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Capital City Bird Sanctuary Volunteer Email
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Capital City Bird Sanctuary
Volunteer Workday:
Wednesday, September 18th

Come join us at Capital City Bird Sanctuary, working together to steward native habitat for birds and wildlife! 

This week we will continue to cut and treat woody invasives - primarily along trails but also into the woods.
No experience necessary - come ready to wield hand pruners, loppers, and/or shovels!

We will continue to listen to and observe migratory birds throughout the workday morning, opportunistically. Fall birds are usually a bit quieter than those singing during the spring and summer months, but we tend to hear a few even while beating back the brush!

Please RSVP if you plan to attend the workday, by emailing Linnea at LRowse@michiganaudubon.org. In the event of a workday cancellation, Linnea will send a notification out to those that RSVP by 7 p.m. the day before.

Highlights from last week's workday!

At the north end of the sanctuary along Delta River Drive, dense hedges of privet encroach on the walking trails. Aside from maintaining the trails, cutting and treating this invasive plant will improve the quality of the habitat for birds, through replacement of the invasive shrubs with native plants over time.
Jacob and Lindsay next to one of the several large piles of privet they helped to cut and remove! European privet can be controlled as an invasive plant through cutting and treating the stems with herbicide. 
Early morning fog over the CCBS meadow. Our first fall migratory bird walk was a success, with 21 identified bird species and the early morning perspective of the bird sanctuary. Come join us on our next one - upcoming on Sunday, September 15th at 8 a.m.! Details below. 
European privet can be identified by its oval-shaped, opposite leaves, clusters of berries (green berries as pictured are unripened, they turn to a dark blue-black berry in fall), and shrubby form. Privet is a non-native invasive plant, and unfortunately was widely planted in many areas as a dense hedgerow. 

Other News and Volunteer Opportunities



Smith Floral & Greenhouses
1124 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing, Michigan 48910

Monday, September 16, 2019 at 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Enjoy a Swift Night Out with Michigan Audubon on September 16 and celebrate urban wildlife while sipping on lemonade at Smith Floral & Greenhouses and watching Chimney Swifts come in to roost.

This free family-friendly event features an amazing spectacle at dusk, when hundreds of Chimney Swifts flock together in a tornado-like formation, flying in increasingly tighter circles before dropping into the chimney where they roost for the night.

These urban birds have suffered a steep population decline in recent decades due to loss of habitat, insecticide use, climate change, and more. Information on how you can help this species, including citizen science projects, will be available at the event.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. for social time with the most Chimney Swift activity starting just before sunset (7:47) and continuing through dusk. Please meet at the Smith Floral & Greenhouses’ parking lot at 1124 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing, MI 48910.

If you have any questions, please contact Michigan Audubon Conservation Program Coordinator Linnea Rowse at lrowse@michiganaudubon.org or 517-580-7364.

Join us for an upcoming Saturday Stewardship day at Capital City Bird Sanctuary! 

Saturday, September 21st
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.


This workday will also be a site for MSU's Spartan Day of Service, and this workday is open to the public - all are welcome to join us at Capital City Bird Sanctuary! 

Think of this workday as "wild gardening" — mildly strenuous work that involves hiking around the sanctuary and cutting down invasive woody shrubs with hand pruners or hand saws, often in challenging locations. Additional tasks may include: general trail maintenance and cutting back overhanging plants from trails, cleaning out bird nesting boxes, or weeding in the native wildflower garden. A good workout is guaranteed!

Bring your lunch and water if you would like to, as we will take a lunch break around 12 p.m., or join us for just the morning! As with the Wednesday CCBS workdays, wear weather-appropriate clothing, bring sunscreen and insect repellent, and a great attitude! All tools will be provided. 

Please RSVP if you plan to attend the workday, by emailing Linnea at LRowse@michiganaudubon.org. In the event of a workday cancellation (e.g. for steady rain), Linnea will send a notification out to those that RSVP by 5 p.m. the day before.
Fall Migration Bird Walks at Capital City Bird Sanctuary

Wednesday, September 11, 7 - 8:45 a.m.
&
Sundays, September 15 - 29, 8 - 10 a.m.


Experience the wonder of peak fall migration and receive tips for challenging fall bird identification at Capital City Bird Sanctuary this September! These free bird walks will be led by Conservation Program Coordinator Linnea Rowse. Bring your binoculars (some will be available to borrow) and wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. Walks are suitable for all ages and any level of birding experience. 
Meet at the Michigan Audubon volunteer entrance to the sanctuary, approximately 0.1 mile east of the Hawk Meadow Park parking lot. 

Location/Directions:
6001 Delta River Dr., Lansing, MI 48906. From Hawk Meadow Park parking lot, continue to drive east on Delta River Drive for 0.1 miles, and turn into the gated entrance (which will be open) of Michigan Audubon's Capital City Bird Sanctuary.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend, by emailing Linnea at LRowse@michiganaudubon.org. Bird walks will be canceled in the event of steady rain; all participants who RSVP will receive a notification by email if the event is canceled, by 5 p.m. the prior evening.

Workday Weather and What to Wear

Sunny, cool to start

The forecast is for cool temperatures (mid 60s) in the morning, with sun warming the day into the mid 70s by noon. Please wear a hat, long sleeves/layers (for sun and insect protection), long pants, and boots. The workday will be cancelled in the event of steady rain or thunderstorms. Anyone who RSVPs will receive a cancellation notification the evening before.

Ticks

Ticks are a possibility. Please wear long pants and check regularly.

What to bring:


Please come prepared for outdoor work: wear long pants, long sleeves, close-toed shoes, and a hat. Wear clothing you are not concerned about getting dirty or snagged on raspberry bushes. Bring leather work gloves, water, snacks, insect repellent, and sunscreen, although we will have extras on hand.

Have questions? Contact Linnea at LRowse@michiganaudubon.org or 952-451-0096 if you have questions the day of.

Directions to Capital City Bird Sanctuary

Meet at the volunteer parking lot at 6001 Delta River Drive.

Directions:

From Waverly: head west at the intersection of Waverly and Delta River Drive. After 1.5 miles, you will see an open lot with downed trees along the south side of the road. Slow for hidden, gated driveway on the south side of the road.

From I-69: head east on W. Saginaw Hwy and after 1 mile, turn north on Creyts. Continue on Creyts (becomes Webster at Willow Hwy) until it dead-ends at Delta River Drive. Turn east and drive 0.5 miles, past Hawk Meadow Park, and slow around the curve to find the hidden, gated driveway on the south side of the road.

6001 Delta River Dr

Contact Us

Michigan Audubon
2310 Science Parkway, Suite 200
Okemos, Michigan 48864
tel: 517-580-7364

birds@michiganaudubon.org

Copyright © 2019 Michigan Audubon, All rights reserved.


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