraltar, MI. Join us and witness spectacular flights of Broad-winged Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrals, and potentially more!
We will watch for and learn to identify migrating raptors in flight. Hawk watching is a largely stationary event so bring a comfy chair, dress for the weather, and bring something to eat and drink. Erika Van Kirk, the coordinator of the Detroit River Hawk Watch, will speak to the group around 10:30 a.m. to provide an introduction to this important annual initiative to understand and document raptor migration through southeast Michigan.
Please note that the Hawkfest event is happening on September 20th and 21st at Lake Erie Metropark. The event celebrates the annual hawk migration and there are lots of things to see and do at the Marshlands Museum as well as the official Hawk Watch count site.
Want to learn more about raptor ID? Check out our October 2022 program, “Identifying Raptors in Flight” with friend of WAS, Josh Haas. It’s a great program.
Directions: Upon entering Lake Erie Metropark, follow the signs to the boat launch (map). Once at the boat launch, look for trip leader Kate Jackman in a blue WBNA hat, and co-leader James Weir who will be wearing a bright orange “Great Gull Island” baseball cap for maximum visibility. A metropark pass per vehicle is required for entry. Pass information here. Please note that if parking is busy due to Hawkfest at the boat launch (where the Hawk Watch count location is), y0u may need to park nearby and walk a short distance.

In Search of Fall Shorebirds
2025-09-28 09:00 - 11:00 | MI
Update 9/26: We will meet at Sharon Mills North at 9 a.m. There are still a few spots open for this event but please register below so we know how many guests to expect. Depending on what we find at Sharon Mills North, and how long we spend at the site, we may continue on to Four Mile and/or Trinkle Marsh to see if we can uncover any other expected (or unexpected!) migrants.
Join the Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance on a search for fall shorebirds as they move south for the winter.
It has been a very dry September in Washtenaw county and the specific location(s) for this event will depend on rainfall. We will share details via email on Friday, September 26. If there is no suitable shorebird habitat, we will pivot to a more typical birding walk.
Trinkle Marsh and the Sharon Mills area are two possibilities, among others. We may need to meet in one location and then caravan as a group to minimize cars parked along the county roads we will be birding. You can learn more about the patterns and timing of shorebird migration on the Black Swamp Bird Observatory website.
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.
Location: Register below to receive location details on Friday, September 26.
eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist shared with you, please give us your email or eBird username here (you can sign up to receive the eBird checklist during the walk as well).
Trip leaders: Isaiah Clark and James Weir

Tree Identification Walk - Autumn Edition
2025-10-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Draper-Houston Meadows Preserve, 578 Mooreville Rd, Milan, MI, 48160
Want to learn the difference between a hickory and a hackberry—by their leaves? How about a beech vs. a basswood at a glance? With foliage on, it’s the perfect time to practice leaf-based ID: simple vs. compound, margins, venation, petioles, and leaf arrangement—plus quick bark/back-up cues and common look-alikes (including invasives). Join us for an interactive hike to learn to ID common Michigan trees. As always, we’ll share ecological context to paint a holistic picture of this ecosystem.
Directions: 551 Mooreville Rd, Milan, MI 48160. The small gravel lot and signed entrance are on Mooreville Rd just west of S Platt Rd, before the bridge over the Saline River.
Leaders: Ed Trager & Matthew Spoor

All are welcome and encouraged to join us. Nearly all of our events are open to members and non-members alike.

Early 5:30 p.m. Start: Monday Evening Migration at Matthaei
2025-10-06 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-10-13 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-10-20 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-10-27 17:30 - 19:00 | Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
Please note that the Monday evening walks at Matthaei will start at 5:30 p.m. in October.
Join us for a walk through the trails at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens to look and listen for birds during their migration. This leisurely stroll will wind through the woods on the Botanical Gardens’ well-maintained dirt paths and will involve ~2 miles of walking or less.
The pond often hosts waterfowl and shorebirds, and the trails will take us through excellent habitat to look for warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, the occasional cuckoo, and other birds that briefly pass through Washtenaw County (and we’ll be sure to take notice of our local birds, too!).
All are welcome to attend, and please note that it is perfectly appropriate to attend for only a portion of the walk and depart as needed. New birders are especially encouraged to come along—the very best way to learn more about birds and birding is to spend time in the field. Please join us!
Visit Matthaei’s eBird hotspot page to see what species have been recently seen at the Botanical Gardens.
Leader: James Weir and guest
Directions: Meet in front of the main entrance to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens building at 1800 N. Dixboro Rd.
eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist shared with you, please give us your email or eBird username here (you may do this onsite well): tinyurl.com/eBirdList
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.

