Spring Migration Bird Outing (FREE)

Saturday, May 23, 2026

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Red Oaks County Park, Madison Heights, MI

It’s Spring Migration, y’all! Which means, it’s time for EVERY BODY TO GET OUTSIDE!

Join Khrys and Ren at Red Oaks Nature Center for a ramble on the 0.6 mile, paved, flat Habitat Trail. We’ll look for year-round birds as well as spring migrants, especially our colorful warbler friends!

If you want to do a little pre-gaming on what we might see, check out this list. Sort by Family and scroll down to “New World Warblers.” Of course, feel free to peruse the whole thing, though we’re not likely to see any shorebirds or waterfowl at Red Oaks. If your phone can manage it, we also recommend downloading the free Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Everyone who is about bird joy is welcome to bird with us! We celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural world, including all our unique human bodies and 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 (#6 on this map.) For the first 10ish minutes, we’ll have introductions and go over how to use binoculars. We’ll then head on to the trail, going on the right side of the loop (6 > 7 > 10 > 9 > 8 on the map). The group will move slowly and stop at one of the benches on the trail at least once and as often as anyone would like–no one will be left behind! You are welcome to join us later than 8:30 and leave whenever you need. We will end our outing back at the parking lot at 10:00.

Bring binoculars if you have them. If you don’t have any and would like to use some, see if your local library has a pair available. We will also have a few pairs to loan out. If you are interested in getting a pair for yourself, check out the binoculars section of the Guide to Getting Started page.

Dress for the weather and wear shoes that are comfortable for standing and walking. A brimmed hat is recommended. Other considerations: sunscreen, bug spray, a bottle of water, and a small snack.

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.

We will meet rain (within reason) or shine, but in the event of torrential thunderstorms or other extreme weather we’ll reschedule for Saturday, May 30th at the same time and location. We will notify of cancellation by email not later than 7:30 AM the morning of the outing. We will also post the cancellation on the website.

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 Habitat Trail is 0.6 miles long, completely paved, and flat with five benches spaced along the route. 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 Habitat 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.

SAVE THE DATE! Our next outing will be June 20, 2026.