Birding Walk along the Bear River in conjunction with “The Great Petoskey Passenger Pigeon Nesting of 1878”

Passenger Pigeon, 1829, Robert Havell after John James Audubon, Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Petoskey Regional Audubon Society is offering a free bird walk on Tuesday, June 16 from 8am to 10am in conjunction with “The Great Petoskey Passenger Pigeon Nesting of 1878” taking place June 15-19, 2026.

The walk will be from 8am to 10am, along the Bear River in Petoskey. There is parking located along Quaintance Avenue and additional parking is near the Little Traverse History Museum. We will meet at the picnic shelter off Quaintance Avenue by the Bear River.

Participants will learn about history of Passenger Pigeons in the Petoskey area, including the last large nesting in Petoskey in 1878 prior to their extinction, as well as enjoy a walk along the paved path of the river to look and listen for birds.

Please wear proper footwear and dress appropriately for weather conditions and insects. Bring binoculars if you have them. Loaner binoculars will be provided on a first-come first-serve basis. If weather conditions are bad, the rain date will be Wednesday, June 17.

The purpose of the activities taking place June 15 – 19 is to remember by word, experience, and art the tragic story of the extinct passenger pigeon in Petoskey and thereby foster greater love for Northern Michigan’s precious natural resources — our land, water, and wildlife. The weeks activities culminate with a Passenger Pigeon Monument, sculpted by Artist Todd McGrain, unveiling on Friday, June 19 at 11am at the corner of State and Petoskey Streets in Petoskey. The full roster of events can be found at www.petoskeymuseum.org/passenger-pigeons.html