Official AuSable Birding Trail Hotspots
2. Hartwick Pines State Park
A destination well known for the diverse ecosystems it offers. Northern hardwoods, Old Growth white pine forest, lowland conifers, lowland hardwoods, upland conifers, oak/pine communities, open grasslands as well as riparian corridors along the East Branch of the AuSable River offer birders the chance to see a wide variety of birds. Stop at the Visitor Center during the spring and summer months to check off the Evening Grosbeaks on your Life List. They visit the window feeders daily. The Kirtland’s Warbler Tours are led out of the Visitor Center during June. The most accessible of the four lakes in the park are Bright & Glory. Early spring, from the floating docks, a variety of waterfowl like scaups, ducks, loons and mergansers can be seen. Throughout the summer, Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, Eagles and Osprey can be seen “fishing” on these lakes. Plentiful passerines call from the forests that surround these lakes. The park is almost 10,000 acres. Michigan Recreation Passport required. Located off M-93 northeast of Grayling.
1. Deward Watchable Wildlife Site
A non-motorized area, all dirt road driving. At the flashing light in Frederic drive 0.4 miles north to Hulbert Road on the left. Drive 0.6 miles to the stop sign at Kolka Creek Road, turn right. Drive 0.7 miles to Cameron Bridge Road on the left. Drive 5 miles and turn right onto Manistee River Road. Drive 2.6 more miles and watch for the binocular sign on the left. This is a two-track. There is a parking area and it’s a short five minute walk to the river. Look for Belted Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Hermit Thrushes, Veeries, Eastern Phoebes, Baltimore Orioles, Eastern Kingbirds, Ruffed Grouse and Turkeys.
6. Connors MarshA large marsh can be seen on the right side of Dyer Truck Trail shortly after entering the road from North Down River Road. This is a non-maintained trail; there are a couple of areas to pull off the road right before the marsh, ½ mile after leaving North Down River Road. The other side of the marsh can be accessed by Connors Flat Road, also a dirt road off of McMasters Bridge Road, 20 miles east of Grayling. Typical birds as well as Hawks, American Bitterns, Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroats are frequently seen.
3. Hanson Hills Recreation Area
20 Miles of walking trails through rolling oak hills offer possible sightings of Woodpeckers, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, Ovenbirds, Eastern Phoebes, Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, Wood Thrushes, Veeries, Hermit Thrushes, Brown Thrashers. From M-93 west of Grayling, take Old Lake Road east to Hanson Hills.
4. City of Grayling Sewage Pond
1.4 miles south on Industrial Drive (turn south off M72 East). Partial pavement. Pond on the right, parking in the grass. View a variety of water birds at this site.
7. Wakeley Lake Foot Travel Area
This area is managed by the US Forest Service and offers visitors many trails to choose from. A few trails allow the opportunity to bird watch along the shore of Wakeley Lake where eagles, ospreys, common loons and other water-loving birds are common sights. Another trail also meanders through mature hardwood forest where American Redstarts, Scarlet Tanagers and Baltimore orioles can be seen and heard. The total hiking/biking trails are 16.5 miles. National Forest fee.
8. Mason Tract
Walk into a piece of northern Michigan that has relatively gone unchanged for decades. A wide variety of wood warblers, sparrows and waterfowl (along the AuSable River’s edge) make this a must-see birding destination. East of Grayling, this non-motorized area with over 11 miles of hiking trails offers viewing of over 100 species. The terrain is a bit hilly; it’s a mixture of hardwood, Jack Pine and river system. There is a well-maintained parking lot and primitive campground. Michigan Recreation Passport required. Trailhead on Canoe Harbor Road (turn south from M-72).
9. North Higgins Lake State Park
More than nine miles of trails are open to the public in this 429-acre park. The trails are groomed for skiing in the winter. Common sightings at this location include the Common Loon, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Winter Wren, Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Black-throated Green Warbler. A Recreation Passport is required for entry.
