The annual spring bird migration is one of the most highly anticipated natural phenomenons this time of year -- and Michiganders are uniquely positioned to witness it, given our state’s abundance of water and location along bird flight paths.

To celebrate and help people engage with this natural wonder, MI Birds -- founded by the Michigan DNR and Audubon Great Lakes -- has a slew of events in the coming weeks, ranging from bird talks and bird walks to volunteer stewardship days.

Read on for a list of events. Check online or call for registration, updated information and possible cancellations. More about MI Birds can be found on the MI Birds Facebook page, Twitter, and on the MI Birds webpage.

Saturday, March 14 in Detroit -- Elmwood Cemetery Bird History Walk: One in a series of walks to explore the birds, unique landmarks, and history of Elmwood Cemetery, an 86-acre cemetery considered one of the top must-see historic sites in Detroit. Event info here

Saturday, March 14 in Detroit -- Owl Prowl: Begin the evening with a short presentation about owls, then take an evening walk while playing owl calls to see if any local owls respond by calling back or flying over. Held at the Detroit Exploration and Nature Center. Event info here

Monday, March 16 in Grosse Pointe -- Presentation on Preventing Bird Window Collisions: Nick Liadis, a research fellow at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, shares why birds strike windows and how people can design buildings to help birds safely navigate through cities. Event info here

Thursday, March 26 in Charlotte -- Wildlife Habitat Workshop: Come to this workshop to learn from MI Bird’s Program Associate Erin Rowan on what you can do to provide ideal habitat and food sources for songbirds and game birds on your property. Free dinner will be provided. Hosted by the Eaton Conservation District and MI Birds. Event info here

Saturday, March 28 in Ashley, Mich. -- DNR Spring Birding Tour: Maple River State Game Area: Celebrate spring and explore Michigan’s wetlands with a birding tour at Maple River State Game Area. Highlights of the birding tours may include diving and dabbling ducks in full breeding plumage, trumpeter and tundra swans, osprey, bald eagles, sandhill cranes and more. Tours may include a sneak peek driving tour into refuge areas that are normally closed. For questions, please contact the Maple River State Game Area office: (616) 446-0555. Event info here

Saturday, March 28 in Fennville, Mich. -- DNR Spring Birding Tour: Fennville Farm Unit: Celebrate spring and explore Michigan’s wetlands with a birding tour at Allegan State Game Area, which doubles as an Audubon Important Bird Area. For questions, please contact the Allegan State Game Area office: (269) 673-2430. Event info here

Saturday, March 28 in Unionville, Mich. -- DNR Spring Birding Tour: Fish Point State Wildlife Area: Celebrate spring and explore Michigan’s wetlands with a birding tour at Fish Point State Game Area. Tours may include a sneak peek driving tour into refuge areas that are normally closed. For more, please contact Fish Point State Game Area at (989) 674-2511. Event info here

April 3-5 in Mackinaw City -- Mackinaw Raptor Fest 2020: Every spring and fall, Mackinaw City’s location at the junction of two peninsulas and two Great Lakes creates a unique confluence of migrating birds -- especially raptors like hawks, eagles, falcons and owls. Kick off the birding season with a full weekend of raptor watching, waterbird migration, owl research, speakers, live birds of prey, birding field trips, a banquet dinner and more. More info and registration at mackinawraptorfest.org. Find event info here

Saturday, April 4 in Rockwood, Mich. -- DNR Spring Birding Tour: Pte. Mouillee State Game Area: Celebrate spring and explore Michigan’s wetlands with a birding tour at Pte. Mouillee State Game Area, which doubles as an Audubon Important Bird Area. For more, contact the Pte. Mouillee State Game Area office: (734) 379-9692. Event info here

Saturday, April 4 in Harsens Island, Mich. -- DNR Spring Birding Tour: St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area: Celebrate spring at St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area, which doubles as an Audubon Important Bird Area. For questions, contact the St. Clair Flats State Wildilfe Area office: (810) 748-9504. Event info here

