Gros Cap Roadside Park

Each spring and fall the Straits of Mackinac are a gathering area for migratory bald eagles, turkey vultures and large rafts of diving ducks. The bluffs west of Saint Ignace create an upwelling of air from Lake Michigan where dozens of eagles and vultures can be seen soaring on the wind currents, often at tree level. Other raptors, such as broad-winged, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks can also be seen. Falcons such as American kestrels and merlin are also frequently spotted. Large rafts of redheads, greater and lesser scaup, scoters and other diving ducks may be seen by looking south towards Saint Helena Island.