This event has been cancelled due to the Corona Virus
Tawas Point State Park Walks and Helping Birder Stations
Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16
8:00 to Noon – Helping Birder Stations– Local birders show and share information on birds being seen right now. (no registration required)
- Feeder Seating Area
- Start of the Two Track Trail near the Lighthouse
- The Bench by the Bay on the sidewalk to the campground on the end near the gift shop
Registration Required. See Registration Page for Details: here
Guided Walks
Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16
Guided walks at Tawas Point State Park will gather at a spot yet to be selected. (That information will be shared at registration.) Arrival a few minutes before the official start time would be appreciated. Guides will lead walks simultaneously with a maximum of 15 per group.
Your walk at the Point is one of the prime Warbler watching areas in Iosco County. Due to this migrant trap, you may see all manner of migrating warblers and songbirds, gull species, and waterfowl. Predatory birds and even owls are sometimes found here. Waterproof boots may be needed to travel the sandy water-logged two-track trail to the “tip” of the Point, but the walk on the Bay Side will be mostly on grassy or paved surfaces with easy, flat walking; although there are small hilly areas that can be productive. Footwear that is sturdy will be a plus, however, as there is little to no opportunity for sitting. Dress in layers for all-weather and much colder temperatures as the Point is surrounded by cold water!
7:00 to 9:00 AM
- Walk – Bay Side at the Point (multiple groups of 15)
8:00 to 9:30 AM
- Walk – Beginning Birders at the Point, Maximum 8 people.
Guided by Daryl Bernard, Executive Director, Seven Ponds Nature Center, Dryden, MI
9:30 to 11:30 AM
- Walk – Bay Side at the Point (multiple groups of 15)
Car-Pool and Bus Field Trips to Birding Hot-Spots in Iosco County
(many of which are located in the Huron-Manistee National Forest)
- All car-pools and bus trips begin and end at the Knights of Columbus Rushman Hall, 821 Newman St., East Tawas
- Some trips can be boarded at AuSable Township Hall parking lot 4440 N. US Hwy 23 in Oscoda
- Field Trips will be limited to 15 participants to assure the best communication with guides
- See Logistics and Maps page for locations
- Register for trips on the Registration page
- Bus trips are indicated by “bus” in the schedule below. (Bus waits for 5 minutes after scheduled departures for late arrivals.)
- Please come to the K of C parking lot at least 15 minutes before departure to coordinate carpooling – 821 Newman St., East Tawas
Thursday – May 14
6:00 to 10:00 PM – Tuttle Marsh in the Evening – bus Oscoda stop 6:25-6:30 PM
Tuttle Marsh is the first Ducks Unlimited project in Michigan. It’s a 5000-acre area of marsh with impounded open water ponds, surrounded by a pine / deciduous forest. There’ll be an opportunity to walk up to ¼ mile on the mixed elevation rough, grassy berms to observe water birds. In addition to ducks, swans and marsh birds, like a Virginia Rail, there’s also the opportunity to find American Woodcock, owls, and Eastern Whip-poor-wills. There are active Osprey platforms within 150m of the viewing areas, and a ¾ miles distant active eagle’s nest. The bus, which acts as a great “blind” will carry you to several viewing stops where you may disembark. The last stop, at a meadow, includes a port-a-john.
8:00 to 10:30 PM – Whip-poor-wills at Night – bus Oscoda stop 8:25-8:30 PM
On the Whip-poor-will tour, Stu Hooper and Larry VanWagoner will take you to a nearby spot where we’ve been fortunate to find territorial “whips” often in early springtime. The location is initially a large gravel parking lot and later a two-track roadside; both are level. Walking will be very minimal. Our transportation will bring you within 200ft of the observing locations. While our target bird is Eastern Whippoorwill, there is also the possibility of observing Woodcock in their courting ritual of leaving the ground, flying high, spiraling down, and repeating. Also, we may find Eastern Saw-whet and Barred Owls at this location. Bringing your own fully charged, very bright headlamp will help observe our targets. (Vault toilet available)
Friday and Saturday – May 15 and 16
7:00 to 11:30 AM – Kirtland’s Warbler area, – bus Oscoda stop 7:25-7:30 am.
