Trip 1: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire, MI

Sleeping Bear Dunes is renowned for its towering sand dunes, stunning Lake Michigan shoreline, and diverse landscapes. During this field trip, we will spend the day birding a wide variety of habitat types (dunes, lakes, streams, hardwood forests, and cedar swamps), driving the scenic drive, hiking a sand dune (and running back down!), and soaking in panoramic views of Lake Michigan.

When: October 3, 2025

Meeting Point: Park Place Hotel Lobby

Meeting Time: 7:00am; Departure Time: 7:30am Sharp!

Transportation: Attendees will be transported in vans from the hotel to Glen Haven

Return Time: Between 4:00 - 5:00pm

Itinerary: Walk and bird shoreline of Sleeping Bear Bay; drive the scenic drive stopping at various locations for sight-seeing of geologic features of Sleeping Bear Dunes and scenic overlooks; lunch break at Dune Climb picnic area; visit to Platte Bay to search for migrating waterbirds.

Tour Leaders: The field trip will be led by experienced local birders and National Park Service rangers.

What to Bring: Please bring snacks, sunglasses, hat, water bottle, camera, binoculars, sunblock, and raincoat. You should also consider dressing in layers as the temperature could be cool along the lakeshore. Boxed lunches will be provided.

Cost: $60

Trip Capacity: 24 people

Trip 2: Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Paradise, MI (Upper Peninsula)

Identified as an IBA, the geography of Whitefish Point funnels thousands of birds through the Great Lakes during migration. Over 340 species have been seen at the point including massive numbers of waterbirds that are counted every spring and fall. Common species include a wide diversity of dabbling and diving ducks, common loon, red-necked grebe and gulls and terns.  Rare species include jaegers, Sabine's gull, red-throated loon and potentially some late shorebirds. Exploring the boreal forest in the greater Whitefish Point area provides opportunities for encounters with species like Spruce and Sharp-tailed Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, and Red Crossbill. This trip will also include an owl banding demonstration in the evening at one of North America's premier owl banding labs that regularly gets Northern Saw-whet and Long-eared Owls.  THIS IS AN OVERNIGHT TRIP!!

When: Friday, October 3 - Saturday, October 4, 2025

Meeting Point: Park Place Hotel Lobby

Meeting Time: 5:30 am; Departure Time: 6:00 am Sharp!

Transportation: Attendees will be transported in 12 passenger vans from the hotel in Traverse City to Paradise in the upper peninsula of Michigan.

Itinerary:

October 3 

• 6:00 am: Depart Traverse City for Whitefish Point, MI
• 10:00 am: Arrive at Whitefish Point; bird adjacent woods and trails for passerines and boreal specialties such as Spruce Grouse and Black-backed Woodpecker with tour guide.
• 2:00 pm: Drive to Paradise to check into hotel and eat dinner (on own)
• 6:00 pm: Return to Whitefish Point for evening waterbird flight
• 8:30 pm: Meet with owl banders documenting owl migration for demonstration
• 11:00 pm: Return to motel

October 4 

• 7:00 am: Arrive at Whitefish Point and bird the shoreline for early morning waterbird flight.
• 10:00 am: Depart for Traverse City

Return Time: October 4 @ 2:00pm

Tour Leaders: This trip will be led by Vince Cavalieri, a native Yooper, National Park Service biologist, and birder extraordinaire.

What to Bring: Please bring snacks, sunglasses, hat, water bottle, camera, binoculars, and sunblock. It can be much colder in the U.P. especially when adjacent to Lake Superior. You should consider bringing a warmer jacket and beanie, and dressing in layers to accommodate potentially fluctuating temperatures.  Note: many waterbirds will be moving well offshore; we will have spotting scopes available, but you may consider bringing your own if you have one. Boxed lunches will be included on Day 1; dinner on day 1 and breakfast and lunch on Day 2 will be on your own.

Cost: $100 (lodging not included - $180 for double queen)

Trip Capacity: 12 people

Ideas for Exploring on Your Own

Steelhead Fishing. September and October are prime Steelhead Fishing months. Catch your limit in nearby rivers without even having to step onto a boat! Book a guide or go on your own.

M-22 Scenic Driving Tour. M-22 is a 116-mi stretch of highway that winds along the Lake Michigan shoreline and through the scenic countryside. You can drive the entire length in just under three hours, or spend the entire day exploring small coastal towns, searching for Petoskey stones, visiting the white sand beaches, and enjoying the Fall colors.

Winery Tours. The Traverse City region has more than 50 wineries. Many people love to visit the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail or the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula. Take your own self-guided tour or let someone else drive by booking one of the many tours offered.

Traverse City Ale Trail. This is a fun way to experience the regions thriving craft beer scene. There are 8 breweries on the ale trail. You can pick up your free Traverse City Ale Trail Passport at any of the participating breweries. Explore on your own or take a bus!

Mackinac Island (Full Day or Overnight). Visit this "no-cars-allowed" island and take a step back in time! View the Mackinaw Bridge (AKA the "Mighty Mac") up close, eat at wonderful restaurants, enjoy amazing hiking and kayaking opportunities, take a carriage ride. This unique destination is just a short ferry ride from Mackinaw City across the Straits to the Island.

Visit a historic lighthouse. Mission Point Lighthouse is located on the northern point of Old Mission Peninsula and Grand Traverse Lighthouse is located at Leelanau State Park on the north end of the Leelanau Peninsula north of Northport.

Grand Traverse Commons. Located on the grounds of the old Traverse City State Hospital, this location now offers shopping and dining, hiking trails and an arboretum.

Dennos Museum. Located near the venue within Traverse City Limits, this museum holds one of the largest collections of Inuit art from the Canadian Arctic. Additional museum features often highlight music and science.

TART (Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails). A system of paved and dirt trails that wind throughout the local area open for walking, hiking, biking and skating.

Fishtown. Located in Leland north of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, this historic location is still a working commercial fishery. The area features shopping, dining and historic locations to explore.