Introduction to Birding Hikes

 -Superior Loop (Whitetail Cabin cross country ski trail) This is an enjoyable birding spot, unlike Government Peak or some other trails in the park, it is close enough to the campground to attract visitors and yet offers a nice variety of different birds. On the road listen for vireo's, wrens, and many warblers. Early in the season redstarts are plentiful and the black throated green and blue warblers seem to offer a treat for the new birdwatcher. I have found that taking them out to the lake and back will offer you the best birding experience, the rest of the loop is full of long grasses and ticks so unwary hikers may find it discouraging. There are also spots of lowland mud where creek beds cross. Many times I find animal prints and have several deer appearances during the hikes themselves. It is always best to orient the hiker, introduce myself and my studies. My experiences in birding and just how to begin a life long activity. I show them how to use the bird list and the song list that accompanies them. Pass out binoculars and tell them to practice focusing on something near by such as a sign, so that when they see a bird they will be able to focus on it bouncing around in the trees. Tell them how to use the rocker and how the eyespread on them allows you to see one field of vision, if they have glasses explain why they roll back the eye cups for the same purpose. Also bring out the field guides and explain the advantages and disadvantages of them (like the Audubon field guides are hard to manage and finding the bird in a timely manner can be very hard) also the advantages of range maps. Okay now its time to begin the hike walking out to the trail I talk to the people see how much birding they have done and the level they may be at. This way if there are people who know a little more or can offer any guidance to a large group you may be able to take advantage of their ears and eyes as well. I take along with me bird calls on tape and play them intermittently so that people will be able to hear other ways they can learn how to identify a bird. I prehiked the trail to find good listening spots and marked them. Usually about 3 to 5 premarked spots are good. The lake is definitely one of them and also the warming hut (1 usually turn around and go back the way I came after going out to the lake, It is much easier for older people to do and also takes up the full allotted time). By the lake keep a look out for double crested cormorants, mergansers, gulls, loons, any little shore birds, eagles, and any hawks you might see. Cedar waxwings are also around where the berries are so keep a look out for them. A lot of times its easy to explain what the differences between crows and ravens are. Talk about sizing birds, any markers that will help identify them from one another (mustacial or eye marks, eye color, belly shading, wing bars, coloration, size, calls). Its really more natural to go with the flow of birding activity, so be careful earlier in the summer if you are phishing. Its always a good idea to start any bird hike with an introduction to birding ethics- they are out there! But once you have completed the hike ask for any questions and feel free to chat about anything you see along the way. It makes it an enjoyable hike for you and your group. At the end collect the binoculars talk a little more about MI birding and how some people create life lists in a similar fashion. Hand out MI wildlife posters and point out any birds found on them. Sometimes along the way you can find feathers and nests/broken eggs. These little opportunities always arise. This is a good time to talk about feather collection and what is right and what is not. Also let them know you have patterns for nest boxes and you can also talk about feeders, since it seems that most of the hikers are really interested in learning their backyard birds. -Presque Isle (Old service road) This hike is very similar just location makes a difference. I usually hike from the kiosk in the campground through the picnic shelter and loop back around to the road (sometimes head back into the woods from the backpackers lot if there is too much traffic). There are lots of Pileated Woodpecker trees so main thing to point out, also the difference between woodpeckers. Other wise there are numerous warblers like the Northern Parula and even an occasional eagle or Merlin fly over once you can see through the opening in the trees. Remember to note that running or bubbling water attracts birds. I usually talk about more roadside birding but its pretty much the same type of conversation intermixed with the tape I play and phishing. The best way I can tell anyone to bird is to get out there and do it for themselves and learn patience even though many of them are here and gone within a matter of seconds. A good book I picked up at the Visitor's Center is Bird Watching for Kids by Steven and Elizabeth Griffen. It will give you more ideas for perhaps children activities. The hike I did seemed most enjoyable to an older group, but is workable for any age. Enjoy!