Saturday, April 4 in Pinconning, Mich. -- DNR Spring Birding Tour: Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area: Celebrate spring at Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, which doubles as an Audubon Important Bird Area. If you have questions, please contact the Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area office: (989) 697-5101. Event info here

Sunday, April 5 in Saint Charles, Mich. -- DNR Spring Birding Tour: Shiawassee River State Game Area: Celebrate spring and explore Michigan’s wetlands with a birding tour at Shiawassee River State Game Area, which doubles as an Audubon Important Bird Area. If you have questions, please contact the Shiawassee River State Game Area office: (989) 865-6211. Event info here

Saturday, April 11 in Twin Lake, Mich. -- DNR Spring Birding Tour: Muskegon County Wastewater System: Celebrate spring and explore Michigan’s wetlands with a birding tour at Muskegon State Game Area and Musekgon County Wastewater Systems, which double as an Audubon Important Bird Area. If you have questions, please contact the Musekgon State Game Area office: (231) 788-5055. Event info here

Tuesday, April 14 in Birmingham: Black Tern Monitoring Presentation -- Join Audubon Great Lakes’ MI Birds Program Associate, Erin Rowan, for a presentation on the latest from the Black Tern monitoring project in Michigan. The Black Tern is a common species in steep decline, a listed species of special concern, and a focal species within the Michigan DNR State Wildlife Action Plan. Hosted by the Oakland Audubon Society. Event info here

Saturday, April 18 in Detroit: Palmer Park Bird Walk: Hosted by MI Birds and the Detroit Exploration & Nature Center, this walk will explore the world of birds. Binoculars will be provided for those who need them. Families and beginners are welcome. Event info here

Saturday, April 18 in Grosse Pointe Woods: 7 Simple Actions to Help Birds: A study released in 2019 found that there has been a 29 percent decline in bird populations over the last 48 years, totaling nearly 3 billion birds gone. Find out what small things you can do to help, during an in-store presentation at the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Grosse Pointe Woods. Event info here

Wednesday, April 22 in Alger, Mich. -- Woodcock Walk: Join the DNR, Ruffed Grouse Society and MI Birds on a guided hike to find male woodcock displaying at dusk. Witness their call and dance as they seek their female companion. All ages welcome; bring binoculars and a headlamp or flashlight. Extra binoculars will be provided if needed. Event info here

Saturday, April 25 in Detroit -- Ring-necked Pheasant: A Game Bird in the City: Join Outdoor Adventure Center staff, Detroit Audubon, and Pheasants Forever for a morning hike to look and listen for ring-necked pheasants around the OAC and Riverfront. Discuss the history of this game bird and why it has found a home in Detroit. A limited number of binoculars will be available for loan. Event info here

Saturday, April 25 in Harrison Charter Twp. -- Black Tern Program and Nest Platform Building Workshop: Join MI Birds, Detroit Audubon, and friends at Lake St. Clair Metropark Nature Center to construct nesting platforms to install at St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area. A program on Black Terns will be given prior to platform construction and light refreshments will be served. Event info here

Saturday, May 2 in Woodhaven, Mich. -- Important Bird Areas and Birding Trails of MI: Join MI Birds and friends at Wild Birds Unlimited to explore Michigan’s important bird areas and birding trails, and the birds that call them home. Event info here

Saturday, May 16 in Britton, Mich. -- Ives Rd. Fen Preserve Bird Walk and Work Day: Explore and improve the Ives Rd. Fen Preserve. After a bird walk, help remove invasive plant species and enjoy some snacks. Event info here

Saturday, May 23 in Algonac, Mich. -- Black Tern Program and Nest Platform Building Workshop: Join Detroit Audubon at the Algonac-Clay Library to construct nesting platforms to support Black Terns at the St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area. A program on Black Terns will be given prior to platform construction and light refreshments will be served. Event info here

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