Program Description

Field Trips, Interactive Programs and "Just for Kids" Programs


Birding Habitats

Field Trips

Ludington State Park - Explore the Lake Michigan shoreline and trails at Michigan's most popular state park as you enjoy the endangered piping plover and other birds that visit and make their home here.

Island Trail - Songbirds and Waterfowl. Take a scenic walk along an easy waterside trail, enjoying beautiful vistas and identifying songbirds that visit and make their home at Michigan's most popular state park. Led by Dave Dister.

North Country Trail - The Loons and Wild Flowers.

Cartier Park - This park, which includes a campground, is located south of Lincoln Lake and north of Lakeview Cemetery. Waterfowl often stage on Lincoln Lake and its marshes, while the park’s woodlands and wetlands provide good habitat for migrant passerines. Some species that can be expected in mid-May include Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Pileated Woodpecker, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, and many warblers. Led by Joe Moloney.

Waste Water Plant, P.M. Marshland & Consumers Energy - We will search for Sora and Virgina Rails aswell as Sedge Wrens and Swam Sparrows in the marshes around the Pere Marquette River, and then explore the lakefront for waterbirds by the Consumers Powers Pumped Storage Reservoir. Led by Dave Dister

* PLEASE NOTE - State Park Sticker is required for entry into The Ludington State Park and for the Piping Plover and Island Trail field trips. There is also a fee for parking at the North Country Trail.

* Car pooling will be available!

 


Interactive Programs 

Warbler ID: Warblers are some of the most beautiful birds in Michigan, yet they can be difficult to identify.  We'll cover some steps to help you feel more confident in your identification of warblers.  Will you ever be able to master this group?  Well, let's say that one of the best things about birding is that there is always more to learn! Presented by Brian Allen.

Bird Calls and Identification: Join us as we unlock the joys of identifying birds by song and sight. We will explore how to distinguish between common but similar bird songs, as well as visual clues. Presented by Pete Wilson.

Shorebird I.D: Learn the subtleties of determining which shorebird is which, and the timing of migration. Presented by Dave Dister.

All About Loons: You will understand why the common loon makes its home here. Presented by Dave Masten.

North Country Trail: Description Coming Soon!

Landscaping for Birds: Would you like to attract a wider diversity of birds to your property during all seasons of the year ? If so, then this program will provide practical information on specific plants, especially native trees and shrubs, which can be grown in residential areas to provide food and shelter for resident and migrant birds alike. Presented by Dave Dister.

Identifying 20 Birds in the Ludington Area: You will learn to identify twenty birds in the Ludington Area by their color, their size, where they live, what they eat, and when they are in the area.  We will listen to their songs and try to remember which birds we have heard.  Come and have fun! Presented by Anne Pettigrew.

Michigan Audubon - Lake Bluff: An overview of Michigan Audubon's Lake Bluff Bird Sancutary in Manistee. What it is, how it operates, what you can do there. Touch on history, current & planned projects, invasive species removal, and native restoration programs, events. Powerpoint presentation by Rich Krieger, with handouts.

Sparrows 101: Do sparrows confuse you ? Do you want to learn to identify sparrows instead of avoiding them ? This introduction to sparrows will include species that breed in and/or migrate through Michigan, as well as their habitat preferences. The program will include a slide presentation and taped songs for sparrows that you may encounter while birding. Presented by Tim Granger.

"The Power & Beauty of West Michigan": Program by Todd & Brad Reed

Breakfast for Birds: The breeding success of most songbirds depends on the availability of numerous insects that are fed to nestlings. The introduction of non-native plants, especially shrubs like autumn-olive, reduces insects and adversely affects brood-rearing. Presented by Kay Charter.

Bluebird Basics - Bluebirds: Bring them Back: Description Coming Soon!

The Wonders of Raptors: Come learn about the wonders of raptors and meet some of our Wings of Wonder ambassador birds.   You will be introduced to the raptors found in Michigan, the primary reasons for raptor population declines, the mission of Wings of Wonder, and pro-active strategies for living in harmony with these magnificent birds.  The program will include a brief powerpoint presentation, the introduction of our live ambassador raptors, a hands on table of raptor artifacts including wings, feathers, talons, etc., a sale of unique Wings of Wonder merchandise, and plenty of time for questions and answers.   Program attendees are encouraged to bring a camera.  Questions regarding this presentation can be directed to Wings of Wonder by email wow@wingsofwonder.org or phone call (231-326-4663). Check out their website at: www.wingsofwonder.org.

 


Young Bird Seekers

"Just for Kids" Programs at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts

Workshop - Saturday 9:00 - Noon (for children and parents) Create your own Bird Feeding Station. Sponsored by Home Depot

"Bird Calls" - Identification Game

More Descriptions Coming Soon!