Join the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors on Friday, Feb. 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. for a morning of birding in both wetland and forested habitats at Belle Isle Park.

The bird tour will begin at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo parking lot, located at 176 Lakeside Drive on Belle Isle in Detroit. From there, we will caravan to other points on the island. Binoculars will be available for those needing to borrow them.

Birds observed on this tour will be counted as part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s annual Great Backyard Bird Count – a citizen science project that helps to assess the abundance and distribution of birds around North America. Count data from Feb. 15 will be submitted to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

“This time of year, as long as the Detroit River isn’t completely frozen, large rafts of redheads, canvasbacks and scaup can be found on the river, along with buffleheads, common goldeneye, horned grebes and an occasional scoter,” said DNR wildlife communications coordinator Holly Vaughn. “We should have plenty of birds to count on Feb. 15!”

Please call Tom Jones at 734-612-6677 to register. Participation will be limited to 20 individuals. Those needing special accommodations are welcome. Tracked wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A Recreation Passport ($11 for Michigan vehicles, $6 for Michigan motorcycles) is required for vehicle entry to all 103 Michigan state parks, including Belle Isle.

Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors is a cooperative partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Eisenhower Center, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. Its mission is to provide improved outdoor recreation opportunities for individuals with health challenges and to coordinate a support network that facilitates their recovery through connecting with nature. To learn more, visit Miofo.org.

The DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit will offer another opportunity to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, with a birding hike and count event on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. All skill levels are welcome – this is a great program for anyone looking for an introduction to birding. A small number of binoculars will be available for loan.