MEMORIAL WEEKEND NATURE GETAWAY 2007

By Rosemarie Attilio

May 25-28th at Loon Lake Lutheran Retreat Center in Hale Michigan, Detroit Audubon and Michigan Audubon once again hosted a fun packed Memorial Weekend Nature Get-away for 75 nature loving birders, hikers, campers and families The weekend began with a slide presentation of all the wonderful areas to explore both within and around the camp grounds.

The weather broke sunny and warm on Saturday as Karl Overman led an eventful trip to Tawas State Park, one of Michigan’s premier migratory hot spots. This park, which in years past has hosted White Pelican, Piping Plover, Whimbrel and Scissortail Flycatcher, yielded another Michigan surprise. While Karl Overman and Robert Epstein were leading the group back from the point, Karl saw a kingbird with a yellow belly. He urged Robert to take a quick photo as they began trying to identify if it was a Tropical or a Couch’s Kingbird. Other birders were called in and Robert’s photo was downloaded onto a laptop. People from the Michigan birding records committee were called and the next day the bird was identified by call as a Couch’s Kingbird. The bird’s news hit the internet and many people raced up to Tawas Saturday and Sunday to try and view it. Many birders in our group got to share in the exciting sighting. Over the weekend, the group had over 153 species of birds.

Tawas Point State Park

People signed up for a kayaking tour of Loon Lake to view the camp grounds from the water by paddling out where the Loons were swimming and Eagles, Spotted Sandpipers and Kingfishers were flying. Different paths were taken throughout the weekend - from a lighthouse tour and climbing to the top to just enjoying guitar playing on the beach. Jim Bull and Rosemarie Attilio led a few trips to the Rifle River. There they saw the breathtaking overlook tower, wildflowers such as the rare pitcher plant and nesting Bald Eagles flying in with fish to feed their 2 large babies. Back in camp, 10 explorers joined Jeanette Henderson for an in-camp hike to look for morel mushrooms, wildflowers, frogs, nesting loons and nesting Bald Eagles. On Sunday, they got to enjoy the morels as part of their dinner. Another trip, led by Rosemarie Attilio, took a group to explore scenic Iargo Springs, Lumberman’s Monument and the Au Sable River. As we do every year, a group led by Jim Bull went with the forest service guide, Jenna Casey, to explore near Mio, Michigan for the rarest warblers in the world, the Kirtland’s Warbler. This area often yields Brewer's Blackbirds, Upland Sandpipers, thrushes and the Kirtland’s.

Bill and Jack

A new area was explored this year, Clark's Marsh, and was led by Cory Gildersleeve. This marsh area outside of Oscoda gave a memorable view of a nesting painted turtle and many of the children entertained themselves catching wood frogs and spring peepers. Peggy Ridgway, former MAS president, led a very interesting and entertaining trip near Cooke’s dam to explore trilliums, ferns, flowers and ending with a very close and rewarding view of the rare Trumpeter Swan pair that was nesting in the Foote dam area.

Rifle River

Later in the day, fifteen children had a rousing fun filled challenge course event within the camp led by the camp director, Doug, and Jeanette Henderson. The challenge course is a series of ropes, and wooden structures that the group needs to brainstorm on how to get through, over and around - a true team building event and great physical challenge.

While our campfire sing-along was rained out, our spirits were not as we shared S'mores and snacks with the breathtaking bird photography of Robert Epstein. Sunday’s evening program was an informative and intriguing view of the life of the Kirtland’s Warbler in its wintering grounds down in the Bahamas.

All in all, we had a fantastic weekend of birding, kayaking, hiking, eating and fun.

We would like to thank Michigan Audubon Society and all the volunteer leaders and wonderful speakers for making the weekend great. Don’t be left behind next year! Loon Lake is a fantastic way to spend the holiday weekend.

View the pictures of last year's excitment