St. Ignace Location: Bridge View Park and Pte. La Barbe FEATURED SITE |
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Directions
Upon crossing the bridge into the Upper Peninsula, take the second exit (exit 344B). Turn left (west) off the exit onto US-2, and then take a left (south) onto the first road you approach, which is Boulevard Drive. Immediately past the four way stop with Densmore Drive you will find Bridge View Park on your left. Additional birding can be found by continuing south along Boulevard Drive. Good birding is possible by viewing the large Marsh area south of Boulevard drive, and at the tip of the point itself, which is approximately 1.5 miles past Bridge View Park. Birding opportunities from the road continue until your reach Pte. La Barbe Road. GPS: 45.84462, -84.74452 |
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Birding Opportunities
For many years Pte. La Barbe has been known as one of Michigan’s best migration hot spots. From Bridge view park, one can view the open water of the Straits of Mackinac along with some of the most impressive views of the “Mighty Mac” bridge. In both the spring and fall, and even into early winter, these waters can be teaming with waterfowl. One of the largest rafts of Redheads in the state can often be viewed from here (over 20,000 individual ducks have been recorded in this raft!) along with Mergansers, Long-tailed Duck, and many other diving duck species. In addition Common Tern can be seen frequently here. Waterfowl can move throughout the Straits area depending on wind conditions. If you are looking for waterfowl and find none hear, make sure to check Straits State Park and Dock #3 as these locations may be more sheltered from the wind. To the west one can also view Green Island and the offshore shoals which are home to one of the state’s largest Ring-billed and Herring Gull colonies (over 10,000 Ring-billed Gulls were recorded here in. As you continue from the park southwest on boulevard drive the birding action really heats up. Rails, bittern, marsh wren and heron species are often seen or heard in the large marsh complex south of the road. This is also one of the few places that you are likely to see a great egret in Michigan’s Upper Peninsuala. At the Point itself one can expect to get great views of Green Island as well as catch migrating hawks and shorebirds that have just crossed, or are preparing to cross, the open water of the Straits. Some of the better, but annual, species include Wimbrel, Golden Eagle, Golden and Black-bellied Plovers, and Peregrine Falcon. More rare species such as Western Sandpiper or Eurasian Wigeon have also been recorded here. In addition to waterfowl and shorebirds, the point is a great place to get out and check the small trees and shrubs that line the shoreline. After south winds in the spring months these trees can be thick with Warblers, Flycatchers, Tanagers, and Orioles.
Other Exciting Features
Without a doubt the views of the Mackinac Bridge here are the best to be had. There is a small rest room and visitors center at Bridge View Park with historical information on the bridge. Boulevard Drive is a great place to view the iconic rocky shorelines of this region and the rocks can vary from local dolomite containing ancient fossils to glacial erratic boulders from far off lands.
For many years Pte. La Barbe has been known as one of Michigan’s best migration hot spots. From Bridge view park, one can view the open water of the Straits of Mackinac along with some of the most impressive views of the “Mighty Mac” bridge. In both the spring and fall, and even into early winter, these waters can be teaming with waterfowl. One of the largest rafts of Redheads in the state can often be viewed from here (over 20,000 individual ducks have been recorded in this raft!) along with Mergansers, Long-tailed Duck, and many other diving duck species. In addition Common Tern can be seen frequently here. Waterfowl can move throughout the Straits area depending on wind conditions. If you are looking for waterfowl and find none hear, make sure to check Straits State Park and Dock #3 as these locations may be more sheltered from the wind. To the west one can also view Green Island and the offshore shoals which are home to one of the state’s largest Ring-billed and Herring Gull colonies (over 10,000 Ring-billed Gulls were recorded here in. As you continue from the park southwest on boulevard drive the birding action really heats up. Rails, bittern, marsh wren and heron species are often seen or heard in the large marsh complex south of the road. This is also one of the few places that you are likely to see a great egret in Michigan’s Upper Peninsuala. At the Point itself one can expect to get great views of Green Island as well as catch migrating hawks and shorebirds that have just crossed, or are preparing to cross, the open water of the Straits. Some of the better, but annual, species include Wimbrel, Golden Eagle, Golden and Black-bellied Plovers, and Peregrine Falcon. More rare species such as Western Sandpiper or Eurasian Wigeon have also been recorded here. In addition to waterfowl and shorebirds, the point is a great place to get out and check the small trees and shrubs that line the shoreline. After south winds in the spring months these trees can be thick with Warblers, Flycatchers, Tanagers, and Orioles.
Other Exciting Features
Without a doubt the views of the Mackinac Bridge here are the best to be had. There is a small rest room and visitors center at Bridge View Park with historical information on the bridge. Boulevard Drive is a great place to view the iconic rocky shorelines of this region and the rocks can vary from local dolomite containing ancient fossils to glacial erratic boulders from far off lands.