Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance

Annual Fall Migration Walk at Hudson Mills Metropark
2024-08-31 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Detroit) | Hudson Mills Activity Center Parking Lot, 93GV+C6V, Hudson Mills, MI, United States
Join us for our annual fall migration walk with trip leader Karen Markey. Hudson Mills is one of the top county birding hotspots in September.
Directions: Meet at the flagpole at the Activity Center-HQ building.
Leader: Karen Markey

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.

Moth Night at Black Pond Woods
2024-08-31 20:30 - 22:30 | Black Pond Woods Nature Area, 1831 Traver Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
We are having another moth party! Join us at Black Pond Woods Nature Area for our August installment. Just as the species observed change throughout the night, so too do we see new species as we move through the calendar. It will be fun to see what we see at a new location and a month later. Check out our Moth Nights of Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance iNaturalist project to view hundreds of observations with photos, species details, and more for all of our past moth night events.
Why care about moths? Ninety seven percent of all North American land birds rely on animal protein to raise their young. For most birds, that means insects. And for most of them, that means caterpillars. Without abundant moth larva, there is not enough animal protein to raise the young of our beloved birds. It takes approximately 9,000 caterpillars to raise one brood of Black-capped Chickadees from hatching to fledgling! Now, think of all the birds you see out there. It’s hard to imagine the numbers required. So, you can see, moths are integral to the reproduction of most of our birds we love. They’re our allies in birding and getting to know them is a joy.
They are among the most diverse and successful organisms on earth. Scientists estimate there are 150,000 to more than 500,000 moth species. Their colors and patterns are either dazzling or so cryptic that they define camouflage. Shapes and sizes span the gamut from as small as a pinhead to as large as an adult’s hand. Most moths are nocturnal, and need to be sought at night to be seen – others fly like butterflies during the day. Finding them can be as simple as leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark. Serious moth aficionados use special lights and baits to attract them.
Once again, Susan Kielb and Heidi Trudell will guide us through the process of attracting, identifying, and enjoying these amazing creatures.
Suggestions for Attendees:

A headlamp or flashlight would be nice to have.
Ninja night with moths! Wearing black is the best way to keep moths on the sheet and not your shirt.
It might be nice to bring a camp chair if you would like to sit.

Directions: Meet at the Leslie Science and Nature Center Parking Lot.

Thursday Fall Migration Walks at Nichols Arboretum
2024-09-05 08:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-12 08:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-19 08:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-26 08:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-03 08:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-10 08:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-17 08:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-24 08:00 - 11:00 and 1 more date | Nichols Arboretum – Dow Prairie, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103, United States
Join us Thursday mornings through October 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? Explore photos taken at the Arb in the months of September and October here. Or, view an eBird illustrated checklist for September at the Arb here.

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.

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 onsite well).

Oakland Bird Alliance Nuthatch Open
2024-09-07 00:00 - 16:00 | Oakland County
Some of us Washtenaw folks love participating in this annual competitive birding event from Oakland Bird Alliance. Find as many species as possible anywhere in Oakland County until 4:00 PM and then meet later (location TBD) for awards presentations and a cookout. Checklists need to be submitted by 4:00 PM or a species will be deducted for every minute late. Teams consist of 2 to 4 members, and all members must see or hear the species for it to be listed. Youth teams must be at least 50% youth (under 18 years of age) to be eligible. Check the Oakland Bird Alliance website for the entry form and more details.
The registration form will be available later this summer. Contact Kayla Niner at shadowc00kiecrumbs@gmail.com or Jeff Stacey at jdstacey@ameritech.net

Moth Night at Devine Preserve
2024-09-07 20:00 - 22:00 | DeVine Preserve, 6110 West Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, 48103, United States
Come out and join us as we see what September brings. It will be fun to see what a new location and different time of year will bring.
Check out our Moth Nights of Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance iNaturalist project to view hundreds of observations with photos, species details, and more for all of our past moth night events.
Why care about moths? Ninety seven percent of all North American land birds rely on animal protein to raise their young. For most birds, that means insects. And for most of them, that means caterpillars. Without abundant moth larva, there is not enough animal protein to raise the young of our beloved birds. It takes approximately 9,000 caterpillars to raise one brood of Black-capped Chickadees from hatching to fledging! Now, think of all the birds you see out there. It’s hard to imagine the numbers required. So, you can see, moths are integral to the reproduction of most of our birds we love. They’re our allies in birding and getting to know them is a joy.
They are among the most diverse and successful organisms on earth. Scientists estimate there are 150,000 to more than 500,000 moth species. Their colors and patterns are either dazzling or so cryptic that they define camouflage. Shapes and sizes span the gamut from as small as a pinhead to as large as an adult’s hand. Most moths are nocturnal, and need to be sought at night to be seen – others fly like butterflies during the day. Finding them can be as simple as leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark. Serious moth aficionados use special lights and baits to attract them.
Once again, Susan Kielb and Heidi Trudell will guide us through the process of attracting, identifying, and enjoying these amazing creatures.
Suggestions for Attendees:

A headlamp or flashlight would be nice to have.
Ninja night with moths! Wearing black is the best way to keep moths on the sheet and not your shirt.
It might be nice to bring a camp chair if you would like to sit.

