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