Saginaw Basin - sblc-mi.org bands for conservation october 17 • 7 pm saturday arbeitoer hall, bay city mi 1304 s. wenona street a musical fundraiser for saginaw basin land conservancy

F I E L D G U I D E

Saginaw Basin

HEARTLANDBANDS FOR CONSERVATION

OCTOBER 17 • 7 PMsaturdayARBEITOER HALL, BAY CITY MI

1304 S. WENONA STREET

A MUSICAL FUNDRAISER FOR SAGINAW BASIN LAND CONSERVANCY

livemusic

$15 TICKETS AVAILABLE IN ADVANCE & AT THE DOORGO TO SBLC-MI.ORG/HEARTLAND OR VISIT OUR OFFICE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKET TODAY!

VALENTIGERBRITES • THE REIVERS

HEARTLAND IS SPONSORED BY:

And Canoe & Kayak Launch

Bay CityRowing Center

T A B L E O FContentsIntroduction 2

The Long View, Short Essay 4

The Saginaw Bay Birding Trail 5 Bay County 8 Saginaw County 14 Arenac & Iosco Counties 20 Tuscola & Huron Counties 26

Becoming a Member 32

Outdoor Urban Recreation 35

Our Mission & Values 38

Kids in Nature 41

Saving Land 43

Acknowledgements 47

1 • Saginaw Basin Field Guide

Saginaw Basin Field Guide • 2

IntroductionThis is your guide to the Saginaw Bay Birding Trail and the protected lands of the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy.

Welcome to the Saginaw Basin Field

Guide. This document is designed

to convey the vast beauty of the

places, wildlife, and people of our

landscape. Hopefully it provides a

road map to adventure right here in

our community.

The Field Guide contains a lot

of useful information about the

amenities, best birds, and locations

of the amazing sites on the Saginaw

Bay Birding Trail. This 40-site trail

was developed to highlight the

incredible bird habitat situated

along the Lake Huron Shoreline

and those special conserved

lands surrounding them. With the

information in this book, the reader

is armed with the best and most

current information describing the

many amazing places birds call

home in Saginaw, Tuscola, Huron,

Bay, Arenac, and Iosco counties.

Further, the Field Guide provides

information about the Conservancy and

the many lands it protects. It describes

the sites recently developed by the

Conservancy as part of the Outdoor

Urban Recreation (O.U.R.) Bay City

Project, which is designed to connect

people with the land through their

favorite outdoor activity.

We have also filled this document

with photography from places

across the Watershed. We hope

they will leave you curious- or

inspired- and optimistic about this

region and these special places we

have protected close to home.


The Long Viewby zachary branigan

Dirt roads. Deep-rooted trees.

Wildflowers. Old barns. Slow streams

and placid ponds. Trails and beaches

and rocks. Soft wind, soaking rain,

and deep quiet snow. People. Brick

buildings and rusty swing sets. Two

cylinder tractors and a landscape

flush with corn. These are the images

of my childhood in the Saginaw Basin.

This region has always had a deep

connection with the land. Our old

familiar industries, like logging and

farming and fishing, relied on hard work

and the generosity of the natural world

and the fertile soils of the watershed.

Our land is what makes us who we

are. It forms our communities, feeds us,

captivates, and gives us all we need for

heart, mind, and body. If we honor our

land, it honors us back.

The Conservancy is an institution

made up of our community, to

honor our community. It is a coming

together of dedicated donors and

volunteers and workers all behind

the preservation of those unique

characteristics that make us who

we are. The Conservancy is here to

ensure that our home remains our

home forever.

“Our land is what makes us who we are.”

Au Gres

Bay City

Saginaw

Sebewaing

Port Austin

East Tawas

Bayport

Unionville

Caseville

Standish

Pinconning Saginaw Bay

Birding Trail Site

City

Tuscola & Huron P. 26

Look for the blue signs at each SBBT Site!

SaginawP. 14

BayP. 8

Arenac & IoscoP. 20


Au Gres

Bay City

Saginaw

Sebewaing

Port Austin

East Tawas

Bayport

Unionville

Caseville

Standish

Pinconning Saginaw Bay

Birding Trail Site

City

Tuscola & Huron P. 26

Look for the blue signs at each SBBT Site!

SaginawP. 14

BayP. 8

Arenac & IoscoP. 20

Covering a diverse array of habitats

throughout the Saginaw Bay Watershed,

the Saginaw Bay Birding Trail presents

both beginning and veteran birders

with an excellent variety of birds and

wildlife to observe throughout the year.

The following pages highlight the sites in

each area and provide you with details

about what you might expect at each

site. Whether it’s watching warblers

drip from the trees during the height of

spring migration at Tawas Point State

Park or watching waterfowl delight in

the dead of winter at Middlegrounds

Island in Bay City, the Trail has a wealth

of great birding experiences in store

for you. Just look for the blue signs!

