Explore the beauty of Ken-O-Sha Park and the bird life it supports! Guided by Cynthia Maas, Dr. Daniel Goldberg, and Cliff Hodge of the Grand Rapids Audubon Club, participants will hike the Ken-O-Sha Park trails along Plaster Creek, observe and record the bird population in the park, and learn about their unique ecology. This event is kid friendly and will include a special pine cone bird feeder craft! Light refreshments will be provided.
If you have binoculars, please bring them, but if you don’t well have some you can use!
If you’d like to volunteer during this event and enjoy a birding hike, you can learn more and sign up here!
About Our Event Partners
The Grand Rapids Audubon Club has been part of the local community since 1907, fostering a shared appreciation for birds and nature. With a membership of over 300 people, the club brings together birders of all experience levels, from beginners to lifelong enthusiasts, united by a love of the great outdoors. Through regular field trips, educational programs, and community events, the club creates opportunities for people to explore local parks, learn about birds, and engage with conservation efforts. The Grand Rapids Audubon Club promotes the enjoyment and protection of birds and their habitats while helping people feel more connected to the natural beauty of Grand Rapids.
Dr. Daniel Goldberg I am an Assistant Professor of Biology at Grand Valley State University, and I have previously taught at Albion College, and led lab courses at Illinois State University. My research interests span animal communication and vocal behavior, conservation, and systematics, especially of birds. As a bird lover, I am the faculty advisor for the GVSU Ornithology Club. I enjoy hiking, reading, writing and swing dancing, and, of course, birding!
Cliff Hodge is Vice President of Grand Rapids Audubon Club and an avid birder and photographer. He joined us from the Cayuga Bird Club in Ithaca, New York, home of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Sapsucker Woods. Cliff enjoys traveling and has gone to see birds across the U.S. and around the world. You can spot Cliff (and his camera) at many of the Grand Rapids parks!
Cynthia Maas is President of the Grand Rapids Audubon Club. She loves meeting new people out and about and exploring West Michigan, particularly the deciduous forests. Her favorite bird to watch is the American Woodcock. She’s been on a six-year quest to finally spot an American Bittern. When she’s not birding, she works at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and is always looking for ways to connect people with nature and each other.
Celebrating Birding with Art
All our events like Bird Watching at Ken-O-Sha Park are free thanks to the power of community. If you’d like to support future free community events by making a financial gift of $25 or more (you’ll have the option during event registration), we’d like to say “thank you” with a poster from our Park Exploration poster series! The first 10 attendees to register and make a donation will receive a poster.
This poster was designed by Spencer High, a member of the Grand Rapids Audubon Club!
Any gifts made on-site qualify to receive a poster as a thank you! Please note we encourage online donations as we cannot make or keep change.
We 🫶 Exploring Our Parks with You
You belong out here! We have an incredible park system in Grand Rapids, and want our community to have the tools they need to get outside, explore your parks, and find a new passion. Our community events bring together community members and local experts so you can learn something new: whether that’s a hobby, information about the natural world, or finding your new favorite park.