12. Marl Lake
Marl Lake is the 700 acre part of South Higgins Lake State Park. There is a small boat launch and dock occupied by ducks when canoers and fisherman are not there. It is a quiet non-motorized lake with a 5 mile hiking trail skirting the lake and park benches that are good for observing the kingfishers and water fowl. Marl Lake offers a good opportunity to view Bald Eagles. April and June are the best months for this since eagles nest nearby and spend considerable time fishing in this shallow lake. A State Park Recreation Passport is needed.
This trail highlights remarkable bird habitat throughout the Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, St. Helen, and the
AuSable River area.
AUSABLE BIRDING TRAIL
MAP GUIDE
Code of EthicsThe AuSable Birding Trail endorses the Amercian Birding Association’s code of ethics and encourages all visitors to do the same. www.aba.org/about/ethics.html
2018
Parking - Site has a parking lot or suitable area for vehicles.
Restrooms - Site has a port-a-toilet or more formal facilities available for public use.
Formal Viewing - Site has a shelter, boardwalk, tower, or other structure for wildlife viewing.
Paved Trail - Site has paved trails for hiking to the interior areas of the site.
Trail - Site has unpaved trails for hiking to the interior areas of the site.
Universal Accessibility - Site has universally-accessible features to gain access to areas of the site.
Winter Access - Site is plowed and accessible in the winter.
Picnic - Site has picnic areas.
Boat Launch - Site has an access suitable for launching motorized watercraft.
Fee - National Forest Recreation Pass or MDNR Recreation Passport required.
5. Rayburn Property
M-72 East 1.3 miles from the overpass to a parking lot on the left that is marked with stone pillars. The trail is not maintained but easy to follow down to the Main Branch of the AuSable River. A bridge crosses the river and a small hill offers a great view of the river with typical river birds as well as Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, Rufous-sided Towhees, Brown Thrashers, Ovenbirds, Hermit and Wood Thrushes.
10. Marguerite Gahagan Nature Preserve
This public wildlife sanctuary is located just outside the Village of Roscommon on 209 Maplehurst Drive. The property’s mature pine forests and cedar swamps can be enjoyed from the one mile paved ADA trail with self-interpreting signs, or the color-coded paths through the woods where you will find woodpeckers, warblers, owls and more.
11. South Higgins Lake State Park
South Higgins State Park has almost one mile of shoreline along Higgins Lake where you can observe water fowl or walk through the 1000 acre park that is forested with maple, oak and pine. The bird count is highest in the summer. The drumming of woodpeckers and flickers can be heard everywhere, while the call of the loon, squawking of the gulls and quacking of the ducks resound closer to water’s edge . A Recreation Passport is required for entry.
13. Michelson’s Landing
There is a small pull-out on the circular drive at the end of North Michelson Road where you can view the Dead Stream Flooding, an impoundment of the Reedsburg Dam. An active Bald Eagle nest is visible on the opposite shore from the site. Nesting Pileated Woodpeckers, warblers during migration, and breeding and migratory waterfowl, herons, bitterns, and wrens are among the more than 170 species identified in the area.
14. Reedsburg Dam
There is a state forest campground near the Reedsburg Dam on the south end of the 30,000 acre Dead Stream Swamp flooding. Species that may be seen here include Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, Wood Ducks, Canada Geese, American Black Ducks and Mallards. Spring is a great time to view waterfowl because many of them are in their colorful breeding plumage. Several Osprey platforms have been placed in the flooding and most of them are used each year by nesting Ospreys. A Recreation Passport is required.
15. Houghton Lake Flats Observation Deck
The Houghton Lake Flats is located on Old 27 north of M55. There is an observation deck and parking available. It is open to the public year round. This large, flooded marsh is home to numbers of breeding dabbling ducks. Nesting platforms are used by several pairs of Ospreys and Bald Eagles. Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons also breed here. 165 different species of birds can be found here.
