Muskegon Wastewater Management System ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Muskegon County Wastewater Management System is a massive series of sewage treatment ponds and farm fields east of Muskegon. Michigan birders consider it one of the best birding sites in Michigan. Many and diverse birds are drawn to the 11,000-acre facility. Completed in 1973, the facility treats about 11 billion gallons of human and industrial sewage annually in a series of huge ponds. The treated wastewater is then used to irrigate 5,000 acres of farm fields before it flows into the Muskegon River. Since 1973, 252 species of birds have been documented at the facility--two-thirds of all species ever recorded in Michigan. Possibly the rarest bird ever seen in the state of Michigan was seen there, a White Wagtail, in April 1985. As many as 40,000 Canada Geese winter at the site, sharing the area with Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Snowy Owls, plovers, sandpipers, and dozens of other bird species. At other times of the year, birders might see Red Phalarope, Greater White-fronted Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Gyrfalcon, Eared Grebe, or American White Pelican. It is an important spot for shorebirds that are migrating south. The Muskegon County facility is one of about 50 wastewater treatment systems in the U.S. that are important rest areas for shorebirds in the midst of grueling migrations between North America and South America. Birds are attracted to the Muskegon system, and others like it, because the facilities offer habitat and huge quantities of insects and seeds that birds crave. The Muskegon facility is especially attractive to migratory birds because it features two sewage storage ponds that span 1,700 acres and thousands of acres of farm fields. The Muskegon facility is located adjacent to the Muskegon State Game Area, which helps draw birds to the wastewater system. The neighboring Muskegon County landfill also attracts thousands of garbage-scavenging gulls that nest at the wastewater system. The director of the Muskegon County Wastewater Management System is Tim Westman. He says that birders are welcome at the facility provided they obtain a pass at the wastewater system office before touring the site. He can be reached at the following numbers: Phone - (231) 724-3440 / Fax - (231) 724-3588 ------------ The above information was adapted from an article by Jeff Alexander, Ann Arbor News Bureau, in the Ann Arbor News, March 18, 2000. E-mail Jim Porter for information about birding at the facility at jporter@traverse.com. ------------ Date sent: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 08:46:32 -0400 From: Steve Santner To: birders@umich.edu Subject: Re: Muskegon Send reply to: Steve Santner Muskegon SP, both the north and south jetties. They're only a few hundred yards apart but there is a 10 mile drive to get between them. If pressed for time do the north jetty so you won't have to drive through the city of Muskegon. Muskegon Wastewater, although a bit obnoxious to bird often has some pretty good birds. There still should be Eared Grebe there and there should be at least some shorebirds and waterfowl - check the edges of the two main lagoons and the mudflat adjacent to the primary treatment area for the shorebirds. You may want to check the settling ponds as well although most will be dry. It is allowable for birders to drive the dikes, despite the "No Trespassing" signs but be careful how you park - do not obstruct the dikes. Muskegon Wastewater is located on M46 (Apple Ave) west of Muskegon about 5 miles or so. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the north-south road which goes up the west side but find the landfill, which is right on M46 at the east side of the treatment plant and go back toward Muskegon. At the first big intersection go north. After a few miles (2-3?) you will see the entrance on the right. Drive in and go to the office. You can drive past the office up onto the dike. Another way to reach the dike is to take the deadend road about one half to one mile east of the main intersection mentioned before. At the end of the road, you can drive up onto the dike. As you may have noticed from the instructions, this place is huge. It is by far the largest sewage treatment area I've ever seen. The two main lagoons are about a square mile in area. There are some large fields just to the south of the treatment area (not part of the wastewater property - I believe most of this land is owned by a Muskegon area birder named Zielinski). Access is from Swanson Rd, off of M46. There probably will not be much there now but in summer this area has Western Meadowlark, Dickcissel, Upland Sandpiper etc. In winter there are Short-eared Owls. There is a state game land just to the north (northwest?) of the treatment area. Go north from the wastewater entrance road for about 2-4 miles (I don't remember exactly how far it is) and turn left onto a gravel drive which almost immediately turns left through a gate. Drive back in (it's difficult to spot since it's not labeled and it's just a small dirt road) but worth the effort to find. There is a large wetland at the end of the road which should have something worthwhile. The woods on the way in will have some warblers also. If you want more specific directions, let me know and I'll get them when I get home tonight and can consult my maps and notes. Steve Santner Rick Lucas wrote: > I am thinking of running over to the Muskegon area this Sat. Any > suggestions of places to check out will be appreciated. Rick > LucasMilford--- To unsubscribe from birders@umich.edu send a blank > message to lyris@listserver.itd.umich.edu with UNSUBSCRIBE BIRDERS as > the Subject line. To resubscribe use SUBSCRIBE BIRDERS Your Name.