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Benzonia, MI

Birding

Benzie County offers wonderful birding opportunities throughout the year, but especially in spring and fall.  About 270 species have been recorded in the county and about 200 of these may be seen in a given year.

Audobon Club David Harrison Memorial LookoutA favorite lookout point over the Betsie River Marsh area, ideal for observing birds and other wildlife.

Interview with Carl Freeman - Birding and More in Benzie County

Although the migration of birds is taking place along the Lake Michigan shore, there is not a real strong point in Benzie County where they land unless it’s a weather related condition.  However, along the shore you can see Warblers, Shorebirds, and some that are migrating to places further north if you’re in the area and a beginning bird watcher.  (Avid bird watchers go other places.)

Piping Plovers make their nests at the mouth of the Platte River where it flows into Lake Michigan and often time volunteers are out there helping them. They rope off the area where they nest and put wire cages over their nests to keep them safe.

The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy purchased 9000 acres of land between Manistee and Benzie Counties. They’ve developed trails on this land and do field trips in the Spring and Summer. 

The special thing about Benzie County according to Carl is that there is lots and lots of public places for people to go to experience nature. There’s a lot of National Forest land, State Forest Land and Land Conservancy land that’s been purchased as well as miles and miles of Lake Michigan shore where people can go and this aspect is unique.

In May, the forest floors are full of Trillium.