Leader: Cara Shillington, associate professor of biology at Eastern Michigan University

Cara Shillington, who lectured on spiders at our monthly meeting in May 2009, will lead this trip to Matthaei Botanical Garden to find and observe spiders. (Click on this
View Larger Map">map link for location and directions.) We will meet in front of the gift shop.

This time of year there are many different spiders around. Many of them will be easily identifiable from their webs. These include Bowl-and-doily spiders, Hammock spiders, Nursery web spiders, Orb weavers, Long-jawed spiders, Dictinids, and Funnel weavers. We will also be sweep-netting in some of the more open areas for spiders that do not have obvious, large web retreats. These include Jumping spiders, Crab spiders, Grassland spiders, and Lynx spiders. The more eyes we have, the more we are likely to find. Spider field guides will be available for the trip if you do not already have one. If you feel compelled to get your own guide prior to this exciting walk, Dr. Shillington recommends "Spiders of the North Wood" by Larry Weber. It has nice photos and is inexpensive. Lastly, if you have any spiders that you would like identified, please bring them in a container and or bring a photo, Dr. Shillington will be happy to help you identify them.

Leaders: Roger Kuhlman, John Swales, and Roger Wykes 

Our three leaders have a terrific knack for finding a variety of butterflies, and you will be in for a treat if you are able to attend this event, which will take place at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in front of the gift shop. The length of the outing will depend on conditions, but it will likely last most of the morning. People can drop off easily, however, as their schedules warrant.

Click on this map link to get the location of and directions to Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

WEATHER UPDATE (7/24, 9:25 a.m.): After arriving at Matthaei and observing the conditions, the leaders have agreed to postpone this outing one week, to Saturday, July 31. Time and location will remain the same.

Leaders: Roger Kuhlman, John Swales, and Roger Wykes 

Our three leaders have a terrific knack for finding a variety of butterflies, and you will be in for a treat if you are able to attend this event, which will take place at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in front of the gift shop. The length of the outing will depend on conditions, but it will likely last most of the morning. People can drop off easily, however, as their schedules warrant. NOTE: This event was originally scheduled for 7/24, but was postponed due to storms.

Click on this map link to get the location of and directions to Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

Leader: Jim Fowler

Pointe Mouillee, on Lake Erie near the mouth of the Huron River, is one of the premier destinations in the Midwest for viewing shorebirds and waders, but access is limited. Jim Fowler, who knows this territory like the back of his hand, has led numerous field trips to this location.

PLEASE NOTE: This trip will be limited to 20 participants. Priority will be given to members of Washtenaw Audubon and to people who did not get to go last year. Registered participants will meet at the Pointe Mouillee SGA parking lot on Sigler Road at 8:00 a.m., and from there will consolidate into four vehicles. Bring insect repellent, wear a hat, and dress for warm weather. There is no shade or shelter at Pointe Mouillee. Bring all the food and fluids you think you will need to sustain you for approximately five hours of birding.

If you are interested in going on this trip, please send your name, e-mail address, and phone number to fieldtrips@washtenawaudubon.org.

Note Tuesday date.  Prepare to be amazed, as well as educated, when Francie Krawcke, Raptor Specialist and Camp Director at Leslie Science and Nature Center introduces us to several live raptors. Francie will explain how these birds live in a way that even non-birders can understand, while sharing tales that reveal aspects of their behavior that even bird experts may not know. The event is co-sponsored with the Huron Valley Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Join Andy Johnson, Washtenaw Audubon Society member, for a program about his summer with a Cornell Lab of Ornithology team studying Hudsonian Godwits in Churchill, Manitoba.  Andy will discuss the history and biological significance of the Churchill region, as well as the details of his work with the spectacular Limosa haemastica.  Churchill is not only an exciting place to view breeding shorebirds and other arctic birds, but also a special place for other wildlife, such as Polar Bears and Beluga Whales, so expect an interesting collection of photos to accompany the talk.