Saginaw BayBIRDING TRAIL

THE

Bay City State Recreation Area-B6

Bay City

Pinconning

Linwood

Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area

Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area-B7

Hampton TownshipNature Trail-B5

Wah Sash Kah Moqua Nature Preserve-B10

Pinconning Nature Preserve (west)-B9Pinconning County Park (east)-B8

Quanicasee State Wildlife

Area-B4

Beaver Rd.

Kitchen Rd.

Pinconning Rd.

Rashott Rd.

Old State Rd.

Bay-Arenac Line Rd.

Cody-Estey Rd.

Euclid Ave.

N. Euclid Ave.

State Park Dr.

Henry St.

Johnson St.

Salzburg &Lafayette Ave.

Center Ave.

Knight Rd.

Cotter Rd.Washington & Garfield Ave.

Discovery Preserve-B1 Middlegrounds Island-B2

GolsonNature

Area-B3Nebobish Rd.

S. Huron Rd.

S Y M B O L S K E Y

SBLC Site

OUR Site

Songbirds

Waterfowl

Shorebirds & Waders

Woodland Species

Raptors


Woodland Species

B1 - Discovery Preserve at Euclid Park (Trail Hub)

Formerly known as the Euclid Linear Park,

Discovery Preserve is an oasis of nature in

urban Bay City! Serving as the “hub” of the SBBT,

Discovery Preserve is a 12-acre, family-friendly

learning landscape where you can find all the

resources you need to tackle the SBBT. The site is

a great birding spot all on its own, where you can

find the usual urban species and see our Chimney

Swift structure, Wood Duck nesting boxes,

Chickadee houses, and Eastern Bluebird boxes.

The wetlands at Discovery Preserve are home to

many waterfowl, as well as Great Egrets, Green,

Great Blue, and Black-crowned Night Herons.

Make Discovery Preserve, just a few miles off I-75,

your first stop on the Saginaw Bay Birding Trail!

B2 - Middlegrounds Island

With a City of Bay City park, the Bay City

Rowing Center, and the Michigan Sugar Trails

mountain biking network, Middlegrounds Island

is an outdoor recreation haven. Just south of

Lafayette Street, the Michigan Sugar Trails

site provides excellent opportunities to view

warblers and other spring migrants. Although

designed for mountain biking, the single-track

trails are excellent for a birding hike right in the

middle of the City. During the winter months, a

small pocket of open water, created by a warm

water discharge, located on the eastern channel

of the Saginaw River provides a daily distraction

for birders all winter long. When the Saginaw

River is frozen, sightings in all months of the

winter at this location include many Mergansers

(Common, Hooded, and Red-breasted), Mallards,

American Black Ducks, and occasionally Horned

Grebes, Northern Pintails, Canvasbacks, and

other traditional Michigan ducks. The adjacent

woodlands are also home to Bald Eagles. Views

of the river from the Bay City Rowing Center and

Bigelow Park, located north of Lafayette Street,

allow excellent views of gulls, terns, waterfowl,

Great Egrets, and Great Blue and Black-crowned

Night Herons.

B3- Golson Nature Area

Two Bald Eagle nests and over 1,000 feet of

undeveloped Saginaw River frontage makes

Golson an unusual pocket in the center of Bay

City. Near Downtown, Golson is also right around

the corner from Tri-City Brewery, and just across

the River from the U.S.S. Edson. With excellent

parking, a large gazebo shelter, and a network

of trails and boardwalks, the 26-acre Golson

Nature Area is a fun stop to see woodpeckers,

gulls, nesting songbirds, and the resident Bald

Eagles throughout the year. Overwintering

Eastern Bluebirds make the winter go by faster,

and a pocket of open water on the opposite side

of the River, near the Edson, make for interesting

sightings when the River is frozen.

Bay CountySaginaw Bay Birding Tra i l S i tes

Amenities: Restrooms, Viewing Structure, Parking, Trails




B4- Quanicassee State Wildlife Area

Located just off of M-25, Quanicassee State

Wildlife Area is 1,922 acres of grassland and

wetland along Lake Huron. The area is specifically

managed for Bobolinks, Mallards, and Ring-

necked Pheasants. Nearly 100 species have been

recorded here, including: Black-crowned Night-

heron, Sora, Willow Flycatcher, Northern Rough-

winged Swallow, Bay-breasted Warbler, Clay-

colored Sparrow, and Yellow-headed Blackbird.

B5- Hampton Township Nature Trail

Completed in 2013, the Hampton Township

Nature Trail provides three access points and

covers over two miles on firm paved or crushed

rock surface through a coastal wooded habitat

known for exemplary warbler flocks during

migration. An undiscovered gem for birders, this

new trail is an exciting amenity for Bay County

and should be on every birder’s spring and fall

warbler hotspot list.

