Led by Derek Pelc, Berrien County Parks Chief Naturalist, the Harbor Country Hikers (HCH) will be exploring the Galien River at night looking and listening for Birds of the Night. Derek will share some fun facts on how these birds navigate the night, their hunting strategies, and the sounds they make. Equipment: Bring a flashlight (red lamps are sometimes preferred to minimize disturbance), binoculars for better viewing, and comfortable hiking shoes.
Besides the upland Ridge Trail, there are spectacular views from the tree level observation platform, marsh level boardwalk and fishing platform, especially in the fall. The park includes a mix of upland and wetland habitats along the Galien River. The wetland area is particularly significant in that it is a part of the larger “Great Lakes Marsh” that formed along the Galien River just upstream from the river's mouth at Lake Michigan. The area is a home and a popular rest stop for many protected birds including bald eagles and Sandhill cranes.
HCH has an All-Terrain Rollator which may be reserved for use on our hikes. Reservations are made on a first-come first-served basis by filling out the brief form at
https://harborcountryhikers.org/rollator.
Wear long pants (preferably tucked-in), hat, sturdy shoes or boots, preferred pest controls, and bring plenty of water. Light precipitation and hot or cold weather don’t ordinarily lead us to call off hikes, but health-threatening temperature extremes and lightning can be causes for cancellation. In case of inclement weather, the day of the hike, check our website, harborcountryhikers.org, or our Facebook page for notice of cancellation or rescheduling.
Special Note: Visit our new website at harborcountryhikers.org to learn about upcoming hikes, join our email list, and use our online membership and donation forms. Also, change your contacts to reflect our new email address:
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Theme: Birds of the Night Hike
Venue: Galien River County Park
When: Saturday, August 9, 2025 @ 8:30 PM Eastern
Estimated Presentation Time: 15 minutes
Hike Leader: Derek Pelc, Berrien County Parks Chief Naturalist
Estimated Time: Up to 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 1.0 miles
Physical Difficulty: Moderate, stairs and/or incline
Location: 17424 Red Arrow Hwy, New Buffalo, MI 49117
Parking GPS: 41.805577, -86.718843 (DD)
Directions: From the light on US-12, head north on Red Arrow Highway for 0.3 miles. Watch for the park entrance on the left. We will gather at the parking lot before hitting the trail.
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Union Pier, Health & Wellness events in Union Pier.
