trumpeter swanNothing says spring like the “conk-a-ree” call of a red-winged blackbird or the raucous sounds of a sandhill crane. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts to celebrate spring and explore Michigan’s wetlands with a birding tour at one of the Wetland Wonders or Signature Wetlands around the state.
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 many others. The tours – led by DNR Wildlife Division staff members, as well as volunteers from Ducks Unlimited and Audubon Clubs – may include a “sneak peek” driving tour into refuge areas that normally are closed.
The birding tours are offered:
March 25 at 9 a.m. – St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area
3857 Columbine Road on Harsens Island, 810-748-9504
April 1 at 9 a.m. – Maple River State Game Area
Southwest corner of South Baldwin and Crapo Roads in Washington Township, east of U.S. 127, 616-446-0555
April 1 at 9 a.m. – Shiawassee River State Game Area
225 East Spruce St. in St. Charles, 989-865-6211
April 1 at 9 a.m. – Muskegon County Wastewater Facility
Meet at the Muskegon State Game Area Office, 7600 E. Messinger Road in Twin Lake, 231-788-5055
April 8 at 10 a.m. – Fish Point State Game Area
7750 Ringle Road in Unionville, 989-674-2511
April 8 at 9 a.m. – Pointe Mouillee State Game Area
37025 Mouillee Road in Rockwood, 734-379-9692
April 8 at 9 a.m. – Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area
1570 Tower Beach Road, Pinconning, 989-697-5101
April 15 at 9 a.m. – Houghton Lake Flats State Wildlife Management Area
Meet at the gazebo, north of M-55 on Old 27, one-quarter mile east of U.S. 127 in Roscommon County, 231-775-9727, ext. 6032
April 29 at 8 a.m. – Fennville Farm Unit of the Allegan State Game Area
6013 118th Ave. in Fennville, 269-673-2430
For questions about the birding tours, contact the appropriate office at the phone number listed above. Most tours will meet at the area’s headquarters building. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars. Spotting scopes also are helpful for long-range viewing. The ground may be quite muddy and wet, so plan to wear boots.
Michigan’s Wetland Wonders are the seven premier Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas in the state: Fennville Farm Unit at the Allegan State Game Area (Allegan County), Fish Point State Wildlife Area (Tuscola County), St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island (St. Clair County), Muskegon County Wastewater Facility (Muskegon County), Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area (Bay County), Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (Monroe and Wayne counties) and Shiawassee River State Game Area (Saginaw County). To learn more about Michigan’s Wetland Wonders, visit mi.gov/wetlandwonders.
Michigan’s Signature Wetlands are extensively managed wetland habitats with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, hunting and other wildlife-based recreation.
