Vermillion Road and Andrus Lake State Campground

The first stretch of Vermillion Road will take you past the rustic Andrus Lake State Forest Campground. Stop and scan the small lake during spring and fall migration for waterfowl like bufflehead and goldeneye. During the summer residents like belted kingfishers, hooded mergansers and sandhill cranes can be found raising their young. An evening visit can reward you with a whip-poor-will or common nighthawk. Commonly reported warblers include black-and-white, Nashville, pine, yellow-rumped and black-throated green. There are pit toilets located at the Andrus Lake State Campground. 

As you continue your drive west go slow and occasionally get out to check the skies and trees for finch species such as red crossbill or purple finch. Red-breasted nuthatches and golden-crowned kinglets are also common here most seasons. 

About 1-mile down the road from Whitefish Point Road, you will come across a large open sandy area and a small concrete pad. This is known as the "slab" and is on many birders radars as one of the places to look for the fabled spruce grouse. From here you can park on the side of the road and get out and hike into the woods on either side of the road or walk along the road itself. Anywhere within a half-mile radius of the slab is a good place to view the elusive grouse. 

The spruce grouse is unapprehensive of humans, and you can often stumble upon them eating grit from the side of the road or eating needles from the top of one of the many jack pine trees in the area. However, despite their unflinching nature, they can often be nearly impossible to find. These birds are well camouflaged and when they aren't feeding, they sit close to a tree trunk in a thickly branched tree and remain completely still, you can often walk within feet of one without even knowing it's there. 

While you're looking for grouse keep your eyes peeled for species like palm warbler and dark-eyed junco which are often found in the woods. Red crossbills are often flying by. Rarely during spring and fall migration Townsend solitaires have been spotted in this area. 

You can continue northwest in your car along the road, however, note that this is primarily a logging road and not accessible in the winter. The road can be sandy and rough as well as confusing. A four-wheel drive vehicle may be advisable, if you get uncomfortable at any point do not proceed. Turn around and head back. About 1.25 miles down Vermillion Road from Whitefish Point Rd, you will come to a split. Go left to head towards the Sheldrake Flooding, or straight to stay on Vermillion Road.