VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES IN MACOMB COUNTY
Within this map, you will have access to almost 40 different viewing sites set throughout St. Clair and Macomb counties. Each site description will include information about birds that can be seen at the location and what time of year you can expect to see them. It also includes a brief description about each property and its amenities, available boat launches, and whether fees are required to access the property.
FORD HOUSE
1100 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Shores
The former home of Edsel and Eleanor Ford. Set on 87 acres on the shore of Lake St. Clair. It is now a museum.
LAKE ST. CLAIR METROPARK
31300 Metro Parkway Harrison Township
Photo by Barb Baldinger
Park with mile-long shoreline along Lake St. Clair. Close to 500 acres of the 770-acre park is coastal marsh. Nature trails take you through Cottonwood trees, wetland meadows and marshland.
HARLEY ENSIGN MEMORIAL BOAT ACCESS
32995 S River Road, Harrison Township
Photos by Barb Baldinger
This site includes a public boat launch and a DNR station. The tip is managed to create a quality coastal habitat, including a sedge meadow and limestone-cobble shoreline.
TOMLINSON ARBORETUM
17798 18 Mile Road, Clinton Township
Photos by Barb Baldinger
Volunteers have planted hundreds of native trees, wild flowers and shrubs at this 24-acre park. Master gardeners maintain a wildflower prairie, pollinator garden and rain garden. Kukuk Creek attracts wildlife.
DODGE PARK
40620 Utica Road, Sterling Heights
Photos by Barb Baldinger
The wide, paved trail along the Clinton River runs through wooded and some open areas. Continuing north will take you to Farmstead Park, Donovan Park and Sterling Heights Nature Center.
GERALD N. DONOVAN PARK
11550 Clinton River Road, Sterling Heights
Photo by Barb Baldinger
Formerly called Jaycee Park, located across Clinton River Rd. from Henry Ford II High School. Excellent location for Trillium and other spring wildflowers.
FARMSTEAD PARK
12160 Clinton River Road, Sterling Heights
Farmstead Park has 55 acres. Birding is good around the parking lot and along the trail that provides access to the Clinton River Trail System.
STERLING HEIGHTS NATURE CENTER
42700 Utica Road, Sterling Heights
Explore inside the Nature Center for still life exhibits and a host of living reptiles, fish and amphibians. Cross the bridge to the trails along the Clinton River.
HOLLAND PONDS
50385 Ryan Road, Sterling Heights
The Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal runs within Holland Ponds. The area features several ponds, a large swamp and a Great Blue Heron rookery. Subsites: River Bends Park, Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center.
BURGESS-SHADBUSH NATURE CENTER
4101 River Bends Drive, Shelby Township
Photos by Barb Baldinger
This Nature Center and tract is located in the northwest section of River Bends Park. It was named for volunteer Jo Burgess and the large Shadbush trees in the area.
RIVER BENDS PARK
5700 22 Mile Road, Shelby Township
Photos by Barb Baldinger
River Bends Park is rich in plant and animal life with a long history. The park is divided into two sections by a six mile segment of the Clinton River.
STONY CREEK METROPARK
4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township
Park with 4,461 acres of hilly woodlands, meadows and prairie and 500 acre lake. Nature Center has extensive trails with a river floodplain, rolling hills of prairie with shrub edges and woodlands.
WOLCOTT MILL METROPARK
64162 Kunstman Road, Ray Township
Park with historic grist mill, equestrian trails and working farm. Historic Center and Camp Rotary include several miles of rustic trails along the North Branch of the Clinton River through floodplains, wooded trails and open meadows.
WETZEL STATE RECREATION AREA
27 Mile, West of Werderman Road
Photo by Barb Baldinger
W.C. Wetzel State Recreation Area is a place to enjoy birding, hiking, hunting and other outdoor recreation. It is particularly known as a location for radio controlled flying.
WOLCOTT MILL METROPARK NORTH BRANCH TRAILS
Entrance on Ray Center Rd. south of 27 Mile Road
Wolcott Mill Metropark North Branch Trails was a former golf course. The paved paths lead along the edge of the woods and bridges cross the North Branch of the Clinton River.
BRANDENBURG PARK
50050 Jefferson Avenue, Chesterfield Township
This 17-acre parcel is located on Anchor Bay. The park's 500 ft. pier is one of only a few in Metro Detroit from which individuals can fish and view wildlife.
RUEDISALE PARK
50400 Ruedisale St, New Baltimore
Located on Anchor Bay, this park features swings, slides, picnic tables, a grill, trees and a gravel parking area with portable restrooms supplied during summer months.