Welcome to your ultimate guide to bird watching groups in Michigan! We’ve rounded up clubs, meetups, and communities where birders of all levels can connect and explore the outdoors together. It’s the perfect time to join whether it’s to see winter birds in Michigan or to improve your bird identification skills.

Bird watching groups are growing in popularity, and new ones are taking flight all the time. If you don’t see a group in your area yet, don’t worry–you can always start one yourself!

The National Audubon Society is the most prolific bird conservation organization that spans 11 countries and has over 500 chapters. Many of the birding clubs and educational events you’ll encounter are Audubon chapters. In fact, the Audubon Great Lakes secured $1 million to acquire and conserve wetlands throughout the state for birds, other wildlife, and to remedy the catastrophic flooding for Michigan communities.

Statewide in Michigan

• Michigan Audubon

  The statewide Audubon has 41 chapters that host a variety of field trips, workshops, and specialty birding tours year round. Field trips are often but not always free. Paid membership optional. Registration only required if the event requires it (see calendar for details).

• Audubon Great Lakes (AGL)

  AGL focuses particularly on major coastal wetland regions which includes the Eastern Lake Michigan shoreline (including the Grand Haven/Muskegon area), the Detroit River/Lake St. Clair corridor, and the Saginaw Bay region.

  The other Michigan Audubon chapters are part of their network.

• Christmas Bird Count - Event / Program, varies by chapter

  The Christmas Bird Count is a community science program that counts and tracks crucial population and migratory data for birds in all regions. It’s a great program to see the winter birds in Michigan and connect with the conservation community.

West/Southwest Michigan (Lake Michigan Shoreline)

• Berrien Birding Club - Berrien County / Southwest Tip

  With its forests, dunes and Lake Michigan shoreline, Berrien County has long been one of Michigan’s most popular bird watching locations.

  Club sponsored outings. Their Tuesday Morning Birding (TMB) outings are announced midday on Mondays on Facebook, Discord, and bbcchat. No membership or fee required.

• Audubon Society of Kalamazoo (ASK) - Kalamazoo Area / Southwest Michigan

  Please understand that while we are a local chapter of Michigan Audubon, membership in Michigan or National Audubon does not automatically make you a member of ASK. All three organizations share the common mission of bird conservation, but we are our own entity.

  All ages and skill levels. Field trips offered by doesn’t appear to be weekly.

  Can participate in the Kalamazoo Christmas Bird Count, one of the oldest in the state, to see a variety of winter birds in Michigan. Participants can join for part or all of the day. Membership not required to participate.

• Holland Audubon Club - Holland / Ottawa County Area

  Sometimes has speakers at their monthly meeting at 7:00 PM on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, September through May, at Hope Church, 77 W 11th St, Holland.

  Free, no membership required.

• Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society - Grand Haven / Ottawa County Area

  We offer educational and informative lectures and fellowship at our meetings held on the third Tuesday of the month, September through May, at: Loutit District Library, 407 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven, MI

  All ages. Membership required. One monthly field trip, 8am-12pm.

• Grand Rapids Audubon Club - Kent County / Grand Rapids Area

  Membership optional and field trips are free. Weekly field trip and hike at Millenium Park. No registration required.

  Check out the Grand Rapids Christmas Bird Count, typically held in mid-December, for a medley of Michigan bird species.

• Muskegon County Nature Club - Muskegon County

  Membership optional (from what we can tell). Monthly field trip and ornithology presentation.

Southeast Michigan / Metro Detroit

• Detroit Bird Alliance (formerly Detroit Audubon) - Detroit (incl. parts of St. Clair, Washtenaw, Monroe)

  All ages welcome. Multiple weekly field trips. Ticket fee required for field trip, membership optional. Members get discounted tickets. The frequency of bird watching outings makes this a great option for beginner bird watching and avid birders alike.

