Michigan State University neuroscience freshman Peter Moe and MSU Birding Club secretary Anneke Anglin look into the trees while searching for birds at Fenner Nature Center in Lansing, Mich., on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026.
A flock of Michigan State University students walked along the Fenner Nature Center trails on Wednesday, eyes trained for flickering movement in the trees as they passed binoculars back and forth.
The outing was one of many organized by the MSU Birding Club, a group that brings together students with a shared interest in birds and the outdoors.
Birding, also known as birdwatching, is when people go outside to find multiple bird species, regardless of the environment. At club meetings and outings, members take nature walks and look for birds, both around campus and across the state.
“Everybody is welcome here, no matter what knowledge level, no matter what skill level you are at,” Birding Club president Kendall Schoenherr said. “We all just love birds.”
As the troupe continued their trek along the Fenner Nature Center trail, one or two students would pause at any sign of a bird. The rest of the group followed in suit as silence fell over the crowd almost instantly. Some took time to chronicle their findings with photos, while others quietly observed.
The club has become more than birding for some, including Birding Club secretary Anneke Anglin. Anglin wasn’t particularly interested in birding when she first joined; but after over a year of membership, Anglin said making friends and going on trips with the club has changed her life.
“It's not a place to be embarrassed if you've never bird watched before,” Anglin said. “Even our most experienced and knowledgeable members are always learning new things from each other.”
That welcoming environment can make an immediate difference for new members. Music education senior Calvin Aupperlee attended his first Birding Club meeting on Wednesday. His first day was fun, Aupperlee said, after meeting “some really nice people.”
“It's really great to enjoy nature and appreciate the wildlife we have around us," Aupperlee said.
Merchandise coordinator Evy Patchell, who was a casual birder before joining the club, said it was much easier to dive into the hobby once she was surrounded by others who shared the interest.
The club has seen continued growth over the past few years, with new members pointing to the club's increased social media presence for piquing their interest.
Accounting senior Carson Holmes, who was previously the club's secretary, said it's nice to see people "appreciate nature more and more."
To prospective members, Holmes said: "If there's any spark there, give it a shot."
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