US-MI-Grass+Lake+Flooding+SWMA


 * =Birding in Michigan=

Benzie County
=Grass Lake Flooding State Wildlife Management Area= Grass Lake Dam Road Thompsonville, MI 49683 [|Grass Lake State Forest Campground web site] [|Grass Lake Flooding State Wildlife Management Area map]

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Grass Lake
Coordinates: 44.6092691, -85.8528651 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Grass Lake State Forest Campground
Coordinates: 44.591873, -85.8469963 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

About Grass Lake Flooding State Wildlife Management Area
Grass Lake Dam was constructed in 1951, primarily to improve waterfowl habitat and northern pike fishing. Upstream of the dam, the upper section of the Betsie River and the Grass Lake Wildlife Flooding passes through uninhabited countryside of hardwood forests, meadows, and marshlands. It is a watery haven of reeds and cattails that supports swans, loons, herons, Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and songbirds.

For canoeists and kayakers this flooded portion of the upper Betsie River is a wonderful place to bird in the months of May through October, but especially May and June. It is best to paddle out onto Grass Lake when the wind is calm. On windy days, stick to the somewhat sheltered Betsie River. If you do paddle Grass Lake, allow at least 3 hours to paddle out to and around all of Grass Lake. Grass Lake is 1.3 miles from the dam and is 2 miles in circumference. The campground is an ideal launching spot for canoeing or kayaking the upper section of the Betsie River and the Grass Lake Wildlife Flooding.

Even without taking a paddle trip, the campground is worth a birding stop along the Betsie River. Arrive early morning in late May or June and the campground area will be alive with birdsong including Warbling Vireos, Yellow-throated Vireos, Least Flycatchers, orioles, warblers, and more. Before or after your paddle, spend some time exploring the campground area. Next to the boat launch at campsite #4 there is a path leading to the dam and on to campsite #3. Look for Eastern Phoebes nesting under the picnic shelter. From [|Sleeping Bear Birding Trail: Grass Lake web site]

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media type="custom" key="27382068" || L318776 US US-MI US-MI-019 44.6092691 -85.8528651 Grass Lake L2161332 US US-MI US-MI-019 44.591873 -85.8469963 Grass Lake State Forest Campground