The Department of Natural Resources invites Michigan residents to celebrate spring and explore the state’s wetlands with a birding tour at one of the nearby Wetland Wonders or Signature Wetlands. Opportunities for wildlife watchers to participate in a spring birding tours continue through the end of April.
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. Led by DNR Wildlife Division staff, as well as volunteers from Ducks Unlimited and Audubon clubs, the tours may include a “sneak peek” driving tour into refuge areas that are normally closed. Tours generally last two to three hours.
The birding tours will be held:
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 in 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 birding tours, please contact the appropriate office as listed above. Most 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.
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 michigan.gov/wetlandwonders.
Michigan’s Signature Wetlands are extensively managed wetland habitats with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, hunting and other wildlife-based recreation.
