Date sent:        Fri, 03 Mar 2000 10:37:25 -0500
From:             Steve Santner <santners@karmanos.org>
To:               "Spencer, Carolyn" <Carolyn.Spencer@wl.com>, 
                  birders@umich.edu
Subject:          Re: Northwest Michigan birding

    There are lots of good birding areas up that way and plenty 
for bay ducks. There are fewer for "puddle" ducks but I think I 
know some for these as well. Almost any overlook of Lake Michigan 
should have some bay ducks. Some of the better spots (more 
variety of species) include Elk Rapids (check Lake Michigan and 
Elk Lake), Lake Charlevoix (there are several overlooks, the best 
of which is in East Jordan where there could be puddle ducks as 
well), Little Thorn Bay (Petosky), and finally, cross the bridge 
into the UP and go slightly east along Lake Michigan to Pt La 
Barbe.  The latter spot may have landbird migrants as well, it is 
sometimes a migrant "trap" when the winds are right.  other good 
places for landbirding include Wilderness State Park (which may 
have waterfowl as well) and a spot whose name and exact location 
escapes me at the moment.  I will try to get information to you 
when I get home tonight after work.  It is a nature preserve 
north of Petosky along Rt 119.  I would recommend getting the 
Delorme Atlas for Michigan (or one of the "county" Atlases.  The 
counties which cover the areas I've mentioned are Antrim, 
Charlevoix, Emmet, Cheboygen, and Mackinac.  In addition to the 
places I've mentioned, it is possible to bird along the road in 
most areas of most of these counties since they are not as 
heavily populated as southeastern Michigan.  Good luck on your 
trip. 

    Steve Santner

"Spencer, Carolyn" wrote:

> In April I will be going to Harbor Springs/Petoskey area and want to
> do some birding while there.  Since I have never birded in that part
> of Michigan, I would welcome any suggestions on good places to go,
> say within a 50 mile radius.  I am particularly interested in ducks
> and other waterfowl.  Also, I love to travel with my small dog and
> would love suggestions on places to stay (anywhere in Michigan) that
> allow dogs.  Many thanks for any info.
>
> Carol Spencer
> Ann Arbor