Monthly Meeting Cancellation Policy
If the weather is questionable, please check the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo’s website (www.kalamazooaudubon.org) or the ASK Facebook page for a cancellation announcement of our monthly meetings.
Field Trip Cancellation Policy
Field trips and bird counts are held rain or shine; they are only cancelled in severe weather. Contact the leader listed or check the ASK Facebook page if conditions are questionable.
Events in May 2025
| SunSunday | MonMonday | TueTuesday | WedWednesday | ThuThursday | FriFriday | SatSaturday |
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April 27, 2025
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April 28, 2025(1 event) – Our presenter, Don Poppe, is a Wildlife Biologist at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Southwestern Lower Peninsula Region. Don will update us on the management history and the DNR’s plans for Oak Savanna complexes. He will also cover the Legacy of Allegan State Game Area (SGA), including other current and future projects at the State Game Area. Don manages Wildlife Populations and State Game Areas in Allegan, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren Counties. He has an MS in Conservation Biology from Central Michigan University and a BS in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Lake Superior State University. He has been with the DNR Wildlife Division since 2014 and in his current position since November 2017. Prior to 2014, Don worked for the US Fish & Wildlife Service with Kirtland’s Warblers, and with banding waterfowl and shorebirds for several years at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. We hope you'll join us on Monday, April 28, at People's Church, 1758 North 10th Street, Kalamazoo. Come at 7:00 PM for some refreshments and socializing. Snacks and beverages will be provided. The one-hour program will start at 7:30. Handicap parking and access are at either the front or the rear entrance. We will have a simultaneous Zoom link to the meeting for those who can’t make it or feel uncomfortable attending in person. This link will be available shortly before the meeting in the May newsletter, which will be emailed to you, on this event page, and our Facebook page. We will also be recording the meeting for later viewing. |
April 29, 2025(1 event) – Continuing the years’ long tradition of Tuesday morning trail walks, our weekly Kal-Haven Trail walks will be on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM in April and May, starting April 1 (no Fooling!). We will meet and start at the trailhead on North 10th Street between G and H Avenues. A few of us walk 2.5 miles to the usually very birdy marsh at 8th Street and then back for a total of 5 miles, but anyone can cut that short and turn around at any time. There will not be a “leader,” although someone will be keeping a species list. Feel free to arrange your own spotting or shuttling of cars. The Kal-Haven Trail walks are handicap accessible. If you would like to be in an email group to be notified of the latest status of the walks or to discuss weather conditions, please send an email to Donna Keller at askpresident@nullkalamazooaudubon.org. Kal-Haven Trailhead |
April 30, 2025
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May 1, 2025
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May 2, 2025
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May 3, 2025(1 event) – Please join us the first Saturday of each month at 9 AM (barring special events or bad weather which will be announced on our Facebook page), for "Beginning Birding Walks," led by experienced birders from the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo. This event is free and open to the public. Meet at the second parking lot at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Mattawan, just off SR 43. All skill levels are welcome. We will enjoy nature while typically identifying 20-40 species of birds, plus butterflies, frogs, etc. Over 200 bird species have been sighted at Wolf Lake, which offers a variety of habitats and easy walking trails. Annual highlights include colorful songbirds like orioles, warblers, tanagers, hawks and eagles, kingfishers, Great Blue and Green Herons, and over 20 species of waterfowl. Eastern Bluebirds can be found year-round! Children accompanying adults are welcome. The focus is on birding fundamentals, and extra binoculars are always available. The walk typically takes about 2 hours (but feel free to arrive late or leave early). Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery |
May 4, 2025
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May 5, 2025
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May 6, 2025(1 event) – Continuing the years’ long tradition of Tuesday morning trail walks, our weekly Kal-Haven Trail walks will be on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM in April and May, starting April 1 (no Fooling!). We will meet and start at the trailhead on North 10th Street between G and H Avenues. A few of us walk 2.5 miles to the usually very birdy marsh at 8th Street and then back for a total of 5 miles, but anyone can cut that short and turn around at any time. There will not be a “leader,” although someone will be keeping a species list. Feel free to arrange your own spotting or shuttling of cars. The Kal-Haven Trail walks are handicap accessible. If you would like to be in an email group to be notified of the latest status of the walks or to discuss weather conditions, please send an email to Donna Keller at askpresident@nullkalamazooaudubon.org. Kal-Haven Trailhead |
May 7, 2025
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May 8, 2025
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May 9, 2025
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May 10, 2025(1 event) –  Join us to celebrate the beauty and importance of birds! The theme for this year's World Migratory Bird Day is Shared Spaces: Creating Bird Friendly Cities and Communities. This celebration event will have informational bird walks (binoculars available), local nature-themed art for sale, and information and activities from local organizations. You can also make your own bird feeder to take home with you! The event is free and open to the public, so bring your friends, family, and fellow bird enthusiasts! Learn more ➡️Upjohn Park |
May 11, 2025
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May 12, 2025
