Calendar of Events

OIAS Calendar of Events

2026-2027 Programs

Loutit District Library
407 Columbus Avenue
Grand Haven, MI

6:00-6:15 PM Social
6:15-7:30 PM Program

Recordings of OIAS programs can be found on the OIAS YouTube channel at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/

Please subscribe to the OIAS YouTube channel if you have not already done so. Also, please visit and like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oias.org. We’ll also post birding information and information about OIAS and upcoming OIAS events there.

Muskegon Birding Connection and the Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society (Grand Haven's chapter) have combined their resources for programs. Programs for both societies will be presented at Loutit District Library, 407 Columbus Ave. in Grand Haven. MBC will schedule field trips for both societies and OIAS members are encouraged to attend! See the schedule on the Field Trip page here.

Click here for a program brochure and membership application.

September 15:

Crossbills in the Great Lakes Region

- Dr. Cody Porter,

Hope College

Red crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) are one of North America's most enigmatic songbirds. Within this single species, there are several different populations called "call types" that differ in vocalizations, genetics, morphology, and diet. From a scientific perspective, these call types provide us with an excellent opportunity to answer major questions in evolutionary biology, such as how new species form. I will cover the natural history of the red crossbill complex in North America and where crossbills in the Great Lakes and Northeast fit into this fascinating evolutionary puzzle.

I grew up in Jackson, MI and became obsessed with crossbills after seeing my first white-winged crossbills during a large irruption in 2009. I received my Bachelor's in Zoology from Michigan State University and did my PhD on the evolution and ecology of red crossbills at the University of Wyoming. Later, I was a post-doctoral researcher at Iowa State University where I studied the thermal physiology of several songbirds, mainly tree swallows. Now I am an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Hope College, where my students and I study a broad range of questions at the interface of ecology and evolution.

October 20:
Birding Chile
- Steve Hamberg,
President, Holland Audubon Society

Chile, a country in South America, is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the western slopes of the Andes Mountains. It is a long, narrow country, 2700 miles north to south and, at most, 220 miles wide.

Habitats of all sorts occur within this stretch: barren desert, lush grasslands, thick forests, soaring mountains, picturesque coastlines, and windswept southern steppes. It is one of South America's most stable and prosperous countries with good roads, good accommodations, good food, and it is clean and safe.There are over 500 species of birds within Chile's boundaries. Steve will take us from one end of the country to the other, showing some of its spectacular scenery while seeking out its varied and interesting birdlife. Join us to see the pictures, to hear the stories and to gain a glimpse into Chilean life.

Steve is a retired local physician who enjoys birding all over the world, and sharing his passion with others. To date, he has been to 96 countries and has accumulated a lifelist of 8300 bird species over the last 40 years. Besides birding he enjoys working in his yard at home, driving his 97 year-old car, and singing in the church choir. Most recently, he authored a book titled "Finding God in Evolution" and is starting to work on a second book on the history of North America in the 1600's.

November 17:
The Splendor Next Door: Finding Birds Close to Home
- Steve Jessmore,
Photographer, Photojournalist

January 19:
Wildlife Diseases
- Alynn Martin,
GVSU, Biology Department

February 16:

Bird Behaviors - How the Sensory World Shapes Behavioral Decisions

- Dr. Kelly Ronald, Hope College

Birds experience the world in ways that are often very different from our own: for birds, colors are more vibrant, and simple trills are filled with information. In this presentation, Dr. Kelly Ronald will explore the behavioral displays of both common backyard birds and more extravagant species and how their vision and hearing shape the ways they communicate, choose mates, and navigate daily survival. We will learn about how scientists study avian sensory systems and measure behavioral responses while watching unique videos of interesting behaviors. Dr. Ronald will also share how her lab students are investigating how these behaviors are changing and adapting to a world filled with human noise and change.

Dr. Kelly Ronald is a sensory physiologist/ecologist who began her faculty appointment in Hope's Department of Biology in summer 2019. She is interested in understanding the relationship between animal behavior and sensory physiology by asking the question: What are the physiological mechanisms that contribute to animal behavioral decisions? Dr. Ronald has broad training in animal physiology, behavior and neurobiology. She uses both field and lab approaches to address her research questions. She is interested in the meaning of animal signals and the mechanisms of signal perception across multiple sensory modalities.

March 16:
Attracting Bluebirds to Your Yard
- Bernie Place,
Michigan Bluebird Society, Muskegon County Coordinator

Power point presentation highlights include suitable nesting habitats, nest box types, pole and baffle recommendations, as well as providing natural food and supplemental foods, dealing with predators and much more!

My background includes operating a Wild Birds Unlimited store in Toledo, OH for 32 years. For those not familiar with Wild Birds Unlimited, there are over 385 stores in the US and Southern Canada. The stores are retailers of backyard bird feeding and housing supplies, outdoor & indoor nature gifts, nature books, birding optics and much more. My wife & I have since sold the store in 2021 and retired to Grand Haven, MI. We enjoy birding, boating and biking & hiking the area parks. Although we are limited to one nest box, we do have yearly successful nestings. Responsibilities of being an MBS County Coordinator, includes what is the Michigan Bluebird Society and their mission. The benefits of becoming an MBS member and more importantly providing free programs such as this to provide awareness of this beautiful native bird, their history, how to attract them and provide helpful ongoing information on their nesting success.

April 20
Technology for Birding &

Annual Business Meeting
- OIAS Board Members