DETROIT AUDUBON SOCIETY

FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE

2007-2008

Pte. Mouillee

August 25, 2007 (Saturday) 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Karl Overman

This is one of the premier shore birding areas in the interior of the continent when water levels are favorable.

Take I-75 to Exit 26 and drive east on South Huron Rd to U.S. Turnpike. Turn south and look for Sigler Road. Turn east and drive to the parking lot at the end.

Metropolitan Beach Metropark

September 9, 2007 (Sunday) 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Joanna Pease strixvaria@sbcglobal.net

Hopefully fall migrants aplenty with summer temperatures still a reasonable expectation.

Take I-94 east and exit on Metropolitan Parkway. Drive east into the park and park (entrance fee) on the west side of the main parking lot near the Nature Center. Meet at the Center.

Lake Erie Metropark, HAWKFEST, and Detroit International Wildlife Refuge

September 15, 2007 (Saturday) 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Leader: Jim Bull

We will traverse woodlands, boardwalks and observation platforms looking over marshes looking for warblers, other songbirds, and migrating water birds. Meet at the trailhead across from the Marshlands Museum.

After the bird hike, wander down to the boat launch to observe the hawk migration for awhile. If you are lucky you might see a spectacular sight like the 553,371 broad wing hawks counted here on Sept. 17, 1999! Bring your children and enjoy the many games, crafts, talks, demonstrations, displays and live hawks and owls at Hawkfest in and around the Marshlands Museum—(come in the museum and see Detroit Audubon’s display and bookstore).

Take I-75 to Gibraltar Road. Go east toward Gibraltar, turn right on Jefferson and drive south to the park entrance on your left. Entrance fee required.

Humbug Marsh

September 22, 2007 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Leader: Jim Bull and Greg Norwood

This is a keystone area to the new Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. This should be a fine time for fall migration of land birds. It is also another good opportunity for migrant raptors which frequently migrate over this area when the winds are right.

Take I-75 to Gibraltar Road. Go east toward Gibraltar, turn left on Jefferson

and drive north to Vreeland Road. Angle park on Jefferson,

Bird Banding Demonstration and Bird Hike--Rouge River Bird Observatory

September 30, 2007 (Sunday) 8:00 a.m.

Leaders: Julie Craves, Supervisor of Avian Research, Rouge River Bird Observatory

The Rouge River Bird Observatory at U of M Dearborn has been conducting research for eleven years on migratory bird use of this urban sanctuary, shedding light on the importance of urban green space as migratory stop-over habitat. After a banding demonstration, we will take a short hike looking for birds in the U of M Dearborn Natural Area.

Take I-94 to Michigan Avenue (west); turn right on Evergreen and then a Michigan left into the U of M Dearborn campus. Meet at the Environmental Interpretive Center at the end of the entrance road. Park in the area designated for visitors in the flat lot, or in the parking structure.

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Crosswinds Marsh

October 13, 2007 (Saturday) 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Mike Mencotti [Mmencotti@dcds.edu]

This wetlands mitigation area in extreme southern Wayne County has beautiful boardwalks crossing extensive wetlands. Packing a lunch would be recommended.

Take I-275 south to the Will-Carleton exit. Go west 3.2 miles to Haggerty Road. Go north on Haggerty .5 miles to the park entrance on the west side of the road and meet in the parking lot.

Urban Birding

October 20, 2007 (Saturday) 8:30 a.m.

Leader: Karl Overman martineoverman@earthlink.net

With the backdrop of concrete and steel that is downtown Detroit, we will look for migrant birds that find micro habitats in this unlikely setting for wildlife. Not a trip designed for large numbers of species. We will also pay a visit to Belle Isle. Limit of 10 participants who must e-mail me or call to register for the trip.

Meet at Hart Plaza on the Detroit riverfront on Jefferson Avenue at the end of Woodward Avenue.

Sandhill Crane Migration Stopover at Haehnle Sanctuary

October 28, 2007 (Sunday) 2:30 (for hike) or 4:00 p.m. (observe from hill only)

As many as 3,000 Sandhill Cranes fly in to roost in a marsh for the night as they have been doing since the ice age. Northern Harrier and a plethora of waterfowl are also possible. Dress warmly as it can be frigid. A blanket or lawn chair to sit on would come in handy.

Take I-94 west to Race Road in eastern Jackson County. Go north two miles to Seymour road at a T-Junction. Go west (left) to the entrance of Haehnle Sanctuary on the north side of the road. Park in the lot and walk east on the trail to the overlook.

Point Edward and Lake Huron Shore, Ontario

November 3, 2007 (Saturday) 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Karl Overman

The focus will be on water birds which should include loons, grebes and scoters. This trip has a history of turning up unusual species including Brant, Little Gull, Kittiwake, Cave Swallow and White-winged Crossbill.

Meet at the Ontario tourist information center in Sarnia.

Belle Isle Nature Zoo, Detroit

November 10, 2007 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m.

