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2012 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. Metro Beach Metropark - Leader: Colleen
January 14 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. (Approx. duration: a few hours)

Let's go on over and just enjoy the day. Do some birding, take a hike, you know, putz. Maybe we'll spot the Snowy Owls that everyone has been seeing. Bring a lunch and we'll snuggle up at the Nature Center, eat, and watch the birds. Entrance fee required.

2. Stony Creek Metropark - Leader: Colleen
January 28 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. (Approx. duration: a few hours)

Lets go loco, I mean local (haha) again. Meet at the visitors center right inside the entrance and we'll just cruise around the park. We can stop in at the Nature Center and eat lunch, head out for a hike, whatever we want to do. Just come and join us for a fun and peaceful day. Entrance fee required.

4. Belle Isle Park
February 4 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. (Approx. duration: 4 hrs. or so)

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. This is also the weekend of their event, Shiver on the River with free entrance to many of the buildings and all kinds of activities going on. It's great, we even got to go into the Detroit Yatch Club, what a beautiful building.

5. Higgins Lake Winter Weekend
February 10 - 12 (Friday - Sunday)

Higgins Lake Winter Weekend Environmental Conference is a blast. The cost for the weekend is $190.00 which includes 6 meals, lodging, programs and classes, cross country skiing, birding and nature hikes. Pretty much anthing your little heart desires. It is so much fun, all you have to bring is yourself and your stuff. Bedding and towels and whatnot are provided also. Bring your skis and snowshoes if you have them. Please let me know, if you have never been, if you are interested so I can get your address and have the brochures sent directly to you. Email: grandmothernature2@gmail.com or call me: 248-627-6872. ASAP because the brochures are usually sent out at the beginning to mid-Jan. I promise that if you go once you will go every year!!!!

6. Beaudette Park, Pontiac - Leader: Colleen
February 28 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. (Approx. duration: 2 hours)

Going back to Beaudette Park in Pontiac. It is such a great birding spot some come on and join the fun. Meet at the damn and we'll spend a couple hours. Afterwards we'll go to China Jade for lunch like we always do. It's just a couple of miles from the park and the food is fabulous.

7. Tour of Point Mouillee - Leader: DNR Biologist Joe Robison
March 24 (Saturday) 9:00am (Approx. duration: as long as it takes)

The Friends of the Detroit River is sponsoring an auto tour of the 400 acre Pointe Mouillee State Game area to be led by DNR Biologist Joe Robison. The group will meet at the headquarters building at the end of Campau Road on the north side of the Huron River at 9AM. The tour should be completed by noon.

The headquarters will be open for restroom and lunch (your own) before and after the trip. We will carpool through the refuge to limit the vehicle number.

For Reservations contact John Covert: Fineart3@aol.com

8. Kensington Metro Park - Leader: Colleen Traylor
April 14 (Saturday) 10:00am (Approx. duration: 4 hrs.)

Bring seed to feed the birds right out of your hands and don’t forget to bring something for yourself for lunch. Meet at the Nature Center parking lot. Entrance fee is required.

9. Magee Marsh Wildlife Refuge (Formerly known as Crane Creek SP) - Leader: Colleen Traylor
May 5 (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. We’ll go out to dinner Friday night, May 4, meet at the Lodge at 6 pm and we'll go from there. Bring your lunch for Sat. and keep it in the refrigerator in your room. Meet at Magee Marsh boardwalk entrance at the West end of the parking lot at 8am Sat. We’ll probably be there around 10am. 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.

10. Tawas and Surrounding Area - Leader: Colleen
May 11 - 13 (Friday thru Sunday)

As always we are staying at the Bambi Motel. Phone no: 989-362-4582. We have so much fun on this trip that I promise you, you do not want to miss it. We’re going up to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. And of course to just have a great time. Let’s do what we did last year and have a potluck on Saturday evening around the bonfire. Let me know what you are bringing. I’m bringing a salad with my husbands awesome dressing. On the way up we’ll make several stops. We always have breakfast at the Exit restaurant. For more info on the trip up call or email me. 248-627-6872 or grandmothernature2@gmail.com.

11. Lake St. Clair Metropark (formerly Metro Beach Metropark) Big Day Count - Leader: Julie Champion
May 12 (Saturday) 7:00 am (Approx. duration: 5 hrs.)

This annual count demonstrates the importance of Lake St. Clair Metropark'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. Water Tower Park - Leaders: Colleen and Lisa
June 16 (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.

13. 113th Christmas Bird Count - Leader: Barb Baldinger
Dec. 15 (Saturday)

For over a century, the National Audubon Society has collected data from volunteers throughout the country on early-winter bird populations. Saturday, December 15th will be the date of Macomb Audubon Society's 37th 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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