Birdsong Bay Nature Preserve
County: Alpena Established: 2022 Size: 153 Acres
Situated west of US-23 near the 45th parallel marker south of Alpena, the preserve includes cedar swamps and a globally rare wooded dune and swale complex, all of which support a diverse ecosystem of plants and wildlife native to Northern Michigan.
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Visitor Information
Access to Birdsong Bay Nature Preserve is limited to foot traffic only, via a two-track off Piper Road and DNR land to the west. Conditions are often wet and hard to navigate.
Conservation Value
The dune & swale ecosystems of Birdsong Bay Nature Preserve are a globally rare habitat type found only along the Great Lakes. These forested wetland complexes are home to Blanding’s turtles, a species of special concern in Michigan which relies on a mix of uplands and wetlands to survive.
Birdsong Bay hosts a great diversity of migratory birds in spring and fall, including trumpeter swans, ducks, geese, shorebirds, raptors & more.
Protected coastal wetlands are essential to maintaining the water health of Lake Huron. Natural shorelines, and wetlands in particular, are resilient to high lake levels, storm surges and climate-related events.
History and Future
The Nature Conservancy transferred ownership of the 153-acre Birdsong Bay Nature Preserve to Huron Pines in late December 2022.
Activities
Please note: Because of wet conditions and the sensitive nature of natural habitats found here, recreational activities are limited.
