DETROIT AUDUBON SOCIETY

FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE

FALL 2011-SPRING 2012

Note: These are the field trips planned for winter, spring, and summer 2012. Please tear this out and keep for your reference. A schedule for fall 2012 will appear in the fall Flyway (out in late August).

Please call the Detroit Audubon office by the Thursday before each field trip so that we can know how many to expect and so we will be able to notify you of any changes. Leave your name, the number of people coming, and your phone number and email address. Also indicate if you are interested in carpooling, and we will put you in touch with others with a similar interest in your area. Call (248) 354-5804.

Detroit Christmas Bird Count

December 18, 2011 (Sunday)

This is one of the oldest Christmas Bird Counts. Birders spend the entire day covering a 15 mile diameter circle in parts of northern Oakland Co. to count as many birds as possible. The count is part of counts all over North America used to study bird populations. Meet for pizza and count wrap-up at day’s end. To participate, call Tim Nowicki at (734) 525-8630 or

the DAS office at (248) 354-5804.

Rockwood Christmas Bird Count

December 26, 2011 (Monday)

Public hike: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Call Jim Bull at (313) 928-2950 to register for the morning hike.

A chili lunch is provided. Donation appreciated.

Christmas Bird Count: All day. The Detroit Audubon Society co-sponsors this annual count of the 15 mile diameter circle which includes Grosse Ile, Lake Erie Metropark, Trenton, Rockwood, South Rockwood, Newport, and Oakwoods Metropark. A chili dinner will be provided. Donat January 18, 2012 20:15

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Belle Isle, Detroit

February 4, 2012 (Saturday) 9 a.m.

Leaders: Steve Santner and Fred Charbonneau

The Detroit River is one of the key wintering areas for waterfowl in North America, and Belle Isle is a very convenient location to take this in without having to go too far from your vehicle.

Address: Belle Isle Nature Zoo, 176 Lakeside, Detroit, MI 48207-6300.

Directions: Take Jefferson to the Belle Isle Bridge. Cross over and drive to the east end of the island and park in the Nature Center/Zoo parking lot.

Owl Prowl, Kensington Metropark

March 3, 2012 (Saturday) 7:30 p.m.

Leaders: Bob Hotaling, Metropark naturalist, and Jim Bull

Great Horned Owls will have been nesting since early February, and Barred Owls will just be beginning to nest. Screech owls will be getting ready to nest. Since they are defending territories, playing an owl tape or imitating their calls will likely bring a response from them, and there is a good chance they will come in where we can see them in a beam of lantern light. We have changed parks this year.

Address: 2240 W. Buno Rd., Milford, MI 48380-4410.

Directions: From I-96, take exit 151 (Kensington Road). Enter park and follow the road past the HCMA Administrative Office to the nature center. Meet inside the nature center. You will need an annual Metroparks sticker or day pass. Space is limited, so please call the DAS office at (248) 354-5804 to make reservations.

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Woodcock Watch, Oakwoods Metropark

March 30, 2012 (Friday) 7:45 p.m.

Leaders: Kevin Arnold and Jim Bull

Right at dusk this sandpiper with a long beak and huge comical eyes comes to open areas to do its spectacular aerial courtship display. This program is especially good for families with children.

Address: 32911 E. Willow Rd., New Boston, MI 48164.

Directions: From I-75, exit at West Road and go west. Go south on Telegraph (M-24), west on Van Horn (which becomes Huron River Drive), then west (left) on East Willow to the park entrance. You will need an annual Metroparks sticker or a daily pass. Meet at the nature center.

Frog Symphony, West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve

Cosponsored by Friends of the Rouge

April 20, 2012 (Friday) 7:30 p.m.

Leaders: Sally Petrella (Friends of the Rouge), Jim Bull, and Lauren Zoet (West Bloomfield naturalist). Join us for an evening of listening to and searching for frogs. We often see salamanders, Wood Ducks, herons, and owls. This program is especially good for children.

