Winter Tree Identification Walk
2026-01-17 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | 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.

Jonathan Parker with Seeds to Community
2026-01-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown, 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
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.
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

Ecological Restoration at Searles Nature Preserve
2026-01-25 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-22 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-29 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-26 13:00 - 15:00 | 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 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

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 Walk of African American Historical Sites
2026-02-14 09:30 - 11:00 | Wheeler Park, Depot Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48104, United States
We invite all people from the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community and our white allies to celebrate Black History Month by joining us on this walk to explore some historical sites around downtown Ann Arbor. Whatever birds we see along our walk will be a bonus!
Directions: We will meet at Wheeler Park in Ann Arbor, 200 Depot St., and make our way through downtown Ann Arbor and Kerrytown.

Conservation Stories: BirdSong Nature Preserve and Sibley Prairie
2026-02-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown, 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
The BirdSong Nature Preserve will soon become the newest addition to the protected lands in Superior Township. Stretching over one mile, the preserve will protect a variety of habitats and consolidate a two-mile corridor of protected land. Sibley Prairie, in Brownstown Township, is the largest and highest-quality lakeplain prairie remaining in the entire state. A coalition of groups is working to save it from development. Learn about Sibley Prairie’s significance and how you can help.
Presenter: Jack Smiley, President, Michigan Land Conservancy
This program will be live streamed on our YouTube channel (click on the “LIVE” link appearing on our channel when the program is in session).

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

Celebrating 20 Years of Peregrine Falcons in Ann Arbor
2026-03-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown, 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Join former WBNA President and current Michigan Audubon and Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance board member Ray Stocking as he looks back on 20 years since the first post-delisting Peregrine Falcon sighting in Ann Arbor—one of Washtenaw County’s most uplifting wildlife comeback stories.
Ray will take us through the Peregrine’s dramatic journey in Michigan—from near extinction in the mid‑1900s due to DDT, to its inspiring rebound after the pesticide ban in the 1970s. He’ll share memories from that exciting March 2006 sighting that had local birders buzzing (and maybe a little overexcitement from the University of Michigan!), plus stories about the early struggles of these falcons trying to nest atop the Burton Memorial Tower on U‑M’s campus.
Thanks to the teamwork of WBNA, the Michigan DNR, the University of Michigan, and others, nest boxes placed across key campus buildings helped Peregrines reclaim the city skyline. It’s a true celebration of resilience, collaboration, and the enduring spirit of conservation.
This program will be live streamed on our YouTube channel (click on the “LIVE” link appearing on our channel when the program is in session).
Photo credit Barb Baldinger

Bird and Nature Walk with Ypsilanti Library - Hewen's Creek Park
2026-03-22 14:00 - 15:30 | MI
Join us as we partner with the Ypsilanti District Library in a nature walk through Hewen’s Creek Park. We will meet at the park entrance located at 6547 Bemis Road. Bring sturdy, water-resistant shoes as the park is likely to be wet and muddy from all the rain.
If you have binoculars, bring them. Otherwise, we will have some extra pairs available for you.

Spring Migration Thursdays at The Arb
2026-03-26 08:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-02 08:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-09 08:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-16 08:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-23 08:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-30 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.

Annual One Road Challenge
2026-03-28 00:00 - 11:00 | MI
This is a friendly team birding competition where teams pick one road in the county to see how many birds they can see in a morning along that road. If you have a team, great. If not, that’s OK too; register and we will help set you up with a team.
More details and competition rules can be found here. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to James Weir at jamesweir@washtenawbna.org.
Everyone is welcome to join the teams for lunch and tally rally at 11:30 AM at Holiday’s Restaurant, located at 2080 W Stadium Blvd. in Ann Arbor.
No need to participate in the event to join us for lunch and hear the great birding stories of the day! If you plan to join the lunch but have not sighed up for the Challenge, please email fieldtrips@washtenawbna.org so we can include you in the reservation.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.One Road Challenge RegistrationPlease register below. Please include the team leader and all team members along with your team name below. Once registrations complete, you will receive an email conformation of your registration.Registration Type *I am registering a teamI am registering to be placed on a teamTeam & Leader InformationTeam Name *What road will your team drive?Registrant Name *FirstLastEmail *Mobile Phone *Additional Team MembersTeammate 1FirstLastTeammate 2FirstLastTeammate 3FirstLastTeammate 4FirstLastSubmit

Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO) Feathered Friends Walk
2026-04-11 09:30 - 11:30 | Gallup Park Playground, 3175 Gallup Park Rd, Ann Arbor, 48104, United States
This event at Gallup Park is meant specifically for students participating in the WESO event “Feathered Friends.” We will take a walk through and around the park to look and listen for the birds in the area. All ages and skill levels are welcome. We will have extra binoculars if you do not have any.
Directions: Meet at the Black Lives Matter sidewalk area near the large playground at Gallup Park.
Leader: Victor Chen

Woodcock Walk with Natural Area Preservation
2026-04-12 19:45 - 21:00 | Furstenberg Nature Area, 2626 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
The American Woodcock, a chunky inland-loving shorebird, performs a courting display in the evenings in habitats with woods, shrubs and open prairie, and is found in suitable habitat across Washtenaw County, including Furstenberg Nature Area in Ann Arbor. Watching and hearing their display is an amazing experience: After sunset, males will display by flying high into the air then engage in a circling dive that initiates their display call by moving air fast over three specially evolved feathers. Make sure to dress for the weather (walks happen rain or shine). You will be walking in the dark so bring a flashlight. Registration is required and space is limited to provide a quality experience for all. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian.
Registration is required and space is limited to provide a quality experience for all.
Directions: Meet at the Furstenberg parking lot off Fuller Rd.
Leaders: Juliet Berger and James Weir

Monday Evening Migration at Matthaei
2026-04-13 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-20 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-27 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 northern 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 as they head north to their breeding grounds (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
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.

Chimney Swift Conservation in Michigan
2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown, 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
How well do you know this compact, aerial acrobat? Facing steep population declines, the Chimney Swift is one urban bird that we should all get behind. In this presentation you will learn the identification and life history of the Chimney Swift along with issues these birds are grappling with. We will also discuss ways that YOU can help with Chimney Swift conservation and what Michigan Audubon is doing across the state to help this enigmatic bird.
About Chad Machinski
While Chad’s first love is botany, he doesn’t deny the intertwining nature of birds, plants, insects, and all other organisms we share the world with. As Michigan Audubon’s Conservation Manager, Chad is responsible for the management and care for all 20 of Michigan Audubon’s Sanctuaries around the state and bird specific programs such as Chimney Swift and Purple Martin conservation. In his spare time, Chad enjoys tending to and expanding his native plant garden, birding, and learning more about our natural world.

Beginning Birders Series
2026-04-17 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-24 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-01 09:00 - 11:00 | Nichols Arboretum – Riverview Court, 174-196 Riverview Ct., Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Every Friday between April 17 and May 22, 2026, we will take our time to observe and discuss identification of some of the more common birds of Ann Arbor. This is a great series of walks for folks that would like to learn more about bird identification. Of course, all are welcome to attend any of our bird walks, but this one will be geared toward those with little or no experience. We will have extra binoculars on hand for anyone that needs them.
Directions: Meet at the east end of the arboretum near the Dow Prairie entrance on Riverview Court (map)
Leader: Gaia Stanley
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 Furstenberg Nature Area
2026-04-18 09:30 - 11:30 | Furstenberg Nature Area, 2626 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, 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 early spring migrants. All ages and skill levels are invited. We will have extra binoculars if you do not have any.
Directions: Meet in the main Furstenberg parking lot by the bathrooms.
Leader: Victor Chen

Bird and Nature Walk with Ypsilanti Library - Water Street Trail
2026-04-25 10:30 - 11:30 | MI
Join us as we partner with the Ypsilanti District Library in a nature walk down the Water Street Trail. We will meet at the downtown library in the downstairs meeting room
Address: 226 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am
If you have binoculars, bring them. Otherwise, we will have some extra pairs available for you.
