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

April 2015 program

March Meeting Notice – “2015 Birding Festivals”

On March 11, 2015, the Manistee County Audubon Society will present an

informal discussion on “Birding Festivals in Michigan.” Whether you are

an avid birder or just getting started, this program will provide details on where

and when the festivals are, what field trips and seminars are offered at each, and what birds you might expect to see. There are numerous birding festivals around the state, and each one is an educational, enjoyable and an inexpensive way for individuals or families to experience birds and the outdoors.

The meeting is at 7:00 p.m. at Lake Bluff Sanctuary, 2890 Lakeshore Road Manistee. There is no charge for the meeting or the informational hand-outs.

Light refreshments will be served.   Here is one of the festivals coming this spring:

http://www.beaverislandbirdingtrail.org/warblers.html

Manistee County Audubon Society proudly presents . . .

The Hummingbirds of Michigan:

"The Great Lakes Hummer-Net Project"

Presented by

Allen Chartier

Wednesday, February 11, 2015 - 7:00 p.m.

Lake Bluff Audubon Center, 2890 Lakeshore Road, Manistee

Everyone loves hummingbirds, and we are fortunate to have the Ruby-throated Hummingbird as a summer resident in Michigan. Did you know that we have other rarities that surprise and thrill us at our feeders? The Rufous Hummingbird from the western U.S. has been appearing here more frequently in recent years during fall migration. In 2014, Michigan’s Upper Penninsula had the first State Record of the Berylline Hummingbird, the first sighting east of the Mississippi and north of Arizona. Manistee County’s 2014 Costa’s Hummingbird also had the distinction of being the first sighting and first State Record in the northeastern United States!

Mr. Chartier is one of only three hummingbird banders in Michigan. He will present a one-hour Power Point program describing his banding procedure, his hummingbird research and the excitement and significance of our local sightings.

He is also founder of Great Lakes HummerNet Research Project, co-author of “A Birder’s Guide to Michigan” and contributing author to various projects with National Geographic including “Complete Birds of North America.” This informative and educational program will be a “must-see” for birders and non-birders alike. There will be hand-outs and light refreshments. There is NO CHARGE for the program, and we welcome and encourage everyone to attend! 

Costa’s Hummingbird, Manistee County, November 1, 2014. State Record and first sighting in northeastern U.S.

Weather note: If hazardous weather conditions postpone the program on February 11th, Mr. Chartier has graciously agreed to reserve our next meeting date of Wednesday, March 11^th to present his program. For updates on this program due to weather, please call 231 723-6193 on the morning of February 11. For other local birding news, please check the Manistee Audubon Society website, manisteeaudubon.blogspot.com/