18. Old 76 - St. HelenNear Lake St. Helen on Old 76 is an inactive eagle’s nest, but there are many sightings of eagles in the area along with other birds of prey including the Red-shouldered hawk.
19. F97 - St. HelenOsprey nests can be viewed from the road. Head toward Kirtland Community College on N. St. Helen Road (F97) to find osprey nests on platforms and power poles on both the east and west sides of the road.20. Backus Creek Flooding
Backus Creek Flooding is a reservoir located just 4.3 miles from Prudenville on M18. There is moderate accessibility. 39 species can be found. Loons nest on Backus Lake. An Osprey nesting platform is close to the road. An Eagle’s nest is found nearby.
16. Houghton Lake Wildlife Research Area
The sedge-grass marsh is located at the eastern edge of the Houghton Lake Wildlife Research Area. Park at the turn-around and walk roughly west over a short, overgrown sand berm to a trail. Care should be exercised on the boardwalk. Sightings include Ruffed Grouse, American Bittern, Green Heron, Osprey, rails, wrens, warblers and the rare Yellow Rail.
17. Houghton Lake Sewage PondsLocated on Old 27 south of M55, Houghton Lake. Number one hotspot in Roscommon County. Birders welcome. Sign in at office. Open 8-4 M-F. Good diversity and numbers of both waterfowl and shorebirds. Grassland birds are in fields and warblers are along woods. Recurring rarities include Dickcissel, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, American Golden-Plover, and Phalaropes are all possible.
21. Denton Creek FloodingDenton Creek Flooding is a cultural feature (reservoir) off M18, Denton Township. There is moderate difficulty in accessing it. 124 species can be found with the top birds found being Swan, Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Grouse, Grebe, American Bittern, Osprey and warblers.
22. Lost Twin Lakes
Lost Twin Lakes is located 7 miles south of Houghton Lake on Reserve Road (County Road 400). 44 species can be found. This 3 mile loop trail winds through an old growth pine forest. Designed for hiking and cross country skiing, the trail has several bridges. It also contains scenic overviews of several pristine wetland areas.
Au
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Key
Kirtland’s Warbler by Kim Diment
Evening grosbeak at Hartwick Pines by Greg Bodker
Ruffed grouseby Greg Bodker
Upland sandpiper by Greg Bodker
AuSable Birding TrailThe heavily forested Crawford and Roscommon counties in the heart of northern Michigan have long been a delight for birders and a haven for endangered and
migratory species.
The AuSable Birding Trail takes you through the woods and into the wetlands, from the protected nesting of the Kirtland’s Warbler to the towering aeries of the
populous Bald Eagle.
With an emphasis on education in identification and preservation, the local communities have worked together with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Huron Pines and other environmental organizations to make this a
premiere birding destination.
Birders, novice to expert, are invited to bring their eyes and ears (and binoculars and cameras) to the trails, woods and waters of the AuSable Birding Trail for a
rewarding birding experience.
Osprey by Adele Woskobojnik
Map compliments of: Grayling Visitors Bureau
grayling-mi.comHoughton Lake Area Tourism Bureau
visithoughtonlake.comRoscommon County EDC Marketing Committee
opportunityroscommoncounty.org
Map guide design by the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments. Funded by the Northeast Michigan Regional Prosperity Initiative.
Commodity Code 80050244
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TheAuSable Birding Trail
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This trail highlights the remarkable bird habitat inCrawford and Roscommon Counties including theAuSable River, Houghton Lake & Higgins Lake.
AuSable Birding Trail Hotspots
Key to Symbols
! ! ! Horse Trail
Non-Motorized Trail
ORV or Motorcycle Trail
Snowmobile Trail
State of Michigan Land
National Forest Land
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M-72 West
Houghton Lake - South0 4 82 Miles0 1 20.5 Miles
0 2 41 Miles 0 2 41 Miles
0 3.5 71.75 Miles 0 2 41 Miles
0 1.5 30.75 Miles