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2010 Field Trip Schedule

WHAT TO BRING: If the trip is scheduled to go beyond 11:00 a.m., bring a lunch. Binoculars are essential; scopes, field guides, insect repellant, layered clothing and waterproof footwear are suggested. Notice that even trips which don't have a set leader will still take place - we'll all pitch in and have a good trip anyhow.
WEATHER CONDITIONS: Unless noted, all trips take place regardless of normal rain and snowy weather. However, trips will be canceled in extreme blizzard conditions.

1. Lake Erie Metropark - Leader: Joy Barron
January 30 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. (Approx. duration: 4 hrs.)

Joy said to make sure you dress for the weather and bring a lunch. We’ll eat in the rest area down by the boat launch where we’ll be protected from the elements and can still watch the canal. Commonly seen at this time of year are bald eagle and tundra swan along with many types of waterfowl. Meet at the boat launch. Entrance fee required.

2. Belle Isle Park - Leader: Colleen Traylor
February 6 (Saturday) 10:00 AM (Approx. duration: 4 hrs.)

Please note that this field trip was originally scheduled for the following weekend, February 13, and has been rescheduled.

Love Belle Isle at this time of year for all the waterfowl. Cross the bridge and make a right, look for all the people standing around with scopes and binoculars, that will be us. Bring a lunch and we’ll eat in front of the feeding station at the nature zoo.

3. Higgins Lake Winter Campout
February 12 - 14 (Friday - Sunday)

Please note that this field trip was originally scheduled for the previous weekend, February 5 - 7, and has been rescheduled.

Higgins Lake Winter Weekend Environmental Conference is a blast. You can go to classes, cross country ski, snowshoe, ice skate, whatever you wish. As soon as the brochure and sign up form are ready we will get that information to you. Colleen will also bring them to general meetings.

4. Dawson's Millpond Beaudette Park - Leader: Colleen Traylor
March 13 (Saturday) 10:00am (Approx. duration: guess we'll see)

I pull into this cute little park on a whim often, and am never disappointed. It's right down the road from Goldner Walsh Nursery on Orchard Lake Rd. in Pontiac, with houses all around and yet the water fowl abound (lame, I know - grin). Saw my first Horned Grebe at this cool little park. You can bring your own lunch or follow me over to China Jade for the best Chinese food this side of San Francisco. After lunch we can go back to the park, over to Loon Lake area, or the Drayton Plains Nature Center. Just pull in and you'll find us. Park in the lot.

5. Belle Isle - Leader: Colleen Traylor
March 14 (Sunday) 10:00am (Approx. duration: 5 hours)

To start off we'll meet at 10:00 to do some casual birding around Belle Isle. We'll meet in the usual spot, on the right hand side just after you cross the bridge onto the island.

Then we'll visit the Belle Isle Nature Zoo for their annual meeting. A catered lunch goes from 12:30 to 1:30, or you can opt to skip that and bring your own. The meeting and program go from 1:30 to 3:00. Here's the agenda:

Annual Meeting, Luncheon and Program, Sunday, March 14 at Belle Isle Nature Zoo, 12:30-1:30 pm luncheon catered by Thibault & Moore; 1:30 – 2:00 pm, annual meeting; 2:00 – 3:00 pm, Program, Speaker Cheryl English presents, Wildflowers in MI Garden. Often considered too wild and crazy for the average gardener, wildflowers can thrive and provide years of beauty even in a small urban garden. Don't limit yourself to the development of "well-behaved" "garden worthy" cultivars. Learn how the species themselves can be a successful part of your garden while providing an attractive environment for our local fauna as well. $25 luncheon and program; $5 program only. Call 313-259-6363 for lunch reservations. No reservations necessary for program.

6. Thedford Bog, Lambton, Ontario, Canada - Leader: Colleen Traylor
March 20 (Saturday) 10:00am (Approx. duration: as long as it takes)

Come and celebrate the Vernal Equinox together. It is a long day but is worth every minute. Thousands of tundra swan pass through this area during their spring migration, as well as many other species of water fowl. Bring a lunch and meet along Greenway Rd. You'll see all the cars lined up along the side of the road. On my way home I like to take the drive along the river down to Sombra then take the ferry back to the USofA. Feel free to follow.

When crossing the border remember that you'll need an enhanced license or a passport.

7. Kensington Metro Park - Leader: Colleen Traylor
March 27 (Saturday) 10:00am (Approx. duration: 4 hrs.)

Bring your favorite birdseed mix and come and walk the trails around the Nature Center. You will have chickadee, titmouse, nuthatch, and the occasional downy woodpecker eating out of your hand. It is so cool! Bring a lunch. Meet at the Nature Center. Entrance fee required.

8. Stony Creek Metro Park - Leader: Colleen Traylor
April 3 (Saturday) 10:00am (Approx. duration: 4 hrs.)

Always a nice spring day type of place to do some birding and enjoy each others company. Bring a lunch, have some fun, get to know each other. Meet at the Nature Center. Entrance fee required

9. Metro Beach Metropark - Leader: Colleen Traylor
April 10 (Saturday) 10:00am (Approx. duration: ???)

Let's take a hike around Metro, have some lunch, then go over to DNR Point. On the way over to DNR Point we'll stop at the parking lot of the old Bay View Barge (which is no longer in business - cry, cry), always see tons of stuff near the old docks. Meet at the Nature Center. Entrance fee required.

