Nothing says spring like the “conk-a-ree” call of a red-winged blackbird or the raucous sounds of a sandhill crane. Celebrate spring and explore Michigan’s Wetland Wonders with a birding tour at one of seven managed waterfowl areas in April and May.
Highlights of the birding tours may include diving and dabbling ducks in full breeding plumage, trumpeter and tundra swans, osprey, bald eagles, sandhill cranes and much more. DNR wildlife biologists and technicians will lead the tours, which will include a sneak-peek driving tour into refuge areas that are normally closed.
Michigan’s Wetland Wonders are the seven premier managed waterfowl areas in southern Michigan: Fennville Farm Unit at the Allegan State Game Area, Fish Point State Wildlife Area, St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island, Muskegon County Wastewater Facility, Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, Pointe Mouillee State Game Area and Shiawassee River State Game Area.
The birding tours will be held on the following dates:
April 4 – 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Fish Point State Game Area, 7750 Ringle Road, Unionville; 989-674-2511
April 11 – 9 a.m. at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, 37025 Mouillee Road, Rockwood; 734-379-9692
April 18 – 9 a.m. at St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area, 3857 Columbine Road, Harsens Island; 810-748-9504
May 2 – 9 a.m. at Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, 1570 Tower Beach Road, Pinconning; 989-697-5101
May 2 – 9 a.m. at the Fennville Farm Unit of the Allegan State Game Area, 6013 118th Ave., Fennville; 269-673-2430
May 2 – 10 a.m. at Muskegon County Wastewater Facility, 7600 E. Messinger Road, Twin Lake; 231-788-5055
May 9 – 9 a.m. at Shiawassee River State Game Area, 225 E. Spruce St., St. Charles; 989-865-6211
For questions about the birding tours, please contact the appropriate office at the phone number listed above.
All tours will meet at the area’s headquarters building. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars. Spotting scopes are also helpful for long-range viewing. The ground may be quite muddy and wet, so plan to wear boots.
These birding tours are part of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy (MWL), a 10-year, cooperative partnership to restore, conserve and celebrate Michigan’s waterfowl, wetland and waterfowl hunting community. The initiative is a “call to action” to honor yesterday, engage today and build for tomorrow.
