Kirtland's Warbler Field Trip

Join Detroit Bird Alliance on our annual caravan trip around the Huron National Forest between Grayling and Mio in search of one of the rarest songbirds in North America, the Kirtland’s warbler. Once an endangered species that was down to just 167 pairs, it has since rebounded to a population of about 2,400 pairs.

Detroit Bird Alliance trip leaders Jim Bull and Bruce Szczechowski are experienced, enthusiastic and eagle-eyed birders who will lead you down the sandy roads that run through prime Kirtland’s warbler habitat. The Huron National Forest’s Jack pine barrens are the result of the area’s sandy soil and the highly flammable needles of the Jack pine. These two conditions promote beneficial fires that create young stands of Jack pine, which is the preferred Kirtland’s warbler nesting habitat.

OTHER POSSIBLE BIRD SIGHTINGS as we caravan around the Huron National Forest include Brewer’s Blackbird, Common Raven, Vesper Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Clay-Colored Sparrow, Brown-thrasher, Nashville Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Pine Warbler, Bald Eagle, Hermit Thrush, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Eastern Bluebird and more.

LUNCH! Around noon we will caravan to Mio to see the Kirtland’s warbler monument for a photo op and have lunch at a cozy restaurant with outstanding food. Note that the price for lunch is not included in your registration fee.

After lunch, there are plans to stop near Houghton Lake to search for Michigan's only native lizard, the Five-lined Skink. The current end time for this field trip is 2pm but it may go as late at 4pm.

Attendees will meet at 7:30 am on June 7 at the Grayling rest stop on Northbound I-75 (see map).

Become a Detroit Bird Alliance Member HERE.

Host or Publisher Detroit Audubon