Bob McGowan, founder and president of Clarkston-area Backyard Birders Club, demonstrates a “free-and-easy” birdhouse at the monthly meeting of the Birders Club, hosted by Steven Stroud in the park and atrium of The Gateway. The event featured a presentation by Julie Baker, founder and director of the Michigan Songbird Protection Coalition. Baker spoke about efforts opposing open seasons on the hunting of mourning doves and sandhill cranes. A state-wide referendum attempt in 2006 to permit open season on these birds was rejected by 67 percent of Michigan voters and was defeated in every county in Michigan. Photo provided