Discovering the Beauty of Michigan’s Sunrise Coast Birding Trail
Michigan, with its extensive freshwater coastline and unique geographical position, offers an exceptional environment for birdwatching. The state’s natural landscapes, including lakeshores, marshlands, and migratory corridors, make it a prime destination for avian enthusiasts. Whether you’re visiting during the spring or fall migration seasons, the long summer days, or the winter months when northern birds travel south, there is always something new to discover in the world of birds.
One of the most popular spots for birdwatching in Michigan is the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail. This trail follows a large portion of the Sunrise Coast Pure Michigan Byway along the western side of Lake Huron. Stretching roughly 145 miles along U.S. Route 23, the trail takes visitors through vibrant coastal scenery from Mackinaw City in the north to Oscoda in the south. A road trip along this route can be broken into multiple days or even a week, allowing travelers to explore everything that the eastern side of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula has to offer.
To begin your journey, you can fly into Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and then take a short drive to Pellston Regional Airport, which is just 20 minutes away from Mackinaw City. From there, renting a car will give you the freedom to explore the area. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of the expansive Lake Huron, dense forests, and other wildlife such as moose, beavers, deer, coyotes, and black bears.
Key Stops on the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail
The Sunrise Coast Birding Trail is home to a variety of bird species, both common and rare. Near Mackinaw City, the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch is a must-visit for bird enthusiasts. This site is active from March through early June and again from late August through mid-November, offering opportunities to observe migrating hawks, falcons, eagles, ospreys, and even owls. These birds are often seen stopping over at Beaver Island, one of the best islands in the Midwest.
As you continue south, you’ll come across several notable locations such as Cheboygan State Park, Sea Gull Point, New Presque Isle Lighthouse, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Misery Bay Nature Preserve, Negwegon State Park, and Sturgeon Point Lighthouse. These areas are also critical habitats for the endangered Great Lakes piping plover. Further down the trail, you can search for the Kirtland’s warbler, a species that was once endangered but has made a remarkable recovery. These elusive birds can be found in nearby Jack pine forests.
Before wrapping up your trip, consider staying at the charming Huron House bed-and-breakfast in Oscoda or exploring the underrated Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area, both of which offer a peaceful retreat after a day of birdwatching.
A Wide Variety of Bird Species
Beyond raptors, piping plovers, and Kirtland’s warblers, the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail is home to more than 400 species of birds. In areas with hardwood trees and shrubs, you might spot thrushes, nuthatches, yellow warblers, and Northern cardinals. The American redstart and red-headed woodpeckers can be found in softer tree environments.
Near the lake, waterfowl such as great blue herons, belted kingfishers, trumpeter and tundra swans, grebes, and various ducks can be seen. Caspian terns and loons are also common sights. Wetlands and marshes provide additional opportunities to see marsh wrens, swamp sparrows, green herons, black-capped chickadees, Virginia rails, black terns, least bitterns, blue-gray gnatcatchers, blue jays, golden-crowned kinglets, and red-eyed or blue-headed vireos.
Grasslands in the area are home to grasshopper sparrows, Eastern meadowlarks, upland sandpipers, and American kestrels. For easy spotting, visit Shoreline Park and the AuSable River in Oscoda or Historic Mill Creek in Mackinaw City, where feeder stations attract a variety of birds.
Tips for Enthusiastic Birdwatchers
If you’re serious about birdwatching, consider visiting Wilderness State Park in the north or Tawas Point State Park in the south to rent “birding explorer packs.” These kits include binoculars, a compass, and bird identification brochures to help you get started on your journey.
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