Birdwatching
Birding is excellent throughout the county because it has a heavy forest growth. The sites below represent known locations where specific species have been spotted. The birds listed are just a sample of what can be seen; many more species live in those areas.
- Kirtland Warbler Tours
The endangered Kirtland's Warbler is Michigan's rarest bird. Warbler nesting grounds are found primarily in the many acres of Jack Pine forests around the Grayling Area and are off limits during the nesting season, except in guided tours. The female Warbler builds her nest of leaves and grass below 5-20 foot tall Jack Pines in the midst of dense undergrowth. Four to five cream-white or pink-white eggs with brown spots are laid in the nest in May or June. Sometimes Warblers will start new nests after the first eggs have hatched. In the fall Kirtland's Warblers migrate to the Bahamas.
The Warbler's extinction is being caused primarily by loss of its very selective habitat. Managed timber harvest, tree plants, and controlled burning have helped double the number of Kirtland's Warblers from 1961 to now.
For more information on the Kirtland's Warbler visit these sites:
Guided tours are available in the spring from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They may be contacted at:
US Fish & Wildlife Service
2651 Coolidge Rd.
Suite 101
East Lansing, MI 48823
517-351-2555
- Birding Blast Specialty Tours
Northern Michigan is home to more than the unique Kirtland's Warbler, the symbol of the Michigan Audubon Society. Perched on the border of the northern hardwoods and the Canadian boreal forest, Northern Michigan invites a spectacular assemblage of breeding and migrant birds. The all-new MAS "Specialty Tours" target some of the more highly-prized species. Tour routes are thoroughly scouted to maximize your chances of seeing all the species you are looking for. Additionally, the MAS knowledgeable tour guide will provide an enjoyable interpretive tour tailored to each participant's interests.
- AuSable and Manistee Rivers
Numerous public access sites are available. Look for Mallards, Black Ducks, Mergansers, Great Blue Herons, Baltimore Orioles, Sand Pipers, Downy, Hairy,and Pileated Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Grackles, Red Wing Blackbird, Chickadees, White and Red Breasted Nuthatches, Turkey, Kingbird. A canoe float trip is a quiet trip and one of the best methods of viewing the many species.
- Deward Wildlife Site
A non-motorized area, look for Kingfishers, Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers, Turkey Vulture, Red Tailed Hawk, Red Shoulder Hawk, Hermit Thrush, Veery, Phoebe, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak (fall, winter) Kingbird, Grouse, Turkey, Mourning Dove.
- Dyer Truck Trail
A large marsh can be seen on either side of the trail shortly after entering the road. Hawks, American Bittern, Yellow Warbler, Yellow Throat. Blue Jay, Grackle, Song Sparrow, Savanna Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Turkey.
- Hanson Hills Recreation Area
Miles of walking trails through rolling oak hills offer possible sightings of Woodpeckers, Red Shoulder and Red Tailed Hawks, Turkey Vulture, Ovenbirds, Eastern Phoebe, White Breasted Nuthatch, Chickadee, Wood Thrush, Veery, Hermit Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Song and Field Sparrow, Turkey .
- Hartwick Pines State Park
Enjoy birding at Michigan's 4th largest State Park (9,672 acres). Rolling hills to flat landscapes with a wide variety of forest types offer excellent habitat for birds. A section of the East Branch of the AuSable River, three lakes and 49 acres of old growth conifer forest are just an example of the kinds of habitat that can be found at the park. Three hiking trails (7 miles) and three mountain biking trails (15 miles) run throughout the park for those interested in actively searching for birds. For those who prefer the comfort of indoors, the Michigan Forest Visitor Center has a bird feeding station and a bird monitor so that visitors can watch the birds as well as listen to them sing…… Downey, Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers, Rose Breasted Grosbeaks, Red Tail and Red Shoulder Hawks, Ovenbird, Hermit Thrush, Veery, Wood Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Turkey.
- Mason Tract Pathway
--Look for Kingfishers, Kingbirds, Bald Eagles, Red Tailed and Red Shoulder Hawks, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Downy, Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers, White Breasted and Red Breasted Nuthatches, Chicadee, Veery, Hermit and Wood Thrush, Turkey in this non-motorized area with over 11 miles of hiking trails that run near the AuSable River.
- Rayburn Estate
---Walk or bike this paved trail that leads to the AuSable River and look for Blue Jays, Vultures, Red Shoulder and Red Tailed Hawks, Field, Savannah, Chipping and Song Sparrows, Great Blue Herons, Rufous Sided Towhee, Brown Thrasher, Ovenbird, Hermit, and Wood Thrushes, Veery, Turkey.
- Wakeley Lake-----A loon nesting area, this is federally owned property with over 16 miles of trails. There is a regulation to use artificial baits only for fishing. All fish caught must be returned to the water. Look for Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, Grouse, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellow Throat, Cedar Waxwings, Rufous-sided Towhee, Red Beasted and White Breasted Nuthatches, Chickadees, Hermit and Wood Thrush, Veery, Turkey.
NOTE: Follow any public two-track road in the County (except where signed off-limits) for excellent bird watching. Most of these roads are on state or federal land and open to foot traffic. Many are also open to vehicular traffic.
