***Canceled *** Jonathan Parker with Seeds to Community
2025-07-16 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown, 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
This program has been canceled for July and will be rescheduled. Stay tuned…

Join naturalist and Ann Arbor Parks Steward Jonathan Parker to learn about his project Seeds to Community.
Seeds to Community is a volunteer-driven event series rooted in habitat restoration and ecological connection. They bring people together across Washtenaw County to collect, clean, and sow native plant seeds – rebuilding the kinds of wild places that support thriving bird populations. Their work focuses on forests, meadows, and transitional edges where native species once flourished. By grounding their events in seasonal cycles and local stewardship, they give volunteers a hands-on way to participate in long-term habitat healing – often right in their own neighborhoods.
For the birding community, this means more than just pretty flowers. Native plants provide the food, cover, and nesting habitat that sustain birds year-round – from May warblers in migration to overwintering sparrows and resident chickadees. Every goldenrod they restore, every patch of sedge they replant, and every invasive shrub they remove makes a real difference in the complex web of life that birds rely on. They welcome birders not just as observers, but as land stewards – people who know the land through sound, movement, and attention. Your insight is exactly what we need to make restoration more responsive, connected, and enduring.

Moth Night at Matthaei - National Moth Week
2025-07-19 21:00 - 23:30 | Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
Celebrate National Moth Week
with Matthaei Botanical Gardens, UM Entomology Club, and Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance
Last month’s moth night at Matthaei was a tremendous success—shattering all previous records with 219 species observed, 743 total observations, and an enthusiastic turnout of participants! We’re thrilled to return to this outstanding University of Michigan property in partnership with the U-M Entomology Club, with support from Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, to celebrate National Moth Week. 👉 View and compare all of our moth night observations on iNaturalist here.
What to Expect
We’ll set up several UV light stations in a variety of habitats throughout the gardens to attract different moth species. This is a relaxed, come-and-go event with participants moving between stations at their own pace throughout the night.
Chat During the Event
We’ve set up a simple group chat for participants to connect, share information, and ask questions during the event. Only active during the event. No app or sign up required — just open this link in your browser:
👉 tlk.io/wbnamoths
What to Bring
A light source

Trails can be uneven and unpaved—bring a flashlight or headlamp
A flashlight also helps illuminate moths for photography.

An iNaturalist account (optional but encouraged)

Upload your own observations to help document the night’s biodiversity
New to iNaturalist? Check out this quick start guide: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/getting+started

Dark clothing

Moths are less likely to land on you than the sheets. Think “ninja night!

Curiosity and questions

Moth enthusiasts will be on hand to share knowledge and help with IDs.

Schedule
9:00 PM – Meet at the Conservatory steps of Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Opening remarks, introductions, and a quick rundown of what to expect.
9:15 PM – Disperse to explore the light stations
Wander, observe, photograph, and ask questions at your own pace.
10:30 PM – UV Wavelength Walk
Gather again at the conservatory for a guided walk using UV flashlights to search for caterpillars and other glowing lifeforms—or continue exploring the light stations on your own.
End of Program – ~11:30 PM or later
Stations will begin coming down after 11:30, but the exact end time is flexible.
Why Moths?
Moths are essential to ecosystems and vastly outnumber their butterfly relatives—160,000+ described species (possibly up to 500,000!) compared to just 17,500 butterfly species. They play a key role in the food web, especially for birds: 96% of terrestrial bird species feed their young insects, and caterpillars—protein-rich and abundant—are a staple.
Explore More
Check out the Moth Nights of Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance iNaturalist project to see details, photos, and stats of past moth nights.

Froth Night with Natural Area Preservation
2025-07-25 21:00 - 23:30 | Furstenberg Nature Area, 2626 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
Froth Night 2025
with the City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation and Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance
It’s more than just the foam on your latte. “Froth” is our playful mashup for this unique night where we double down on the dark to search for frogs, toads, moths, and more! Join City of Ann Arbor Herpetologist George Hammond and some of WBNA’s regular moth-ers for this now-annual evening adventure.
Rain date: Saturday, July 26. Check back here if the forecast looks questionable.
What to Expect
We’ll set up several UV light stations in a variety of habitats throughout the park to attract different moth species. This is a relaxed, come-and-go event with participants moving between stations at their own pace throughout the night.
What to Bring
A light source

Trails can be uneven and unpaved—bring a flashlight or headlamp
A flashlight also helps illuminate moths for photography.

