Spring at the Shiawassee River State Game Area means ducks, swans, shorebirds, and other migratory birds! Join Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a car-caravan-style birding tour of this Audubon Important Bird Area and Michigan Wetland Wonder. Learn a brief history of the area before the tour begins.  

Participants will drive their own cars to key birding spots within the 10,000-acre Shiawassee River State Game Area, which includes multiple marshes, waterways, and managed agricultural fields that support large concentrations of waterfowl each migration season. Expect to see waterfowl such as mallards, mergansers, Canada geese, wood duck, and trumpeter swan and raptors such as bald eagles, northern harriers, red-tail hawk, coopers hawk and more! 

All ages and experience levels are welcome!  

Event schedule: 

Meet at the Shiawassee River State Game Area field office at 225 E. Spruce St., Saint Charles, MI 48655.  

Doors will open at 8 a.m. and the tour will depart at 9 a.m. Restrooms, water, coffee and light snacks will be available before the tour departs.   

How to prepare: 

Driving will take place through unpaved dirt roads and along dikes. Participants should bring their own binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras if they have them. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes, as part of the tour will take place on unpaved trails and dikes. 

This birding tour is presented in partnership with MI Birds, a public outreach and education program by Audubon Great Lakes and Michigan Department of Natural Resources. MI Birds engages Michiganders in caring for public lands vital to birds and communities. 

Trumpeter Swan. Photo: Wayne Bicket/Audubon Photography Awards