As a bird conservation organization, Michigan Audubon’s work adapts to the changing, pressing needs of birds and their native habitats in our state. Our mission remains the same: to connect birds and people for the benefit of both through conservation, education, and research efforts in the state of Michigan. With growing concerns about the state of our birds mounting over the past several years — from free-roaming cats to habitat loss to big energy, collisions, and neonicotinoids — it is clear that the work nonprofits do for birds is essential, and urgent.
To that end, Michigan Audubon’s leadership has been adjusting our work to better meet the needs of birds. This work demands more advocacy and involvement at the policy level, and greater outreach and education efforts to connect people and birds in meaningful ways that give back to birds.
In the past, Michigan Audubon has hosted and/or sponsored events like the Tawas Point Birding Festival and CraneFest.
Since 2016, Michigan Audubon has been working towards smaller, grassroots efforts such as the Upper Peninsula birding tours, Cerulean Warbler and Kirtland’s Warbler tours, Birding 101 weekend trips, and the like. We remain committed to offering small birding tours throughout the state but have shifted our focus away from large, statewide events.
Spring Fling
Canceled for 2021
Spring Fling: A Celebration of Spring Migration at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory was a small event that began as a kickoff weekend for the spring field season at WPBO as well as a kickoff for spectacular birding at the Point on Lake Superior in Paradise, Michigan.
Due to COVID-19, Spring Fling will not be held this year. For those of you who have come to know and love this event, we are sorry to share this disappointing news! However, due to the nature of this event and the current state of the pandemic, we won’t be able to gather at the Point this year for this event. We will, however, share a great deal of engaging content through our social media channels, website, and eNews, so please stay tuned and connected to WPBO and join our mailing list to receive monthly updates.
U.P. Winter Birding Tours
Canceled for 2021
These tours typically take place in January and February and provide a unique guided birding experience in the great Sault Ste Marie area. Although we’ll miss the time we get to spend with attendees and the abundance of Snowy Owls attendees usually get to enjoy this time of year, we look forward to offering more tours like this in the future. Although these popular tours aren’t happening this year, check out the Birding the Eastern Upper Peninsula in Winter article in the Jack Pine Warbler winter issue. Our usual tour guide Darrell Lawson offers some great tips if you decide to take the venture on your own.
Tawas Point Birding Festival
Canceled for 2021
AuSable Valley Audubon, a chapter of Michigan Audubon, will not be hosting a birding event at Tawas Point State Park, in Iosco County this year. From our friends at AVA: We sincerely regret not being able to offer guided tours or educational workshops as has been done in the past due to the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact AuSable Valley Audubon member, Sue, at 989-701-5471 if you have questions.
Cerulean Warbler Weekend
Michigan Audubon staff are making plans to accommodate birdwatchers interested in viewing (and safely celebrating) the Cerulean Warblers of Barry County in late May-early June, during the best viewing times for this mighty woodland bird! At our current juncture, we have decided to tentatively implement some event changes to create a meaningful and engaging experience for participants that is focused on safely viewing the bird in small groups/tours.
We invite you to stay tuned to our eNews sent out monthly for updates as well as social media channels and our website, michiganaudubon.org.
Kirtland’s Warbler Tours
Michigan Audubon is hopeful that we will be able to offer Kirtland’s Warbler tours May 29 through June 30, 2021. Tours are planned to run daily at 7 a.m with an additional 11 a.m. tour on Saturdays and Sundays. Tours will meet at the Hartwick Pines Visitors Center and cost $10 per person (13 and under are free). These plans are tentative and rely on our partnership with Hartwick Pines State Park. We will continue to update the website (https://www.michiganaudubon.org/kirtlands-warbler-tours/) as more information is available.
The Kirtland’s Warbler (KIWA) Tours in Michigan are offered not only by Michigan Audubon, but also by our AuSable Valley Audubon chapter. The KIWA tours are typically from late May through the end of June. We will continue to update our KIWA Tours page as more information is available.
Michigan Young Birders Camp
The Michigan Young Birders Camp planning committee is hard at work creating an exciting virtual experience for the summer of 2021. This year’s experience will offer a variety of digital content ranging from habitats around the state. Guests will include experts from a variety of bird and conservation backgrounds who will share their experiences and expertise with campers. As an update to last year’s virtual pivot, this year’s camp will meet once a week for a total of six weeks. More information about camp will be available soon. To stay up to date on the latest developments, follow Michigan Audubon on social media, sign up for our eNews, or check for updates on our website.
CraneFest
This event is put on by the Kiwanis Club of Battle Creek. Please stay tuned to their Facebook page for more information about their CraneFest event.
To stay up-to-date on the latest developments, follow Michigan Audubon on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), sign up for our eNews, or check for updates on our website.