Address: 4655 Arrowhead Rd., West Bloomfield, MI 48323.

Directions: From Telegraph Road, go west on Long Lake Road to where it dead-ends at Orchard Lake. Turn left and go to the next traffic light. Turn right on to Pontiac Trail. Take Pontiac Trail and look for the sign “West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve” at Arrowhead Road. Follow signs to the preserve parking lot.

Magee Marsh, Ohio

April 21, 2012 (Saturday) 8 a.m.

Leader: Richard Quick

We will get the early spring migrants without the crowds at this famous birding locale.

Address: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, 13229 W. State Rte 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449. Directions: Take I-75 to Toledo; go south on I-280 to Highway 2. Follow Highway 2 east about 18 miles and turn north at the Magee Marsh entrance. Drive to the west end of the beach parking lot to the beginning of Bird Trail.

Point Pelee, Ontario

April 28, 2012 (Saturday) 8 a.m.

Leader: Richard Quick

Pelee in the spring! It does not get better for a birder. Of course late April is before the main rush of warblers, but there will still be plenty to see, including shorebirds in the Hillman Marsh area north of the park.

Address: Point Pelee National Park, 407 Monarch Ln., RR1, Leamington, Ontario, Canada N8H 3V4.

Directions: Cross the Ambassador Bridge and follow Route 3 to Leamington. Follow signs to Point Pelee National Park (entrance fee required: about $12). Meet in the visitor center parking area. Remember to bring passport for entry into Canada and back into the U.S.

Lake St. Clair Metropark:

Previously known as Metro Beach Metropark

May 6, 2012 (Sunday) 8 a.m.

Leader: Joanna Pease

Metro Beach Metropark is a justly famous migrant trap.

Address: 31300 Metropolitan Parkway, Harrison Township, MI 48045.

Directions: Take I-94 east and exit at Metropolitan Parkway. Drive east into the park. You will need an annual Metroparks sticker or day pass. Park on the west side of the main parking lot near the nature center. Meet at the nature center.

Suburban Park Hop

May 9, 2012 (Wednesday) 8 a.m.

Leader: Karl Overman

This is a chance to explore close to home with the prospects of interesting birds in unlikely locations. We will visit a series of parks in Southfield, Farmington Hills, and Commerce Township on this venture.

Address: Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve, 27101 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI, 48033. Directions: Meet at the parking lot of Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve on 10 Mile Road about a quarter mile east of Inkster Road.

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Wetzel State Recreation Area, Macomb County

May 12, 2012 (Saturday) 8 a.m.

Leader: Richard Quick

This trip takes us to an area that provides a nice mixture of habitat. Breeding birds regularly observed include Sedge and Marsh Wrens, harrier, bitterns, Forster’s and Caspian Terns, Cuckoos, and Clay-colored, Savannah, Song, and Grasshopper Sparrows. Other regulars include Bobolink, Orchard Oriole, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue-winged Warbler, Willow Flycatcher, Ruddy Duck, Redhead, and Pied-billed Grebe. This trip will require walking 3 to 4 miles on trails over several habitats and will last about 4 hours. Be prepared for wet trails.

Directions: Take I-94 east to exit 247, M-19/New Haven Road. Take M-19 north to 27 Mile Road. Go west on 27 Mile past Werderman Road. Meet in the parking lot at the end of

27 Mile Road.

Humbug Marsh

May 20, 2012 (Sunday) 2 p.m.−4 p.m.

Leader: Jim Bull

See this natural gem of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in the spring.

Address: 5437 W. Jefferson Ave., Trenton, MI, 48183.

Directions: Take I-75 to Gibraltar Road. Go east toward Gibraltar, turn left on to Jefferson, and drive north past Vreeland Road. Entrance to the Refuge Gateway Center will be on your right. Pull into the Refuge Gateway Center (fenced in) and park where designated.

