Highland Park, MI is a bedroom community surrounded by the Detroit Metro area. Despite this, it offers several recreation options. Among these are the unique opportunities provided through birdwatching. To help find these locations, here are the top birding spots near Highland Park, MI.
1. Lake Erie Metropark
Lake Erie Metropark is 30 minutes south of the city via Interstate 75. Bald eagles and long-eared owls are the specialties at this birding location. Thanks to its shoreline, the park also welcomes waterfowl, herons, and gulls. Among the seasonal events is the migration of hundreds of hawks.
2. Lake St. Clair Metropark
Another Detroit-area park that’s a prime area to watch birds is Lake St. Clair Metropark. It’s 30 minutes northeast of Highland Park via interstates 75, 696, and 94. It’s worth the journey to view various birds in a natural habitat. Once the latest information is obtained at the park’s nature center, you’ll discover waterfowl along trails that cover woodlands, marshes, and beaches.
3. Crosswinds Marsh
Head south on I-94 and I-275 to reach Crosswinds Marsh. You don’t have to journey too far into the natural area to catch a glimpse of bald eagles, as their nests are seen from the road. Inside Crosswinds are several trails and a boardwalk through restored wetlands. You’ll see various waterfowl and woodland birds such as Canadian geese, sandhill cranes, and robins.
4. Rouge River Bird Observatory
This space is across from the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. Part of the University of Michigan, the area’s 300 acres are utilized for mixed environmental study. Among the woodland birds and waterfowl of the area are blue jays, European starlings, warblers, and a variety of sparrows. Banding of these birds for tracking purposes occurs regularly at the Interpretive Center.
5. Elmwood Cemetary
Less than 20 minutes from Highland Park, Elmwood Cemetary is Detroit’s first certified arboretum. It’s an oasis among the city sprawl with rolling hills and a small creek that runs through it. Additionally, Elmwood is a perfect spot for birding throughout the year as you regularly see red-tailed and Cooper’s hawks. In the spring and fall, visit the cemetery to watch the comings and goings of the area’s songbirds.
6. Belle Isle
Designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead, Belle Isle is located on the Detroit River along the border between the U.S. and Windsor, Canada. Both songbirds and waterfowl populate the greenspace throughout the year on the 300 acres of old-growth swamp woods. A large number of Canadian geese make Belle Isle their home along with mallards, ring-billed gulls, white-throated sparrows, and raptors.
7. Milliken State Park
Also located on the shores of the Detroit River, Milliken State Park is off of Jefferson Ave. in Detroit. Its vast spaces of green amongst an urban landscape invites birders to visit. Sparrows, warblers, and goldfinches are among the songbirds that perch in the park. Other unique types that populate the area during the year are canvasbacks and killdeers.
Needless to say, there are plenty of locations to watch birds near Highland Park. Visit Bill Snethkamp Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram in Highland Park and visit some of them throughout the year. Bring a notebook and camera with you to log the numerous waterfowl and woodland birds you see.
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