Lansing, MI -(AmmoLand.com)- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites wildlife watchers to celebrate spring and explore Michigan’s Wetland Wonders with a birding tour at one of several state game and wildlife areas around the state.
Spring birding tours continue through the end of April and into May.
Please note that the Shiawassee River State Game Area tour originally scheduled for April 16 has been postponed to May 14 because of widespread flooding and poor road conditions on the game area.
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 and volunteers from Ducks Unlimited and Audubon clubs will lead the tours, which may include a “sneak peek” driving tour into refuge areas that normally are closed.
Upcoming birding tour dates and locations include:
- April 23 at 9 a.m.
Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area
1570 Tower Beach Road, Pinconning
989-697-5101 - April 23 at 9 a.m.
Manistee Marsh at Manistee River State Game Area
on M-55, one-quarter mile southeast of U.S. 31 in Manistee County
231-775-9727, ext. 6032 - April 23 at 9 a.m.
Houghton Lake Flats State Wildlife Management Area
north of M-55 on Old 27, one-quarter mile east of U.S. 127 in Roscommon County
231-775-9727, ext. 6032 - April 30 at 9 a.m.
Fennville Farm Unit of Allegan State Game Area
6013 118th Ave., Fennville
269-673-2430 - May 14 at 9 a.m.
Shiawassee River State Game Area
225 East Spruce St., St. Charles
989-865-6211
For questions about any of the birding tours, please call the number (listed above) for the specific tour date/location.
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.
These birding tours are part of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy, 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.
To learn more about Michigan’s Wetland Wonders, visit mi.gov/wetlandwonders.
About the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.
For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.