Jackson County Birding Hotspot Directions
Throughout Jackson County, there are hundreds of opportunities to view woodland birds and waterfowl exhibiting unique behaviors in their natural habitat.
1. Waterloo State Recreation Area
Become a real trailblazer by visiting the largest park in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. With over 20,000 acres, 47 miles of trails and 21 lakes, the Waterloo State Recreation Area contains an impressive number of different bird species to bring you a new bird watching experience with every visit.
Waterloo Recreation Area Headquarters
16345 McClure Rd.
Chelsea, MI 48118
(734) 475-8307
To Waterloo Recreation Area Headquarters
Take I-94 to exit 156, and head north on Kalmbach Rd. for 1 mile. Turn right on Glazier Rd., and after 1 mile, turn right on Ridge Rd. Next, turn left on McClure Road. The Park headquarters will be on the right.
2. Portage Lake State Park
Along with the Jackson County Park just across the lake, Portage Lake State Park is a great area to view a multitude of waterfowl species during the cooler months of spring and fall. Also, nearly every species of warbler (except Kirtland’s) can be found here, making it one of the best warbler watching areas in the state!
To Portage Lake Campground and Beach
FROM THE EAST: Take I-94 to exit 150/Mt. Hope Rd. Go north on Mt. Hope Rd. for 3 miles to Seymour Rd. Turn left on Seymour Rd., and after 2 miles, you will see the Park entrance on your right. FROM THE WEST: Take I-94 to exit 147/Race Rd. Go north on Race Rd. for 3 miles to Seymour Rd. Turn right on Seymour Rd, and after 1 mile, you will see the Park entrance on your left.
3. Glenn Road
This long stretch of road in the Waterloo State Recreation Area gives you the best chance for spotting Cerulean Warblers, who prefer to nest in the upper canopy of mature deciduous forests. Your ears will also do some bird watching of their own, as they can enjoy the beautiful melodies of songbirds like the Wood Thrush and Ovenbird.
To Glenn Road
Take I-94 to exit 150. Continue straight, then turn north at Mt. Hope Rd. After a little less than 2 miles, Glenn Rd. will be on your right.
4. Reithmiller Road
An extensive and diverse collection of bird species call the area surrounding Reithmiller Road their home. From reclusive species, like the American Bittern and Henslow’s Sparrow, to colorful standouts like the Eastern Bluebird and Bobolink, this is often the road most travelled for birders.
To Reithmiller Road
Take I-94 to exit 150. Continue straight, then turn north at Mt. Hope Rd. After approximately 3½ miles, Reithmiller Rd. will be on your right.
5. Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary
The Haehnle Sanctuary is well-known throughout Michigan as THE staging area for Sandhill Cranes. Every autumn, thousands of these birds gather here in preparation for their southern migration. The 954-acre Michigan Audubon Society sanctuary has a variety of habitats, making it possible to see over 200 species of birds and plants, including the Rough-legged Hawk and Northern Shrike during the winter months.
To the Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary
Take I-94 to exit 147. Turn north onto Race Rd. Continue north 2 miles to Seymour Rd., where Race Rd. ends. Then go west (left) 1½ miles to the entrance on the north side of the road.
6. Thorn Lake
Often touted as the ‘waterfowl hotspot’ of Jackson County, Thorn Lake provides birders the opportunity to view a number of great water bird species, including the Great Egret, Canvasback (over 1,000 in March and October) and Ruddy Duck. The undeveloped nature of Thorn Lake also attracts rare birds, like eagles, on occasion.
To Thorn Lake
FROM THE EAST: Take I-94 to exit 159 to merge onto Chelsea Manchester Rd/MI-52 S toward Manchester. Continue to follow MI-52 S for 11 miles. Turn right at E Main St, then continue onto W Austin Rd. After 4 miles, your destination will be on your left off of a rural, unnamed road. FROM THE WEST: Take I-94 to exit 142 to merge onto US-127 S toward Hudson. After a little under 6 miles, take the MI-50 exit towards Monroe. Turn right at E McDevitt Ave/MI-50 E and continue to follow MI-50 E for 7 miles. From there, continue onto Austin Rd for 6½ miles. Your destination will be on your right off of a rural, unnamed road.
7. Dahlem Environmental Education Center
The Dahlem Center serves as a natural history education center for kids, but it is also known around the state and country for having one of the largest bluebird trails. Birders can capture the songs of Eastern Bluebirds along this well-maintained trail, as well as the harmonies of other migratory songbirds.
