Welcome! The Grand Traverse Audubon Club members enjoy birding together, meeting for nature-oriented programs or field trips, and participating in service projects related to the environment. We are concerned about the preservation of habitat for wildlife, and natural areas for the enjoyment of all residents. We are designated a charitable non-profit 501(c)(3) and are a chapter of the Michigan Audubon Society .
Our regular programs are usually the second Thursday of the month at the Boardman River Nature Center on Cass Road at 7:00 pm which are open to members and non-members. Everyone is welcome to attend!
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Our Next Program:
October 8 – (Thursday) North Sky Raptor & Annual Officer Elections
*Special Venue* To be held at the East Bay Township Hall / 1965 N 3 Mile Road / Traverse City, MI 49696 at 7:00 pm. Ambassadors with North Sky Raptor will be on site with live raptors that they’ve been rehabilitating and housing at their rehabilitating center.
In addition, this is the meeting when we elect officers for 2027. If you would like to take part in the nomination committee, (party of 3), please volunteer with: Kathy Flegel kflegel33@gmail.com
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Our Next Sunday Bird Walk
*September 27 – 3:00 pm – Reffitt Nature Center
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BTS3Ss2HbYPGTTKy5
* Young Birders Walk *
It’s never too early to become a birder! This walk will introduce children of all ages and their parents to the wonder and joy of birds and bird watching. In addition, young birders with birding experience will enjoy this bird walk in the special habitat of Reffitt Nature Preserve. Bring binoculars and a bird guide if you have them. Children 12 and younger should be accompanied by an adult.
Contact Leader, Maryellen Newport (maryellen.newport@gmail.com)
Our Next GT Audubon Out-in-the-Community Event
October 10 (Saturday) – OCTOBER BIG DAY!
The 24-hour global birding event runs from midnight to midnight, allowing you to participate for anywhere from 10 minutes to the entire day. You and participate in a group or on your own.
How to Participate Locally
You can birdwatch from anywhere in the world—whether that means looking out your window in Traverse City or visiting popular local hotspots like the Boardman Lake Loop or Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
- Get an Account: Sign up for a 100% free account on eBird or the Cornell Lab’s Merlin Bird ID app.
- Count Birds: Watch and listen for birds on October 10.
- Submit Your Data: Log your bird sightings directly into the eBird Mobile App so your observations can contribute to global science and conservation.
- For live event updates and tracking the progress of global checklists throughout the day, check the eBird October Big Day page.
*Kathie Wiley will be doing an October Big Day group bird walk around Boardman Lake starting at Medalie Park at 9:00 am. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Arv25XQ2GZXkQprn7) Feel free to join in for all or part of the count! Kathie Wiley: (dujour1@gmail.com)
Our Next Community Partner Events
September 21 & 22 (Monday and Tuesday) Comeback of our National Symbol in Michigan – Peninsula Township Library & East Bay Township Hall
Dr. Carl Palazzolo, a wildlife veterinarian for over 48 years, will be giving a presentation on his book The Comeback of our National Symbol in Michigan throughout the state this summer and early fall.
The 200 page, hard-cover coffee-table book with 174 photos was 10 years in the making. It will be celebrating the 250th year of our country. The proceeds of sales will go to the rehabbers and other behind-the-scenes people that do so much of the work to care for injured wildlife.
In his presentations you will see beautiful photos of bald eagles, and learn about the biology of our national symbol, along with behind-the-scenes pictures and stories on how they are cared for medically and surgically. There will also be a live bald eagle to take photos with!
9/21 – Peninsula Township Library
2893 Island View Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686
At 6:30 PM
*LIVE Bald Eagle will be present
9/22 – East Bay Township Building
1965 N 3 Mile Road, Traverse City, MI 49696
At 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
*NO Live Bald Eagle will be present
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Questions / Comments about GT Audubon:
To view a list of our 2026 Events:
Join the Grand Traverse Audubon Club…