An Online Connection For Michigan Bird Lovers by Kay Charter In many states there are websites that serve birders in a number of ways, from posting reports of recent sitings and providing bird conservation news to offering forums where people with similar interests can keep in touch. On May 7, 1998 - thanks to Keith Saylor of Alpena - www.northbirding.com, a website dedicated to northern Michigan birding, was born. Sandy Hoover, of Midland, soon joined and eventually took over the job of website administrator. Shortly thereafter, Dee Miller, who is from Escanaba, signed on to take care of the bird sightings database. The result, especially considering that this is a nonprofit website that is run entirely by dedicated volunteers, is nothing short of amazing. The homepage is not only attractive, it offers a wealth of information, links to environmental news (especially that which affects avifauna) and numerous services including an ID training center, e-cards, a listing of birding sites, a chatroom, writings by NMB members, and Rick Baetsen's column, "Michigan Bird Profiles. Northbirding's database, an important feature managed by Dee, contains all Michigan bird sightings reported from different on-line sources, including the NMB Sightings Message Board (posted by members). All information is shared with the Michigan Bird Records Committee each season, and some of the data is also published in the Seasonal Bird Surveys in the Michigan Birds and Natural History publication which is run by the Michigan Audubon Society. With its dynamic search feature, the NMB database is a superb resource for planning birding trips in the state. For me, the best part about an NMB membership is the monthly newsletter, put together by Sandy Hoover who is as positive and enthusiastic a person as you're apt to encounter anywhere. The newsletter includes a rare bird alert and a listing of all upcoming bird-related events around the state. Direct links provide easy access to these events. The fall of 2000 saw the first annual get-together of NMB members. Although met with a small attendance, the gathering was successful enough to encourage organizers Keith and Sandy to try it again. The second gathering was held at Roscommon's RAM Center the following year; four speakers were added - as was lunch - to an attendance of 35 people. Speakers for that second event were Lisa Gamero from Michigan Parks and Recreation, who spoke about the Piping Plover Patrol; Doug Munson, of the US Forest Service, talked about the Kirtland's Warbler and it's comeback; Tim Smart, founder of Southeastern MI Raptor Research, spoke on Hawks and counting raptors, and Kathy Kos from Ducks Unlimited presented information on programs available to private land owners. Also, for the grand price of $10.50 per person, lunch was included. Last year's event was attended by nearly 60 people, who birded all morning and then after lunch (price for which was again included in the modest fee), collectively made their way to the Straits Building Lecture Room for presentations by Rick Baetsen, award winning biologist and photographer, on "The Northern Saw-whet Owl and other Northern Forest Owls of Michigan"; Gerald Purdy, Treasurer of Michigan Loon Preservation Association, on "Common Loons"; and Bob Pettit, Secretary of Hawk Migration Association of North America, on "Bird Songs". While my husband and I missed the first two gatherings, we did get over for the one last fall and had a great time. The programs were excellent; my personal favorite was Bob Pettit's presentation on bird songs which was both entertaining and informative. And there were so many door prizes (all donated by members and handed out between speakers), that virtually everyone went away with at least some little gift. This fall's event is scheduled for Sunday, September 7 and will again be held at the RAM Center in Roscommon. The price, including lunch, will be twelve dollars. Happily, Doug Munson will return as one of the three featured speakers to talk about dragonflies. There is no charge for subscribing to this excellent website; simply go to http://www.northbirding.com and click on the "NMB Registration Form" on the right. Your name will be added to the membership list and you will automatically receive the NMB Monthly Newsletter. This article appeared in the Traverse City Record-Eagle, in Kay Charter's birding column called "On the Wing", on April 6, 2003.