  Hosts multiple Christmas Bird Counts in Southeast Michigan perfect for seeing winter birds in Michigan and to

• Oakland Bird Alliance (formerly Oakland Audubon) - Oakland County

  OBA Field Trips are free and open to the general public. Depending on the destination, entry fees may be required. We welcome all levels of birdwatchers including those with disabilities.

  Registration required. No fee or membership required.

• Macomb Audubon Society - Macomb County

  Monthly field trips. Check the calendar for registration/RSVP requirements. Meetings and field trips are free. No fee unless otherwise stated. Membership optional.

  Helps coordinate the North Macomb Christmas Bird Count.

• Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance (WBNA) - Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Area)

  Multiple weekly field trip opportunities. Membership optional but registration required. They offer binoculars which is great for beginners.

  Other events include tree identification walks, trail maintenance volunteer opportunities, and BIPOC bird watching.

  They promote and help recruit for the Ann Arbor Christmas Bird Count, though it’s traditionally organized by a mix of Michigan Audubon members and local birders.

Central / Northern Lower Peninsula

• Jackson Audubon Society (JAS) - Jackson County

  Occasional bird watching walks and “tours”. Membership required. Other programs of interest include habitat restoration, game nights, seed gathering, and speakers.

  Runs the Jackson County Christmas Bird Count, one of the more consistent inland counts.

• Grand Traverse Audubon Club - Grand Traverse Area (Traverse City)

  Our regular programs are usually the third Thursday of the month at the Boardman River Nature Center on Cass Road at 7:00 pm which are open to members and non-members. Everyone is welcome to attend!

  Sunday bird walks and field trips available. Membership required. Holds a number of other related programs and speakers.

• Michigan Bird Club of Ann Arbor / University of Michigan

  We meet every few weeks to bird the local hotspots and have less common trips to further destinations. No experience required to join.

  Leads trips throughout the region. Has GroupMe chat to stay in the loop.

Upper Peninsula (U.P.)

• Laughing Whitefish Bird Alliance - Marquette and Alger Counties

  Monthly bird walks around Presque Isle Park in Marquette from June to September. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

  Membership may be required. Monthly meetings on the 2nd Wednesday at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette, 7-9 p.m. Has a discord group for bird alerts, game nights, and speaker events.

  All participants must sign a Release of Liability Form before participating in any outing, field trip, or bird count.

Other ornithology and birding groups in Michigan

These typically don’t offer field trips or outings but are worth checking out. These are a mix of ornithology clubs and conservation groups that don’t offer field trips.

• Kalamazoo Valley Bird Observatory (KVBO) - Kalamazoo Area

  Affiliated with KNC. The bird observatory through the Kalamazoo Nature Center focuses on fall migratory bird banding, migration surveys, and parasite sampling. The fee to watch the bird banding in person is included in regular KNC admission.

  No field trips that we can tell.

• Whitefish Point Bird Observatory (WPBO) - Keweenaw Peninsula / Lake Superior Shoreline (Premier Migration Hotspot)

  The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory is Michigan's premier migration hotspot on Lake Superior, where the peninsula funnels thousands of migratory birds, raptors, and owls every spring and fall. It offers crucial scientific programs like daily bird migration counts and bird banding alongside public educational opportunities. The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory is a must for bird watching in Michigan and shooting bird pictures.

• Michigan State Bird Observatory - Bath / Lansing / Mid-Michigan

  Our overall goal is to integrate avian research, the training of current and future wildlife professionals, and the education of people of all ages in the mid-Michigan region, while showcasing the diversity of wildlife inhabiting one of mid-Michigan’s most diverse wildlife research areas.

  All ages welcome. Virtual and in-person programs are available and have student discount rates. Focus on migratory bird research. Operates 2 bird banding stations – the Burke Lake Banding Station and the Corey Marsh Banding Station.