Waterfowl I.D. Workshop

Sponsored by Detroit Audubon Society

Take Jefferson to the bridge. Cross over and drive to the east end of the island. Park in the parking lot of the Nature Center.

Belle Isle, Detroit

November 17, 2007 (Saturday) at 9:00 a.m.

Leaders: Steve Santner & Fred Charbonneau

This gem of Detroit's park system is a fine birding location for viewing migrant and wintering waterfowl.

Take Jefferson to the bridge. Cross over and drive to the east end of the island. Park in the parking lot of the Nature Center.

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Niagara River Trip

December 7-9, 2007 (Friday thru Sunday)

Leader: Alan Wormington

The Niagara region is the place to be in early winter in the Great Lakes region with masses of waterfowl and gulls that leads to exciting birding and renowned scenery. Alan Wormington is simply the best possible guide to that area and trips Alan has lead with DAS members in recent years have turned up such notable birds as Great Cormorant, Gannet, Harlequin Duck, Purple Sandpiper, California Gull, Kittiwake, Little Gull, Mew Gull, Snowy Owl, Rufous Hummingbird, and Golden-crowned Sparrow

Meet at the Detroit Audubon Office, 26080 Berg Rd., Southfield, at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 7th. Returning Sunday December 9th at approximately 9 p.m. Transportation and 2 nights lodging will be provided. You are on your own for food. Cost: $325; $75 deposit. Single room supplement $425.

Detroit Christmas Bird Count

December 16, 2007 (Sunday)

Be a part of this nationwide birding phenomenon once and you are likely to be hooked for a lifetime. Call Tim Nowicki at (734) 525 8630 or the DAS office (248) 354-4960 for details

Rockwood Christmas Bird Count

December 22, 2007 (Saturday) 9:00 am-11:00 am

Detroit Audubon Society and the Grosse Ille Nature and Land Conservancy co-sponsor this annual count. The 15 mile diameter circle for the Rockwood Count includes Grosse Ille , Lake Erie Metropark, Trenton, Rockwood, South Rockwood, Newport, and Oakwoods Metropark. Call Jim Bull at (313) 928-2950 if you live in the count area and want to participate in a bird feeder watch that day from the comfort of your home. To sign up to do more serious outside counting that day contact count compiler Tom Carpenter at tcarpen1980@yahoo.com or 734-728-8733 so he can assign you to an area and count team. There are many inland areas that desperately need coverage. A chilli lunch and chili dinner will be provided. There is a $5 fee if you want your name listed in the official report.

Lake Erie Metro Park, Wayne Co.
January 19, 2008 (Saturday) 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Mike Mencotti

Lake Erie Metro Park is simply the best single location to bird in winter in Michigan. There should be thousands of ducks off shore and the woods in the park typically host in winter a number of species that are difficult to find elsewhere in Michigan such as Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Fox Sparrow. There is always a chance for Long-eared or Saw-whet Owls at this location in winter.

Take I-75 to Gibraltar Road. Go east toward Gibraltar, turn right on Jefferson and drive south to the park entrance on your left. Entrance fee required.

Belle Isle

February 9, 2008 (Saturday) 9:00 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.

Meet at the Nature Center parking lot on Belle Isle

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Humbug Marsh

February 16, 2008 (Saturday) 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Leader: Jim Bull

See this natural gem of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in winter. There should be good numbers of waterfowl in the area plus a good assortment of wintering land birds.

Take I-75 to Gibraltar Road. Go east toward Gibraltar, turn left on Jefferson and park in the lot off of Jefferson.

Owl Prowl, Stony Creek Metropark

March 1, 2008 (Saturday) 7:30 p.m.
Leaders: Doug Spiller and Jim Bull

Great Horned Owls will have been nesting since early February and Barred Owls will just be beginning to nest. Since they are defending their territories, playing an owl tape or imitating their call will likely bring a response from them, perhaps even bringing them into view. Screech Owls should also be responsive to imitations of their calls by our leaders.

From I-75 exit on M-59 East, then go north on M-53. Exit at 26 Mile Road to the park entrance. We will meet either at the nature center or at the golf course parking lot. Watch the Flyway and our website for more details or call our office at 248.545.2929. If we have a big group, we will split up into two smaller groups.

Woodcock Watch

April 11, 2008 (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.

From I-75 exit at Wester Road, go west, from there go south on Telegraph (M-24), west on Van Horn, then east (left) on Huron River Drive to the entrance to Oakwoods Metropark. You will need an annual Metroparks sticker or a daily pass. Meet at the nature center.

Warbler and Vireo ID Workshop

Belle Isle Nature Zoo Detroit

Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:00 AM

Presented by Karl Overman

Frog Symphony, Blue Herons, Great Horned Owls–West Bloomfield Nature Preserve

April 18, 2008 (Friday) 7:30 p.m.
Leaders: Sally Petrella and Jim Bull

Join us for an evening of listening to and searching for frogs. This field trip is co-sponsored by Detroit Audubon Society and Friends of the Rouge. This program is especially good for children.

