Green-winged teal by Mark Thompson/Flickr Creative Commons

Join MI Birds and partner Detroit Audubon for a guided bird walk along the Marsh Trail at Proud Lake Recreation Area in Oakland County Saturday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. Hot coffee and tea will be available before hitting the trail.

Located at 3500 N. Wixom Road in Commerce Township, Proud Lake offers miles of nature trails and fantastic fishing, hunting and birding opportunities. The 1.25-mile interpretive Marsh Trail includes a variety of habitats and offers a great chance to see combinations of migrating waterfowl and songbirds along the way. Green-winged teals, American wigeons, a variety of sparrows, ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets, and yellow-rumped warblers have been sighted at the recreation area in November in previous years.

Park and meet at the River Hawk Annex at 9 a.m. Turn onto the Park Headquarters Road off Wixom Road, and the annex is just down the dirt road on the right. A Proud Lake Recreation Area map is available to help you find your way.

Hunting season is open in part of the recreation area during the fall. Although the area surrounding Marsh Trail is closed to hunting, wearing bright colors is recommended.

There is no charge to participate in the event, but a Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to Proud Lake Recreation Area and may be purchased at the park headquarters.

For more information, contact Erin Rowan at 313-820-0809. We hope to see you there!

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.