B6- Bay City State Recreation Area

The Bay City State Recreation Area contains more

than 1,000 feet of sandy beach and is made up of

2,800 acres with 7 miles of well-groomed trails to

check out. The birding in this area is particularly

distinguished in the spring and fall migratory

seasons, and with a documented collection of 235

species viewed here, it is a notable birding hot spot.

A fine locale for observing shorebirds, gulls, terns,

and herons. Passing and nesting songbirds make

the deep adjacent forest their haunt throughout

the year, with Carolina Wren and Prothonotary

and Hooded Warbler among the more interesting

records from this part of the park.

B7 - Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area

Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area is one of the most

visited areas in Saginaw Bay for water birds.

It is also home to one of the oldest and largest

colonies of Yellow-headed Blackbirds in the state.

In the spring and fall, Nayanquing is home to huge

numbers of migrating waterfowl and smaller

numbers of gulls and shorebirds. Such finds as

Trumpeter Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose,

Cinnamon Teal, Arctic Tern, Little, Franklin’s,

Laughing and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and

Long-tailed Jaeger have been noted in recent

years. Many waterfowl are seen in the summer

months as this area also hosts a wide variety of

nesting ducks. Additional interesting residents

include Pied-billed Grebe, Black-crowned Night

Heron, American and Least Bitterns, Common

Moorhen, Black and Forster’s Terns, Marsh and

Sedge Wrens, and Willow Flycatcher.

Bay CountySaginaw Bay Birding Tra i l S i tes

Amenities: Parking, Trails



Amenities: Viewing Structure, Parking, Trails


B8 - Pinconning County Park

Pinconning County Park offers a good vantage

point of the lake and woodlot area and hosts a

variety of nesting birds and migrant passerines.

Trails cut through the majority of the park. The

trails that head south from the parking area pass

through oak uplands and wet forest bottom land,

and resident species found here include Ruffed

Grouse, Brown Creeper, and Wood Thrush. The

trails work their way to the Pinconning River

mouth. Check the channel markers for gulls and

terns. Forster’s Terns are common, and Little Gulls

have also been seen here in migration. The trails

just west of the picnic area travel through woodlots

that are still wet in May and host a good variety of

warblers. There is an observation tower located

just north of the picnic area where waterfowl may

be viewed. Tundra Swans, dabblers, and divers

may be seen here in October and November.

B9 - Pinconning Nature Preserve

Pinconning Nature Preserve is comprised of 38.5

acres that provide significant natural habitat

including a variety of wetland ecotypes providing

important benefits for wildlife and water quality. The

habitat allows for biodiverse vegetation, birds, fish,

and terrestrial animals. In addition, the corridor

wetlands and upland wildlife habitats serve as a

connection for wildlife movement and create a

natural “greenway” within a ¼ mile of Lake Huron.

The property is home to many species of wildlife

common to Michigan including songbirds, waterfowl,

white-tailed deer, amphibians, and reptiles. A 1.1

mile trail system leads through the Preserve to

the river. The Preserve is also designated by the

MDEQ as an Environmental Area.

B10 - Wah Sash Kah Moqua Nature Preserve

Wah Sash Kah Moqua Nature Preserve is on Bay-

Arenac County Line Road, a few miles southeast of

Standish. A former farming location, the 123 acres

now provide a mix of grassland and emergent

wooded habitat. Nesting Northern Harriers

are common at Wah Sash, and the mature

windbreak treeline is a combination of mighty

oaks, cherries, and maples, providing cover

and food for songbirds. Many nesting Eastern

Kingbirds along the south boundary of the main,

central parcel often provide an entertaining

show for visitors. Flocks of Cedar Waxwings are

omnipresent, along with the resident Eastern

Bluebirds and Tree Swallows (there are many

habitat boxes along the trail network). Great

Horned Owls nest on the property periodically,

and Red-shouldered Hawks have been sighted

here during migration. A fantastic road-end

provides clear views to the Saginaw Bay

shoreline for gulls, terns, and waders at the end

of Bay-Arenac County Line Road.




It is important that we maintain a connection with the

land. If we lose that connection, we ultimately risk losing

the land itself. The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy

offers people in our region the opportunity to maintain

and establish crucial connections to the world around us.

- Michael StonerMember of SBLC’s Board of Directors

Bay City

Saginaw

St. Charles

Green PointEnvironmental

Learning Center-S5

Crow IslandState Game

Area-S2

VeteransMemorialPark-S1

RingwoodForest-S10

ShiawasseeNationalWildlife

Refuge-S8

Shiawassee River State

Game Area-S9Price

NatureCenter-S6

Haithco Park-S3

Schust Rd.ImermanMemorialPark-S4

Saginaw Valley Rail Trail-S7

Moore Rd.

Curtis Rd.Bishop Rd.