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May 13, 2025(1 event) – Continuing the years’ long tradition of Tuesday morning trail walks, our weekly Kal-Haven Trail walks will be on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM in April and May, starting April 1 (no Fooling!). We will meet and start at the trailhead on North 10th Street between G and H Avenues. A few of us walk 2.5 miles to the usually very birdy marsh at 8th Street and then back for a total of 5 miles, but anyone can cut that short and turn around at any time. There will not be a “leader,” although someone will be keeping a species list. Feel free to arrange your own spotting or shuttling of cars. The Kal-Haven Trail walks are handicap accessible. If you would like to be in an email group to be notified of the latest status of the walks or to discuss weather conditions, please send an email to Donna Keller at askpresident@nullkalamazooaudubon.org. Kal-Haven Trailhead |
May 14, 2025
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May 15, 2025(1 event) – Thursday, May 15, 6:30-8:30 PM, Kleinstuck Preserve, Co-leaders: Donna Keller (269-207-2874), Susan Schneider, Seth Chapman PLEASE NOTE MEETING LOCATION: We will meet at the Hudson Street entrance to Kleinstuck’s Little Sister preserve near the Maple Street YMCA. 2008 Hudson Street is the closest address, but please be sure to park in the street, not at that residence. Walk to the south end of Hudson Street to find the entrance. This field trip is well-suited to beginning birders, but birders of all ages and levels of experience are welcome. On this approximately 1.5 mile walk through beautiful Kleinstuck Preserve, we will be looking for owls, thrushes, grosbeaks, tanagers, warblers, and many other species, both migrants and residents. Terrain includes both hilly and flat, unpaved surfaces. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow. Kleinstuck Preserve |
May 16, 2025
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May 17, 2025
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May 18, 2025
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May 19, 2025
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May 20, 2025(1 event) – Continuing the years’ long tradition of Tuesday morning trail walks, our weekly Kal-Haven Trail walks will be on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM in April and May, starting April 1 (no Fooling!). We will meet and start at the trailhead on North 10th Street between G and H Avenues. A few of us walk 2.5 miles to the usually very birdy marsh at 8th Street and then back for a total of 5 miles, but anyone can cut that short and turn around at any time. There will not be a “leader,” although someone will be keeping a species list. Feel free to arrange your own spotting or shuttling of cars. The Kal-Haven Trail walks are handicap accessible. If you would like to be in an email group to be notified of the latest status of the walks or to discuss weather conditions, please send an email to Donna Keller at askpresident@nullkalamazooaudubon.org. Kal-Haven Trailhead |
May 21, 2025
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May 22, 2025
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May 23, 2025
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May 24, 2025(1 event) – Saturday May 24, 8:00-11:00am – Kalamazoo County Grassland Birds Leaders: Susan Creager (269) 716-7988, Kent Martin (256) 751-3358 Modern farming practices have eliminated much of the habitat needed by grassland species, making them harder to find in our area. On this field trip, we will target several areas in the county where we can still find meadowlarks, dickcissels, Bobolinks, and grassland sparrows, along with other spring/summer residents. Meet at the Park ‘n Ride lot on Angling Road off of Centre Avenue (8316 Angling Rd, Portage, MI 49024), next to highway US-131 for caravan arrangements. Most of the birding will be by car, stopping at key locations, with a small amount of walking possibly required. Spotting scopes may be helpful. Park & Ride 8316 Angling Rd, Portage, MI 49024 |
May 25, 2025
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May 26, 2025
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May 27, 2025(1 event) – Continuing the years’ long tradition of Tuesday morning trail walks, our weekly Kal-Haven Trail walks will be on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM in April and May, starting April 1 (no Fooling!). We will meet and start at the trailhead on North 10th Street between G and H Avenues. A few of us walk 2.5 miles to the usually very birdy marsh at 8th Street and then back for a total of 5 miles, but anyone can cut that short and turn around at any time. There will not be a “leader,” although someone will be keeping a species list. Feel free to arrange your own spotting or shuttling of cars. The Kal-Haven Trail walks are handicap accessible. If you would like to be in an email group to be notified of the latest status of the walks or to discuss weather conditions, please send an email to Donna Keller at askpresident@nullkalamazooaudubon.org. Kal-Haven Trailhead |
May 28, 2025
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May 29, 2025
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May 30, 2025
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May 31, 2025(1 event) –
Please join us on Saturday, May 31st, at 9:00 AM for a bird walk, followed by a tree dedication honoring longtime ASK members Ilse Gebhard and Russ Schipper, a brief meeting, and potluck! We will start our morning with a Bird Walk around the "very birdy" Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, led by several of ASK's exceptional field trip leaders. Immediately following the walk, we'll gather for a Tree Dedication to honor Ilse Gebhard and Russ Schippers for their many years of volunteer service to ASK near a tree planted in their honor. Following the tree dedication, we will hold a brief Annual Meeting in the Visitor Center's auditorium and then enjoy a Potluck! Agenda for the morning: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Bird Walk (The terrain is primarily flat; the walk will be on unpaved paths.) The potluck will be set up in the auditorium; weather permitting, we can sit outside and enjoy the bird songs and spring weather. If possible, please bring a food item to pass (if it needs to be refrigerated, please bring a cooler) and your drinks. Please get in touch with Kris Gibson at treasurer@nullkalamazooaudubon.org by May 24th to let her know what you plan to bring or if you have questions. We hope to see you there! Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery is six miles west Af US-131 at the southwest corner of M-43 and Fish Hatchery Road/County Road 652. The parking lot is about a tenth of a mile south of M-43. Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery |
This year’s Annual Meeting will again be held at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitors’ Center, but with a twist!