Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance

Ecological Restoration at Searles Nature Preserve
2026-07-26 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-30 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-27 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-25 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-29 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-12-27 13:00 - 15:00, 2027-01-31 13:00 - 15:00, 2027-02-28 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit) and 19 more dates | Searles Nature Preserve, 585V+4J Ypsilanti, Michigan, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, United States
Did you know Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance owns a nature preserve? We do! Searles Nature Preserve is a 50-acre natural area that protects the headwaters of Stony Creek.
Did you also know that 97% of North American land birds rely on animal, mostly insect, protein to raise their young? Most insects depend on specific native host plants for reproduction — which means a healthy, diverse plant community is essential for sustaining bird populations. Learn more here.
Join us as we remove invasive species and improve habitat diversity to support the birds we love. Tools and guidance are provided. Please bring leather work gloves if you have them — we’ll also have some available to borrow. Wear long pants, tall socks, and closed-toe shoes or boots.
Directions: Meet at the entrance to the preserve on Bolla Road between Crane and Stony Creek Roads. Map here

Bikes and Shorebirds at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area
2026-08-15 08:30 - 12:30 | Point Mouillée SGA – US Turnpike Rd Parking Lot Access, South Rockwood, MI, 48179, United States
Pointe Mouillee, on Lake Erie near the mouth of the Huron River, is one of the premier destinations in the Midwest for viewing shorebirds and waders. Access for cars is limited—but not for bikes! Join Andy Dettling for a pedal around the Pointe looking for shorebirds, waders, and other waterfowl.
The biking will be at a slow pace on gravel and dirt roads with frequent stops. Bikes with gravel tires or larger are recommended, though a road bike may be suitable for more experienced/careful riders.
Bring insect repellent, wear a hat/helmet, and dress for warm weather—there is no shade or shelter at Pointe Mouillee. Bring all of the food and fluids you think you will need to sustain you for approximately four hours of birding.
We will access Pte. Mouillee via the parking lot off of Turnpike Rd. For those who have attended past WBNA trips to Pte. Mouillee, please note that this is not the vehicle access gate on Sigler Rd.
Looking for a ride with a bike rack? Have a bike rack and are willing to drive others? Please fill out this survey and we will do our best to pair willing drivers with those looking for a ride. (We cannot guarantee rides for everyone who requests one, and carpools will be arranged on a first-come first-served basis.)
Fill Out the Carpool Survey
Leader: Andy Dettling
To receive the checklist: tinyurl.com/ebirdlist

BIPOC Walk at Rolling Hills
2026-08-15 09:30 - 11:00 | MI
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 birds. All ages and skill levels are invited. We will have extra binoculars if you do not have any.
We will start at the Wiard’s Orchards parking lot and then walk around the park loop. There is little to no shade along the trail so be prepared for the sun.
Directions: Meet at the Wiard’s Orchards parking lot, 5565 Merritt Rd.
Leader: Victor Chen

Annual Picnic and Wingnut Award Presentation
2026-09-12 09:30 - 15:00 | Dexter-Huron Metropark, 6535 Huron River Dr, Dexter, MI, 48130, United States
New this year: Migration bird walk before the picnic! Come for the walk or the picnic or both!
Join us for the Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance Annual Picnic! In addition to connecting with fellow bird and nature enthusiasts, we will present the 2024 Wingnut Award to the individual who identified the most bird species in Washtenaw County last year.
Bring a dish to share and drinks for yourself, and feel free to use the onsite grill. Although there is no electricity, we have our own picnic shelter for the entire group! Nearby, you’ll find restrooms and the Huron River to cool off. We’ll also discuss our community efforts over the past year. Everyone is welcome, so please join us!
There is a $10 per vehicle daily fee to enter. An annual pass is $40 for residents of Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties ($29 for seniors). Free passes can be checked out via the Ann Arbor District Library through the Michigan Activity Pass Program.
9:30-11:30 AM: Migration bird walk
12:00 PM: Picnic and Wingnut Award ceremony
Directions: Meet at Dexter-Huron Metropark, Shelter B (map here).
