Eyes, ears help identify birds during Sanctuary hike

Participants in a hike at Sanctuary Woods Park, 4750 66th St., in Laketown Township, look at birds on June 10, 2025.

The feathered friends played a game of hide-and-seek in the thick green canopy of leaves in Sanctuary Woods Park, 4750 66^th St., in Laketown Township on Tuesday evening, June 10, 2025. A dozen people pointed and peered through binoculars, sometimes missing the flutter or brief flash of colorful plumage.

No worries, though. Caitlin Strikwerda had the phone app ready to identify the birds through their tweets and calls.

“We’re starting with a good one,” Strikwerda, naturalist for the Outdoor Discovery Center, said about spotting two woodpeckers with the help of their knocking on the trees in the lower loop of the 40-acre park.

Strikwerda and Keera Lung, education network ambassador with the Outdoor Discovery Center, led the group as part of free seasonal park programs sponsored by the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission.

Both leaders gave tips on identifying birds in woodlands through sight and sound and even through the chattering of chipmunks – the woodland animals change their sounds when predators such as hawks are near.

Caitlin Strikwerda, naturalist with the Outdoor Discovery Center, guides participants to birds in the trees at Sanctuary Woods Park, 4750 66th St., in Laketown Township, on June 10, 2025.

At the end of the 90-minute hike, the group heard the calls of at least 14 different birds including red-eyed vireo, robin, eastern wood pewee, white-breasted nuthatch, red-bellied woodpecker, tufted titmouse, mourning dove, kingbird, wood duck and crows.

The Outdoor Discovery Center offers several bird-related programs in Allegan and Ottawa counties. Check out the events calendar here.

A participant in a hike at Sanctuary Woods Park, 4750 66th St., in Laketown Township, looks at birds on June 10, 2025.

In Laketown Township, the next bird program is Sept. 16 with the free Hawk Watch from 2-4 p.m. at Laketown Township Beach, 6710 142^nd Ave.

Participants will watch for migrating raptors. Though songbirds may be spotted along the way, the focus of this program is bird of prey migration. The group will be stationary to watch for migrants riding the thermal air currents along the dune ridge. Some binoculars will be available. Registration is required. Click here.

Frog Catching

The next free outdoor event in Laketown Township is Frog Catching at Farview Nature Park, 6257 138^th Ave., from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, June 16.

Families join a naturalist for an exploration of amphibians, insects, and all kinds of aquatic life. Collection tubs and dip nets provided. Wear old shoes or boots that can get wet (no sandals or bare feet).

The program is for all ages. Guardians stay with the class.

Registration is not required but appreciated. To register, click here.

Other programs

Other upcoming programs are:

June 23 at 10 a.m.: Little Explorers (for children up to 6 years old) at Wolters Woods, 6281 147^th Ave.

July 8 at 5:30 p.m.: Family Kayaking at Gilligan Lake, 66^th Street north of 142^nd Avenue.

July 21 at 11 a.m.: Blueberry Fields Forever at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64^th St.

Aug. 21 at 10 a.m.: Incredible Insects at Shore Acres Park, 6602 138^th Ave.

Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.: Night Hike at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64^th St.