GEMS are areas of publicly accessible land managed for wildlife habitat and wildlife recreation. Each area provides abundant food and shelter for a variety of wildlife, including migratory birds. While these areas are primarily used for upland game bird hunting in the fall, they provide excellent birding and wildlife recreation opportunities year-round. Each area is complete with walking trails, parking areas, site information and maps. The trails, accessible to people of varying physical abilities, are the perfect location for new birders or hikers to explore.
To learn more about Michigan’s bird species and to plan your birding trip, visit Michigan.gov/Birding.
Are you brand-new to birding? Check out Audubon’s How to Start Birding webpage. You’ll find everything you need to get started, including necessary equipment, places to go birding, safety tips, how to identify different birds and more.