Ring Rd.

Sheridan Rd.

Court St.

Michigan Ave.Center Rd.

River Rd.

Stroebel Rd.

ImmermanPark Blvd.

Bay Rd.

Maple St.

Prior Rd.

S Y M B O L S K E Y

SBLC Site

OUR Site

Songbirds

Waterfowl

Shorebirds & Waders

Woodland Species

Raptors


Saginaw CountySaginaw Bay Birding Tra i l S i tes

S1 - Veteran’s Memorial Park

Located on M-13 three and a half miles north of

the Zilwaukee Bridge along the Saginaw River,

Veteran’s Memorial Park offers a mile and a half

of river access. This is a good place to check

for waterfowl and offers stopover habitat for

migratory songbirds.

S2 - Crow Island State Game Area

Crow Island State Game Area is 3,638 acres of

forest and wetland and is divided into an east and

west unit by the Saginaw River and M-13. Access

into the State Game Area is limited, but the dike

systems can be used as hiking trails for improved

observation. The Michigan DNR manages

the area for American Bittern, Mallard, Ring-

necked Pheasant, and Wood Duck, using wildlife

management techniques to improve habitat. Crow

Island has had over 100 species recorded in recent

years including: Tundra Swan, Northern Shoveler,

Eared Grebe, Common Gallinule, Black Tern, Marsh

Wren, and Rusty Blackbird. The Saginaw Valley

Rail Trail passes along the west edge of the SGA

for an additional vantage point. This area is open to

hunting, so please be mindful of hunting seasons

and regulations prior to birding.

S3 - William H. Haithco Park

If you’re driving on I-675, check out William H.

Haithco Park. Located just off the highway, the

park features a 40-acre manmade lake that offers

views of waterfowl throughout the year. This is a

good spot to check for Ruddy Ducks, Northern

Pintails, Northern Shovelers, and common

waterfowl. Dogs are not permitted. Please visit

their website at www.saginawcounty.com/

parks/ for up-to-date hours of use.

S4 - Imerman Memorial Park

Imerman Memorial Park provides access to the

Tittabawassee River and is a good location to

find warblers during spring migration. The park

features over a mile of hiking trails, canoe rentals,

and picnic pavilions. Please visit their website at

www.saginawcounty.com/parks/ for up-to-date

hours of use.

Amenities: Restrooms, Parking



Amenities: Restrooms, Parking, Trails


S5 - Green Point Environmental Learning Center

Located along the Tittabawassee River corridor, the

82-acre Green Point is a great place to find migrating

warblers that tend to use the site as a stopover on

their journey north. Nearly 150 bird species have

been observed here! Over 2 miles of hiking trails

wind through mixed hardwood and bottomland

forest habitat. Check out the Center’s wildlife viewing

room and environmental programming, too!

S6 - Price Nature Center

Located on Sheridan Road, just one mile east of

M-13 and Curtis Road, Price Nature Center is open

year-round and features 3 miles of hiking trails

through 186 acres of beech and maple forest.

Spring is a great time to visit as it is good spot to

find spring wildflowers and migrating warblers.

S7 - Saginaw Valley Rail Trail

The Saginaw Valley Rail Trail features 9.55

miles of abandoned rail corridor, stretching

from St. Charles to Saginaw. The trail bisects

a variety of habitats including rivers and

wetlands, and provides numerous access

points, viewing platforms, and bridges that

make the trail birder-friendly. Restroom

facilities are located at the Van Wormer

parking lot. Parking is available at 6225

Stroebel Rd., 2998 Van Wormer Rd., and 401

East Water St.

S8 - Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge

The Refuge is 9,800 acres of marsh,

bottomland hardwood forest, and grasslands

that attract more than 270 species of birds.

Four trails and a seasonal auto tour route

provide visitors opportunities to view a

plethora of birds and a variety of other

wildlife. Be sure to check out the Ferguson

Bayou Trail and the Wildlife Drive, as they

offer three wildlife observation decks, two

with spotting scopes. The Refuge is a year-

round bird hotspot and is often the go to

place to see Long-eared Owls during the

winter. Other good finds at the Refuge in

recent years include: Glossy Ibis, American

Avocet, Red Knot, Gray Kingbird, and Le

Conte’s Sparrow.

Saginaw CountySaginaw Bay Birding Tra i l S i tes





S9 - Shiawassee River State Game Area

The Shiawassee River State Game Area is 9,852

acres of wetland managed for Canada Geese,

Wood Ducks, Mallards, and American Bittern.

Public access is limited to walking and biking (the

Saginaw Valley Rail Trail passes through the Game

Area). Ducks, geese, and swans can be viewed

throughout the year with largest concentrations

in the spring and fall. Wading birds and shorebirds

are also commonly found across the Game Area.

