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One of the questions our birding friends often ask is, “Where should I go birding?” One of our experienced and knowledgeable field trip leaders, Kent Martin, recently updated our Birding Hotspots List, which can be found here https://kalamazooaudubon.org/local-birding-spots/. Kent highlighted 27 local birding locations you can enjoy this spring. Additionally, ASK’s President, Donna Perry Keller, … Read more

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) cases have been confirmed in domestic birds, wild birds, and wild mammals throughout most of North America, including Michigan. The H1N5 strain of avian influenza virus is defined as highly pathogenic due to 100% mortality for domestic poultry. Since late February 2022, Michigan has experienced die-offs in wild birds and mammals across … Read more

Please follow this link to view the October presentation.

Please follow this link to view the November presentation.

This week we hosted our first educational program of the fall featuring Dr. Sharon Gill, a Professor of Biological Sciences at WMU. She presented “Birdsong and Soundscapes: Listening to Stories From Nature.” Thank you, Dr. Gill, for sharing your research and perspectives on the importance of listening to nature and learning about the effects of … Read more

In an effort to support research being done by Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and to have more diversity in our speaker series line-up, the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo (ASK) is offering a $500 grant to a BIPOC researcher to support future research in the field of ornithology, biology or ecology. The program committee … Read more

The ASK Board is committed to serving a membership that is as diverse as the birds that our organization reveres. To make that commitment a reality, the board is forming a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. We hope to involve voices of as many underrepresented groups as possible: LGBTQ+, differently-abled, youth, people of color, … Read more

At our May program Lisa Duke, Sanctuary Manager, gave us a virtual tour of the W. K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary from its beginning in 1927 to the present. The sanctuary is a great place in Kalamazoo County not only for birding but also for general nature study. Well worth a visit. https://birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu If you missed the … Read more

The Audubon Society of Kalamazoo’s Birdathon team (Jan Shillito, Nate Strong, Kent Martin, and Donna Keller) is once again raising money for two great causes, and we hope you will consider supporting our team with a tax-deductible donation!  You can pledge per species (we hope for something over 100 for the day) or just a total … Read more

At our March virtual program Dr. Katherine Greenwald from Eastern Michigan University presented a fascinating program entitled “The Secret Lives of Salamanders,” the story of the evolution and ecology of unisexual Ambystoma salamanders. You can learn about her work at The Greenwald Lab at https://amphibs.net/. If you missed the program you can watch a video of her presentation … Read more

On March 2nd, the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo, along with a coalition of other Michigan conservation, animal and wildlife advocacy, and protection groups, sent a letter to the Senate Natural Resources Committee in opposition to Michigan Senate Resolution 20. This resolution designates the Sandhill Crane as a game species and establishes a Sandhill Crane hunting … Read more

We’ve gone virtual with our programming! If you weren’t able to join us for our February 2021 virtual program, “The Great Avian Wanderers of the Antarctic: Albatross and Other Pelagic Seabirds” please follow this link. https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/nCIE0e3xbZvq6HCO0DSIj3hyeXniubnkVR986eqes-8jqMMwH4cXK_U8U45bBQ_.glt6UvhvY0DYU1Ep

We’ve gone virtual with our programming! If you weren’t able to join us for our January 2021 virtual program, “Bumble Bees, Blossoms and Boots on the Ground: “Propelling Pollinator Conservation Through Citizen Science” please follow this link. https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/6VSxvuTx8aAhG3buMgNDidsVGTsQKaRGBmt4aWueemvSBvPQRz7_00N4Wn2AsY0Ki0CvJiA9voPD0dv.CTTrH9d728WDMvxLcontinueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=aATpehShSha3uiYQtw2Stg.1611841597101.bd1f8be2b36c1d767027edac9d80fe1e&_x_zm_rhtaid=98

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 have been … Read more

We’ve gone virtual with our programming! If you weren’t able to join us for our first virtual program, “Kleinstuck Preserve – The History, Geology & Ornithology of a Community Gem,” please follow this link https://tinyurl.com/y5lgcse8.If you want to find out more about the preserve or how to help with their fundraising efforts, please visit their … Read more

The Asylum Lake Preservation Association (ALPA) has recently developed a website with the goal of educating and informing the community about their efforts to preserve and protect the Asylum Lake Preserve. The Audubon Society of Kalamazoo (ASK) has been an ALPA partner organization for many years and has used Asylum Lake Preserve for field trips … Read more

Talons Over MackinacMackinac Straits Raptor Watch NewsletterAugust 2020 In the spring of 2020, although people weren’t moving around very much, raptors certainly were, flying to reach their summer nesting areas.  The Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch recorded more raptors flying through Mackinaw City than in any previous year.  In addition, three species had their highest daily counts … Read more

It’s now or never! The Stewards of Kleinstuck are thrilled to announce that we’ve entered an agreement to buy the 12 acres of woods next to Kleinstuck.  WE NEED YOUR DONATION NOW for this one chance to protect the landfor our community, for nature, forever. You can protect a piece of what makes Kalamazoo so special. Every donation makes an … Read more

Where to Find Basic Information on Choosing Binoculars and Spotting Scopes Where to Find Basic Information on Choosing Binoculars and Spotting Scopes Below are several articles from very reliable sources to help you choose which binoculars or scope to buy. Before Buying Binoculars https://featheredgeoptics.org/buyers-guide/things-to-consider-before-buying-optics Finding the Best Binoculars for Birding 6 Steps to Choosing a … Read more

Birders, The letter below is from a birder who is also a physician and contains good information and reminders about birding while maintaining social distancing. Stay safe out there! Hi everyone, So I know this is somewhat off-topic (and you are probably all sick of reading about COVID-19), so admin please delete if inappropriate. But … Read more

Illegal wildlife trade is a booming billion-dollar business, ranking third among illegal activities after drug and human trafficking. Many millions of live and dead animals across the globe are sold every year for traditional medicines, jewelry, and personal collections. Among animals trafficked for the pet trade, birds are the most exploited group. Every year millions … Read more

The Stewards of Kleinstuck invite you to an informational meeting about the forested land for sale at 2000 Hudson Street on Wednesday evening, October 30th. This privately held parcel of 11 acres was recently listed for sale and presents a singular opportunity to protect the undeveloped wooded acreage that adjoins the eastern border of Kleinstuck … Read more

CLIMATE CHANGE FILM JUNE 10The National Geographic documentary “Paris to Pittsburgh” will be shown Monday, June 10 at 7:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo, 321 W. South St. This film examines the stunning effects climate change is already having across the U.S., as well as actions that individuals, businesses, cities, counties, and states … Read more