Top 10 Bird Sanctuaries In Michigan, The USA

1. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Visitors to Augusta, Michigan, should check out the sprawling Kellogg Bird Sanctuary during their stay. They can hike the winding trails or interact with Canadian geese, white and black swans, ducks, and other feathered friends. To the enjoyment of each visitor, the park provides bags of birdseed to feed to the birds. Just beware that they will follow you all over the park and birds may descend upon you or get in your personal space.

Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Address: 12801-12999 E C Ave, Augusta, MI 49012, United States

Website: Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: From 3 USD

2. Michigan Audubon Otis Sanctuary

While exploring Michigan Audubon Otis Sanctuary, visitors will be treated to encounters of cerulean warblers, woodpeckers, sparrows, and more. As they venture through the rolling fields and forested habitats, they can view bald eagles and ospreys swooping overhead. If they feel a need to extend their visit to the sanctuary, there are cabins available for rent to all. Be prepared for the rushing streams, swampy areas, and springs as you journey to the resting area of the sandhill crane flocks.

Michigan Audubon Otis Sanctuary

Address: 3560 Havens Road, Hastings, MI 49058, United States

Website: Michigan Audubon Otis Sanctuary

Price: Free

3. Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary

Bird lovers will be able to delight in nature’s amazing aviators at Manistee’s sprawling Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary. As visitors walk along the pristine Lake Michigan waterfront, they will be able to listen to the distant calls of common loons gliding across the lakefront. Besides birdlife, guests can hike through forests filled with ancient California redwoods, sequoias, maple trees, and champion trees. While wandering under the canopy of such giants, keep your eyes peeled for goldeneyes, purple finches, and soaring bald eagles.

Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary

Address: 2890 Lakeshore Road, Manistee, MI 49660

Website: Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary

Price: Free

4. Bernard W. Baker Sanctuary

The expansive Bernard W. Baker Sanctuary is home to sandhill cranes, falcons, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, and migratory birds. Bird lovers will enjoy walking the expansive property as they hope to listen to native calls from a wide variety of birds. The woodland environment provides wildlife with swampy, forest, and prairie habitats. As visitors round the area surrounding Big Marsh Lake, they will encounter flocks of cranes, waterfowl, and even spotted deer hidden in nearby glens.

Bernard W. Baker Sanctuary

Address: 21145 15 Mile Road, Bellevue, MI 49021, United States

Website: Bernard W. Baker Sanctuary

Price: Free

5. Capital City Bird Sanctuary

Visitors eager to have an up-close and personal encounter with Michigan’s feathered friends can do so at Capital City Bird Sanctuary. While walking through grassland, shrubs, and river floodplain forests, visitors will encounter bluebirds, wild turkeys, swallows, and fierce hawks. As they wander along the banks of Grand River, nature lovers will come across warblers, wood ducks, and Baltimore Orioles. Capital City Bird Sanctuary gives bird lovers a chance to experience the tranquil habitat of Lansing’s native and migratory birds throughout the year.

Capital City Bird Sanctuary

Address: Delta River Driver, Lansing, MI 48906, United States

Website: Capital City Bird Sanctuary

Opening hours: 9am - 12pm (daily)

Price: Free

6. Baker Woodlot and Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Sanctuary

Visitors should definitely make a trip to the scenic Baker Woodlot and Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary to learn about its resident birds and wildlife. While meandering through nature trails, guests can observe native and migratory bird species. Nature enthusiasts can expect to encounter Canadian geese, swans, ducks, and blue herons while strolling along the waterways of the preserve. The rugged woodland trails enable visitors a quiet environment needed to listen to calls of cardinals, cries of doves, and the screeches of owls and hawks overhead.

Baker Woodlot and Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary

Address: Baker Woodlot and Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary, East Lansing, MI 48823, United States

Website: Baker Woodlot and Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary

Price: Free

7. Haehnle Sancutary

Nature enthusiasts desiring to catch a glimpse of one of the over 8,000 sandhill cranes can do so at the renowned Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary. While walking through the beech and oak forests, be prepared for sightings of deer, squirrels, and native birds. As you near the wetland areas along Eagle Lake and Mud Lake Marsh, get ready for thousands of cranes feeding and flying overhead. The best time to swing by Haehnle Sanctuary is from September to mid-November when thousands of cranes take up nesting in the preserve.

Haehnle Sanctuary

Address: Seymour Road, Pleasant Lake, MI 49272, United States

Website: Haehnle Sanctuary

Opening hours: 8am - 9pm (daily)

Price: Free

8. Kate Palmer Wildlife Sanctuary

During a visit to Jackson, why not make it a point to experience nature in its sacred habitat at Kate Palmer Sanctuary? Upon arriving at the preserve, you will be able to explore marshlands, natural springs, and sandstone creek while seeking out woodpeckers, warblers, and wood ducks. Besides listening to the calls of its feathered inhabitants, guests will be able to capture the beauty of spring when the trout lilies and trillium blanket the forest floor. Those hoping to visit during the fall months will have the chance to observe the eastern wood pewees, cedar waxwings, and grey catbirds hidden amongst the stunning fall foliage.

Kate Palmer Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: 1001-1999 O'Brien Rd, Jackson, MI 49201, United States

Website: Kate Palmer Wildlife Sanctuary

Price: Free

9. Carter-Strong Bird Sanctuary

Travellers hoping to catch a glimpse of Michigan’s native wildlife can do so by checking out the picturesque Carter-Strong Bird Sanctuary. While splashing in the refreshing waters of Ruth Lake, bird lovers will have the chance to spot loons and ducks sharing the waters. Those camping over to enjoy the great outdoors will be able to hike trails lined with pitcher plants, exotic orchids, and round-leaved sundew. While wandering through the forested areas in search of native aviators, guests should be aware of other wildlife including deer, black bears, and rattlesnakes.

Carter-Strong Bird Sanctuary

Address: 3860 N South Long Lake Road, Traverse City, MI 49684, United States

Website: Carter-Strong Bird Sanctuary

Price: Free

10. Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary

While exploring the majestic natural scenery of Thunder Bay, don’t forget to include Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary in your itinerary. Please be sure to stay on the trails as you set out in search of native and migratory birds in order to preserve the island’s fragile ecosystems. During your visit to encounter the swans, geese, wildfowl, and ducks, make time to enjoy a picnic along pristine Oxbow Lake. Visitors who are mobility-challenged can travel through the meadows, woodlands, and cedar marshes along a wooden planked boardwalk.

Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: 208 N 1st Avenue, Alpena, Michigan 49707

Website: Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Experience Michigan's stunning bird sanctuaries

Bird lovers and others will have an excellent time scoping out thousands of aviators in Michigan’s nature preserves. During their visit, they will be able to be one with nature in diverse environments where they can experience tranquility, beautiful scenery, and over 450 bird species. After leaving the naturally amazing Lake Michigan shorefront, visitors will return well-rested from their adventure in the great outdoors.

Editor’s Note: Due to Covid-19, the business hours of Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and Capital City Bird Sanctuary may differ from the stated timings in this article. Please be sure to check the updated hours from the websites.