Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance

Ecological Restoration Workday at Searles Nature Preserve
2027-05-01 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | MI
Did you know Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance owns a nature preserve? We do! Searles Nature Preserve is a 50 acre natural area that hosts the headwaters of Stony Creek. Did you also know that Ninety-seven percent of North American land birds require animal, primarily insect, protein to raise their young? Most insects require specific, native, host plants for successful reproduction and this is why supporting a biodiverse ecosystem of native plants is so important. More on this here: https://tinyl.io/93Ka
Join us as we work to remove invasive species and improve biodiversity to support the birds we love. Tools and know how will be provided. Please bring leather work gloves, wear long pants, tall socks, and closed-toe shoes or boots.
Directions: Meet at the entrance to the preserve on Bolla Road between Crane and Stony Creek Roads. (map here)

Moth Night at The Arb
2027-05-08 09:00 - 23:30 | MI
It’s time for our first Moth Night of the year!
This event will be a special one—we’re hosting it for the first time on University of Michigan property. In partnership with the University of Michigan Entomology Club and with support from the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, we’ll hold this year’s first installment at Dow Prairie in Nichols Arboretum.
Most moths are nocturnal and only seen after dark. While some fly during the day like butterflies, most are drawn in at night by light. We’ll hang sheets lit with UV lights to attract them, giving us a chance to observe and photograph these diverse insects up close.
Moths play a vital role in the food web—there are an estimated 160,000 described species (possibly up to 500,000), compared to just 17,500 butterflies. They’re especially important for birds: 96% of terrestrial bird species feed their young insects, and most rely heavily on caterpillars, which are soft, abundant, and protein-rich.
This year, we’ll also have UV flashlights on hand to help spot caterpillars and other organisms that fluoresce under ultraviolet light—another way to explore what comes alive after dark.
Check out our Moth Nights of Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance iNaturalist project to view hundreds of observations with photos, species details, and more from past moth night events. We’ll be encouraging attendees to photograph and post their own observations to iNaturalist during the event to help document the night’s findings and contribute to community science.
Need help using the app? Visit this iNaturalist support page for a quick guide on how to get started.
Suggestions for Attendees:

A headlamp or flashlight would be nice to have.
Ninja night with moths! Wearing black is the best way to keep moths on the sheet and not your shirt.
It might be nice to bring a camp chair if you would like to sit.

Directions: Meet at the east end of the arboretum at the Dow Prairie entrance. From Geddes Ave., turn north onto Riverview Dr. and stay right until it terminates at Riverview Ct. cul-de-sac. (Map)

Warbler Wonderland at Magee Marsh
2027-05-15 11:00 - 18:00 | MI
This trip needs no introduction! If you haven’t experienced this North American warbler hotspot, now is the time. Magee Marsh is famous for its up-close views of migrating warblers, and you won’t want to miss the excitement. Visit mageemarsh.org to learn more about this incredible birding destination.
After spending the morning at Magee, many of us continue birding at nearby Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge or Howard Marsh. You can plan to stay into the afternoon or wrap up your visit by late morning if needed. For a comprehensive species list and captivating photos from last year’s trip, please refer to the 2024 Trip Report.
Directions: Meet at 7:00 am at warbler sign at boardwalk here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PXD3EjnfmPWJKXBb7
Trip Leaders: Juliet Berger & Matthew Spoor
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.
eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist shared with you, please give us your email or eBird username here (you may do this onsite well): tinyurl.com/eBirdList

Tuesday Evening Birders
2027-05-25 22:00 - 2027-05-26 02:00 | MI
Each Tuesday Evening Birders will feature a new trip leader and location of their choice. These events have produced many memories and stories over the years and often yield interesting birds. Each Tuesday in May, we meet somewhere at 6pm, often at Miller Rd. Park & Ride, Plymouth Rd. Park & Ride, or Meijer on Zeeb Rd., depending upon which direction in the county we are headed, and leave from there.
Please register and we will email you the meeting location at least 24 hours before as details for these walks tend to come together closer to the event than our other walks.
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.
eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist shared with you, please give us your email or eBird username here (you may do this onsite well): tinyurl.com/eBirdList

Black Birders Week Bird Walk - Inkster Park
2027-05-27 16:30 - 18:00 | MI
Come celebrate Black Birders Week as we join the Inkster Public Library on a bird walk through Inkster Park.
Leader: Victor Chen
Directions: 1550-1676 John Daly St, Inkster
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.