Directions: From I-94: Exit 169-Zeeb Road, southbound. Turn right at Liberty Road. Preserve entrance and parking area is on the right (north) side of Liberty Road, approximately 0.5 miles west of Zeeb Road (and approximately 2.4 miles east of Parker Road) (map).

Weekend Walk for Birds at Matthaei Botanical Gardens
2024-09-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
This is one of the top Washtenaw County birding hotspots in September and always a pleasure to walk. Join us as we search the beautiful grounds of the botanical gardens for fall migrants. Meet at the steps to the conservatory. Matthaei members park for free with metered parking for everyone else.
Directions: Meet at the steps to the conservatory at 1800 N Dixboro Rd.
Leader: Matthew Spoor

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.

NAP Fall Shorebird Walk at Mary Beth Doyle
2024-09-15 18:30 - 20:30 | Mary Beth Doyle Park, 3500 Birch Hollow Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation event: The mitigation wetland at Mary Beth Doyle is home to breeding shorebirds, Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers, and migrating shorebirds like Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers and more, and this is prime migration time. Join NAP’s ornithologist, Juliet Berger, and other enthusiastic bird watchers for a tour of this bird-rich nature area. The paths around the wetlands are wheelchair accessible, but not the wooded area.
We’ll search the ponds for these species, and others, like the secretive Black-crowned Night-Herons that we believe nest nearby. If we have time, we’ll search the woods and trails for migrating Warblers and other songbirds.
Space is limited, register here.

Birding South Africa, with Ram Ramamurthy
2024-09-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
Join Amurthur Ramamurthy on his trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe, which yielded 252 bird species, as well as a number of mammals. Among the birds seen, with many photographed, were Southern Ground Hornbill, Bateleur, Hooded Vulture, Kori Bustard, Secretary Bird, and Saddle-billed Stork, along with such mammals as lions, elephants, hyenas, hippos, baboons, and leopards, at Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls.
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens at 1800 N Dixboro Road
Remote Access Via Zoom:
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 944 9479 9171
Passcode: [REDACTED]

BIPOC Bird Walk, Nichols Arboretum
2024-09-21 09:30 - 11:30 | Nichols Arboretum – Dow Prairie, Ann Arbor, MI, 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 migrants. All ages and skill levels are invited. We will have extra binoculars if you do not have any.
Directions:Meet at the east end of the arboretum near the Dow Prairie entrance. This is located at the end of Riverview Drive.

Leader: Victor Chen

The Detroit River Hawk Watch--Lake Erie MetroPark
2024-09-22 10:00 - 13:00 | 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, Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Goshawk, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Golden Eagles, and potentially more!
Join us as we search 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.
Want to learn more about raptor ID before going? 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). You can’t miss us if you are there. A metropark pass per vehicle is required for entry. Pass information here. Those interested in carpooling, we will meet at the Plymouth Road Park and Ride (map) for a 9:00 am departure.

Restoration Workday at Searles Nature Preserve
2024-09-28 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-10-26 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-11-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Searles Nature Preserve, 585V+4J Ypsilanti, Michigan, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, United States
Did you know Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance (formerly Washtenaw Audubon Society) owns a nature preserve? We do! Searles Nature Preserve is a 50 acre natural area that hosts the headwaters of Stony Creek. Did you also know that Ninety-seven percent of North American landbirds require animal, primarily insect, protein to raise their young? Most insects require specific, native, host plants for successful reproduction and this is why supporting a biodiverse ecosystem of native plants is so important. More on this here: https://tinyl.io/93Ka
Join us as we work to remove invasive species and improve biodiversity to support the birds we love. Tools and know how will be provided. Please bring leather work gloves, 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)

Weekend Walk for Birds at The Arb
2024-09-29 08:00 - 10:30 | Nichols Arboretum – Dow Prairie, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103, United States
September is the peak of fall warbler migration and Nichols Arboretum is the best place in Ann Arbor to find them! Join is as we walk this familiar hotspot to see what gems we will find.
Curious about what birds you may see? Explore photos taken at the Arb in the months of September and October here. Or, view an eBird illustrated checklist for September at the Arb here.
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.
Leader: Matthew Spoor

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.

Moth Night at Natural Area Preservation
2024-10-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Natural Area Preservation, 3875 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Join us as the City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation hosts our LAST moth night of the year at South Pond Nature Area. Scientists estimate there are 150,000 to more than 500,000 moth species. Their colors and patterns are either dazzling or so cryptic that they define camouflage. Shapes and sizes span the gamut from as small as a pinhead to as large as an adult’s hand.
Most moths are nocturnal, and need to be sought at night to be seen – others fly like butterflies during the day. Finding them can be as simple as leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark. Serious moth aficionados use special lights and baits to attract them.
Check out our Moth Nights of Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance iNaturalist project to view hundreds of observations with photos, species details, and more for all of our past moth night events
Longtime friends of WBNA, Susan Kielb and Heidi Trudell will guide us through the process of attracting, identifying, and enjoying these amazing creatures.
Suggestions for Attendees:

A headlamp or flashlight would be nice to have.
Ninja night with moths! Wearing black is the best way to keep moths on the sheet and not your shirt.
It might be nice to bring a camp chair if you would like to sit.

