Welcome to the Shore to Shore Birding Trail!

About

The Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan is characterized by vast areas of boreal forest, pristine wetlands, and over 700 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. The landscape is dappled with inland lakes and threaded with numerous rivers providing endless access to outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and wildlife-viewing.

The Shore to Shore Birding Trail traverses Lake Superior’s southern shore from Sault Ste. Marie to Whitefish Point.  Interior stops include a multitude of forested and non-forested habitats in the Hiawatha National Forest, the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, the Silver Creek Birding Trail (a bird trail within a bird trail!) and a variety of other well-known birding locations.  The Shore to Shore Birding Trail is flanked by the northern shore of Lake Michigan from Naubinway Harbor to Point la Barbe near St. Ignace.  A diverse array of migrant songbirds calls this area home in the summer, and both resident and irruptive boreal species can be found in winter.

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Crowned by Whitefish Point to the north, the Shore to Shore Birding Trail is home to the premier birding hotspot in Michigan. Migrant waterbirds, songbirds, shorebirds, and raptors pass by the Point in spring and fall migration in tremendous numbers, and rarities often show up. From there, the trail ventures south and east through forests, bogs, and patches of grassland. Ten different species of owl can be found throughout the area, including Snowy, Great Gray, long-eared owl, and Northern-Hawk Owls – although seeing all will require a bit of luck. The sandy beaches of the Eastern Upper Peninsula are home to the endangered Piping Plover, and the recently delisted Kirtland’s warbler finds its home in young jack pine. Follow this birding trail to connect with nature and explore the natural beauty of a region bordered by three Great Lakes.

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The Shore to Shore Birding Trail was created by a team of local natural resource organizations recognizing the need for additional birding opportunities related to birding hot spots in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Initial planning efforts began in 2017 when local DNR Wildlife Division staff attended the Michigan Birding Trail Network Workshop in Traverse City, Michigan, hosted by the Michigan Audubon Society in partnership with Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension.  Brainstorming continued at a local level until early 2019 when trail planning efforts picked up with multiple partners joining in on the effort of identifying locations, suitable habitats, writing interpretive information, designing signs, maps, and brochures, and gathering resources for each stop along the trail.  From initial idea to grand-opening event, the Shore to Shore Birding Trail was made possible from 5 years of planning and dedication of natural resource enthusiasts and local organizations.

Funding for this project came from the Michigan DNR and from the USDA Forest Service - Hiawatha National Forest Secure Rural Area Schools Self Determination Act of 2000 (RAC) grant secured by the Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District, as well as many hours of volunteer time donated by project partners.  This funding supports a full feature website, printed trail map, educational panels along the trail, roadside signage and a kickoff event to celebrate the grand opening of the trail in 2022.