Manistee Audubon Meeting for Wednesday April 13

Linda Scribner

Common Fungi of Northern Michigan

See program announcement here with magnification it is
easier to see!

Manistee Audubon Program for February 10, 2016 The Eastern Box Turtle in Michigan by biologist Janice Sapak 

Meeting and program at 7:00PM at the Lake Bluff Audubon Center on 2890 Lakeshore Rd. just north of Orchard Beach State Park in Manistee.

Manistee Audubon meeting for January is cancelled.  Next meeting Wednesday February 10th at Lake Bluff.

Manistee Christmas Bird Count Dec. 19, 2015

Join the Manistee Audubon members for the Christmas Bird Count on Saturday Dec. 19.

If you like being outdoors and can stand a little winter weather AND have an interest in birds and wildlife you can help.  Join a group in the field to count all the bird species we can find in our count circle or count your own yard or feeders.  The count takes place within the circle on the map below:

To join the count and a field party contact Brian Allen at 231-510-9380 (accepts text messages) or to count your feeders or yard contact Don Kogut at 723-5928 (voice only).

Also new this year (or back to the old tradition) we will meet after the count at the Lake Bluff Audubon center at 5:30 PM for a compilation dinner.  Bring your results and if you would like something to pass.  The club will provide veggies and lasagna.

Help us to stay near the top of the best counts in Michigan.  Despite having fewer birders our great location on the water and along the rivers makes it possible to see up to 80 species of birds in the area.  This total is about as good as any count in Michigan.  See you soon!

November 11 Program:  Tim Granger and Birds of the Winter

Join us at 7:00 for a program at the Lake Bluff Audubon Center.  Public invited.  Tim's program will cover the birds of the Manistee area during our typical winters from the common feeder visitors to the rare birds of the shore, fields and woods.

Welcome Back!   Manistee Audubon October Program:  Birding Alaska with Jean Siesener.

Note the change in date:  Wednesday Oct. 21.

Jean Siesener of Pentwater and Oceana Audubon spent several weeks birding in Alaska this summer and will share her stories of the good birds and magnificent scenery of the state, from the Aleutians to Pt. Barrow and the Bering Sea and a very big list of birds from her trip.  Hope you can join us at 7:00PM at the Lake Bluff Audubon Center just north of Orchard Beach State Park in Manistee. 

(Jean with birders at Denali National Park)

Invasive Species Program in October at Lake Bluff:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO: All Media

FROM: NW Michigan Invasive Species Network CONTACT: Emily Cook

c/o Grand Traverse Conservation District Invasive Species Network Outreach Specialist

1450 Cass Rd (231) 941- 0960 ext.20

Traverse City, MI 49685 ecook@gtcd.org

DATE: September 17, 2015

Leelanau and Manistee County Fall Invasive Species Removal

The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network is hosting two fall workbees in October! Join us at Clay Cliffs Natural Area on Friday, October 2^nd, and at Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary on Tuesday, October 13^th. We will be targeting invasive woody plants, primarily Japanese barberry, and glossy/common buckthorn, and we need your helping hands! Join ISN and our partners, the Leelanau Conservancy and Michigan Audubon, for a fun afternoon—or two!—of helping out our native habitats by removing these invaders. Come dressed for the weather, and bring garden gloves and any hand-tools that might make removing young shrubs easier. If your back isn’t treating you well, come anyway! Some participants will remove fruits from shrubs to prevent spread, eliminating back strain.

Many invasive woody species were introduced as ornamental plants and have since escaped cultivation. Japanese barberry, common and glossy buckthorn, and autumn olive are good examples of non-native, invasive plants that leaf-out early and then keep their leaves well into fall. These leaves form dense thickets which shade out any surrounding native plants; some even change soil chemistry, making it difficult for native plants and wildlife to thrive. Because of this, ISN has classified these species among our top priority invasives! However, many of the top priority invasive woody plants are still sold as ornamentals. Check out our Go Beyond Beauty program at www.habitatmatters.org. Nursery and landscaper participants have pledged to remove these species from their stock; many sell native species. These businesses are great resources when planning your own garden!

Habitat matters for people, for wildlife, and for northwest Michigan. Join ISN and its partners, as we spend the afternoon exploring some of northern Michigan’s beautiful natural areas in search of barberry and other invasive woody plants. Snacks will be provided to refuel after our hard work!

Event Details:

Clay Cliffs Fall Invasive Species Workbee
When: Fri, Oct 2, 2 – 4pm,
Where: Clay Cliffs Natural Area, 4755 N. Manitou Trl. Leland, MI, Leelanau County
Description: Join us for an orientation and work bee at Clay Cliffs Natural Area to find and remove invasive woody plants like Japanese barberry. Refreshments will be provided following the event.

Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary Invasive Species Workbee

When: Tues, Oct 13, 1-3pm

Where: Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary, 2890 Lakeshore Rd., Manistee County

Description: Join us for an orientation and work bee at Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary to find and remove invasive woody plants like Japanese barberry. Refreshments will be provided following the event.

About the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species NetworkThe Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) is a collaboration of over 40 highly motivated and respected organizations in the region. It was established in 2005 as a cooperative weed management area through the U.S. Forest Service. ISN’s mission is to protect, enhance, and promote northwest Michigan's natural communities through terrestrial invasive plant management and outreach. Its service area includes Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau, and Grand Traverse counties. More information can be found at HabitatMatters.org