Birdwatching
Birding is excellent throughout the county because it has a heavy forest growth. Enjoy some casual bird watching or work on your Life List! The sites below represent known locations where specific species have been spotted. The birds listed are just a sample of what can be seen; many more species live in those areas.
Following are some helpful resources from the National Audubon Society to help guide your next birding trip and help protect birds and habitat. We hope you enjoy your next birding adventure!
- Birding Code of Ethics developed by the American Birding Association in 1999.
- Audubon's library of ethics article
Looking for where to Bird Watch? Check out these areas!
- AuSable & Manistee Rivers
- Numerous Access Points
- Hanson Hills Recreation Area
- 35km of Trails - walking or mountain biking
- Hartwick Pines State Park
- East Branch of the AuSable runs through the Park
- Well maintained trails
- Birdfeeding stations at the Visitor Center
- Rollings Hills and Flat Landscapes
- Kirtland's Warbler Tours
- Guided tours that run daily (late May through June)
- Mason Tract Pathway
- Over 11 miles of trail along the AuSable River
- No Biking (Non-motorized area)
- Rayburn Property
- Paved Hiking and Biking trail leading to the AuSable River
- W.J. Beal Plantation
- 40 species of trees
- Short Rustic Trail
- Wakeley Lake Quiet Area
- Seasonal Loon nesting area (March through mid July)