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1/2 Mile and Marl Lake Road
Care must be taken when walking on the bridge. Scope Camera Binoculars Kayak |
This spot in the far South-West corner of the county offers some great habitat. Parking can be found on the Branch County side, or on a short two-track on the North-West side of the bridge. Nottawa Creek twists through this area making viewing of waterfowl limited from the bridge, unless in flight.
You can set up on the bridge, allowing some minor obstruction, from the bridge, to a 360 degree view of the area. Some small trees on Marl Lake Road into Branch county offer perches for small birds, as does some of the smaller bush areas surrounding the area. I also recommend some drive-by looks on 1/2 Mile Road north of the bridge, as well as south of the bridge prior to turning in to South County Line Road. The area is wide-open with great views, above the short vegetation, to the North and South of the bridge. During the winter I have had great views of the following raptors hunting over the marsh.
In early Spring I was treated to 2 nights of incredible flights of migrating Rusty Blackbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Brown-headed Cowbirds (with probably some Brewer's Blackbirds mixed in that I couldn't ID). In summer Barn Swallows will nest right under the bridge. This allows up close views of these fast flyers. My 400mm lens was near impossible to get shots, you are so close to them. Other birds of note:
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