Detroit Audubon Memorial Day Weekend Nature Get-Away

May 25-28, 2012 (Friday−Monday)

Don’t miss this weekend with wonderful people and fine birds. Besides an array of notable breeding birds in the area, including Kirtland’s Warbler, nearby Tawas Point should be hopping with migrants. A few years ago our group even found a new bird for the Michigan list—Couch’s Kingbird! There will be great food, music and educational programs, and children’s activities, including a challenge course, all amid beautiful surroundings. In addition to the camp, there will be trips to the scenic Rifle River area, Tawas Point, and Au Sable River Overlooks. Watch the Flyway and the website for registration information. This may be the last year for this event as the camp is being sold.

Port Huron State Game Area

June 3, 2012 (Sunday) 7:30 a.m.

Leader: Joanna Pease

An exceptional diversity of breeding birds, especially warblers, may be found in this area, including Hooded, Louisiana Waterthrush, Mourning, and Golden-winged Warblers. Insect repellent is advisable. This trip will last 5 or more hours with driving to each area.

Directions: Take I-94 to the last exit in Port Huron (on left) before crossing into Canada. Proceed north on M-25 to M-136. Drive west on M-136 five or six miles to Wildcat Road. Park near the baseball diamond in the park on the northeast corner of Wildcat and M-136. Bring a lunch.

Eliza Howell Park *New trip*

June 9 (Saturday) 9 a.m.

Leader: Leonard Weber

Over 30 species of songbirds breed in Eliza Howell Park, and this is the peak of the breeding season. We will look for nests of orioles, bluebirds, Barn Swallows, and others. We can expect to watch birds feeding their young.

Directions: Eliza Howell Park is located on Fenkell (Five Mile Road) in Detroit about one block east of Telegraph Road. Enter the park and drive about a half mile around the road loop and park near the nature trail.

Sunrise Serenade at LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve

Cosponsored by the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy

Friday, June 22, 2012, 7 p.m., for camping, or Saturday, June 23, 4:30 a.m., for Sunrise Serenade; breakfast to follow.

In the tradition of Aldo Leopold, take some time to listen to the beautiful songs of a summer morning. Birding experts will be on hand to help us document the progression of bird song, keeping track of when each species first begins to sing. Join friends for a campout on Friday night or arrive by 4:30 a.m. on Saturday if you don't wish to camp. By 7 a.m. we will provide a hearty breakfast for everyone. Bring friends, family, blankets, chairs, and a tent if you'd like to camp—please, no pets. Please also bring plates, cups, and utensils for breakfast. Attendance is limited, and a $5 donation is suggested to cover the cost of breakfast. Contact the DAS office at (248) 354-5804 by Thursday, June 21, for reservations.

Address: 2252 N. Prospect Rd., Superior Township, MI 48198.

Directions: Entrance is on Prospect Road half way between Geddes and Vreeland Roads.

IHM Campus, Monroe

July 21, 2012 (Saturday) 8 a.m.−12:30 p.m.

Leaders: Jim Bull and IHM staff

We will start out with a tour of the rare oak savannah, the native prairies and wetlands on the property. We will then tour the Motherhouse and the campus with an IHM tour guide. The campus of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, has won national and international awards for its environmentally sustainable design, including a gray water system, a created wetland to treat the gray water, geothermal heating and cooling, pervious pavement, recreated native prairies, green lighting and materials, and more. The story is truly inspiring and may give you ideas to try at home. The tour cost is $12, and lunch (sustainable and delicious) is available for an extra $8. Send checks made out to Detroit Audubon Society to 24433 W. Nine Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48033.

Address: 610 W. Elm Ave., Monroe, MI, 48162. IHM phone is (734) 241-3660.

Directions: Take I-75 South to exit 14, Elm Avenue. Go west towards Monroe and cross over Monroe Street (M-125). Look for the Motherhouse entrance on the right. Park in the west lot, where Jim Bull will meet the group.

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