Parks in Partnership: Bird Clubs

4.29.2026

By Kevin Arnold, Bethany Kogut, and Erin Parker, Interpretive Services Supervisors

Birding, birdwatching, feeding birds at feeders, and bird photography are all extremely popular pastimes in the United States with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimating that 3 in 10 adults (ages 16+) participate in some bird-related activity each year (Birdwatching in America, 12/2024) The Metroparks, in partnership with several local birding groups, provide many opportunities for learning more about birds, planting gardens to support birds, and celebrating the birds that call Michigan home.

Bird Organizations and the Metroparks

Macomb Audubon is focused on providing opportunities to expand education and interest in the natural world through birds. Their work includes providing presentations through local experts, field trips to birding spots around Macomb County, and so much more. One of the areas they frequent is Lake St. Clair Metropark, where they bring their chapter members out to see, study, and appreciate the unique birds that frequent this iconic flyway and birding hotspot. Macomb Audubon serves as a resource for our avid birder community at Lake St. Clair, especially during events such as the spring Raptor Festival.

According to Barb Baldinger, longtime Macomb Audubon member and current Facebook Representative, “Macomb Audubon Society has scheduled numerous field trips over the years at Lake St. Clair, Stony Creek, Wolcott Mill, Kensington and Lake Erie Metroparks. These Metroparks are wonderful locations, not only for birds, but also for various other natural features.

Events at Lake St. Clair and Stony Creek Metroparks have given us opportunities to share information about our group with park patrons. All of our Macomb Audubon Society programs and field trips are free and open to the public.

Stony Creek Metropark has hosted our Christmas Bird Count Tally for many years, as well as our 50th Anniversary Celebration last year. For this, we are most appreciative!”

Lake Erie and Oakwoods Metroparks have long-running partnerships with two organizations dedicated to birds and the education of patrons about birds. The staff at the Oakwoods has been working with the Detroit Bird Alliance since the 1980s. Programming, including American Woodcock Walks, Evening Owl Prowls, and general bird hikes, has been an annual occurrence for over 40 years. The Bird Alliance is also a regular vendor at the Annual Hawkfest program at the Lake Erie Metropark Marshlands Museum.