Insect hunters, bird watchers fill township parks

Trevor Slom scan for birds at the Big Pond at Farview Nature Park, 6257 138th Ave., in Laketown Township, during a hike on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.

Eyes were on the skies and gazes cast around the ground as residents searched for birds and insects in back-to-back nature programs at two Laketown Township parks.

Five participants scanned the tree-tops and shoreline of the Big Pond at Farview Nature Park, 6257 138^th Ave., on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, as part of the “Birding Hike” led by the Outdoor Discovery Center and sponsored by Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission.

Keera Lung, front, education network ambassador with the Outdoor Discovery Center, and Trevor Slom scan for birds at the Big Pond at Farview Nature Park, 6257 138th Ave., in Laketown Township, during a hike on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.

Caitlin Strikwerda, naturalist with the Outdoor Discovery Center, looks at birds at Farview Nature Park, 6257 138th Ave., in Laketown Township, during a hike on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.

The forest was quiet, and participant Kathleen Klage asked when the best time was to see and hear the birds.

“You can bird anytime,” said hike leader Caitlin Strikwerda, naturalist with the Outdoor Discovery Center, noting temperature and weather can also impact bird activity.

The birders did spot nests high on branches and holes in trees made by woodpeckers.

Participants in the “Incredible Insects” program at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave., head into the tall grass in search of insects on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.

Insect hunt

On Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, Strikwerda joined Sarah Schneider, naturalist with the Outdoor Discovery Center, at the “Incredible Insects” program at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138^th Ave. The naturalists showed more than 20 children and adults how to use nets to collect the grasshoppers, spiders and even a mantis in the tall grass along the disc golf course.

This program was also sponsored by the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission.

Sarah Schneider, naturalist with the Outdoor Discovery Center, holds a container with a mantis at the “Incredible Insects” program at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave., on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.

Check out two videos of the event:

Starting the insect search

Returning the insects to the wild

Harper Smith, 5, gets some help collecting specimens at the “Incredible Insects” program at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave., on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.

“I got a bug!” yelled Harper Smith, 5, after swishing her net and running up a hill to put her catch for all to see on a white sheet stretched out on the ground.

“Look at that spider!” another child yelled pointing at Harper’s catch.

“There’s a beetle right there!” a third said.

Insects were placed into containers so all participants could observe them. At the end of the hunt, the captured specimens were released back into the area where they were caught.

Though most of the Outdoor Discovery Center programs in Laketown parks take place in the summer, more programs are ahead.

Sarah Schneider, naturalist with the Outdoor Discovery Center, holds a container open for a particpant at the “Incredible Insects” program at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave., on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.

Upcoming free programs are:

Sept. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m.: Hawk Watch at Laketown Township Beach, 6710 142^nd Ave. Hike to the top of dunes the beach to watch for migrating raptors.

Oct. 3 from 7:30-8:30 p.m.: Night Hike at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64^th St. Step into the woods after dark for a night-time adventure. As you walk under the stars, you’ll use your senses to discover how much you can feel, hear, touch, and even see in the dark. Along the way, learn how nocturnal animals rely on their heightened senses to navigate the night and survive.

For more information, click here.