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can

canoe or kayak through the Game Area for great

warbler observation! Boats can be launched at

the end of Hulien Rd. and then taken out at Miller

Rd., located on the north end of the Game Area.

This area is open to hunting; please be mindful of

hunting seasons and regulations prior to birding.

S10 - Ringwood Forest

Located 2 miles south of St. Charles and 2

miles west of M-52 on Ring Rd., Ringwood

Forest features 160 acres and 3 miles of

hiking trails through old pine forests. The

park also features a pavilion and a canoe/

kayak launch on the Bad River. The Forest

is a good place to find woodpeckers,

warblers, traditional woodland species, and

occasionally waterfowl.



We have not inherited this earth from our parents

to do with it what we will. We have borrowed

it from our children and we must be careful

to use it in their interests as well as our own.

- Moss Cass

Au GresOmer

East Tawas

Tawas PointState Park

I4

Singing Bridge DNRPublic Access Site-A7

Pressprich Nature Preserve-A6

Au Gres Delta Nature Preserve-A4

Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area-A3

Standish Nature Preserve-A2Saganing Nature Preserve-A1

Au Gres River DNR Boat Launch-A5

Gateway Park-I1Shoreline Park-I2

Tawas Lake-I5

Tuttle Marsh-I6

East Tawas State Dock

I3

Old State Rd.

Bordeaux Rd.

Worth Rd.

Stover Rd.

Santiago Rd.

Tonkey Rd.

Turner Rd.

Tawas Beach Rd.Newman St.

Tawas Lake Rd.Rainbow Dr.

Wilber Rd.

To get to Tuttle Marsh from Wilber Rd., turn right onto Galion Rd., left onto Sherman Rd., right onto May Rd. , right onto Brooks Rd., left onto Swan Creek Rd., left onto Davidson Rd., then left onto Tuttle Marsh Rd.

Manor Rd.

S Y M B O L S K E Y

SBLC Site

OUR Site

Songbirds

Waterfowl

Shorebirds & Waders

Woodland Species

Raptors


Arenac & Iosco CountiesSaginaw Bay Birding Tra i l S i tes

A1 - Saganing Nature Preserve

The Saganing Nature Preserve is home to a

dense woodland area and the delta wetland of

the Saganing River, which can be accessed on

foot from the parking area. The southern half of

this Preserve is thick, wetland habitat with no

established trails. Primarily held to help increase

water quality by filtering stormwater runoff

before it enters the Saginaw Bay, the wetland

habitat is an important sanctuary for migratory

birds, plants and animals. The Preserve has a trail

from the parking area out along the River.

A2 - Standish Nature Preserve

The Standish Nature Preserve is one of the oldest

Preserves owned by the SBLC. It is a beautiful,

mature hardwood forest with a series of wetlands

and a pond that make it home to many varieties of

birds and wildlife.

A3 - Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area

More than 900 acres of wetlands occur

on this 3,023-acre state wildlife area. An

extensive network of gravel-topped dikes

in the wetlands is open to foot traffic all

year. The remainder of the site is primarily

undeveloped hardwood forest and small

forest openings. Wigwam Bay is an

outstanding site for viewing shorebirds,

wading birds, waterfowl, and gul ls. Unique

or rare wetland bird species such as Black

Terns, Forster’s Terns, Caspian Terns,

Yel low-headed Blackbirds, American and

Least Bitterns, Sandhil l Cranes, Common

Moorhens, and Northern Harriers are also

found here. Bald Eagles nest here, and are

often seen soaring or sitt ing in perches

along the dikes. Come in the spring for

an excel lent opportunity to see nesting

snapping turtles.

A4 - Au Gres Delta Nature Preserve

The Au Gres Delta Nature Preserve is located

in the city of Au Gres, Michigan. It is composed

of 97.5% National Wetlands Inventory

designated wetlands bordering the west

shore of the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron

and adjacent to the Au Gres River. This site

is rustic, and is in the process of being

restored to a Lakeplain Prairie. Explore the

site on foot and enjoy the vast, wide open

space available there.



Amenities: Parking



A5 - Au Gres River DNR Boat Launch

The Au Gres River DNR Boat Launch offers

views of the Au Gres River mouth, Lake Huron,

and a plethora of waterfowl, raptors, gulls, and

shorebirds. Recent sightings have tallied nearly 90

species with highlights including: Tundra Swan,

Ruddy Duck, Horned Grebe, Broad-winged Hawk,

Rough-legged Hawk, Bonaparte’s Gull, Great

Black-backed Gull, and White-winged Crossbill.

A6 - Pressprich Nature Preserve

Pressprich Nature Preserve is a 48.2-acre

property composed mainly of wetlands, which

improve water quality by filtering pollutants.

It serves as a ground water recharge area and

provides a special habitat for a variety of species.