BIPOC Bird Walk at DeVine Preserve
2025-10-11 09:30 - 11:30 | DeVine Preserve, 6110 West Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, 48103, United States
We invite all people from the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community and our white allies to join us on this walk to look for fall migratory birds. All ages and skill levels are invited. We will have extra binoculars if you do not have any.
Directions: Meet in the parking lot at DeVine Preserve, 6110 W Liberty Rd.
Leader: Victor Chen

All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.

The Big Sit! at Independence Lake County Park
2025-10-12 06:00 - 14:00 | Independence Lake County Park, 3200 Jennings Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI, 48189, United States
Join WBNA for The Big Sit!
Hosted by Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance
How many birds can you spot in one day from a 17-foot (5.2-meter) diameter circle?
The Big Sit! is a free, annual, semi-competitive international birding event founded by the New Haven Bird Club in 1992. Participants count as many bird species as they can without leaving their circle—it’s birding, simplified.
Whether you stay for an hour or the whole day, join WBNA birders for a relaxed, social day of birding in place. This event is perfect for anyone who enjoys a slower pace, good conversation, and accessible birding.
What to Bring:

A comfortable chair
Binoculars and scope (we will have many extra)
Warm food and drink
Layers for the weather

No registration required—just stop by and enjoy the birds and camaraderie.
More info about The Big Sit!
We’d love to see you there!
Directions: Meet at the grassy knoll just past the boat launch area as you enter Independence Lake County Park from Jennings Rd, it’s ¼ of a mile into the park on your left. (map)
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.

Waterfowl at Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve
2025-10-26 09:00 - 11:30 | Watkins Lake State Park, 4VH6+WR, Brooklyn, MI, United States
This gem features beautiful rolling land covered in a mixture of open meadow, mixed hardwoods, low wetland areas, open water, and the property’s most popular feature, Watkins Lake. Watkins Lake has been designated a Waterfowl Refuge by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources due to the significant habitat provided for migrating and breeding birds; many species of ducks, geese, grebes, and more may be seen, especially in spring and fall. The park also has historical significance as being part of the Underground Railroad and being awarded membership to the Network to Freedom program through the National Park Service (read more here).
Directions: A Recreation Passport is required for each vehicle entering the park. Meet at the main parking lot on Arnold Rd (map).
Carpooling: For those interested in carpooling, we will depart from the Miller Road Park and Ride (map) at 8:15 am.
Leaders: Juliet Berger and Isaiah Clark
eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist shared with you, please give us your email or eBird username here (you may do this onsite well): tinyurl.com/eBirdList
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.

BIPOC Bird Walk at Kensington Metropark
2025-11-08 10:30 - 12:30 | Kensington Metropark Natue Center, 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford, MI, 48381, United States
We invite all people from the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community and our white allies to join us on this walk to feed the birds! This metropark is unique in that the local birds have learned to feed from the hands of visitors. We will be walking with folks from the Shades of the Outdoors Facebook group led by Brandan Freeman. All ages and skill levels are invited. We will have extra binoculars if you do not have any. We will provide birdseed for participants.
Directions: Meet outside the Nature Center at Kensington Metropark. You need a Metropark Pass to enter the park.
Leader: Victor Chen

Winter Tree Identification Walk
2025-11-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Bird Hills Nature Area – Newport Entrance, 862M+4M, Ann Arbor, United States
Want to learn the difference between a hickory and a hackberry? How about a beech from a basswood? Did you know oak species can be relatively easy to distinguish from their bark? Join us for an interactive winter hike to learn to ID common Michigan trees. As always, we will share interesting ecological information and paint a holistic picture of this ecosystem.
Directions: Meet at the Newport Rd parking lot entrance at 1850 Newport Rd, Ann Arbor.
Leader: Ed Trager & Matthew Spoor

All are welcome and encouraged to join us. Nearly all of our events are open to members and non-members alike.

Belle Isle State Park with Oakland Bird Alliance
2025-12-06 08:00 - 12:00 | Belle Isle Nature Center, 176 Lakeside Drive, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Join WBNA friends and Oakland Bird Alliance for a tour of the Belle Isle State Park, a gem on the Detroit River. We’ll search for waterfowl, gulls, waders, raptors and other winter birds on the river and in the woods. We’ll tour mostly by car, but will stop and get out with scopes and binoculars. A mile long walk in the interior is planned for songbirds and other feathered friends.
Directions: Meet at the Nature Center parking lot (map) at 8 am sharp. For those interested in carpooling, we will meet at the Plymouth Road Park and Ride (map) for a 7:00 am departure. A State Park Recreation Passport is required to drive on the island.
Leaders : Kayla Niner & Jeff Stacy

eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist shared with you, please give us your email or eBird username here (you may do this onsite well): tinyurl.com/eBirdList
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.

80th Ann Arbor Christmas Bird Count
2025-12-20 | MI
The Christmas Bird Count is coming up soon. Please see the Christmas Bird Count web page for all the details.

