Treasurer: ASK is looking for a volunteer to serve as Treasurer effective January 31, 2024. This person will serve as an officer and director of ASK and, with the assistance of the Board, will perform various duties to help ensure the continued strong financial position of the organization. Please contact our President, Donna Keller, at askpresident@gmail.com for additional details. Nominating Committee … Read more
By Donna Keller – To reduce bird mortality, ASK recommends maintaining bird feeding stations only where window collision mitigation strategies are in place. Such strategies include, but are not limited to, netting or screens on exteriors of windows or exterior application of tempera paint or film designed to mitigate collisions, ideally with patterns 2 inches … Read more
By Joyce Leppard – It’s time again to buy your Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp — known by most as a “duck stamp.” This program was begun in 1934, and the money from the sale of the stamps has put over 6.5 million acres of wetlands into National Wildlife Refuges. The vast majority of purchasers … Read more
ASK held its Annual Meeting on Monday, May 15th at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery. The members present enjoyed socializing and the tasty baked goods provided. The meeting was held in the auditorium with six board members and approximately 30 members present. Once again, we want to thank our friends at Wolf Lake, especially Shana … Read more
By Donna Keller – It’s May, so it must be time for Southwest Michigan Team Birdathon! Again this year, Kent Martin, Joanna Sblendorio, Mike Dreibelbis, and Donna Keller will comprise ASK’s team and will arrive at their first Berrien County stop before dawn. With a combination of skill and luck, we hope to exceed last … Read more
By Gail Walter, ASK Board Member – Bird populations are in trouble. A ground-breaking study published by Rosenberg et al. in the journal Science in 2019 was the first to undertake an accounting of the net population changes across a total of 529 breeding bird species in the United States and Canada. The data included … Read more
By Susan Schneider – As we move toward the Spring Equinox, thoughts turn to the big greening ahead, and gardening becomes more than wishful winter fantasizing. How can we garden with climate change in mind? One way is to replace at least part of any lawn you might have. Putting in native plants, for example, … Read more
By Sue Creager – The IRA is bringing the clean energy future to America’s doorsteps today. Nearly three quarters of America’s buildings use fossil fuels to heat space or water and cook food. Is your home one of them? If so, you can electrify your home and make it more energy efficient, which will save … Read more
By John L. Trapp The 122nd Christmas Bird Count (CBC) produced stellar results in Michigan, perhaps helped by relatively mild winter weather throughout the period of the count. Data was gathered from 75 circles, including 14 in the Upper Peninsula (UP), 25 in the Northern Lower Peninsula (NLP), and 36 in the Southern Lower Peninsula … Read more
By Susan Schneider – Climate change threatens birds as well as people and other living things, of course, and National Audubon has recognized this for some time. As a long-time climate activist, I was delighted when its fall 2019 magazine was entirely devoted to climate change and climate action. The climate action webpage that was … Read more
In 1990, at age 25, James Hautman became the youngest ever to win the prestigious Federal Duck Stamp Contest. The 2022-2023 Federal Duck Stamp Contest marks his sixth win. James also won the contest in 1990, 1995, 1999, 2010, and 2016. In addition to his five Federal Duck Stamp wins, he has painted more than … Read more
Project FeederWatch, an annual program through the Cornelll Lab of Ornithology, turns your love of feeding birds into scientific discoveries. FeederWatch is a November-April survey of birds that visit backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. You don’t even need a feeder! All you need is an area with plantings, habitat, water, or … Read more
These are the Kalamazoo Area Christmas Bird Count dates for this year. More information will be in December’s ASK newsletter. Battle Creek – Saturday, December 17 Dowagiac – Monday, December 19 Allegan – Tuesday, December 27 Kalamazoo – Saturday, December 31 S. Kalamazoo County – Sunday, January 1 Gobles – Tuesday, January 3
Compiled by Joanna Sblendorio using highlights provided by Kent Martin, Donna Keller, and Mike Dreibelbis Standing in the field at Brown Sanctuary under a nearly-full and magical moon, swatting voracious mosquitos from our faces, we were delighted as Gray Catbirds provided a wake-up call while other birds added their voices to the dawn chorus – … Read more
As it was last year, the Audubon Christmas Bird Counts will be run differently again. Due to the Covid virus you must contact the compiler to determine if you will be able to participate. Generally the team or group concept will not be allowed, other than something like family groups and those must have at least one … Read more
Watch our kalamazoo peregrine falcons
Nesting at the Fifth Third Bank in downtown since 2010
Dedicated to:
–Bird and Wildlife Conservation ,
– Nature Education &
– Outdoor Recreation