Great Lakes Birding Hotspots in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana

The Great Lakes are a big barrier to migrant birds as they head north. They must decide if they are going to fly over the huge lakes or if going around them would be a better idea. This leads to many migrants gathering on the shores of the Great Lakes. Visit these five migration hotspots to see birds in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.

1. Ohio Birds: Magee Marsh

If you want to see birds in Ohio, this is where you should start. Magee Marsh along the shores of Lake Erie has become known as the “Warbler Capital of the World” and hosts the largest birding festival in the U.S. every May. One visit and you’ll see why so many birders love coming to Magee Marsh each spring! Warblers and other migrants are literally everywhere in this region. While birding at Magee Marsh, don’t forget to check out other awesome Ohio birding sites like Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Oak Openings Metropark, and the Pipe Creek Wildlife area. Check out the top warbler hotspots to visit in spring.

Rob Ripma

2. Indiana Birds: Indiana Dunes National Park

Birds gather here at Indiana Dunes on the shore of Lake Michigan before continuing on their way north to their breeding grounds in the northern U.S. and Canada. Each spring, a bird count is conducted along the lakeshore in order to track how many birds are passing by. There are also plenty of great Indiana birding locations close to the Dunes, such as Beverly Shores, Kankakee Sands, and Miller Beach. Discover more birding hotspots in lesser-known national parks.

Rob Ripma

3. Michigan Birds: Tawas Point State Park

Tawas Point offers some of the best birding on Lake Huron. This Michigan birding hotspot attracts many songbirds during spring migration. After enjoying the migrants, you won’t be far from a stop to see breeding Kirtland’s warblers near the city of Mio. Get warbler migration tips for every type of birder.

Courtesy Catherine Forrest

4. Michigan Birds: Whitefish Point

Another great spot to see Michigan birds is Whitefish Point. This is a well-known location for the incredible number of waterbirds that migrate past the point that sticks out into Lake Superior. Thousands of ducks, loons, grebes, geese, and shorebirds migrate past the point each spring and fall. In addition to these species, many songbirds also can be seen around Whitefish Point.

5. Point Pelee, Ontario, Canada

Across Lake Erie from Magee Marsh in Ohio sits the world famous Point Pelee. As migrants cross over the lake, this point is one of the first pieces of land that they see, and many of them stop here to feed. During the spring, you can spend a day birding at Magee Marsh and then take the JetExpress ferry across Lake Erie to bird in Canada! Check out 4 reasons nature lovers should visit Point Pelee National Park.

Next, explore Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.