BIRDING IS BIG BUSINESS FOR COASTAL COMMUNITIES Spring arrives in , and so from across the state, country and even do the many birds — from warblers internationally — all with a shared to waterfowl — migrating from their interest in birds and birding. southerly wintering grounds. Great Annual Tawas Point Birding Tawas Point — recently Lakes coastlines provide important designated an Important Bird Area migratory corridors where birds utilize Festival accents how diverse — offers an ideal setting where the winds of the offshore highway for birdwatchers meet up with the birds coastal habitats and bird flight, and cover of shoreline and coastal during their migration. Such geographic wetland habitats for shelter and refueling biodiversity in northeast points, or places where land extends out on food. They also offer an opportunity into the lake, offer important resting and Michigan can enhance for nature enthusiasts and wildlife refueling points during these migrations. watchers to get outside to experience and sustainable coastal tourism In the case of Tawas Point, it is the first enjoy these amazing wildlife migrations. or last stopping point for birds looking opportunities. Each spring, in northeast Michigan’s to cross . The diverse coastal Iosco County, the annual Tawas Point habitats of this Lake Huron shoreline Birding Festival is hosted by the translate to richness in biodiversity, Michigan in cooperation with illustrated by endangered AuSable Valley Audubon, Michigan piping plovers nesting along the Department of Natural Resources, Tawas Point coastline and 187 species U.S. Forest Service, along with including the more than 25 warbler other community and conservation species spotted by birders during the collaborators. This event attracts visitors 2014 event.

THUNDER BAY ISLAND

Plan your trip: www.us23heritageroute.org How many birds can you discover and add to your • Tuttle marsh in Iosco County offers an easily life list? A visit to the Lake Huron coastline offers accessible example of wetland marshes common abundant opportunities for birding and wildlife across Michigan. This large wetland area is home watching. Aside from the Tawas Point Birding Festival, to nesting osprey. Birders witnessed Bald Eagles, additional opportunities you may wish to explore Northern Harrier ‘Marsh Hawks’, Red-tailed hawks, include: merlin, and kestrels — all birds of prey — in just one evening at Tuttle Marsh. Visitors will also see many • Known for its extensive network of coastal wetlands, other wetland species you can expect to see here, Saginaw Bay is a mecca for waterfowl and wetland such as various ducks, herons, egrets, rails and the species. Each August, the DNR Saginaw Bay Visitor American and Least Bittern. Center hosts the Saginaw Bay Waterfowl Festival at the Bay City State Recreation Area; and you will • Rare, threatened and endangered species inhabit want to check out the Saginaw Bay Birding Trail, northeast Michigan, given the diversity and large led in development by the Saginaw Basin Land areas of protected habitats in this region. Among Conservancy. several, three stand out for both their rarity and their popularity among birders. Along the coastline, shore • Vast stretches of undistributed Lake Huron coastline habitats of Tawas Point are critical and protected at and Thompson’s Harbor for the endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover. State Park are known for their diverse habitats and Up river, the famous AuSable River provides home to coastal wetlands communities that support a wide breeding pairs of Trumpeter Swans. Inland, the U.S. variety of plants and animals. Waterfowl and loons, Forest Service protects and manages jack pine forests eagles and ospreys, terns and shore birds are among all across northeast Michigan, as this habitat serves those inhabiting these secluded sandy beaches, dune as critical habitat for the endangered and world- and swale, cobble shores, and coastal marsh habitats. renowned Kirtland’s Warbler.

The Sustainable Coastal Tourism Guide — produced by Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension — provides best practices and examples of how northeast Michigan communities are promoting coastal tourism in ways that are friendly to the environment.

Plan your trip: www.us23heritageroute.org MICHU-14-719