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 Nature Preserve” at Arrowhead Road. Follow signs to the preserve parking lot.

Crane Creek, Ohio

April 19, 2008 (Saturday) 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Mike Mencotti

Think spring thoughts and venture to this famous birding locale. The trip will be timed for when the auto trail is open at Ottawa Refuge.

Take I-75 to Toledo; turn off on I-280 to Highway 2. Follow Hwy 2 east about 18 miles and turn north at the Crane Creek entrance. Drive to west end of beach parking lot at beginning of Bird Trail.

Point Pelee

April 26, 2008 (Saturday) 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Karl Overman

Pelee in the spring. It does not get better for a birder. Of course in late April, this will be 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.

Meet in the Visitor Center parking area. Remember to bring photo ID for entry into Canada.

St. Clair Woods–Wildflowers and More

May 3, 2008 (Saturday) 1:00 p.m.
Leader: Richard Quick

Join us for a tour of Detroit Audubon’s own St. Clair Woods Sanctuary where there is a scenic stream and a carpet of wildflowers under a mixture of deciduous and coniferous woods. Yellow Trout lilies, hepatica, red trillium, white trillium and the locally rare painted trillium. Salamanders are sometimes found and we’ll even look at birds though the focus will be on wildflowers.

Take I-94 east, exiting on M-21. Go west. Turn south (left on Wadhams Road), then right on Griswold. Look for sanctuary sign and drive into the small parking lot.

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Humbug Marsh May 4, 2008 (Sunday) 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Leader: Jim Bull

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

Take I-75 to Gibraltar Road. Go east toward Gibraltar, turn left on Jefferson and drive north to Vreeland Road. Angle park on Jefferson.

Metropolitan Beach

May 10, 2008 (Saturday) 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Joanna Pease strixvaria@sbcglobal.net

A justly famous migrant trap.

Take I-94 east and exit on Metropolitan Parkway. Drive east into the park (entrance fee) and park on the west side of the main parking lot near the Nature Center. Meet at the Center.

Southfield Park Hop

May 12, 2008 (Monday) 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Karl Overman

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 on this venture.

Meet at the playground area in the NE part of the Southfield Municipal Complex on Evergreen Road just east of the Lodge Expressway (M-10).

Detroit and Michigan Audubon Joint Memorial Day Weekend Nature Get-Away

May 23-26, 2008

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. Last year our group even found a new bird for the Michigan list -Couch’s Kingbird! There will be great food, music and educational programs, 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 Tuttle Marsh. Watch the Flyway and the website for more details.

Lapeer State Game Area

May 31, 2008 (Saturday) 7:30 a.m.
Leader: Joanna Pease strixvaria@sbcglobal.net

The trip starts in Rowden Park to find marsh birds and late migrant warblers and then covers the Lapeer State Game Area for breeding birds and migrants. Grassland habitats will also be checked. Species seen in recent years in this area include Least Bittern, “Brewster’s Warbler”, Hooded Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow and Clay-colored Sparrow.

Meet at the parking lot of the Lapeer K-Mart which is located on the east side of Lapeer Road (M-24) approximately one mile north of I-69. The trip will last until mid-afternoon so pack a lunch.

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Port Huron State Game Area

June 7, 2008 (Saturday) 7:30 a.m.
Leader: Mike Mencotti

An exceptional diversity of breeding birds, especially warblers, may be found in this area: Hooded, Louisiana Waterthrush, Mourning Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, etc. Insect repellant is advisable, no, mandatory. Six or seven hours.

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 at the park at the northeast corner of Wildcat and M-136.

Bulgaria

May 30-June 10, 2008

Leaders: Dimiter Georgiev and Karl Overman

Bulgaria is simply the best country in Europe for breeding birds. This small country has high mountains, steppe country, sea coast and fine marshes that attract many of the most spectacular birds of Europe as well as species that are difficult to get elsewhere. We will be guided by Dimiter Georgiev from Neophr on tours so we will have top-notch assistance in finding the key species in the country. We will start out in the mountains near the capital, Sofia, looking for birds like Nutcracker, Black Woodpecker and Ring Ouzel. We will proceed to the scenic Trigrad Gorge, arguably the best place in Europe for Wall Creeper. In the southern mountains of the country, raptors will take center stage, including Imperial Eagle, Levant’s Sparrowhawk and Short-toed Eagle. We will visit a vulture feeding station to see Griffons, Black Vultures and Egyptian Vultures. There are also fine passerines to look for in the area including Isabeline Wheatear, Rock Nuthatch and Sombre Tit. Visits to wetlands along the Black Sea and Danube River should turn up Dalmatian Pelican, Eurasian White Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Ferruginous Duck and Paddyfield Warbler.

This is a 12 day/11 night trip from Sofia, Bulgaria. The cost is $1500 which includes local transportation, food, guide service and lodging. There is a fee of $165 for a single room supplement. A $200 deposit is required.

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