The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House Grosse Pointe Shores, Macomb County The Ford House is the last of the auto baron houses that used to grace the shores of Lake St. Clair. For a birder, however, this was the one worth keeping. The grounds were designed by famed landscape architect Jens Jensen. Because the Fords were big birdwatchers, Jensen created an area on the property called Bird Island that is grows wild. It's a great place in the fall, winter and spring to watch waterfowl on the lake. In the spring and fall, this peninsula attracts all kinds of migrants. There are other excellent areas on the property to find birds. The rose garden is surrounded by towering trees that give the garden an "edge habitat" feel. The shore is worth checking in the spring for Horned Larks and in the fall for shorebirds and hummingbirds feeding on the jewelweed. Rosann Kovalcik of the Grosse Pointe Wild Birds Unlimited store has led regular bird walks at the Ford House for the past 15 years, and has recorded more than 180 species there. The Ford House is located at 1100 Lake Shore Drive, between Vernier and Nine Mile Road, right on the St. Clair Shores/Grosse Pointe Shores border. There is a fee to walk the grounds. Hours are limited, and the facility is closed on Mondays. Check fordhouse.org for more information. 313-884-4222.