Monthly Newsletter April, 2021

Spring Migration in the Great Lakes Region Spring Migration in the Great Lakes region is full of incredible bird watching opportunities! The Great Lakes lie at the intersection of two migratory flyways, or superhighways, which brings over 350 bird species through the Great Lakes region each spring. In April, expect to see many sparrows, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Learn what to expect this season and where you can find birds!Read more

Yellow Warbler. Photo: Sheen Watkins/Audubon Photography Awards

Birds Tell Us It’s Time to Restore the Earth Earth Day presents us with a moment to commit to meaningful change. This year’s theme is 'Restore Our Earth,' and the call to action could not be more critical. As the world takes the first steps in emerging from the global pandemic, we have an opportunity to build a cleaner and brighter future for us all. The science is clear, and birds are telling us that we need to act now to save the places that both people and wildlife need to survive. We’re making a huge effort to Restore Our Earth and help birds in the process by helping preserve the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world – the Great Lakes. Conserving our natural spaces is a central tenant of our work on Earth Day, and every day. Read more

Birds Tell Us

Native Plants Help Spring Migrants Across the Great Lakes One of the best ways Great Lakes residents can help migrating birds is by planting native plants at home. If you’re new to native plants, it’s important to understand the different food sources that birds rely on. Native plants provide berries and fruits, nectar, and nuts and seeds. The fourth food source is an unlikely one: insects, specifically caterpillars! Here’s a look at some native plant species that work great in a yard and will provide important food sources for migrating birds. Read more

American Goldfinch and Purple Coneflower. Photo credit: Will Stuart

Federal Bill Will Support Farmers and Foresters in Tackling Climate Change The bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021 helps reduce emissions from farms, ranches, and forests while providing support to landowners and rural economies. More than 80 percent of land in Indiana is devoted to farms, forests and woodland. This new bipartisan bill reintroduced this week in the U.S. Senate recognizes the important role that farmers and foresters in Indiana, the Great Lakes region and beyond play as allies in the fight to ward off climate change. Urge the U.S. Senate to support the Growing Climate Solutions Act today. Read more

Scarlet Tanager. Photo credit: Linda Steele/Audubon Photography Awards

Act with Audubon Great Lakes

Climate Watch 2021 Join Great Lakes volunteers for Climate Watch, Audubon’s community science program that explores how North American birds are responding to climate change. The next survey will take place  May 15 - June 15, 2021 and is open to the public, including all interested Audubon chapters and centers, in addition to organized groups and individuals with an interest in birds, following the guidelines found here.  Read more World Migratory Bird Day The 2021 World Migratory Bird Day is Saturday, May 8th. This year’s theme is Sing, Fly, Soar — Like a Bird!  Check out our website to learn how birding can be great for social distancing, which birding checklists you can find online and all the tips and tricks to master Bird ID on the newly updated Audubon App.   Read more

Join the Great Lakes Climate Movement Sign up today to be a Great Lakes climate advocate and we'll let you know how you can raise your voice to help birds in your community like the Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, and Red headed Woodpecker. Join us in the movement in working towards solutions to counteract the effects of climate change and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Read more New Marsh Bird Data Hub for Marsh Restoration Check out our new interactive data tool called the Marsh Bird Data Hub to help conservationists understand wetlands in the Calumet region and inform decision making around restoration efforts to recover imperiled marsh bird populations. It also provides environmental advocates an opportunity to learn more about secretive marsh birds that are hard to see such as the Least Bittern and Virginia Rail and why wetland conservation is important for these declining species. You can learn more here.  Read more

Black Tern Conservation: Interactive Story Map Black Terns will be returning from the coastal areas of Central and South America to their breeding grounds across the Great Lakes and Michigan over the next several weeks. These graceful, Robin-sized colonial waterbirds will nest in the coastal and inland marshes where they will build their nests on floating mats or rafts of dead, crushed bulrush and cattail, and feed on insects and small fish. Unfortunately, these charismatic marsh birds have seen population declines globally since the 1960s - but Audubon Great Lakes and several partners are working towards understanding the underlying cause of the decline and developing conservation strategies that can help bring these birds back. Explore our interactive Story Map to learn more about this work. Read more

Black Tern. Photo credit: Debra Potts

Take Action

As a Great Lakes constituent, you have the ability to convey your concerns about issues affecting birds, wildlife, and their habitats. Take action today with one of our current campaigns.

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