New Year’s Bird Walk at Gallup Park
2026-01-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Gallup Park Bridge Parking Lot South, 77GX+373, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
What will be the first bird you see in 2025? Get a boost to next year’s list by joining the crazy birders of Washtenaw County for a refreshing New Year’s morning bird walk. Meet at the Gallup Park playground parking lot at the east end of Gallup Park Rd.
Leaders: Juliet Berger & Matthew Spoor
Directions: Meet in the parking lot on the south side of the bridge over the Huron.
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.
eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist shared with you, please give us your email or eBird username here (you may do this during the walk as well): tinyurl.com/eBirdList

Winter Tree Identification Walk
2026-01-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Oakwoods Nature Area – Dunwoodie Trailhead, 88C2+5X3, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Want to learn the difference between a hickory and a hackberry? How about a beech from a basswood? Did you know oak species can be relatively easy to distinguish from their bark? Join us for an interactive winter hike to learn to ID common Michigan trees. As always, we will share interesting ecological information and paint a holistic picture of this ecosystem.
Directions: Meet at the Dunwoodie Rd entrance at 3185 Dunwoodie Rd.
Leader: Ed Trager & Matthew Spoor

All are welcome and encouraged to join us. Nearly all of our events are open to members and non-members alike.

Birding the Upper Peninsula *Members Only*
2026-02-13 - 2026-02-15 | Saulte Ste. Marie, Saulte Ste. Marie, 49783
We will travel to Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, February 13th, and bird all day Saturday and Sunday morning with a goal of departing Sault Ste. Marie around noon on Sunday. Target birds include: Snowy Owl, Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak, Red and White-winged Crossbills, Evening Grosbeak, Ruffed and Sharp-tailed Grouse, Purple Finch, Snow Bunting, and more! Maybe the heavens will align for a Spruce Grouse lifer for your trip leader this year finally? Space is limited to 20 and membership is required. You may join or renew your membership here. While the trip is free for members, a $30 dollar donation per person to defray the leaders’ costs is suggested but not required. Venmo link here.
Basic Itinerary – Detailed itinerary will be sent at least a week out
Friday, February 13th
Arrive Sault Ste. Marie. Some may bird on the way up and we will provide some suggestions in a later email for doing so.
Saturday, February 14th
7:30 am – Meet at hotel for departure.
6:30 pm – Dinner at a local restaurant.
Sunday, February 15th
7:30 am – Meet at hotel for departure.
Noon – Conclude birding and arrive at hotel for folks to get their cars and head home.
** Please note: We will be caravanning together in as few vehicles as possible while birding. Those not driving in the caravan will leave their cars at the hotel. So, it is important everyone can bird the entire morning on Sunday. If you have to leave before noon on Sunday, this may present logistical challenges for the group. Please respond to the questions on the registration form to facilitate smooth transportation for this event. **
Members, please register below. Lodging information and other logistical details will be shared after registration.
View the trip report from 2025 here.
Trip Leaders: Matthew Spoor & Juliet Berger
This is one of our very few MEMBERS ONLY events. If you are not a member or need to renew, you can do so here.

BIPOC Bird Walk at North Hydro Park
2026-03-14 09:30 - 11:30 | North Hydro Park Winter Entrance, 6C6W+WH5, Ypsilanti Charter Twp
We invite all people from the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community and our white allies to join us on this walk to look for waterfowl and winter birds. All ages and skill levels are invited. We will have extra binoculars if you do not have any.
Directions: Meet at the entrance by Ambassador Drive and Woodale Ave. If there is snow on the ground, be sure to wear boots.
Leader: Victor Chen

Spring Migration Thursdays at The Arb
2026-03-26 08:00 - 11:00 | Nichols Arboretum – Dow Prairie, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103, United States
Join us at Nichols Arboretum, affectionately known as “The Arb”, on Thursday mornings from March 26th through May 28th to observe migratory birds as they journey north. Participating in these walks offers a unique chance to observe species that are typically absent from our region during other times of the year. Many migratory birds, such as various warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers, pass through only during migration, making this period the prime opportunity to witness these species locally. For instance, birders have reported seeing more than 100 species during peak migration times, including numerous warbler species. For a comprehensive overview of recent bird sightings and to enhance your birding experience, you can refer to the Nichols Arboretum Hotspot Report from eBird.
Feel free to join our Thursday morning bird walks for as long as your time permits; many attend for a portion of the walk and depart as needed. Your presence, whether brief or extended, contributes to the collective birding experience.
We look forward to birding with you this spring!
Leader: Juliet Berger
Directions: Meet at the east end of the arboretum at the Dow Prairie entrance. From Geddes Ave., turn north onto Riverview Dr. and stay right until it terminates at Riverview Ct. cul-de-sac. (Map)
eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist shared with you, please give us your email or eBird username here (you may do this onsite well): tinyurl.com/eBirdList
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.
