Les Cheneaux Area Birding Locations

​Pileated Woodpeckers
Photo by Paul Rossi

The name "Les Cheneaux" (pronounced "Lay-Shen-O") is French in origin, and loosely translated to mean "the channels." A series of 36 islands along miles of Lake Huron shoreline offers sheltered bays, channels and quiet coves making it ideal for birdwatching. This section of the trail features stunning rocky shoreline with huge boulders, coastal wetlands, and coniferous forests grading into northern hardwoods.

This area is a migratory stopover site and significant nesting area for a large number of bird species. The forested shoreline and series of islands along Lake Huron provide landing and launching habitat for birds crossing over the straits in the spring and fall. 

Birds you may see include: Common Loons, Pileated Woodpeckers, Warblers, Osprey, American Bittern, Common Yellowthroat and Swamp Sparrow, Gulls, Long-tailed Ducks, Least Flycatcher and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Black Terns, Common Terns, Caspian Terns, and many more.
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Les Cheneaux Area Locations

#6 - Search Bay National 
​        Forest Campground

#7 - Birge Nature Preserve Complex
​#8 - Derby Nature Preserve

#9 - Cedarville Wastewater

#10 - Cedarville Bay
#11 - Woollam Nature Preserve
#12 - Prentiss Bay