Feeding Song Birds - Kensington Metropark

Magic happens in Milford, Michigan at Kensington Nature Center. Bring some seeds and join us for an excursion of up-close encounters with song birds! I haven’t experienced anything like this in my life and it’s right here in our state!

**A rose-breasted grosbeak selected seeds at my “buffet.”**

How did I learn about Kensington Nature Center? Well, it all started with my cousins, Brian and Mary Lou!

Brian and Mary Lou

Brian and Mary Lou, my cousins, have always been a model for me! They embrace each other, their family and adventurous travel. The pair thrives in service to others and experiencing cultures. I always pay solid attention to their posts, because I know I’ll learn about places and people.

Recently, Mary Lou had posted video clips of song birds eating from her hand. I had commented and asked where this magic occurs. “Kensington Nature Center!” she’d written. Kensington Metropark Nature Center in Milford, Michigan has hiking trails with fluttering song birds. “We should plan to go together!” Mary Lou messaged. Checking the weather, we set up a time to meet on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Arrival

Our cousin, Shauna, joined us, too! Shauna is another adventurous, creative soul who volunteers as a mentor for youngsters.

*Martha (me), Shauna and Mary Lou*
*Shauna and I were first time visitors to Kensington Nature Center.*

I grew up surrounded by so many brave and generous people, who seek out similarities with others and rejuvenate themselves in nature. Spending the day together was a gift that I had been excited to unwrap!

Chirps flew high above us as a group of elementary students scrambled around the Nature Center restrooms. Our trio convened at an array of wooden benches. Mary Lou brought out baggies filled with seeds, suet balls, meal worms and peanuts. They don’t have seeds for sale at the park, you have to bring your own. Her focus was to ensure that we had a memorable time at her beacon of solace.

“Just walk slowly with seeds in your open hand.” Mary Lou gave us tips. “It’s best to walk slowly and not talk.”

‘Not talking?’ My eyes grew wide and shifted. So I asked, “Can I get a rundown on your kids before we head into the woods?” We took turns tracing over our grown kids’ lives while the school group finished using the facilities and boarded their bus. Once our stories were complete and the bus pulled away, a calmness settled over the surroundings.

“Get some in your hand and walk slowly.” Mary Lou directed. Right away sandhill cranes appeared, sauntering through the thick grass, and joined us on the path. It appeared that they were the Kensington “greeters.”

Warnings

“We’re not suppose to feed the larger animals. There are sandhill cranes, turkeys and raccoons. They can get aggressive.” Mary Lou whispered.

*The sandhill cranes sauntered up to us. “Don’t make eye contact.”*

“Put your seeds out of sight.” Mary Lou advised in a hushed tone. I closed my previously opened hand.

*The turkeys and a raccoon were bold with their demands, too.*

First Bird Encounter

After the “greeters” departed, we continued farther down the trail with seeds in our palms. A tiny songbird flew down from a low branch and landed on my ring finger. It’s prickly talons grasped with determination. It looked side to side. Then it’s beak gently pecked at a peanut chunk. Grasping the nut fragment in its mouth, it flew off.

*Shauna had the “Merlin” app open on her phone. It responded to the chirps and twitters with a picture and name of the bird.*

“Oh,” Mary Lou whispered “You had one!” I only nodded, as my eyes widened and my brow lifted. But believe me! It was difficult not to bluster with babbles of words about the tiny creature landing on my hand. This song bird had given me “side eyes,” peeking into my soul. It was a miraculous moment shared for a brief juncture in time.

Did you know song birds have to eat at least half of their body weight each day to survive? That’s a LOT bugs and seeds! How does a bird know how to build its nest? They didn’t attend a class “Nest Building 101.” Their songs are varied and complex depending on the message they want to send. Some even have the ability to learn new songs. If you hadn’t realized, being quiet isn’t my thing. So I bit my bottom lip, holding in my ‘wonderings,’ and continued following my cousins.

Waiting For Song Birds

Open handed the three of us sat on a bench and waited. I squirmed and had to remind myself to be still. The birds didn’t come. After ten minutes, Mary Lou leaned to us with a quiet voice. “Should we try to go down the path a bit further? I know another spot.”

This time we stood separately, our palms filled with treats. We waited. Chipmunks scampered at our feet, hoping for a snack to be offered. After some time we gathered and spoke in low voices, “I’m so sorry it’s a bust.” Mary Lou apologized. “Usually they come right to you.” She shrugged and surmised in a whispered tone. “Maybe now there are enough bugs and they have plenty to eat. Maybe the noisy kids pushed them high in the trees.” I wondered if my wiggles had something to do with it.

“Let’s go see the blue herons.” Shauna suggested. There is a large rookery of blue herons with their nests poised in elevated branches.

We headed back the way we’d come. We each kept a handful of munchies for the melodious birds available as we walked.

Shauna

When we reached our first spot, by the bench, a woodpecker flew right into Shauna’s hand. Then his partner fluttered to her sleeve, joining her mate to munch on mealworms. A moment later a black capped nuthatch perched on Shauna’s fingers.

We continued toward the swamp area, where the blue heron nests were, and another bird hopped onto Shauna’s hand.

My Disney Princess Moments

As we hiked, I held my offerings outward. Sure enough, a red-winged blackbird and a grossbeak stopped for a treat. Being inspected by glossy, black eyes filled me with awe. I agreed with Shauna, this was a Disney princess, magical experience.

*Being able to observe these birds up-close was mesmerizing*!

As we strolled on the boardwalk a little brown bird appeared on my hand. The wisdom of these creatures is impressive! They land, a feat in itself, check their surroundings, take a bite and fly off.

The Great Blue Heron Rookery

The Great Blue Herons have always impressed me. Seeing them up close was captivating! In early spring the males carry sticks to repair their nests, not only for practical purposes, but also to impress their seasonal mates. As the days lengthen, nest activity accelerates with the raising of their young.

Now that summer is here, it’s quieter. An occasional swooping wingspan lofts in and out of the rookery. When the colder weather comes, the Great Blue Herons will head south.

Huron-Clinton Metroparks Foundation

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks Foundation started in 2003. “They’re finding the funds to deliver the fun!”

This 501(c)(3) foundation oversees thirteen parks supporting educational programming for the residents and tourists in southeast Michigan. The 400 miles of hiking trails are visited by 7.3 million people each year. Some parks offer swimming. Over 3,000 children receive tuition-free swimming lessons during the summer season.

A Southeast Michigan Gem

Kensington Nature Center is just one of thirteen parks in the area. There’s so much to explore in our state! I’m so thankful for the thorough introduction to this magical Michigan gem. Keep being curious and making memories!