Early Spring Bird Outing – Red Oaks, Forest Trail (FREE)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026 RED OAKS COUNTY PARK

Saturday, April 18, 2026

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Red Oaks County Park, Madison Heights, MI

The air is warming! The birds are singing! It’s time for every body to get outside! Join Khrys and Ren at Red Oaks Nature Center for a leisurely ramble on the 0.6 mile, paved, flat ForestTrail. We’ll look for year-round birds as well as early spring migrants. EVERYONE is welcome! We celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural world, including all our unique expressions of humanity. Beginning birders are especially encouraged to come. This will be a welcoming space to ask questions, learn from each other, and share bird joy!

We will meet in the parking area near the Nature Center (between trail marker #6 and the portable restroom on this map.) For the first 10 minutes, we’ll have introductions and go over how to use binoculars. We’ll then head out on the trail. The group will move slowly and stop at least once at one of the benches on the trail. No one will be left behind! You are welcome to join us later than 8:30 or leave whenever you need. We will end our outing back at the parking lot at 10:30.

Bring binoculars if you have them. If you don’t have a pair, check with your local library. Many branches now have a “Library of Things” that includes birding backpacks with binoculars, field guides, and other resources. If you have a smartphone, consider downloading the free Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology before the outing. We will have at least 2 pairs of loaner binoculars available and field guides. Dress for the weather and wear shoes that are comfortable for standing and walking. A brimmed hat is recommended. You may also want to bring a bottle of water, snack, bug spray, and/or sun screen.

Registration is encouraged, but not required – it helps us plan and enables us to communicate with you. Please send a message to EveryBodyGetOutside@proton.me to let us know if you are able to join us! Include any questions you have and let us know if you have any access needs not addressed here and we will do our best to meet them.

In the event of extreme weather (e.g., heavy rain, snow, or frigid temps) anyone who lets us know they are coming will be notified of cancellation by email and/or text message not later than 7:30 AM the morning of the outing.

PARKING

There are two parking lots at Red Oaks – the first is on Hales Street as you enter the park from 13 Mile Road. There is one reserved van accessible spot here. There is grass on either side of the trail that enters the park.

Continue past that area and you will make a left into the second parking area closer to the Nature Center. There is another reserved van-accessible parking space here.

RESTROOMS AND WATER

There is a wheelchair accessible port-a-potty in the parking lot closest to the Nature Center.

The Nature Center opens at 10:00 AM. There are two accessible gender neutral restrooms inside, as well as a water fountain with a water bottle filling station.

There is no other water available in the park, so please be sure to bring enough for the walk.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Forest Trail is 0.6 miles long, completely paved, and flat. This is a shared use path where both cyclists and joggers may be present. Dogs are also allowed in the park on a 6′ or shorter leash.

The Forest Trail is classified by Oakland County Parks as a “Green Trail,” which means it has the following qualities:

• ≤ 5% grade
• Paved or compacted stone surface
• ≥ 5 feet wide
• ≤ 2% cross slope

More information about the County Parks’ Trail Classification system can be found here.