Stinchfield Woods Breeding Bird Census
2027-06-05 07:00 - 11:00 | MI
The Stinchfield Woods breeding bird census is an annual survey of elusive species breeding within the 777-acre Stinchfield Woods, located at 9401 Stinchfield Woods Rd., Pinckney, MI. Typical birds found there include Pine and Black-throated Green Warblers, Blue-headed Vireos, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Golden- crowned Kinglets, Hooded Warblers, Ovenbirds, and Acadian Flycatchers. This survey is mostly a hearing event so birders with a keen ear are especially needed, although all birders are welcome to participate. Please email Mary Wise at auntyem@umich.edu to RSVP for this event.

Prothonotary Paddle
2027-06-12 08:30 - 14:00 | Ann Arbor District Library – Downtown Branch, 343 South Fifth Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
It has not been long since the beautiful Prothonotary Warbler began breeding along this stretch of the Huron River from Hudson Mills through Delhi Metropark and beyond. They sing their cheery song from close to their cavity nests along the river and are best viewed from the water. There are always a large variety of other birds to see on this great float.
The trip is eight miles long, and usually takes about 3 ½ hours to complete, but we’ll stop for good birds, a picnic, etc., and your car will be waiting for you at the other end. We will have a picnic spot picked out that is approximately halfway, for those who wish to stay with the group. Bring your own picnic and beverages.
Book your own boat(s) for the “Hudson Mills to Delhi Metropark Long Trip” directly from Skip’s Canoe Livery at paddlethehuron.com and review the details on their site. Make sure to select the 9am option on June 14th. On the day of the event, if you are renting a canoe/kayak, we recommend arriving at Skip’s by 8:30 to check-in, park, and pick up the required, provided personal flotation device.
Paddlers with their own boats, meet at Hudson Mills, Rapids View area (map here) to launch by 9:00 a.m.
Leaders: Juliet Berger & Matthew Spoor
eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending this event and would like the eBird checklist from this walk shared with you, please fill out this form (you may do this onsite well): tinyurl.com/eBirdList
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.

Meadow Music: Grassland Birds of Washtenaw
2027-06-20 11:00 - 15:00 | MI
Join WBNA for a special morning outing focused on the breeding birds of Washtenaw County’s grasslands. This trip will highlight species that depend on these precious habitats, including Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Henslow’s, Grasshopper, and Savannah Sparrow. We’ll also look and listen for the increasingly elusive Dickcissel—a sparrow-like species in noticeable decline in our region.
Meeting Location & Plans:
Final details will be announced on our website and emailed to all registrants the Wednesday before the event.
Please register below to receive this information.
We plan to carpool and likely stop at multiple locations throughout the morning, so carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Leaders: Matt Spoor & James Weir
Bring binoculars, water, and be prepared for walking in open terrain. All experience levels welcome. Those that have scopes are encouraged to bring them. For those that do not, we love to share.
eBird Checklist Signup: If you are attending the walk and would like the eBird checklist shared with you, please give us your email or eBird username here (you may do this onsite well): tinyurl.com/eBirdList
All are welcome and encouraged to join us. New to birding? Bird curious? No binoculars? No problem! There is no better way to learn than to get out in the field with experienced birders that love to help. Plus, you get to meet awesome people. Absolutely everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. We will have many pairs of quality binoculars on hand for anyone to use.

Shorebirds & Waders at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (Members Only)
2027-08-14 08:00 - 13:00 | MI
Pointe Mouillee, on Lake Erie near the mouth of the Huron River is one of the premier destinations in the Midwest for viewing shorebirds and waders, but access is limited. Jim Fowler knows this territory as well as anyone and leads several field trips each year at this location. Usually, vehicles are restricted, but for this event, we will be allowed to bring in four vehicles. As a result, this trip will be limited to 20-25 attendees depending on the size of the vehicles driven. Preference will be given to current WBNA members. Membership information can be found here.
Past checklists: 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Directions: Registered participants will meet at the Pointe Mouillee SGA parking lot on Sigler Road (map) at 8AM and from there will consolidate into 4 larger vehicles. Bring insect repellent, wear a hat and dress for warm weather—there is no shade or shelter at Pointe Mouillee. Bring all of the food and fluids you think you will need to sustain you for approximately five hours of birding.
We will need four larger vehicles to accommodate the group. If you have one and can drive, please email Matt Spoor at fieldtrips@washtenawbna.org.
Leader: Jim Fowler
