Blog Archives

Calhoun County Birdability spots

3/7/2025

0 Comments

Spots that are accessible for Birdability

Woodland Park and Nature Preserve
1. The paved parking spot on Gethings Road can be active during Spring/Fall migration with trees visible from car.
Kellogg Field--East Airport Rd.
1. Dead end paved road that has two retention ponds visible from road, as well as small woods on South side and some trees along North side by larger retentions pond. Pond at West end of drive not completely visible from road, but birds can be heard there. There is also room along one of the runways for visibility to birds either out in the grass, or coming to the fence to perch.
Duck Lake
1. Paved boat launch gives views of part of North side of lake, as well as views towards the South. There is a spot on N. Shore Drive where the North side of the lake is visible. Some spots open between houses on Monroe Road, South of the boat launch. Some open spots between houses on South side of Lake on Anderson Road.
Fairview Cemetery/Homer Sewage Ponds
1. Gravel roads wind through the cemetery, with views of most of the large West retention pond from vehicle in some spots. Also on North side both smaller ponds, that are downhill can be viewed from gravel drive. Trees in the cemetary and lining the outside can be active also.
D Dr. S. flooded field
1. Dead-end gravel road with house at the end. Large marsh/pond to South mostly visible from road on East and West side of road. Smaller pond completely visible on East end of road. Trees overhead in the middle can provide views of migrating birds out window/sunroof.
Gordon Lake
1. Part of lake can be viewed from gravel boat launch.
23 Mile and O Dr. N
1. O DR N is a low traffic road, compared to 23 Mile Road. Hayfield on North side of O DR N are go to spot for Bobolink in the county. Northern Shrike has frequented the brushy area to the South. Cattle Pond on East side of 23, just south of O DR N can be viewed with car pulled off the road into grass. Not a spot to park for a long period, but long enough to view ducks/gees in pond. Further south on 23 Mile are other small ponds frequented by waterfowl.
Duck Lake WTP
1. Townhip Hall paved parking will allow partial view of Water Treatment Plan ponds. Grass fields would have to be crossed to get full views. West pond usually is filled to max allowing for just more distant views than walking to fence.
Bailey Park
1. Waterfowl can be viewed from paved parking and boat launch. Trees visible for migrating birds on drive around the East side of the park. There are paved paths along these trees also.
Barnes Park
1. Kalamazoo River viewable from Edwards Street and where turns into Water Street.
P Drive N between 19.5 and 21 Mile
1. 1.5 lane, low traffic road East of Lake of the Woods hotspot. There is room to pull off to the edge. A couple of small woods on the South side of the road. Corn fields to the North (until Solar Farms replace them), and large usually untilled field that has had productive fluddles some years.
O Dr. N. pond
1. Small pond on North side of low traffic road for waterfowl and Swamp Sparrow during summer. Sedge Wren and Marsh Wrens reported here in migration. Trees in swamp to South productive during Spring/Fall migration.
Upper Brace Lake
1. Gravel road to boat launch with pine trees on South side of road. Most of lake viewable from vehicle at boat launch, when not busy.
Stuart's Landing
1. Part of Kalamazoo River viewable from parking lot at Stuart's Landing proper. Just East of there is another drive that leads to dirt road boat launch.
Historic Bridge Park/North Country Trail/Kimball Pines
1. Paved road can be driven through very small park, with views of Kalamazoo River. Trees lining drive to West to boat launch can be productive in winter and during migration. What trails are present are mostly paved, but bridges are made with wood for walking over.
R Dr. N fields
1. Various fields betwen 19.5 MIle Road and 21.5 Mile Road have had migrating Sandhill Cranes, geese, fluddles with shorebirds and winter with Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs. Many of these fields look to be part of the development plan for future Solar Farm. Winter of '24-25 some were allowed to grow over and Short-eared Owls were present.
Lake of the Woods
1. Short gravel road to gravel boat launch. Boat launch allows for views of most of lake from vehicle.
