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October 2018

📢 Coffee with the Birds Mug Club photo contest! 📸

Have you taken a bird photo in Ottawa County that you think would look great on our 2019 Coffee with the Birds mug? We want to see it! To enter, email submissions of original size image files (up to 3/person) to naturecenter@miottawa.org. 

• All entries must be from 2018. 
• All entries must be taken in Ottawa County
• Please also include your first and last name, location, date of photo, and bird species. 
• Submission deadline: November 1 at 9 am

The winning photo & mug will be revealed on December 8, 2018 at the first Coffee with the Birds event of the season. The winning photographer gets prizes and chooses spring & fall mug club bird walk locations.  

☕Coffee with the Birds Mug Club☕

2019 Mug Club Memberships will be available to purchase in November. Show your support for the Nature Center and join the club! 

Membership includes:

• Limited edition mug - new each year!
• Members have the option to keep their mug at the Nature Center for each Coffee with the Birds Program and for use with punch card
• Hot Drink Punch Card for use at the Nature Center for 10 free drinks
• Entry into a members-only raffle for prizes including, a free birding field trip and other goodies
• Two Member-Only Bird Walks (Spring & Fall)

Do you have ideas for member perks? Let us know! 

Birding Walks

These walks are free and registration is not required. 

Upcoming Birding Programs

Waterfowl Field Trip Registration required; $8 per session Witness the spectacle of waterfowl migration at local hot spots. Part 1 will start at the lakeshore and explore areas near Grand Haven, including the new Ottawa Sands Park. Part 2 will start in the Coopersville farmland area and conclude at the Muskegon Wastewater facility. Click the session below to register. Session 1: October 27, 8 am-12 pm, Lakeshore Waterfowl Session 2: October 27, 1-5 pm, Wastewater Waterfowl

Lake Watch Birding**

November 10, 9 am-12 pm • Holland State Park

Join us for a morning of watching migration along the shores of Lake Michigan! Waterfowl, gulls, and more will be the focus of this stationary bird outing. Recreational passport required to park at the Holland State Park. 

Coffee with the Birds December 8  January 5 February 2 March 2 Enjoy coffee and baked goodies as you watch the birds at the feeders. Bring your bird questions, curiosities and stories, and don’t forget your favorite mug! This program will continues monthly during the winter. Session 1: 9:30-10:20 am Birding Tidbit (Bird Club Expo): 10:30-11 am  Session 2: 11:10 am-12 pm

Local Birding

Recent Local Notable Sightings

Red Knot – Found by Tom Pavlik on September 14 and seen for two days at Grand Haven State Park on the south pier.
Harlequin Duck – Found September 30 at Holland State Park.  Last reported October 9.
American White Pelican – Found 10/3 at Window on the Waterfront in Holland.  Last reported October 9. Another was reported on September 27 on the Grand River near East End Park in Grand Haven.
Red-necked Phalarope – Found October 3 by Carl and Judi Manning at AAA Turf Farm in Hudsonville. Seen for two days at that location.

Winter Finch Forecast

The forecast for winter finches in our area looks good for the upcoming season. Poor food resources in the north are pushing birds southward. This could include Redpolls, Pine Siskin and even Pine Grosbeak and Boehmian Waxwing. Purple Finches have already made quite an appearance with sightings as early as August this year! Keep your feeders stocked (thistle in particular for finches) and watch any local berry trees & crabapple trees for rare appearances by Pine Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings. Make sure to report your sightings to www.ebird.org or to the Nature Center (naturecenter@miottawa.org). 

Here’s a link to read more detail on the winter finch forecast for this season.  

Just sighted...

Harlequin Duck by Emily Tornga, photo via Instagram.