Birding in Michigan

Explore 148 birding hotspots across forest, coastal, grassland, wetland, river/riparian, urban park, lake, mountain habitats in Michigan.

148

Locations

109+

Notable Species

8

Habitat Types

2

Peak Seasons

Complete Michigan Birding Guide

Top locations, species, seasonal tips, and more

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Birding Locations in Michigan

Whitefish Point lighthouse with Lake Superior shoreline

Michigan

Moderate

Whitefish Point Bird Observatory

Lake Superior peninsula and premier Great Lakes raptor migration corridor.

ForestCoastalSpring
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Algonac State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 217 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Allegan State Game Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 240 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Allegan State Game Area - Farm Unit

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 244 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Andrews University - Agriculture Education Center (Dairy)

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 214 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Arcadia Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 265 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Au Gres River Mouth

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Michigan with 207 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Au Sable Township Shoreline Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 209 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Au Train - Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 201 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Batteese Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 215 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Bay City State Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 257 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Belle Isle

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 262 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Bete Grise

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 220 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Bird Road Sewage Ponds (Park outside gates, even if open. Do not block driveway)

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 208 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Black Lake Park

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 201 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Boardman Lake - Logans Landing

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 231 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Brown Sanctuary

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 218 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Camp Au Sable (Camp Residents or Staff Only)

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 203 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Cheboygan State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 228 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Chelsea State Game Area - Four Mile Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 238 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Chippewa Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 219 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Copper Harbor (town)

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 237 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 225 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Crosswinds Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 238 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Dalton Road area

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 214 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Dansville State Game Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 202 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Detroit River IWR - Refuge Gateway (Humbug Marsh)

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 223 recorded species.

WetlandRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Dingman Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 201 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Dune Harbor Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 205 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Elberta Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 218 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Elizabeth Park (Trenton)

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 206 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Erie Marsh Preserve/Gun Club (no access Sep 1-Jan 1)

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 271 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Fenner Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 214 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Fish Point State Wildlife Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 261 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Fisherman's Island State Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 225 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Ford House

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 210 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Fort Custer State Recreation Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 213 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Fort Gratiot Nature Preserve

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 228 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Galien River County Park

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Michigan with 210 recorded species.

River/RiparianUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Gitche Gumee Ecolodge

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 211 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Graham Point

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 227 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Grand Marais

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 220 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Grand Mere State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 227 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Haehnle Sanctuary

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 218 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Challenging

Harbor Island

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 231 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Harley Ensign Memorial Boating Access Site

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 210 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Harrisville Harbor

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 215 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Challenging

Harsens Island

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 232 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Holland State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 255 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Houghton Lake Flats Flooding

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 204 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Houghton Lake Sewage Ponds (limited access; M-F 8-4 only)

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 223 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Independence Lake County Park

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 207 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Indian Springs Metropark

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 200 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Ionia State Recreation Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 211 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Isaacson Bay

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 209 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Challenging

Island Lake State Recreation Area

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 202 recorded species.

CoastalLakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Joseph M. Soehnel Nature Trail/Hampton Township Nature Trail

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 229 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 211 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
a wooden fence with a sign on it that says, resources protection area keep out

Michigan

Easy

Kensington Metropark - general (Oakland County only)

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 242 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Kleinstuck Preserve

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 209 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Lake Erie Metropark

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 276 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Lake Hudson State Recreation Area

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 213 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
a duck and a duckling on a grassy hill by a body of water

Michigan

Easy

Lake Saint Clair Metropark (Metro Beach Metropark)

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 293 recorded species.

CoastalLakeSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Lakeview Park/Manistique Boardwalk

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 219 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Leelanau State Park - North

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 203 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Michigan with 201 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Lighthouse County Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 204 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Little Glen Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 221 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Ludington State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 270 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Challenging

Mackinac Island

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 224 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Mackinaw Straits Hawk Watch site

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 205 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Maple Bay Natural Area

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 203 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Maple River State Game Area

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Michigan with 257 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Marquette - Lower Harbor

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 205 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 207 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

McGulpin Point

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 225 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Millennium Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 224 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Munuscong Wildlife Management Area - Munuscong River mouth

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Michigan with 201 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Munuscong Wildlife Management Area (Munuscong Potholes)

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 214 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 210 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Muskegon State Game Area - Headquarters

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 207 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Muskegon State Game Area - Lane's Landing

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 230 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Muskegon State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 245 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
a black bird sitting on top of a wooden fence

Michigan

Moderate

Muskegon Wastewater System

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 283 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 272 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

New Buffalo beach and marina

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 237 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Overcast sky above a grassy field with trees.