• Grosse Pointe Audubon - The Grosse Pointes, Harper Woods, St. Clair Shores

• Birding Michigan - Facebook Group Only

• Mich Listers (Michigan Rare Bird Alert) - Facebook Group Only

• Michigan Bird Watching - Facebook Group Only

• Peregrine Falcon Nest Watch - South Central / Lower Peninsula

  Can’t visit the nest in person (for safety reasons), but you can view from a distance from the top of the Jackson County Tower Building (W Michigan Ave, Jackson, MI 49201)

• Farmington Hills Nature Center - Metro Detroit / Oakland County

  Programs for kids of most ages. Offers after school nature-based programs (which incorporates bird watching), children naturalists club, organized hikes, and crafting workshops.

  All adults are welcome. Meetings are free but programs are not. Program prices vary.

• Sparkbird App - Social Media / Community

  We created the Sparkbird App for people like you who want to connect with a friendly, passionate community of fellow enthusiasts. Track your life list, help identify birds, and meet like minded birders. It’s like Instagram but for bird watchers (and no shady algorithms).

• Copper Country Audubon - Keweenaw Peninsula / Houghton & Baraga Counties (inactive since 2021)

Michigan Bird Books & Resources

Michigan bird identification begins with the right field guides. Your local Audubon chapters may also have region specific resources.

• Birds of Ottawa County, Michigan: An Annotated Checklist

  Considered a key resource for Michigan birders. 5 year update PDF supplement available here and photo supplement, too. If the book is unavailable online, the Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing County Park, The Bookman in Grand Haven, or Reader’s World Bookstore.

• Birds of Michigan Field Guide

  118 species of only Michigan birds. Features a simple color guide: “See a yellow bird? Go to the yellow section.”

• The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America

  The most authoritative on-the-go guide to the birds of the East •From renowned birder, illustrator, and New York Times best-selling author David Sibley.

• Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Eastern & Central North America

  Another popular field guide option.

Michigan Bird Rescue - Resources

Always call first since hours and intake capacity vary. Some centers only take songbirds or only raptors; others don’t accept certain species.

• Michigan DNR Licensed Rehabilitators

  Official searchable list by county and species (updated regularly).

• Detroit Bird Alliance – “Emergency Care for Birds”

  Quick triage guide and SE Michigan resource.

• Bird Center of Michigan – Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor/Saline)

  Songbird rehabilitation; call before bringing any bird. Often refers raptors/waterfowl to Howell Nature Center and raptors to River Raisin Raptor Center.

• Howell Nature Center – Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic – Livingston County (Howell)

  State/federally licensed; accepts many birds (including some raptors/waterfowl). Call Wildlife Helpline and check hours before visiting.

• Raptor Rescue of Michigan – Wayne County (Plymouth)

  Veterinarian-led nonprofit specializing in birds of prey (raptors only).

• Back 2 the Wild Rehab – St. Clair County (Fort Gratiot/Port Huron)

  Licensed rehabber that takes small mammals, birds & eagles.

• West Michigan Wildlife Center (Wildlife Rehab Center – Peg & Roger Markle) – Kent County (Grand Rapids area)

  Handles small mammals and migratory birds (incl. songbirds, waterfowl & some raptors).

• A.R.K. – Association to Rescue Kritters – Roscommon County (St. Helen / Houghton Lake region)

  Rehabilitates mammals & birds.

• North Sky Raptor Sanctuary – Grand Traverse County (Interlochen / Traverse City)

  Nonprofit dedicated to raptors (hawks, eagles, owls, falcons, etc.); state & federal permits.

• Spirit Filled Wings – Macomb County (Romeo)

  Raptors only (various hawks/falcons & owls; excludes some species per permit).

• With Feathers – Emmet County (Levering / Straits area)

  Licensed for birds & turtles; good resource for far-northern Lower Peninsula.

• Skegemog Raptor Center – Grand Traverse County (Traverse City)

  Raptors (including eagles).

• ABC Alpena’s Bird Center – Alpena County (Ossineke / Alpena)

  Migratory birds (songbirds/waterfowl; no raptors per DNR notes).

• The Raptor Center of Southeast Michigan – Lapeer County (Lapeer)

  Raptors/birds of prey only.