Pressprich serves as an excellent landfall spot for

migrating songbirds in the month of May and as

an excellent stopover habitat for the huge influx of

warblers that cruise up the Lake Huron shoreline.

A7 - Singing Bridge DNR Public Access Site

This Public Access site features a large

parking area just off of M-23 and provides

views of the East Branch of the Au Gres

River mouth and Lake Huron coastline. A

perfect spot to find waterfowl, migrating

shorebirds, and gulls!

I1 - Gateway Park

Gateway Park located on M-23, just south

of Tawas, is 13 acres and is bordered by the

mouth of the Tawas River and Lake Huron.

The park provides access to the Lake Huron

coastal system and offers views of a variety

of waterfowl, gulls, terns, and swallows.

Over 100 species have been recorded

here including Horned Grebe, Red-necked

Phalarope, Bonaparte’s Gull, Little Gull, Caspian

and Common Terns, and Purple Martin.

I2 - Shoreline Park

Along M-23, just south of Tawas, Shoreline

Park is an 8.2 acre park featuring picnic

pavilions, a food concession stand, a

boardwalk along the beach, and a 450-foot

long pier for fishing and wildlife observation.

A fun place to stop and stretch your legs. Be

sure to hit the park early in the summertime

before the crowds arrive to check the beach

for shorebirds!

Arenac & Iosco CountiesSaginaw Bay Birding Tra i l S i tes

Amenities: Restrooms, Parking,


Amenities: Restrooms, Parking,

Amenities: Restrooms, Viewing Structure, Parking



I3 - East Tawas State Dock

East Tawas State Dock is a marina operated

by the Michigan DNR and offers views of

over 100 species including waterfowl, gulls,

terns, swallows, and warblers. A popular

area for summertime tourists, fishermen,

and waterfowl.

I4 - Tawas Point State Park

Tawas Point State Park is undoubtedly the

best migrant trap in the Watershed. Birding

is best during times of rapid migration such

as during strong south winds in spring and

strong north winds in fall. The spring migrants

tend to follow the lakeshore and actually

migrate south for a time to the tip of the point

which faces southwest. Bad weather after a

prolonged high pressure situation also tends

to ground many migrants in the park. Soon

after these conditions subside, the spring

migrants slowly work their way northward

out of the park. Equally impressive migrations

occur in the fall. Tawas State Park has an

excellent campground and beach facilities,

has a restored lighthouse with daily tours, is

home to nesting Piping Plovers, and is a classic

Michigan weekender’s spot all year.

I5 - Tawas Lake

Tawas Lake is a 1600-acre lake with a public boat

launch and parking. The lake has historically been

the nesting site of Black Terns. The public access

provides a limited view of the lake, so bring a kayak

or canoe to fully explore and scope out the area!

I6 - Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area

Tuttle Marsh, a 5000-acre wetland complex

surrounded by Huron National Forest, is a popular

location for bird watchers looking to observe

secretive marshbirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds.

The wetland dike systems act as hiking trails for

visitors. Spring and fall migration are the prime

times to visit, as water levels are high in the spring,

inviting a variety of waterfowl, and low in the fall,

exposing mudflats that attract herons, marshbirds,

and shorebirds. Notable species observed here

include American and Least Bitterns, Virginia

and Sora Rails, Purple and Common Gallinules,

Caspian, Black, Common, and Forster’s Terns,

Eastern Screech, Great Horned, Snowy, Barred,

Short-eared, and Northern Saw-whet Owls, Olive-

sided Flycatcher, Blue-winged, Golden-winged,

and Black-throated Blue Warblers, Bobolink,

Meadowlarks, Rusty Blackbird, Orchard Oriole,

and Pine Grosbeak.





Sebewaing

PortAustin

Bayport

Unionville

Caseville

Fish Point State

Wildlife Area

T1

Sand Point Nature Preserve-H1

Albert E. Sleeper State Park-H3

Port Crescent State Park

H5

HuronCountyNatureCenter

H4

Port Austin State Harbor

H6

Caseville Municipal Marina-H2

Ringle Rd.

Dunn Rd.

Dock St.

Oak Beach Rd.

Loosemore Rd.

Preserve parking off M25

S Y M B O L S K E Y

SBLC Site

OUR Site

Songbirds

Waterfowl

Shorebirds & Waders

Woodland Species

Raptors


Tuscola & Huron CountiesSaginaw Bay Birding Tra i l S i tes

T1 - Fish Point State Wildlife Area

Fish Point is a popular spot in the Saginaw Bay

Area for observing thousands of Tundra Swans

and Canada Geese each spring. There is no

one secret spot to direct those wishing to see

birds at Fish Point because the food supplies

in many of the fields varies from year-to-year.

The best strategy is to drive the roads in search

of large feeding flocks in the corn stubble that

is left from the previous year. Some areas are

worth a look each year because they provide

views of extensive field habitat or contain

other interesting habitats which attract non-

waterfowl species consistently.

