Birdsong Bay Nature Preserve
County: Alpena Established: 2022 Size: 153 Acres
Situated west of US-23 near the 45th parallel marker south of Alpena, the preserve includes cedar swamps and a globally rare wooded dune and swale complex, all of which support a diverse ecosystem of plants and wildlife native to Northern Michigan.
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Visitor Information
Access to Birdsong Bay Nature Preserve is limited to foot traffic only, via a two-track off Piper Road and DNR land to the west. Conditions are often wet and hard to navigate.
Conservation Value
The dune & swale ecosystems of Birdsong Bay Nature Preserve are a globally rare habitat type found only along the Great Lakes. These forested wetland complexes are home to Blanding’s turtles, a species of special concern in Michigan which relies on a mix of uplands and wetlands to survive.
Birdsong Bay hosts a great diversity of migratory birds in spring and fall, including trumpeter swans, ducks, geese, shorebirds, raptors & more.
Protected coastal wetlands are essential to maintaining the water health of Lake Huron. Natural shorelines, and wetlands in particular, are resilient to high lake levels, storm surges and climate-related events.
History and Future
The Nature Conservancy transferred ownership of the 153-acre Birdsong Bay Nature Preserve to Huron Pines in late December 2022.
Activities
Please note: Because of wet conditions and the sensitive nature of natural habitats found here, recreational activities are limited.
iNaturalist is a worldwide community science platform that Huron Pines uses to share information about flora (plants) and fauna (animals) found on our properties. View what’s been observed and learn how you can share your own observations below.