Michigan

Moderate

Nichols Arboretum

Forest birding hotspot in Michigan with 220 recorded species.

ForestUrban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

North Bay Park/Ford Lake Boardwalk

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 212 recorded species.

CoastalLakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Oakwoods Metropark

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 230 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Ojibwa Beach and Sand Point

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 205 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Old Mission Point Park/Lighthouse Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 207 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Oval Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 217 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Partridge Point

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 209 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Paul Henry-Thornapple Trail - Middleville

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 207 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Peninsula Point

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 273 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Pinconning Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 220 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Pitsfield Banding Station (park at end of driveway)

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 200 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Platte Point

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 233 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Pointe LaBarbe

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 266 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Port Crescent State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 241 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Port Huron State Game Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 222 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Portage Marsh (Portage Point)

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 235 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Presque Isle Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 254 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Reeds Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 232 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wooden boardwalk through a dry grassy field

Michigan

Easy

Robert H. Long Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 221 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Rose Lake State Wildlife Area

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 207 recorded species.

LakeWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Roselle Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 210 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Saint Johns Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 224 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Sarett Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 213 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Saugatuck Dunes State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 244 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Seney National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 245 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Mountain birding habitat

Michigan

Challenging

Seney National Wildlife Refuge - Pine Ridge Nature Trail

Mountain birding hotspot in Michigan with 203 recorded species.

MountainWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Seven Ponds Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 206 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge - Ferguson Bayou Trail

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 258 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Drive

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 277 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Silver Lake State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 207 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Otter Creek/Esch Road beach area

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 226 recorded species.

CoastalRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 247 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Sleepy Hollow State Park (Lake Ovid)

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 206 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Sterling State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 263 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Stony Creek Metropark - north

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Michigan with 241 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Stony Creek Metropark - south

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Michigan with 238 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Stu Visser Trails

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 219 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Sturgeon River Sloughs WA (South Unit)

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Michigan with 227 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Tahquamenon River Mouth

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Michigan with 234 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Tawas Bay

Coastal birding hotspot in Michigan with 202 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
ocean waves under blue sky during daytime

Michigan

Easy

Tawas Point State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 303 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Three Oaks Sewage Ponds

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 241 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Tiscornia Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Michigan with 279 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Michigan with 247 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

UM Dearborn/Rouge River Bird Observatory

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Michigan with 217 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Upper Macatawa Natural Area - 84th Avenue access

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 222 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Van Buren State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 208 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Vermillion Point Nature Preserve

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 212 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Vreeland Road

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 210 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Warren Dunes State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 255 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Warren Dunes State Park - Floral Ln.

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 221 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Waterloo RA - Crooked Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 201 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Waterloo RA - Portage Lake Unit

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 218 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Watkins Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 209 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Wetzel State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 224 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
the night sky is filled with stars and trees

Michigan

Moderate

Whitefish Point

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 347 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Whiting Power Plant

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 231 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Wilderness State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 233 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Easy

Wilderness State Park - Waugoshance Point

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 208 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Window on the Waterfront

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 213 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery

Lake birding hotspot in Michigan with 236 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Michigan

Moderate

Woodtick Peninsula

Grassland birding hotspot in Michigan with 226 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall

Notable Species

Key species found across birding locations in Michigan:

Snowy OwlNorthern GoshawkRed-necked GrebeParasitic JaegerCommon RedpollNorthern ShrikeMourning DoveAmerican Herring GullBlack-capped ChickadeeRed-breasted NuthatchCanada GooseLong-tailed DuckRed-tailed HawkRed-bellied WoodpeckerDowny WoodpeckerEastern MeadowlarkDickcisselGrasshopper SparrowNorthern HarrierBobolink

Habitats & Best Seasons

Habitat Types:

ForestCoastalGrasslandWetlandRiver/RiparianUrban ParkLakeMountain

Best Seasons:

