GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The 2024 spring migration is underway and the Grand Rapids Audubon Club is celebrating with a Bird Bonanza event.
On Saturday, May 18 the club will celebrate all things birds at Blanford Nature Center.
Participants will be able to go on guided birding hikes or an accessible birding tour with local birding experts.
They'll also be able to meet and learn about some of Blanford's wildlife ambassador birds and even learn about wildlife photography from the award-winning photographer Steve Jessmore.
Along with the Grand Rapids Audubon Club, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, GR Outside, The Land Conservancy of West Michigan, MSU Extension 4-H and C4 will also be in attendance with yard games, free tree saplings, bird activities and resources from their organizations.
For young birders, there will be a bird listening station, bird coloring sheets in the Learning Lab and a bird craft in the schoolhouse.
Books & Mortar will also be at the event allowing participants to shop for some books.
There will be a wildlife presentation from 11:30 a.m. to noon and a wildlife photography presentation with Steve Jessmore from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Both presentations will be in the Mary Jane Dockeray Visitor Center Auditorium.
Birding hikes and tours are 0.9 miles and will be 30 minutes long. They go out to The Highlands and follow a paved pathway, led by the Grand Rapids Audubon Club.
Pre-registration is available for the event, but isn't required. Member tickets cost $10.40, non-member tickets cost $13 and children two years old and under are free.
The Bird Bonanza takes place indoors and outdoors, so participants are asked to dress for the weather that day. If there's severe weather, the program will be canceled and participants will be told their refund options.
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