10. Bay City State Park and Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area - Leader: Colleen Traylor
April 17 (Saturday) 10:00am (Approx. duration: ???)

Always have a great day when we make this little excursion. Meet at the Nature Center at the west end of the parking lot at Bay City State Park. Bring food (I know I keep saying that, but you need to keep up your strength on these outings, hee hee). Entrance fee required. From there we will continue on to Nayaquing Point Wildlife Area. Home of the yellow-headed blackbird and many other species.

Bay City State Park

Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area

11. Magee Marsh Wildlife Refuge (Formerly known as Crane Creek SP) - Leader: Coleen Traylor
May 1 (Saturday) - 8:00 AM (approx. duration: day trip)

Let's go Warblering! This is the place, Warbler central, unbelievable. The best thing is that there are so many people there that know their Warblers and are more than happy to share their knowledge. Some of you have not made this trek because it makes for a very long day, here's what we do: we go down on Friday and stay at the Lake Erie Lodge, 10530 Corduroy Rd., Curtis, OH. 43412. Phone no. 419-836-2822.

Nice and clean accommodations, great prices, and good food and fun at the boisterous restaurant (bring your lunch for Sat. and keep it in the refrigerator in your room). Meet at the boardwalk entrance at the West end of the Magee Marsh parking lot at 8 AM Saturday. If you're late, catch us on the boardwalk - we move pretty slowly. Dress in layers, as it can get pretty chilly in the morning.

11. Metro Beach Metropark Big Day Count - Leader: Julie Champion
May 8 (Saturday) 7:00 am (Approx. duration: 5 hrs.)

This count demonstrates the importance of Metro Beach's shoreline, woods, fields, and wetlands as a vital migrating stop. Birders of all levels are needed to help. Call Julie at 586-463-4332 for volunteer information. Coffee and doughnuts are provided. Bring a lunch. Park is at the far east end of Metro Parkway (16 Mile Rd.) Meet at the Nature Center. Entrance fee is required.

12. Macomb Audubon Spring Campout - Leader: Colleen Traylor
May 14 - 16 (Friday thru Sunday)

Held at our traditional location, the Loon Lake Retreat Center, Hale, MI. 48739

Come on people, let's go! We'll be staying in the Loon Lodge and Eagle's Nest. Both sleep 20 w/snack kitchen and restrooms. The camp is set on 248 rolling, wooded acres and has over 1 mile of frontage on beautiful Loon Lake. In the past we have seen Pileated Woodpecker, Loon and Eagle without even leaving the grounds.

Other points of interest in the area include: Lumbermen's Monument, Tuttle Marsh (one of my favorites), and of course Tawas Point State Park (entrance fee required). It just so happens that the Tawas Point Birding Festival coincides with the weekend of our trip. This has always been a wonderful experience. I strongly urge new members and those of you who have never gone on one of our camp outs to join us this year. It's a blast!

So come and join in the fun. Fill out the attached registration form and send it in today! The cost of the camp out is $135.00 per person. Cost includes: 2 nights of lodging, 6 meals; D on Fri., BLD on Sat., BL on Sun., lots of birding, socializing, and tons of fun. Upon receipt of your registration form I will send you an information packet on what to bring, sign in time, and departure time. Please have your form, with payment to me no later than May 5 (no refunds without good reason).

This announcement and the registration form will also appear in the May/June edition of the Earthstar. Below is a map to the location of the Loon Lake Retreat Center.

13. Water Tower Park - Leaders: Colleen
June 19 (Saturday) 9:00 AM (approx. duration: 4 hours)

Celebrate the Summer Solstice at this great little park in Lapeer. Easily accessible to all, the 1 mile trail takes us through wetlands and wooded areas. Everyone who has gone on this little trek has said to make this a regular trip, so we’re going back, and maybe we’ll see that Moorhen again this year. Bring a lunch, of course. Located at the North end of the town of Lapeer.

14. Annual Christmas Bird Count - Leader: Barb Baldinger
Dec. 18 (Saturday)

For over a century, the National Audubon Society has collected data from volunteers throughout the country on early-winter bird populations. Saturday, December 18th will be the date of Macomb Audubon Society's 35th Christmas Bird Count. If you have never participated in this annual event, please think about volunteering to help count the birds in our area. Many of our Macomb Audubon members look forward to this special occasion to bird with friends and enjoy a hot soup supper at the end of the day followed by a tally of all birds counted.

Sign up sheets will be available at the November and December membership meetings. After signing up, you will be assigned to an area with other birders. Please offer to split the cost of gas among the participants in each car.

Area leaders will receive their packets at the December membership meeting. The tally supper will be held on the same evening of the count at 5 PM in the Nature Center at Stony Creek Metropark. Please consider volunteering to bring a crock-pot of chili, soup, snack or dessert to the tally. Participants, remember to bring your own soup bowl and spoon.

Unlike other chapters, Macomb Audubon Society traditionally covers the $5 entry fee for our participants from our treasury. As offered last year, there will be a voluntary donation box for any adult over age 18 who wishes to contribute $5 thus saving Macomb Audubon Society the expense for their share. This is the explanation for the cost as written on the National Audubon website: "These fees help to cover the costs of generating materials for Compilers, producing an annual CBC summary issue, and maintaining the CBC website and database."

If you wish to participate and are unable to attend the meetings please call Barb Baldinger at 586-263-6530 or email barbarab@tir.com.

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