For a few weeks each spring, the eastern UP becomes one of the busiest migration corridors in the Great Lakes, with millions of birds moving north — often under cover of darkness — before dropping into the cedars, grasslands, and marshes to rest and refuel before their next push toward Canada. It also boasts a bountiful spring ephemeral show — Marsh marigold, Trillium, Dutchman's breeches — blooms that get maybe three weeks in the sun before the tree canopy leafs out and shades them back into memory for another year. These two events take place almost in tandem, like the dynamic duo of butter + toast. Many people are oblivious to both, barely registering the rowdy dawn chorus while sipping their coffee, or the often small blooms underfoot.

​

This trip is about tuning up our observation skills — enjoying the concert in literal stereo surround sound and getting low to appreciate the delicate blooms. You can be someone who can't tell a warbler from a merganser or simply wants help finding some of the local birding hotspots — or someone who just wants to finally learn the name of that flower you've photographed three springs running but always forget to look up.

​

We drive to a few selected areas, walk as needed, and then stop, look, and listen. You'll start to hear the difference between calls and notice what kind of habitat holds what kind of life — often useful for where you live, too. For the flowers, we encourage bringing at minimum a smartphone, because they're patient subjects. Along the way, we'll include some hands-on photography learning and help you harness your smartphone's capabilities.

​

We'll also head out with a BirdWeather station that identifies birds by their songs in real time (when we have a signal) — so you go home knowing exactly who was singing. You can even check out our Woods & Waters BirdWeather PUC on the BirdWeather map here.

You don't need experience. You don't need fancy gear. You need a sense of curiosity and shoes that can handle a little mud.

​

Offered seasonally, mid-May into early June, when the migration peaks and the ephemerals are at their best.