SpringFall

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots in Michigan?
The top birding locations in Michigan include Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Algonac State Park, Allegan State Game Area, Allegan State Game Area - Farm Unit, Andrews University - Agriculture Education Center (Dairy), Arcadia Marsh, Au Gres River Mouth, Au Sable Township Shoreline Park, Au Train - Beach, Batteese Lake, Bay City State Park, Belle Isle, Bete Grise, Bird Road Sewage Ponds (Park outside gates, even if open. Do not block driveway), Black Lake Park, Boardman Lake - Logans Landing, Brown Sanctuary, Camp Au Sable (Camp Residents or Staff Only), Cheboygan State Park, Chelsea State Game Area - Four Mile Lake, Chippewa Nature Center, Copper Harbor (town), Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center, Crosswinds Marsh, Dalton Road area, Dansville State Game Area, Detroit River IWR - Refuge Gateway (Humbug Marsh), Dingman Marsh, Dune Harbor Park, Elberta Marsh, Elizabeth Park (Trenton), Erie Marsh Preserve/Gun Club (no access Sep 1-Jan 1), Fenner Nature Center, Fish Point State Wildlife Area, Fisherman's Island State Park, Ford House, Fort Custer State Recreation Area, Fort Gratiot Nature Preserve, Galien River County Park, Gitche Gumee Ecolodge, Graham Point, Grand Marais, Grand Mere State Park, Haehnle Sanctuary, Harbor Island, Harley Ensign Memorial Boating Access Site, Harrisville Harbor, Harsens Island, Holland State Park, Houghton Lake Flats Flooding, Houghton Lake Sewage Ponds (limited access; M-F 8-4 only), Independence Lake County Park, Indian Springs Metropark, Ionia State Recreation Area, Isaacson Bay, Island Lake State Recreation Area, Joseph M. Soehnel Nature Trail/Hampton Township Nature Trail, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, Kensington Metropark - general (Oakland County only), Kleinstuck Preserve, Lake Erie Metropark, Lake Hudson State Recreation Area, Lake Saint Clair Metropark (Metro Beach Metropark), Lakeview Park/Manistique Boardwalk, Leelanau State Park - North, LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve, Lighthouse County Park, Little Glen Park, Ludington State Park, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw Straits Hawk Watch site, Maple Bay Natural Area, Maple River State Game Area, Marquette - Lower Harbor, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, McGulpin Point, Millennium Park, Munuscong Wildlife Management Area - Munuscong River mouth, Munuscong Wildlife Management Area (Munuscong Potholes), Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve, Muskegon State Game Area - Headquarters, Muskegon State Game Area - Lane's Landing, Muskegon State Park, Muskegon Wastewater System, Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, New Buffalo beach and marina, Nichols Arboretum, North Bay Park/Ford Lake Boardwalk, Oakwoods Metropark, Ojibwa Beach and Sand Point, Old Mission Point Park/Lighthouse Park, Oval Beach, Partridge Point, Paul Henry-Thornapple Trail - Middleville, Peninsula Point, Pinconning Park, Pitsfield Banding Station (park at end of driveway), Platte Point, Pointe LaBarbe, Port Crescent State Park, Port Huron State Game Area, Portage Marsh (Portage Point), Presque Isle Park, Reeds Lake, Robert H. Long Park, Rose Lake State Wildlife Area, Roselle Park, Saint Johns Marsh, Sarett Nature Center, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Seney National Wildlife Refuge - Pine Ridge Nature Trail, Seven Ponds Nature Center, Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge - Ferguson Bayou Trail, Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Drive, Silver Lake State Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Otter Creek/Esch Road beach area, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point, Sleepy Hollow State Park (Lake Ovid), Sterling State Park, Stony Creek Metropark - north, Stony Creek Metropark - south, Stu Visser Trails, Sturgeon River Sloughs WA (South Unit), Tahquamenon River Mouth, Tawas Bay, Tawas Point State Park, Three Oaks Sewage Ponds, Tiscornia Park, Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area, UM Dearborn/Rouge River Bird Observatory, Upper Macatawa Natural Area - 84th Avenue access, Van Buren State Park, Vermillion Point Nature Preserve, Vreeland Road, Warren Dunes State Park, Warren Dunes State Park - Floral Ln., Waterloo RA - Crooked Lake, Waterloo RA - Portage Lake Unit, Watkins Lake, Wetzel State Park, Whitefish Point, Whiting Power Plant, Wilderness State Park, Wilderness State Park - Waugoshance Point, Window on the Waterfront, Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, Woodtick Peninsula. Each offers unique habitats and species.
When is the best time to go birding in Michigan?
The best seasons for birding in Michigan are Spring and Fall. Spring migration brings diverse species through the area.
What birds can I see in Michigan?
Notable species in Michigan include Snowy Owl, Northern Goshawk, Red-necked Grebe, Parasitic Jaeger, Common Redpoll, Northern Shrike, Mourning Dove, American Herring Gull, and more. The state supports forest, coastal, grassland, wetland, river/riparian, urban park, lake, mountain habitats.

Plan Your Birding Trip

Get the most out of your birding adventure in Michigan with our expert guides.