12 Months of the Metroparks: April

4.1.2026

By Erin Parker, Interpretive Services Supervisor

April in the Metroparks brings us birds, blooms, and bugs and your Metroparks are a great place to experience spring phenomena!

Birdy return

While the peak of the migration season is still the first two weeks of May, signs of spring are everywhere in the bird world.

Our resident birds, those that live in southeast Michigan year-round, are singing their spring songs, seeking out mates, and some are even starting to nest. American robins, tufted titmice, and black-capped chickadees are all examples.

Short-distance migrants, birds that don’t travel long distances in the winter but follow food and water resources, are back and some are setting up their nests and getting settled in for the summer season. Check out the great-blue heron rookery, or colonial nesting site, at Kensington Nature Center where these tall birds nest in big, messy nests in the trees! They can be viewed from the boardwalk near the nature center parking lot.

The great-blue heron rookery is easily viewed from the boardwalk near the Kensington Metropark Nature Center. Lake St Clair Metropark has a large double-crested cormorant rookery, viewed from the kayak and canoe launch area. Both of these birds are dependent on fish and aquatic food sources, so can return in early spring when the water is consistently open unlike smaller songbirds that require insects and consistently warmer temperatures!

And even some of our long-distance migrants, birds that spend their winters on the Gulf Coast or even further south into Central and South America, will begin winging their way back in April. Look for tree swallows in open fields where they hunt for insects and nest in bluebird boxes. Eastern phoebes also return in April and can be found just about anywhere, giving their distinctly hoarse “Phoebee, phoebay” call. Put out your oranges and grape jelly for the orioles by late April. These vibrant birds stick around all summer but are easiest to see in late April and May.

Eastern phoebes return in mid-April and can be found throughout your Metroparks but are also willing to build their nest under the eaves of your house! These insect eaters are fun to watch (and easy to identify) because they, like other birds in the flycatcher family, fly out to grab and insect and then immediately return to their original perch!

April flowers

While spring’s arrival may feel slow and soggy, it is here. By the end of April, spring ephemerals bloom in the understory. Ephemeral plants are named for their ‘here-and-gone’ nature. These are small plants that take advantage of the early spring when the forest floor receives a lot of sunlight and before the tree canopy leafs out, blocking their view of the sun. Not only are these early flowers a welcome sight for humans enjoying park trails, but they also provide an important food source for a variety of insects including native bees and butterflies.

Take a stroll along any wooded trail and spring flowers should be in abundance. White-tailed deer also love these flowers, especially trilliums, and so the best viewing of these plants is on hillsides and other more challenging terrain where the deer can’t reach their favorite spring snacks!

Spring ephemerals add color to the forest floor in April before the tree canopy blocks their view of the sun. Virginia spring beauty (also referred to as springbeauty and fairy spud!) has pink-striped petals and narrow, grasslike leaves.

Common blue violet may seem like a poor name choice, but it comes in a variety of blues, purples, and whites. Violets are an important food source for the tiny caterpillars of fritillary butterflies.

Bugs, bugs, bugs

Human park visitors may not be looking forward to the spring emergence of insects, but they are a vital part of our ecosystems! Without insects, the songbirds wouldn’t be able to feed their young. In fact, the driver of spring migration is the explosion of food in the northern hemisphere, well-timed to songbird arrival and nesting season!

April brings us the first butterflies and moths of the season. In Michigan, few butterflies overwinter as adults (most are in egg or chrysalis form), but the mourning cloak is an exception. This woodland butterfly, identified by its dark brown wings edged in yellow, spends the winter under bark or other snug spot, and emerges in early spring. Moths, bees, bumblebees, ants, and beetles all start getting active in the woods. Many take advantage of the early spring wildflowers for food, so spend some time this spring observing the wild visitors to the flowers in the parks!

Early spring can be a great time for butterfly and moth enthusiasts, too. While few overwinter as adults, those that do can be easy to spot flying on warm days before the leaf-out obscures the forest floor. The lettered sphinx moth likely emerged from a cocoon (below) while the mourning cloak butterfly (above) spent its winter tucked under bark or a clump of leaves. Both early emergers are well camouflaged to look like dead leaves or bark when they land!

Your Metroparks have many opportunities for exploring and enjoying spring phenomena after this long winter!

Get out and explore spring events in your Metroparks:

Adult Nature Hike: Spring Ephemerals at Stony Creek Metropark – Sat, 4/4/2026 -10 a.m.

Signs of Spring hike at Lake Erie Metropark – Sat, 4/18.2026 – 10 a.m.

Early Blooms: Spring Wildflowers hike at Oakwoods Metropark – Sat, 4/18/2026 – 1 p.m

Family Nature Hike: Spring Ephemerals at Stony Creek Metropark- Sat, 4/25/2026 – 10 a.m.

Wild Michigan: Spring Songbirds at Lake St Clair Metropark – Sun, 4/26/2026- 1 p.m.

Great Blue Herons are Great at Kensington Nature Center – Sat, 5/2/2026 – 1 p.m.

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