An iNaturalist account (optional but encouraged)

Upload your own observations to help document the night’s biodiversity
New to iNaturalist? Check out this quick start guide: inaturalist.org/pages/getting+started
Here is the iNaturalist project page for this event: inaturalist.org/projects/froth-night-2025-at-furstenberg-nature-area

Dark clothing

Moths are less likely to land on you than the sheets. Think “ninja night!

Curiosity and questions

In addition to our moth enthusiasts, George is a fount of knowledge so take advantage and ask all the questions you have.

Schedule
9:00 PM – Meet at the Furstenberg parking lot near the sign in front of the bathrooms

Opening remarks, introductions, and a quick rundown of what to expect.

9:15 PM – Disperse to explore the light stations

Wander, observe, photograph, and ask questions at your own pace.

10:00 PM – Frog Walk

Meet back in front of the bathroom building for a guided walk in search of frogs and toads with Natural Area Preservation Herpetologist, George Hammond.

10:30 PM – UV Wavelength Walk

Meet in front of the bathroom building for a guided walk using UV flashlights to search for caterpillars and other glowing lifeforms.

End of Program – ~11:30 PM or later

Stations will begin coming down after 11:30, but the exact end time is flexible and some may choose to leave theirs up longer.

Chat During the Event
We’ve set up a simple group chat for participants to connect, share information, and ask questions during the event. Only active during the event. No app or sign up required — just open this link in your browser:
👉 tlk.io/wbnamoths

Why Moths?
Moths are essential to ecosystems and vastly outnumber their butterfly relatives—160,000+ described species (possibly up to 500,000!) compared to just 17,500 butterfly species. They play a key role in the food web, especially for birds: 96% of terrestrial bird species feed their young insects, and caterpillars—protein-rich and abundant—are a staple.

Explore More
Data recorded from our Froth Night at Oakwoods Nature Area last year.
Moth Nights of Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance iNaturalist project to see details, photos, and stats of past moth nights.
View moths recorded in Washtenaw County
View frogs and toads recorded in Washtenaw County

Trail Maintenance Workday at Searles Nature Preserve
2025-07-26 10:00 - 12:00 | 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 48 acre natural area that hosts the headwaters of Stony Creek. Did you also know that ninety-seven percent of North American land birds 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
During the heat of summer, things are growing fast and end up covering up our trails and make it tricky to stroll through the paths at our beautiful 48-acre Searles nature area. Please join our President, Matt, and other Searles Preserve enthusuiasts to trim back the trails. We will provide hand tools and gloves but feel free to bring your own hand saws, loppers, battery operated hedge trimmers, or chainsaws. Bring a water bottle and wear long pants and closed toe shoes.
Directions: Meet at the entrance to the preserve on Bolla Road between Crane and Stony Creek Roads. (map here)

**CANCELED - Moved to 8/23/25** BIPOC Walk at Rolling Hills Park
2025-08-02 09:30 - 11:30 | Wiards Orchard, 5565 Merritt Rd., Ypsilanti, 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 birds in the park. All ages and skill levels are invited. We will have extra binoculars if you do not have any.
Directions: Parking will be in the Wiards Orchard lot, located at 5565 Merritt Road. We will walk across the street to Rolling Hills.

Butterfly Walk at Matthaei Botanical Gardens
2025-08-02 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-09-14 12:00 - 14:00 | 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.

Shorebirds & Waders at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (Members Only)
2025-08-09 08:00 - 13:00 | Point Mouillee State Game Area, Sigler Road, South Rockwood, 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, but access is limited. Jim Fowler knows this territory as well as anyone and leads several field trips each year at this location. Usually, vehicles are restricted, but for this event, we will be allowed to bring in four vehicles. As a result, this trip will be limited to 20-25 attendees depending on the size of the vehicles driven. Preference will be given to current WBNA members. Membership information can be found here.
Past checklists: 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Directions: Registered participants will meet at the Pointe Mouillee SGA parking lot on Sigler Road (map) at 8AM and from there will consolidate into 4 larger vehicles. Bring insect repellent, wear a hat 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 five hours of birding.
We will need four larger vehicles to accommodate the group. If you have one and can drive, please email Matt Spoor at fieldtrips@washtenawbna.org.
Leader: Jim Fowler
To receive the checklist: tinyurl.com/ebirdlist

Annual Picnic and the Coveted Wingnut Award Ceremony
2025-08-10 12:00 - 15:00 | Dexter-Huron Metropark, 6535 Huron River Dr, Dexter, MI, 48130, United States
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.
Directions: Meet at Dexter-Huron Metropark, Shelter B (map here).