H1 - Sand Point Nature Preserve

The Sand Point Nature Preserve is made up of

approximately 220 acres and includes 5 miles of

well established trails. The Preserve is home to

many dozens of bird species including: Sandhill

Cranes, Great Egrets, Wood Ducks, Great Blue

Herons, songbirds of all varieties, and Bald

Eagles. The adequate parking, improved trails,

boardwalk, and excellent wayfinding signage

make a hike in the Preserve a must-do for birders

in Huron County. Situated at the base of the Sand

Point peninsula, the Preserve experiences the

same kind of “migratory trap” phenomenon as

better known peninsulas on the west Saginaw

Bay coast. With two emergent wetlands, a

hemlock grove, an open meadow area, a 40-

acre lake, and a wide mix of deciduous and

coniferous habitats, there may not be a better,

more complex birding spot in the area. Bald

Eagles and Sandhill Cranes nest annually. In a

two-year study completed in 2013, the Sand

Point Nature Preserve was also found to be the

most biodiverse land under protection along the

Saginaw Bay shoreline in terms of herpetofauna

(snakes, turtles, and frogs).

H2 - Caseville Municipal Marina

The Marina is a gateway to the Saginaw Bay and

offers a jetty that can be used for lakewatching.

This area receives high traffic during Caseville’s

Cheeseburger Festival, held in August annually,

but offers great birding opportunities throughout

the year. Notable sightings in recent years include:

Little Gull, Red-necked Grebe, Surf Scoter, White-

winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Red-throated Loon,

Black-bellied Plover, and White-winged Crossbill.

A great place to check for migrating waterfowl,

raptors, and shorebirds.





H3 - Albert E. Sleeper State Park

Albert E. Sleeper State Park is located on M-25, just

a few miles northeast of Caseville. Encompassing

over 700 acres, this park hosts a wide variety of

habitats where woodland areas, dunes, wetlands,

and coastline are all within walking distance. A

wide variety of bird are here throughout the year,

but during the spring and fall, raptors frequent the

northern tip of the Thumb as they make their way

up or down the Mississippi Flyway.

H4 - Huron County Nature Center

The Huron Wilderness Arboretum is a 120-acre

tract that is part of the Huron County Nature Center

property. Its variety of habitats makes it an ideal

location to spot a variety of birds. Improved trails,

boardwalks, and interpretive signage support the

Arboretum, and the visitor center includes a gift

shop and educational materials.

H5 - Port Crescent State Park

Huron County’s best known birding location,

Port Crescent State Park, is renowned for

raptor observation during migration. The

location near the tip of the Thumb makes

this one of the SBA’s best birding hotspots. In

1991, an annual hawk count was established

at this location and continues to this day,

with a dedicated raptor observation deck

with interpretive elements. The park is also

excel lent for water birds and passerines.

Its unique location at the tip of the Thumb

means that good numbers of birds col lect

here in spring and fall. Snowy Egret, Prairie

Warbler, Henslow’s Sparrow, and Red

Crossbill have been detected here during

that time. More regular species of interest

include Forster’s Tern, Great Black-backed

Gull (which may be seen year-round) and

Glaucous Gulls (often lingering into late April

and early May).

H6 -Port Austin State Harbor

The Harbor is a marina operated by the

Michigan DNR and features a dog beach,

public restrooms, and a welcome center.

Over 135 species have been observed here,

including: Red-throated Loon, Spotted

Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Greater

White-fronted Goose, and many more.

A great place to look for shorebirds and

migrating waterfowl.

Tuscola & Huron CountiesSaginaw Bay Birding Tra i l S i tes







As Native Americans we have a

long standing history of being

stewards of Mother Earth and the

wonderful benefits she provides to

our people. We have long believed

that what you take from Mother

Earth you give back in some form

or fashion. The Land Conservancy

embodies those beliefs and core

values. The Saginaw Chippewa

Indian Tribe is very proud to be a

partner on Conservancy efforts.

-Frank CloutierPublic Relations Director

Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe



Becoming a Member

You can help make more

trails and wildlife habitat

conservation possible! As a

community-based nonprofit,

we depend on people like you!

Each year, with the support of

people from all walks of life,

we work to protect water,

wildlife, and open space.

Thank you for caring about

our local landscapes. It’s

because of people like you that

the natural lands featured in

this Guide exist.

Want to help the SBLC?

Call us at 989.891.9986

or visit our website at

www.sblc-mi.org/giving to

learn about how you can make

a difference.

H O W Y O U C A N H E L P


Together, we have created an all-new

initiative, the O.U.R. Project (Outdoor

Urban Recreation), to help create a

culture of getting outdoors in nature in

the population centers of the Saginaw

Bay Watershed. We are dedicated to

providing fantastic access, excellent

programs, and learning opportunities

through the O.U.R. Project. We believe

that an active outdoor culture of trail

runners, cyclists, hikers, birders,

kayakers and more will add visibility

to the natural areas and high-quality

communities in our region, and play

a role in economic development by

attracting and retaining young people

to Bay City, Saginaw, and beyond!

