Fifty exciting years have passed since AuSable Valley Audubon organized in 1972! It goes to show that time really does fly when you’re having fun — especially when you’re birding.

Originally known  as Iosco Audubon Society, this Michigan Audubon chapter was officially renamed in 2008, and now averages 85 individual members residing in Iosco and Alcona counties. 

AuSable Valley Audubon has served both members and surrounding communities through a variety of activities over the past 50 years including:

  • AuSable River Dams designated as Important Birding Areas in 2006
  • Tawas Point Birding Festival established in 2006 and reorganized as Tawas Point Migration in 2018
  • Kirtland’s Warbler Tours offered in Oscoda and Tawas areas
  • Built six viewing platforms at Tawas Point State Park in 2000 with Michigan Sea Grant
  • Public birding seminars held covering a variety of subjects
  • Trumpeter Swan Seasonal Population Surveys conducted along the AuSable River Corridor for Consumers Energy and Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird
  • Published the brochure “The Trumpeter Swans of the AuSable River” with Consumers Energy in 2007
  • The column “Bird’s Eye View” published periodically in three area newspapers
  • Bluebird house building workshops held with schools and the general public
  • Annual promotion of the Great Backyard Bird Count through workshops and special seminars
  • Participation in the Christmas Bird Count in the Tawas and Oscoda areas
  • Creation of the 145-mile Sunrise Coast Birding Trail with Thunder Bay Audubon and Straits Area Audubon Society
  • Organized yearly Sandhill Crane counts during fall migration
  • Participated in Michigan Piping Plover watch
  • Created a wildflower brochure listing over 300 plants in the local area
  • Planted oak and pine trees at various locations in Tawas Point State Park to replace those lost to storms or other natural causes
  • Promoted bird awareness with Alcona Elementary School’s 2nd grade by purchasing Michigan Birding Field Guide Books in 2019
  • Osprey and waterfowl documenting and monitoring
  • “Trumpeter Swans: A Conservation Success” featured in the annual “HYDRO REPORTER,” an annual publication by Consumers Energy, in 2020
  • Participated in MDOT “Adopt-A-Highway” program along M-55
  • Beginning assistance with Alabaster Township Lake Huron Preserve

~ by Maggie Berch, AuSable Valley Audubon volunteer

You can learn more about the AuSable Valley Audubon by visiting ausablevalleyaudubon.org.

Volunteers participate in the “Adopt-A-Highway” program along M-55.
A viewing platform built at Tawas Point State Park in conjunction with Michigan Sea Grant in 2000.
Volunteers plant a tree at Tawas Point State Park to replace those lost in storms and to other natural causes.
Great Horned Owl Chick rescued by Ruth Golm.

Maggie Berch grew to love nature and, in particular, the AuSable River in Alcona County, where she spent many of her summers as a child. In 2001 she returned to Northern Michigan, where she became an active member of AuSable Valley Audubon and her church community. She enjoys quilting, kayaking, and nature photography, often contributing photos to local newspapers.

Tawas Point Migration
May 13–15, 2022

Tawas Point, located on the Northeast Michigan shore of Lake Huron, is a natural birding hotspot in the spring as migrating birds follow the shoreline to summer nesting habitats. Participants of Tawas Point Migration will find friendly and helpful local birders available at various key areas in Tawas Point State Park to interact one-on-one with and answer questions about local amenities, other nearby hotspots, and bird identification. 

Registration is available at the Tawas Point Lighthouse area (pre-registration is not available). Local birding guides will be available at multiple stations throughout Tawas Point (free to all) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Discussions and updating of bird sighting lists will take place on Friday and Saturday at noon and 5 p.m. No Kirtland’s Warbler tours will be offered this year.

Go to ausablevalleyaudubon.org or visit the AuSable Valley Audubon Facebook page for further information about the event.

Trumpeter Swans at Cooke Pond February 1, 2022. Photo by Phil Odum.