CANCELED: Tuesday Treks: Hunters Orchard Park

Out of an abundance of caution and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, these treks have been canceled.

Join Michigan Audubon for a series of free, guided bird walks at locations throughout the Greater Lansing area this spring! Conservation Program Coordinator Linnea Rowse will lead walks to seek out migratory birds in a variety of habitats. Please note that these treks are limited to eight participants and registration will be required. See below for more information.

Bring your binoculars (some will be available to borrow) and wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. We will walk on both paved and unpaved (grass/packed dirt) trails — see each specific description. Walks are suitable for all ages and any level of birding experience — beginners and experts welcome! This is the perfect time of year to enjoy birds in their beautiful spring breeding plumage, especially before canopy trees are fully leafed out. These walks will be canceled in the event of heavy rains or thunderstorms.

Locations: 

April 21 | 8 – 10 a.m. | Capital City Bird Sanctuary. We will walk on unpaved (mowed grass) trails and seek out early spring migrants. Meet at the Michigan Audubon gated entrance, less than 0.1 mile east of the Hawk Meadow Park parking lot. The gate will be open. Location/Directions: 6001 Delta River Dr., Lansing, MI 48906; approximate GPS coordinates: 42.765116, -84.635263. 

April 28 | 8 – 10 a.m. | Hunters Orchard Park. We will walk on both paved and unpaved trails. Hunters Orchard Park abuts the Grand River, with floodplain and woodland habitat. Access to this park is from Old River Trail, just west of Webster Road and Delta Mills Park. Location: 7242 Old River Trail, Lansing, MI 48917; approximate GPS coordinates: 42.759679, -84.655258.

May 5 | 8 – 10 a.m. | Legg Park. Part of the 103-acre Meridian Riverfront Park, Legg Park has excellent opportunities for birding, with trails following the edge of the Red Cedar River. Many bird species use the woodland habitat as a stopover during their spring migration, including several warbler, oriole, grosbeak, and thrush species. Meet in the Legg Park parking lot. We will walk on unpaved (packed dirt) trails. Preview the Legg Park trail map here: http://www.meridian.mi.us/Home/ShowDocument?id=5422 Location: 3900 Van Atta Road, Okemos, MI 48864; approximate GPS coordinates: 42.693889, -84.385294.

May 12 | 8 – 10 a.m. | Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center. We will walk on unpaved trails (grass trails) encircling a wetland area. For more specific driving directions and to learn more about CMERC, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/cmerc/. Location: 9422 Herbison Rd, Laingsburg, MI 48848; follow signs for parking off the road east of the gate. Approximate GPS coordinates: 42.827919, -84.377404. 

 Important Changes to Tuesday Treks in Response to COVID-19

Out of an abundance of caution and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we will be limiting Tuesday Treks to eight participants. Although the treks remain free of charge, you must register to participate. Registration will open for each trek the Friday before that specific event. If we have more than eight participants show up for any trek, those who have not registered may be asked to leave. For the safety of all participants, attendees must follow the wellness guidelines (provided below) at all times. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these times together.

WELLNESS GUIDELINES

• Please stay home if you are not feeling well.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or tissue and wash your hands immediately afterward.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water. If no soap is available, use a hand sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol content.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Practice social distancing, maintaining a distance of at least six feet from your fellow birders.

Michigan Audubon will continue to follow and adhere to recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Any additional changes to our programs and activities will be posted on our website, www.michiganaudubon.org. General inquiries may be directed to Michigan Audubon at birds@michiganaudubon.org.