Directions: Natural Area Preservation parking lot at 3875 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor (map).

The Big Sit! at Independence Lake County Park
2024-10-12 06:00 - 14:00 | Independence Lake County Park, 3200 Jennings Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI, 48189, United States
How many birds can you identify in one day while staying within a 17-foot / 5.2-meter diameter circle? This free, annual, semi-competitive international birding event was started by the New Haven Bird Club in 1992. More information on The Big Sit! here. Join WBNA birders as we count as many species as we can from our circle. Great for those with mobility issues, and who enjoy the more relaxed pace of birding in place. Bring a comfy chair and some warm food and beverage and enjoy the birds, conversation, and camaraderie. While many will, none are expected to be there the entire time so feel free to drop in for an hour or four. We would love to see you.
Directions: Meet at the grassy knoll just past the boat launch area as you enter the park from Jennings Rd, it’s ¼ of a mile into the park on your left. (map)
Leader: Jacco Gelderloos

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.

Birding Taiwan, with Victor Chen
2024-10-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown, 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Join Victor Chen for an informative presentation on the birds and beauty of Taiwan. Victor teaches chemistry at Thurston High School in Redford and is the education chair of the Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance. He leads educational programs and BIPOC walks for WBNA, hoping to bring more youth and people of color to the outdoors. Although he has visited his extended family in Taiwan in the past, this was his first time as a birder. In this presentation, he will share some of the birds and other natural beauty he saw during his family’s trip to Taiwan.
A live stream of this event will be available at the AADL website approximately one hour prior to the start.

Waterfowl at Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve
2024-10-27 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 MDNR 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 Matthew Spoor

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.

Waterfowl Walk at Crosswinds Marsh
2024-11-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Crosswinds Marsh, 27600 Haggerty Road, New Boston, MI, United States
Join us for this Wayne County waterfowl hotpot. Crosswinds Marsh is one of the largest man-made wetlands in the country. It was built to replace the wetlands that were going to be paved over to expand Wayne County’s Detroit Metro Airport. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality required the airport to move away any threatened or endangered plants and animals and create one-and-a-half acres of new wetlands for every one-acre impacted by the construction.
Directions: Drive I-275 to Exit #8 (Flat Rock / Will Carleton Road ). Exit highway and head west on Will Carleton Road. Drive 3.5 miles to Haggerty Road. Turn right (north) onto Haggerty Road. Drive approximately Â½ mile to the park entrance, located on the left-hand side. The address is 27600 Haggerty Road in New Boston. The address is 27600 Haggerty Road in New Boston.
Carpool: Meet at the Ann Arbor East Park & Ride for a 9am departure. Address: 4125 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 4810
Leaders: Matthew Spoor & Juliet Berger

eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist from this walk shared with you, please fill out this form (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.

Recent Bird Strike Research & Policy, with Heidi Trudell
2024-11-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown, 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Join us for a look back at how far window collision prevention has come, updates on policies, and new technologies being explored. 44% of window strikes happen at homes, and 56% happen at low-rise buildings. Birds that survive impact have a less than 40% chance of recovery. Over a billion birds are killed each year in the US alone, when they collide with glass structures; with native bird populations in steep decline, it’s critical to take immediate action to reduce the human threats to their survival. Learn more about what government organizations, nonprofits, academic researchers, and industry partners are doing to move towards a safer world for birds. Bird safe building codes are being passed all across the continent, it’s up to individuals to educate their representatives on the topic and push for
better standards.
Heidi Trudell is tired of picking up dead birds. As a biologist turned architectural consultant, Heidi has been involved with bird/window collision research and prevention since 2003. They have been consulting with architects, the glass industry, municipalities, and campuses globally since 2015, and as of March 2024, have accepted a position as a technical advisor within Guardian Glass as Bird Friendly Specialist. Their passion for bird conservation has led to serving on Safe Passage and conservation committees for organizations in the Great Lakes region, as well as starting the Facebook groups “Just Save Birds” and “Dead Birds 4 Science!”
For wildlife emergencies, see ahnow.org – or the Animal Help Now app.
A live stream of the program can be found on the page here on the afternoon of the program: https://aadl.org/node/630587

Belle Isle State Park with Oakland Bird Alliance
2024-11-23 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 this State Park, a gem on the Detroit River. We’ll search for waterfowl, gulls, waders, raptors and other goodies 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 migrating 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 : Don Burlett & 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.

Winter Tree Identification Walk
2024-12-08 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 are pretty easy to distinguish from their bark? Join us for an interactive winter hike to learn to ID common Michigan trees with their bark, buds and twigs! As always, we will share interesting ecological information and paint a holistic picture of this ecosystem.
Directions: Meet at the south Newport Rd trailhead in the parking lot. There is an AAATA bus stop and bike racks near the entrance.
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.
