The Petoskey Regional Audubon Society invites you to a birding walk at Sportsman’s Park in East Jordan, on Friday, May 15 from 8am-9:30am. During this walk we will explore multiple habitat types.  Participants will meet at the Sportsman’s Park parking area.  Please bring your binoculars. Betty Simon will be the trip leader, she is a member of Petoskey Audubon and is excited to act as a guide to one of her favorite birding spots.

This morning walk will allow participants to compare and contrast the number of species and individual birds to our Wednesday evening walks.

The first area we will visit is the platform overlooking the mouth of the Jordan River.  This location features a deep river channel bordered by mudflats and cattail marshes.  The area usually holds many dabbling ducks, geese, swans, herons (potential for Great Egret), Sandhill Cranes, coots, and others.  Shorebirds may be patrolling the mudflats and river edges.

The second area we will visit is the new Don & Eileen Klein Nature Trail.  This walk includes some scrubby hardwood forest and an extensive boardwalk through a large cattail marsh.  Here there should be plenty of blackbirds, sparrows, and the potential for rails.  Raptors including Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Northern Harrier, Osprey, Merlin and others are a possibility in any area.  This walk should allow participants to see many of Michigan’s spectacular resident and migratory bird species!

Notes: 

• RSVP is not necessary to attend the bird walk. Just show up.
• Please do not bring pets as these can disrupt both the behavior of the birds and the birding experience for others.
• Bring binoculars if you have them. If not, loaner pairs will be available.
• Restrooms are available at the parking area.
• Beginning birders always welcome.
• No pets. No smoking.
• Children welcome with adult supervision.
• Dress for conditions and insect protection.