Tour cost has been reduced through local supporters’ and sponsors’ donations. Join a US Forest Service guide and/or experienced local birder to head to the nearby Pine River Kirtland’s Warbler Management area. The sandy, but level road will offer little walking as the bus does all the work getting you around and offering raised views of the Jack Pine plantations. Also, possible sightings of Clay-colored Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brewer’s Blackbird and on the return trip, a Trumpeter Swan nesting site which also offers vault toilets.
7:00 to 11:30 AM – (Saturday only) Tuttle Marsh in the Morning, – Carpool Oscoda stop 7:25- 7:30 am
This is another world compared to the night time marsh. Yes, the Eagle and Osprey nests are there, and you should see some activity. An assortment of waterfowl like Hooded Merganser, Wood Ducks, Blue, and Greenwing Teal may entertain you. American Bittern, Green and Great Blue Heron and an assortment of songbirds may also be found. Walk along the bumpy berm, keeping an eye out for muskrat and otters as you hear warblers and blackbirds compete in volume. Turtles, both Blandings and Painted may be seen on your 1/4 mile or so walk. Port-a–john toilet available on the south end parking lot.
7:00 to 11:30 AM – Lumberman’s Monument – bus Oscoda stop 7:25-7:30 am
Lumberman’s Monument is a historic look at days gone by with a number of exhibits, and an opportunity to explore the present AuSable River from two vantage points, both with amazing views. The shortest route to the view takes you past the bronze statue honoring the lumbermen. Or take the 1/4 mile trail leading to a high bank dune overlook. In addition, there is a half-mile Forest Discovery Trail loop. The mixed wood forest may have an assortment of songbirds. Walking will be varied, from the sidewalk to sand and even rough earth trails. The elevation is mostly level if you stay above the river. Mix up these choices with your guide as you desire. This is a new tour, so you are the explorers from whom we are waiting to hear! The gift shop and modern toilets will be open.
7:00-11:30 AM – Iargo Springs (Note, there are 300 steps down to the Springs and back up. Plan for some exercise.) –bus Oscoda stop 7:25-7:30 am
Birding at Iargo Springs Interpretive Site offers a variety of opportunities at a single site. There is a breathtaking view of the AuSable River Valley from an observation deck 300 feet above the river. Warblers, sparrows, and other songbirds flit through the cedars along the upper hiking path. For the adventurous birder, a walk down 294 steps leads to the springs and views of the Loud Dam backwaters, a frequent gathering place for Trumpeter Swans and other waterfowl. There are multiple benches for rest breaks on the return trip up the stairs. Comfortable hiking shoes are recommended for this trip, the upper path can be muddy in the spring. There are vault toilets available.
7:00 to 11:30 AM – Loon Lake Nature Park Trail, Hale – Carpool does not go to Oscoda
Loon Lake tour begins with a brief stop in the National Forest for a look at an unusual food source. Loon Lake Nature Park/Trail has recently had a bike trail added to it. We may explore for about a half-mile total along that or stay on the woodchip trail which usually reveals a variety of warblers in the overhead canopy. The wetland habitat of Mud Lake can be observed along the boardwalk reaching out over the water, presenting a possibility for waterfowl and/or marsh birds. Eastern Towhee, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Veery, and Hermit Thrush are also all possible. There is one long sloping hill, but seats are available for those that choose to pass it up. Vault toilets available.
7:00 to 11:30 AM – Eagle Run–Loop C – Carpool Oscoda stop 7:25-7:30 am
Loop C of the Eagle Run trail system is located a few miles west of Oscoda. It’s about 2.5 miles of assorted natural surfaces, with small elevation changes throughout. Trail conditions will vary with rainfall amounts. Hiking shoes or rubber boots are a good idea. Encounters with woodland warblers, songbirds, woodpeckers, and the occasional eagle are common with this tour. This walk also brings us close to the AuSable River for a brief period of time. Toilets are available at the trailhead.
