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 a chapter of the Michigan Audubon Society.
Welcome! Our meetings are usually the 4th Thursday of the month at the Northwestern Michigan College's Great Lakes Campus, Room 211
May 22, Thursday at 5:30 p.m. - Potluck Dinner and Birding at NMC's Appel Property on the Boardman River. Birding will be before and after the 5:30 p.m. dinner, and probably during dinner if something interesting is spotted from the picnic tables. Water and electricity, with lots of plugs, are available inside the cottage where we organize our buffet. We will eat inside or out depending on the weather. Decaf coffee will be provided. Bring your own paper or regular dishes, cups, silverware, and a dish to share. The Appel property offers riparian, woodland, and open shrub habitat, so a variety of birds are usually found. Some years we have seen many warblers, including a nesting Golden-winged Warbler. The Appel property is off River Road 
just over one mile from Keystone Road. From Garfield, take River Road west, about five miles. Watch for the Whispering Waters sign on the left (south) side of the road. Look for the Audubon sign and turn in over the railroad track. Go past a house and down the road to the parking area near the Appel cottage.
Come and join us and hear about everyone's spring birding adventures and summer plans. Guests and prospective members are welcome too!
Spring Chores
Now is the time to reorganize the backyard for all the new arrivals. Hummingbirds will arrive in May and you can attract them with liquid sugar water feeders. Orange halves will bring in those orioles. Many birds will be attracted to a birdbath, especially if it has a dripper, spray, or something to move the water. You may want to cut down the number of feeders you kept going during the winter. Keep some basic feeders filled all summer so that you can enjoy the variety of visitors. Have binoculars handy as you will find a number of birds will visit your yard that won't come to your feeders. You will also want to get a good view of the birds using your birdhouses. Don't forget to provide plants, such as fuscia, that birds love.
May 9 - 11 Crane Creek and Magee Marsh, Ohio. Meet at the west boardwalk entrance at 6 p.m. on Friday for a picnic supper. Bring picnic food and your hand held radios. Leader: John Mesch, (231) 946-3624.
May 10 - G.T. County Migratory Bird Count. Feeder counters and potential participants, call Bob Carstens before May 7. (232) 938-5976.
May 16 - 18 Tawas Point State Park and Tuttle Marsh. Meet at Bambi Motel 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Leader: Cindee DuBey, (231) 839-2758.
May 25 Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area. Flowers and Birds. Leaders: Bob Carstens and Tom Ford. Meet at Rapid City Road parking area. Call (231) 938-5976 for meeting time.
May 31 Grass River Natural Area. Meet at Grass River parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Leader: Shirley Mesch, (231) 946-3624.
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