Dahlem Environmental Education Center
7117 South Jackson Road
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 782-3453
To the Dahlem Environmental Education Center
Take I-94 to exit 142 to merge onto US-127 South toward Hudson. After approximately 7½ miles, turn right at Ayers Rd. After 1 mile, make a sharp left at Draper Rd. From there, continue onto E. Kimmel Rd. for 2 miles, then turn right at S Jackson Rd. Your destination will be on the right.
8. Cascades Park
This metropolitan park is actually a hidden gem for birders. Many waterfowl, like the brilliantly colored Wood Duck, frequent the various ponds scattered across the 465-acre park. Birders can play a round of 18 holes and enjoy the company of nesting Pine Warblers along the course.
FROM THE EAST: Take I-94 to exit 138. Keep left at the fork, and continue on south on West Ave. Next, turn right at W. Michigan Ave. (I-94 BUS W). After half a mile, turn left at S. Brown St. You will arrive at your destination after approximately 1 mile. FROM THE WEST: Take I-94 to exit 138. Turn right, and continue on West Ave. Next, turn right at W. Michigan Ave. (I-94 BUS W). After half a mile, turn left at S. Brown St. You will arrive at your destination after approximately 1 mile.
9. Ella Sharp Park
Set outside of the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History, the park’s 570 acres span a multitude of habitats, like mature forests, open grasslands and emergent wetlands, which are home to all different species of birds. Bird lovers and their families can view natural avian still-life at the museum, and then experience the birds in their natural habitat—all in the same day!
Ella Sharp Park
3225 4th St
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 788-4343
FROM THE EAST: Take I-94 to exit 138. Keep left at the fork, and continue on south on West Ave. Keep going straight on West Ave. until you reach the traffic circle. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto 4th St. After just under a half a mile, you will reach your destination. FROM THE WEST: Take I-94 to exit 138. Turn right, and continue on West Ave. Keep going straight on West Ave. until you reach the traffic circle. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto 4th St. After just under a half a mile, you will reach your destination.
10. Grand River Environmental Action Team (GREAT) Canoe Trips
Though a lot of good birding is done near the water, the best birding is done ON the water! GREAT Canoe Trips are held once a month, and take birders into most wild and undeveloped areas of Jackson County’s many scenic waterways, where rarely seen birds are shone under a whole new light.
Locations vary. Please contact the Grand River Environmental Action Team at 517-416-4234 for more information.
11. Falling Waters Trail
This marvel development is a 10.5 mile linear stretch of paved, non-motorized trail that runs through woodlands, into marshes and across lakes. It runs from the city of Concord to the northwest corner of Weatherwax Rd. There is no better way to view an eclectic collection of birds and scenery together than on the Falling Waters Trail.
To the Falling Waters Trail
Take I-94 to exit 133. Turn south on N. Dearing Road. After approximately 4 miles, turn right onto MI-60/Spring Arbor Rd. and proceed west for 0.7 miles. Next, turn left onto Teft Road. Go around a curve to the right and a curve to the left, staying on Teft Road for about 1 mile to the entrance to Lime Lake County Park. *Parking Note: Please be aware that the parking area at Lime Lake County Park is a short distance south of the Trail itself. The park entrance is on the east side of Teft Road.
12. MacCready Reserve
The MacCready Reserve is a 408-acre property that is designated for education, research and outreach programs in wildlife and forestry management. The lush environment includes rolling terrain, towering hardwoods, natural springs and colorful wildflowers, creating a diverse habitat for numerous species of birds.
From I-94, take exit 142 to merge onto US-127 S towards Hudson. After 11.3 miles, turn right at Jefferson Road. Your destination will be on your right, just past Myers Road.
13. Kate Palmer Sanctuary
An oasis of diversity—the Kate Palmer Sanctuary, though small in size (53 acres), serves as an escape from the on-going drudgeries of every day suburban life. Because it is located amid a patchwork of suburbs and shopping malls, the sanctuary allows birders to enjoy the natural, unspoiled beauty of Michigan without having to commute a long distance.
To the Kate Palmer Sanctuary
From I-94, take exit 136. Merge onto M-60. Take the I-94 BUS/Michigan Ave. exit and turn left. After 0.6 miles, turn left onto O’Brien Rd. After approximately 2 miles, your destination will be on the east side of the road.
