Beaver Island, the largest Lake Michigan island, will welcome birders from around the Great Lakes starting Friday, May 23, for a dedication celebration at the trailhead of the new Beaver Island Birding Trail (BIBT).
BIBT encompasses more than 12,300 acres of public land and four Little Traverse Conservancy preserves. Interpretive signage explaining DNR habitat management objectives and birds to be seen will enhance birders’ and non-birders’ appreciation of the island’s diverse habitats.
“This project shows how well strong partnerships can work,” said DNR Field Operations Manager Brian Mastenbrook. “It will help protect natural resources, ensure sustainable recreational use and help build Beaver Island’s natural resources-based economy.”
Migrant birds become exhausted flying into unfavorable weather conditions such as fog, heavy precipitation or strong winds from the north, and Beaver Island is a critical stopover and nesting site for migratory birds flying up the lake on their way north.
Jon Allan, director of the Office of Great Lakes, will be the keynote speaker at the Friday night dedication. (Speakers are expected to start after 6:30 p.m.) Guided field trips will be available all day on Saturday, May 24. All events are free and open to the public, but require registration. The BIBT trailhead is located at the Beaver Island Community Center.
Collaborative efforts supported by numerous organizations, corporations, researchers and residents developed the BIBT website which offers descriptions of hotspot sites, maps, a birding checklist, birding conservation materials and an eBird/BirdTrax component.