Swift Nights Out
2025-08-22 20:00 - 21:00, 2025-08-23 20:00 - 21:00 | MI
Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance and the City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation invite you to join us for our Annual Ann Arbor-Washtenaw County Chimney Swift count. Watching Chimney Swifts enter their roosts at dusk is a spectacular sight (video and more information here). Volunteers will choose a known Chimney Swift roosting location and stake it out before dusk, counting the Swifts as they enter the chimney, as darkness falls. You can sign up for one night/one location at a time, or count each night of the weekend.
Chimney Swifts are in steep decline across North America and this volunteer effort is an important part of understanding how the species is faring in Washtenaw County. Habitat loss is one reason, as well as decline of the insects they eat, and other unknown factors. We are helping bird science by conducting this count! This is a great experience for non-birders—bring your friends and family to show them how these very cool aerial insectivores share our cities and towns with us.
NOTE: Occasionally the Swifts will not use a particular location on a given night due to a predator such as a Cooper’s Hawk, or another issue. In that case, “No Swifts” will still be good information for us! Email Ann Arbor City Ornithologist Juliet Berger (NAPBirds@a2gov.org) with your results after the survey, and post it on eBird if you have an account. Please share your eBird list with usernames Washtenaw Audubon Society and NAPBBS. Thank you for your help!
Volunteers can sign-up for specific locations by following this link. If you know of an active roost that’s not listed, email Juliet Berger and she will add it to the sign up.

BIPOC Walk at Rolling Hills Park (Moved from 8/2/25)
2025-08-23 09:30 - 11:30 | Wiards Orchard, 5565 Merritt Rd., Ypsilanti, United States

Butterfly Walk at Leonard Preserve
2025-08-24 12:00 - 14:30 | Leonard Preserve, 375 N Union St, Manchester, MI, 48158, United States
Please join Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance and resident butterfly experts at the Leonard Preserve in the Manchester area. We will observe and catch butterflies to study and release. The Leonard Preserve is also a fabulous place for birding, so bring binoculars too! 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
Directions: Meet at the preserve parking lot at 375 N Union St. Manchester, MI 48158

**Location Updated** Swift Nights Out: Public Group Event
2025-08-24 20:00 - 21:00 | West Park, 205 Chapin Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103, United States
*** Location Update***- West Park
We will gather at West Park to celebrate the end of Swifts Night Out and view the swifts as they enter the Miller Manor chimney. They will be visible from the picnic tables under the huge burr oaks in the middle of the park; a great place for a swift party!
Directions: West Park parking lot off of Chapin at 205 Chapin Street (enter Chapin from Huron St.).
Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance and the City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation invite you to join us for a group event to celebrate the third and final night of our Annual Ann Arbor-Washtenaw County Chimney Swift count. We will gather at dusk to watch the swifts enter their roost for the evening at the busiest location (which changes every year—final details will be announced a few days in advance of the event). This is a great experience for non-birders—invite your friends and family to show them how these very cool aerial insectivores share our cities and towns with us.
We also recommend brining camping chairs or blankets to sit on as observe one of nature’s coolest phenomenon.
Watching Chimney Swifts enter their roosts at dusk is a spectacular sight (video and more information here). Chimney Swifts are in steep decline across North America and the annual volunteer effort between the city and WBNA is an important part of understanding how the species is faring in Washtenaw County. Habitat loss is one reason, as well as decline of the insects they eat, and other unknown factors.

Thursday Fall Migration Walks at Nichols Arboretum
2025-08-28 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-04 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-11 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-18 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-25 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).

