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Activities » Bird Watching » Keweenaw Birding

Keweenaw Birding

The boreal forests, wetlands, shoreline and harbors and backyard habitats of the Keweenaw make bird watching a year round activity. Over 300 species have been counted by the Audubon Society with at least 85 species found in the Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary alone.

Migrating birds by the thousands pass over the Keweenaw on their spring flight to northern nesting areas. Over 15 different kinds of hawks, falcons, turkey vultures, owls and eagles have been identified by ornithologists who have traveled from as far away as Florida.

26 productive eagle nests were counted by the Gratiot Lake Conservancy in 2010. Robins, sandhill cranes, goldfinches, juncos, the common raven, the common loon and blue herons are just a minute fraction of the many species that “summer” on the Keweenaw. Many of the Nature Association and Audubon sanctuaries have marked trails to follow and are good places to start your search, but roadside, backyard and shoreline sightings are also common. Guided ‘birding walks’ are sometimes offered by local birders and sanctuary officials.

Although winters can sometimes be severe, some hearty species call the Keweenaw home on a year round basis. These include black-capped chickadees, blue jays, pileated woodpeckers, common ravens and even eagles if there is open water available. Birds such as the pine grosbeak, white-winged crossbill, common redpoll and rough-legged hawk come to the area only in the winter.

So, whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a novice beginner, grab those binoculars and come to the Keweenaw for a truly rare birding experience.