Family-Outdoors

Nothing says spring like the “conk-a-ree” call of a red-winged blackbird or the raucous sounds of a sandhill crane. Celebrate spring and explore Michigan’s Wetland Wonders with a birding tour at one of the Department of Natural Resources' seven managed waterfowl areas in April and May. Highlights of the birding tours may include diving and dabbling ducks in full breeding plumage, trumpeter and tundra swans, osprey, bald eagles, sandhill cranes and much more. The tours, led by DNR wildlife biologists and technicians, will include a "sneak peek" driving tour into refuge areas that are normally closed. Michigan’s Wetland Wonders are the seven premier managed waterfowl areas in southern Michigan: Fennville Farm Unit at Allegan State Game Area, Fish Point State Wildlife Area, St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island, Muskegon County Wastewater Facility, Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, Pointe Mouillee State Game Area and Shiawassee River State Game A...

Though the weather is decidedly wintry, spring is coming and with it the turkey hunting season. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to check their spring turkey drawing results and the availability of leftover licenses, now online  at  www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings . Leftover spring turkey licenses go on sale to unsuccessful license applicants at  10 a.m.  Monday, March 10. Licenses go on sale to all other hunters, including those who did not participate in the application process, at  10 a.m. Monday, March 17 . Leftover licenses will be sold until quotas are met. "Hunters looking for the greatest flexibility may wish to purchase a Hunt 234 license, which will be available  March 17 at 10 a.m. ," said DNR upland game bird specialist Al Stewart. "The Hunt 234 license is valid from  May 5-31  and includes all open areas of the state except the public lands of southern Michigan. New this year, hunters may purchase Hunt 234 th...

The comeback of the Osprey in southern Michigan is a great conservation story, one the Department of Natural Resources would like to share with classrooms and organizations. Nearly absent from much of the state due to the effects of DDT and other pesticide use, the osprey population continues to rebound in southern Michigan. DNR osprey experts are available to speak classes or groups for approximately one hour, detailing the biology, life cycle, decline, reintroduction and research of the osprey in southern Michigan. This interactive program includes a PowerPoint presentation and/or a game that illustrates the concept of bioaccumulation of pesticides in top predators. The program is free of charge. A portion of the education program focuses on research involving ospreys. In southern Michigan, monitoring efforts are tracking the revitalization of this species. This year, several birds were banded, and three osprey chicks from area nests were outfitted with “backpack” satelli...

Winners of the Consumers Energy-sponsored Wetland Wonders Challenge II, hosted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Michigan United Conservation Clubs, were awarded on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival. To be entered in the drawing, participants had to visit at least one Wetland Wonders Challenge II event at any of the seven southern Michigan Wetland Wonders. Events included guided bird-watching tours, hikes, paddling events, nature art clinics and more. Seven winners were chosen and awarded prize packages including unique Michigan outdoor experiences such as Upper Peninsula hikes and boat tours, guided falconry hunts, chartered fishing trips and private sandhill crane viewing at a bird sanctuary. The winners drawn were from several parts of the state including Paw-Paw, Kalamazoo, Portland, Lansing, Newaygo and Woodhaven. (Not all winners opted to have their names released.) Michigan’s Wetland Wonders are the seven premier ...