7:00 to 11:30 AM – Grasslands and Clark’s Marsh, – Carpool Oscoda stop 7:25-7:30 am
Your expert guide hopes to point out Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Upland Sandpiper and perhaps Grasshopper Sparrow and Clay-colored Sparrow. Clark’s Marsh includes a forest habitat with a total of a ½ mile of walking on a damp grass or dirt trail, with one moderately long but not- too steep hill to descend and climb. You may add Red-Breasted and White-breasted Nuthatch and Brown Creeper and other common mixed woodland birds to your list here. Toilets are available at Wiltse’s Family Brew Pub back on the main road, F-41. It’s a great lunch stop for after the tour, too!
8:30-10:30 AM – Redheaded Woodpeckers – Carpool does not go to Oscoda.
The carpool leads you to a serene historic cemetery and adjacent secondary road. You’ll walk less than a quarter-mile along the grass shoulder of a paved road or on a mostly level sandy two-track road. We’ll see and hear woodland and meadow songbirds as well as numerous Red-headed Woodpeckers. No toilets are available.
8:30-11:30 AM (Saturday Only) Wildflower Walk along the AuSable River, – Carpool Oscoda stop 8:55-9:00 am
Down by the river and through the woods the grassy or earthen loop trail takes us less than a mile along, to see the ephemeral wildflowers brought out by the sun’s warmth. We walk the nearly flat trail with birdsong accompaniment overhead. Cameras and binoculars are suggested. Vault toilets are available at the trailhead.
6:00 to 10:00 PM – Tuttle Marsh in the Evening – bus Oscoda stop 6:25-6:30 pm
Tuttle Marsh is the first Ducks Unlimited project in Michigan. It’s a 5000-acre area of marsh with impounded open water ponds, surrounded by a pine / deciduous forest. There’ll be an opportunity to walk up to ¼ mile on the mixed elevation rough, grassy berms to observe water birds. In addition to ducks, swans and marsh birds, like a Virginia Rail, there’s also the opportunity to find American Woodcock, owls, and Eastern Whip-poor-wills. There are active Osprey platforms within 150m of the viewing areas, and a ¾ miles distant active eagle’s nest. The bus, which acts as a great “blind” will carry you to several viewing stops where you may disembark. The last stop, at a meadow, includes a port-a-john.
8:00 to 10:30 PM – Whip-poor-wills at Night – bus Oscoda stop 8:25-8:30 pm
On the Whip-poor-will tour, Stu Hooper and Larry VanWagoner will take you to a nearby spot where we’ve been fortunate to find territorial “whips” often in early springtime. The location is initially a large gravel parking lot and later a two-track roadside; both are level. Walking will be very minimal. Our transportation will bring you within 200ft of the observing locations. While our target bird is Eastern Whippoorwill, there is also the possibility of observing Woodcock in their courting ritual of leaving the ground, flying high, spiraling down, and repeating. Also, we may find Eastern Saw-whet and Barred Owls at this location. Bringing your own fully charged, very bright headlamp will help observe our targets. (Vault toilet available).
All field trips involve walking. The carpools have walking upon arrival at site. Tawas Point State Park does have extensive sidewalks and asphalt parking lots that are handicap accessible, but no tours are designed for persons with limited mobility.
The State Park has a vehicle entrance fee.
See more information here
After the Migration – Free Kirtland’s Warbler Carpool Tours 7:30 to 11:30 AM from Camp Inn Lodge, 3111 US 23, 2 miles S. of AuSable R. bridge in Oscoda. (https://www.campinnlodge.com/our-location/)
Sunday, May 17 (rain date Monday, May 18)
Saturdays May 30, June 6, 13, 20 and 27 (rain date on following Sundays).
Call Camp Inn Lodge for reservations 989-739-2021 and follow AuSable Valley Audubon KW events on Facebook.
Brought to you by AuSable Valley Audubon (AVA) member donations and Giving Tuesday donors.
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This click and register is for May 14, 15 and 16 Field Trips only.
Thank you to the 
USDA Huron-Manistee National Forest Management for allowing this event to use many of the greatly managed sites in our forest system.
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