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ST. CLAIR - MACOMB BIRDING TRAIL

In the heart of the Great Lakes

VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES IN ST. CLAIR 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.

ST. JOHNS MARSH

6201 Pointe Tremble Road, Clay Township

Wildlife refuge areas, open and manage hunting zones; lakeplain prairie ecosystem

NORTH CHANNEL DNR BOAT LAUNCH & COUNTY PARK

2635 Pointe Tremble Road, Algonac

This newly developed St. Clair County Park is located on the shoreline of the North Channel of the St. Clair River in Algonac.

White-rumped-Sandpiper-Lake-St-Clair-Metropark-Photo-by-Bob-Bonin.jpg

AMES BOAT LAUNCH

Harsens Island

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources parking area is bordered on one side by a large natural woodlot that harbors warblers and woodpeckers.

Least Bittern NS1 by Paul Poronto .jpg

HARSENS ISLAND NATURE PARK

Under development

The waterway includes several large pools and marshy areas that hold
waterfowl, marsh birds, and many shorebirds.

M-154 AND SOUTH CHANNEL DRIVE

Harsens Island

Marshland birds and raptors can also be seen and heard. The route ends at the end of M-154 with an expansive view of Lake St. Clair.

ALGONAC STATE PARK

8732 River Road, Clay Township

Approximately 1,500 acre park with a half-mile of St. Clair River frontage. Rare habitats, the lake plain prairies and oak savannas provide places to view prairie plants, birds and butterflies. Freighter viewing.

EAST CHINA TOWNSHIP PARK

701 Recor Road, East China

This 80-acre, multi-use park includes a wooded nature trail that is part of the Bridge-to-Bay Bike Trail.

Common Goldeneye at Sterling Heights Nature Center by Barb Baldinger.JPG

CHRYSLER BEACH

2112 River Road, Marysville

Photos by Barb Baldinger
This shoreline has recently been restored from the Chrysler Beach Park southward to include a soft shoreline and native plantings that add to the St. Clair River’s draw for many waterfowl species.

Joan Bonin-Osprey-Stony Creek MP-Inwood Trails-210411.JPG

VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

2112 River Road, Marysville

The Marysville City Park is directly across M-29 west of the shoreline and includes mature trees and a variety of bird habitats.

BLUE WATER RIVER WALK

51 Court Street, Port Huron

This scenic urban walkway starts at the confluence of the Black River and the St. Clair River and flows southward with the St. Clair River for approximately one mile where it ends at a wetlands park.

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk at LSCMP by Barb Baldinger .JPG

BLUE WATER BRIDGE / PINE GROVE PARK

1204 Pine Grove Ave, Port Huron

Photos by Barb Baldinger
These adjacent sites are urban settings on the St. Clair River where it is wide and wild.

Dickcissel-Male-Inwood-Rd-Macomb-Photo-by-Bob-Bonin.jpg

LIGHTHOUSE PARK

3002 Conger Street, Port Huron

The park has many mature trees that draw passerine birds, but the main draw is the shore and open water.

LAKESIDE PARK

3624 Gratiot Avenue, Port Huron

This is a wooded beach park on lower Lake Huron that offers good viewing of open water.

Cedar-Waxwing-Lake-St-Clair-Metropark-Photo-by-Bob-Bonin.jpg

FORT GRATIOT NATURE PRESERVE

3720 Keewahdin Road, Fort Gratiot

This 90-plus acre property includes approximately 3.4 miles of paved bike and walking trails that provide access to several large ponds, fishing, and a creek with mixed hardwood stands and open grassland.

Ring-Billed-Gull-Stony-Creek-Metropark-Photo-by-Bob-Bonin.jpg

PORT HURON STATE GAME AREA

6181 Lapeer Road, Clyde Township

This 6,000-acre DNR property, known to locals as Beards Hills, includes several access points and parking areas.

Immature Little Blue Heron LSCMP by Barb Baldinger.JPG

PINE RIVER NATURE CENTER

2585 Castor Road, Goodells

Photos by Barb Baldinger

This staffed nature center near Goodells offers many trails through gently rolling woodlands through which flows the scenic Pine River.

Black-capped Chickadee excavating a nest hole along the Kukuk Creek at Tomlinson Arboretum

COLUMBUS COUNTY PARK

1670 Bauman Road, Columbus

Photos by Barb Baldinger
This 411-acre park offers a variety of bird-friendly habitats, a well-groomed two-mile looped trail on the north side of the Belle River, and a rustic nature trail through wetlands and maple forest on the south side of the river.

Yellow-Rumped-Warbler--Wolcott-Mill-Metropark-Photo-by-Bob-Bonin.jpg

LAKEPORT STATE PARK DAY USE

7605 Lakeshore Drive, Burtchville Township

Located just south of Lakeport, this area includes secluded areas of grassland, mature forest, and a narrow creek that drains into Lake Huron.

Canvasback by Paul Poronto .jpg

MARINER PARK/BEACH PAVILION

102 Pearl Street, Marine City

Photos by Paul Poronto
The park, located on the St. Clair River, includes a playground, and a covered picnic pavilion equipped with electricity, picnic tables, trash receptacles, and a dedicated outdoor grill. It can accommodate 100 people.

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