Restoration Workday at Searles Nature Preserve
2025-08-30 10:00 - 12:00 | 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 48 acre natural area that hosts the headwaters of Stony Creek. Did you also know that ninety-seven percent of North American land birds 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
Now that invasive woody shrubs are slowing the upward flow of nutrients and storing energy in their roots it is the ideal time to start cutting them and treating the cut stumps with herbicide pre-mixed in our handheld Buckthorn Blasters. We’ll use hand saws and loppers to cut invasive woody shrubs and small trees (Common and Glossy Buckthorn, Privet, and Honeysuckle), and use our Buckthorn Blasters, similar to bingo sheet daubers, to apply dyed herbicide to the outer layer of the cut stumps. You can cut, treat, do both, or just join us to hang out. We’ll provide tools, gloves, and instructions but feel free to bring your own hand saws, loppers, or chainsaws. We recommend bringing a water bottle, and wearing long pants and closed toe shoes.
Directions: Meet at the entrance to the preserve on Bolla Road between Crane and Stony Creek Roads. (map here)

Monday Migration Evenings at Matthaei
2025-09-01 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-08 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-15 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-22 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.

Annual Fall Migration Walk at Hudson Mills Metropark
2025-09-06 08:00 - 11:00 | 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 The Arb
2025-09-06 20:00 - 23:00 | Nichols Arboretum – Dow Prairie, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103, United States
Join Us for Moth Night at Dow Prairie
with Nichols Arboretum, UM Entomology Club, and Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance
We’re thrilled to return to Nichols Arboretum’s Dow Prairie for another magical night celebrating moths and biodiversity. In partnership with the U-M Entomology Club and with support from Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, we’ll set up UV light stations across the prairie to explore the diversity of moths after dark.
👉 View and compare all of our moth night observations on iNaturalist here.
—
What to Expect
We’ll hang sheets lit with UV lights in several locations across the prairie to attract different moth species. This is a relaxed, come-and-go event—move between stations at your own pace, observe, photograph, and chat with moth enthusiasts on-site.
—
What to Bring
A flashlight or headlamp
Trails are unlit and uneven—bring a light to navigate and help with photos.
Dark clothing
Moths are less likely to land on you than the sheet. Ninja mode!
iNaturalist account (optional but encouraged)
Upload your observations and contribute to community science.
👉

Curiosity
Moth experts will be on hand to answer questions and help with IDs.

—
Schedule
📍 Meet at the Dow Prairie entrance of Nichols Arboretum
(From Geddes Ave., turn north onto Riverview Dr. and stay right to Riverview Ct. cul-de-sac)
8:00 PM – Welcome at the prairie entrance
8:15 PM – Disperse to UV stations
9:30 PM – UV Wavelength Walk: return to entrance for a short walk with UV flashlights to spot glowing caterpillars and other nighttime life
~10:30 PM – Stations begin coming down (flexible end time)

—
Why Moths?
Moths vastly outnumber butterflies—160,000+ described species (possibly 500,000). They’re critical for ecosystems and vital food for birds: 96% of terrestrial bird species feed their young insects, especially caterpillars.
—
Explore More
Check out the Moth Nights of Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance iNaturalist project for photos, stats, and highlights from past events.

BIPOC Bird Walk, Nichols Arboretum
2025-09-13 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

Nuthatch Open - Oakland Bird Alliance
2025-09-14 00:00 - 16:00 | Oakland County
Some of us Washtenaw folks love participating in this annual competitive birding event from Oakland Bird Alliance. A some of you know, Oakland Bird Alliance has come to Washtenaw many times and won the One Road Challenge. Will Washtenaw folks ever do the same in Oakland County? Let’s get some teams together and get up there this year!
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 more information. Register your team using the entry form here.
For questions, contact Kayla Niner at shadowc00kiecrumbs@gmail.com

Visualizing Bird Song: Ram Ramamurthy
2025-09-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown, 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Please join Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance for a talk specifically focusing on the use of technology to visualize bird songs and calls. It is akin to translating what we hear into a version of “sheet music”. This talk will be an introduction to the area of Bioacoustics, the science of studying bird vocalizations. We will learn why birds sing, how birds sing, type of bird vocalizations, and birds’ ability to learn vocalizations. We will show how our recordings with smartphones can be transformed into “sheet music”!
A 2022 survey shows that 96 million of us enjoy watching birds, either in our backyard, at a local park or on a trail. Birds are everywhere, and watching birds gives a workout to our body and mind. Birding connects us to the environment, gives us an opportunity to sharpen our identification skills, and this enhances our mental wellbeing. Humans are fascinated with the diverse colors, the mystery of long-haul flights, and wide variations in bird song.
Speaker: Ram Ramamurthy
Location: Ann Arbor District Library – Downtown Branch
This program will be live streamed on YouTube at this link (click on the “LIVE” link appearing on our channel when the program is in session)
https://www.youtube.com/@washtenawbirdandnaturealliance

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.