Q Dr. S and 1 1/2 Mile Rd. wetlands
1. Low traffic paved road, until last few hundred yards at West end. Small prairies on South side. Ring-necked Pheasants typically present. Sedge Wrens during summer.
Leila Arboretum
1. Paved roads allow driving through Arboretum.
Ackley Lake--boat launch (Calhoun Co.)
1. Gravel boat launch allows views of entire lake, as well as room on 16 Mile Road to pull over to view from West side of the lake. Note the boat launch is a steep downhill from the road, and could be tough to get out depending on conditons. Second entrance/exit at North side of launch less sever grade, but poorer visiblity looking South on 16 Mile Road.
D Dr. South marsh
1. Low traffic road with large marsh on South side, and smaller one to North side of the road, on the West end. Nice spot for good looks at marsh birds. Wilson's Snipe display during migraiton. Sora and Virginia Rail possibly breeding even. There are also some marshes down on East end of D DR S that are on the Eaton Corporation property.
Pine Creek Wetlands
1. Access easier on Branch County (South) side with small canoe/kayak launch site. Calhoun (North) side elevated on short two-track, but allow for better views of the Wetlands. Best raptor site during winter months.
23 Mile Rd. flooded field
1. Field has been drained, but this area has had scores of Wild Turkeys and large groups of Snow Buntings present in nearby farm fields.
N Drive N and 20.5 Mile Rd.--fields
1. A few spots to pull over and look at Sandhill Cranes in migration, and some shorebirds in fluddle spots.
S. Branch Kalamazoo River overlook
1. Pull in to Cemetary on Northern-most entrance and can pull in to observe the Kalamazoo River where geese will collect during migration. Cemetary can be driven through also giving views of River on South side of M-99 (where Barnes Park is).
Victory Park
1. Park has paved road allowing one to drive vehicle through it. Just North of park on Hannah Street there is a spot in which the Kalamazoo River to the East can be viewed.
Waubascon Lake Public Access
1. Dirt road boat launch allows for viewing of large section of the lake. Taking Waubascon Road further North allows for views of wetlands to the East, and additonal views of the lake to the West.
Wilder Creek and Division Dr
1. 3 spots before/after guardrails allow viewing of the wetlands created by Wilder Creek. 2 spots on the South side, and 1 spot on the North side allow for vehicle to be pulled completely off the road. Sandhill Cranes can be found often through the year here, and waterfowl can be plentiful during migration.
Homer Lake Public Access
1. Paved road leads to paved boat launch allowing for views of most of lake.
B Dr N fields
1. Prior to winter of '24-25 South field was left untilled and amazing spot for Short-eared Owls. Solar farm now present on the entire South field, and small section of North side. North field still has hosted Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspur in winter. Sparrows can be plentiful along trees/bushes along South side of road. Slightly East of here Kalamazoo River can be scanned either at the bridge on B DR N or from dirt road on 25.5 Mile Road.
Beadle Lake
1. South side of lake can be visible from South end of Kistler Road. Some spots between houses can also allow additonal views of the Lake.
Graham Lake
1. Paved boat launch allows for views of both South and North side of lake from boat launch.
10.5 Mile Rd. and D Drive N--fields
1. Dirt road allows for views of prairie grasslands to the East, and farmlands to the West. Further South on 10.5 Mile Road near B DR N has some open grassy areas with a small pond to West.
Linear Park--Jackson St. access
1. Dirt parking lot does allow for some viewing of the river. There are cement trails along the river, but parking areas are dirt in a couple of spots West of this location off Jackson Street.
Oakridge Cemetery
1. Partially paved, partially two-track, cemetery can be driven through.
Saylors Landing
1. Small paved area with boat launch allows for viewing small section of Kalamazoo River.
A Drive S and Carver Rd. fluddle
1. Fairly busy road, has occasional fluddle to attract birds during migration. South of this curve can be additional fluddles.

0 Comments

Birding

Calhoun County Birdability spots

Long time coming for a couple of books to add to my library

Author

Archives

Categories