The first phase of the O.U.R. Project

is O.U.R. Bay City. A new collection of

amenities that include a mountain bike

trail park, a paddling launch site, a new

interpretive pavilion, and a reimagined

pair of municipal parks make up the

successful O.U.R. Bay City Project. These

projects are designed to bring nature

closer to home, and they have become the

Conservancy’s most popular sites to date!

"What's been done here in Bay City is impressive;

having this natural land is productive. It increases

the quality of life, and it provides access for urban

residents to something that's natural and beautiful."

- Congressman Dan KildeeD-MI 5th District

Outdoor Urban RecreationSBLC-MI.ORG/OUR



Our Mission

Our ValuesCommunity Relevance: The

Conservancy will engage in

meaningful community initiatives

by providing its charitable benefits

to the community in ways that

support broader goals.

Lake Huron Access: The

Conservancy will identify and pursue

opportunities to provide free

access to conserved natural areas

and the Lake Huron shoreline.

Respect Wildlife Habitat: The

Conservancy will conserve and

steward natural lands for the

purpose of providing habitat and

open corridors for wildlife.

Improve Water Quality: The

Conservancy will engage in

watershed protection and

outreach activities that protect

and restore natural waterways

and water bodies.

Historic and Cultural Resources:

The Conservancy wil l relate its

work to the community within

a broad context of cultural

growth and an appreciation for

col lective heritage.

To conserve land and water resources to

promote sustainable communities and a higher

quality of life in the Saginaw Bay Watershed.

Kids in NatureA lifelong love of nature starts at childhood! These activity pages are for the little ones (but everyone might scratch their heads a bit on our challenging word jumble!)

GRAB YOUR CRAYONS!

Indigo Bunting


WORD JUMBLE

WORD BANK• Bittern• Cardinal• Chickadee• Crane• Crow• Duck• Eagle• Egret• Falcon

• Finch• Goose• Hawk• Heron• Jay• Loons• Oriole• Owls• Pelican

• Robin• Sparrow• Swallow• Swans• Tanager• Thrush• Warbler• Wren

The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy has nearly

6,000 acres under permanent protection,

set aside forever. Among these are nine sites

highlighted in this guide as part of the Saginaw

Bay Birding Trail, and you can learn about them

in these pages. The Conservancy also has

two additional preserves, set further afield in

Shiawassee and Ogemaw Counties. You can

learn about all of the Conservancy’s nature

preserves at sblc-mi.org/nature-preserves.

The Conservancy also protects about 5,400

acres of land at 71 unique sites, in partnership

with 61 landowners, through a protective,

permanent covenant known as a conservation

easement. The Conservancy holds easements

across the entire 22-county Saginaw Bay

Watershed. The easements of the Saginaw

Basin Land Conservancy conserve

grasslands, wetlands, and stream

banks all across our region.

Saving Land


Acknowledgements

Financial assistance for this Field Guide was also provided, in

part, by the Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program,

Office of the Great Lakes, Department of Environmental

Quality, under the National Coastal Zone Management

Program, through a grant from the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Consumers Energy is proud to support the efforts

of the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy and this

Field Guide, which serves as a valuable resource

for connecting individuals and families to nature

in the Saginaw Bay Watershed. At Consumers

Energy we’re dedicated to improving the

quality of life in the communities we serve and

hope visitors to the trails enjoy nature’s beauty

and diversity along the Lake Huron shoreline.

This guide was designed by Erin Mitrzyk. Photographs were taken by Zachary

Branigan and Erin Mitrzyk. This guide was written by Trevor Edmonds and Zachary

Branigan. Illustrations on the inside covers were designed by Erin Mitrzyk, Trevor

Edmonds and Zachary Branigan. Maps were designed by Trevor Edmonds.

GolsonNatureAreaCity of Bay City

We hope you keep your Field Guide for many years. If you decide you no longer

need your copy, please consider passing it along to someone who may enjoy it!

If you must, please recycle this Guide. If you would like to share additional copies

with your friends, scan the QR code above or visit www.sblc-mi.org and learn how.

The pages of this book are printed on paper that is both FSC certified and recycled

(containing 35% post-consumer waste). The FSC logo identifies forest which have

been certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council.

Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy • 1008 N. Johnson Street, Bay City MI, 48708 • 989.891.9986 • sblc-mi.org

• 2015 •

Saginaw Basin - sblc-mi.org bands for conservation october 17 • 7 pm saturday arbeitoer hall, bay city mi 1304 s. wenona street a musical fundraiser for saginaw basin land conservancy

Documents