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Kalamazoo Junior Audubon  The Kalamazoo Junior Audubon Club is a partnership between the Kalamazoo Nature Center, the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. This exciting program is designed for kids and their parents to learn about birds and where they live. Don't worry if you are a first time birder, this is about kids birding together. This program does not require that everyone be at the same level of experience.  One of the club's major goals is just to have fun while finding and learning about the birds of Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan. Although identifying birds by sight is a big part of our trips we also learn about bird songs and habitats, bird migration, bird ecology, where they spend the winter, how scientists study birds and how you can study birds. Binoculars and field guides are available for those who don't have them and your club membership comes with many other goodies to help you on your way to becoming an expert birder!   The meetings are spent mostly in the field. Many of our field trips are at the best Kalamazoo birdwatching places, but occasionally we will go farther afield to pursue more specialized species, as we want to find and see a variety of birds. After a year or two of Jr. Audubon you will be on your way to becoming an expert birder and have the solid beginning of a life list. The leaders are experienced birders and/or naturalists and have the ability to teach and help develop your birding skills and knowledge. While we will definitely be focused on birds, we may sneak in a peek at other fun things in nature such as if a frog shows itself or starts calling or if a beaver announces its presences at one of our field trips.  Nature is a great place to explore and we'll surely make the most of our time outdoors! Membership in The Kalamazoo Junior Audubon Club includes a name badge, membership card, Michigan bird checklist, journal for keeping records, and a binder full of information. The meetings are generally held on the 4th Saturday of the month and are about 2 hours long. Location of the monthly meetings varies from month to month and for the most part are held in the morning when birds are most active. Fees:  $15 for the first child and $10.00 for each additional child per year. Parents are free and pre-registration is required. The club is geared towards children ages 8 to 16 and their parents. Club members are responsible for their own transportation to and from the various meeting sites.  To join contact Jen Wright at the Kalamazoo Nature Center at (269) 381-1574 ext. 27 for a membership form. Jr. Audubon Club of Kalamazoo - Proposed 2009-10 Schedule Owls on the Prowl Friday, October 23, 7:00 – 8:30pm Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Hastings Program will be FREE for Jr. Audubon families. Please contact Doug Wright at (269) 721-4434 by October 22nd to reserve your spot Live Owls Waterfowl at Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery Saturday, November 14, 9:00 – 11:00am Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery American Black Duck, Bufflehead, Gadwall No program scheduled for December 2009 Birds of Prey Hunt! Saturday, January 23, 9:00am – 1:00pm KNC, 7000 N. Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo We’ll gather and carpool or take a KNC van to Allegan State Game Area Bald Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks, Canada Geese The Bird-a-riffic Bonanza! Saturday, February 13, 10:00am – 1:00pm KNC, 7000 N. Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo Games, Prizes, Food & FUN! Today’s Youth & Birding: inspiration from a young expert!! Friday, March 12, 7:00 – 8:00pm KNC, 7000 N. Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo This program is meant to inspire youth by providing them an opportunity to hear from one of the state’s youngest birding experts! Al Sabo Preserve Adventure! Saturday, April 24, 9:00 - 10:30am Al Sabo Preserve entrance on Texas Drive, between 8th and 10th streets Brown Thrasher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, warblers Spring Migrants - W.K. Kellogg Forest Saturday, May 22, 8:00 – 10:00am Kellogg Forest, 7060 N. 42nd Street, Augusta Baltimore Orioles, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings Bluebirds Saturday, June 12, 8:00 - 10:00am Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Hastings Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, sparrows Michigan Hummingbird Festival Saturday, July 31, 7:30am – 12:00pm KNC, 7000 N. Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo We’ll drive everyone in a KNC van. Hummingbirds Birding in the City Friday, August 13, (rain dates – August 14 & 15), 8:00 - 9:15pm Downtown Kalamazoo meeting location TBD Chimney Swifts & Common Nighthawks