Birding Near Lake Huron Cabin Rentals | Sunrise Coast Guide
Birding Near Lake Huron Cabin Rentals
If you love birds, migration season is one of the best times to visit Michigan’s Sunrise Coast. Our area sits along the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail, which follows more than 145 miles of Lake Huron shoreline and passes through some of the region’s most important coastal habitats. These shoreline points, marshes, river mouths, and wetlands act as natural “migrant traps,” concentrating birds during spring and fall migration and making this stretch of coast a standout destination for birders.
For guests staying at Lake Huron Cabin Rentals, birding is an easy and rewarding way to explore the area. You can spend the morning watching warblers, waterfowl, cranes, or raptors, then head back to the cabins to relax on Lake Huron. Whether you are a serious birder with binoculars and a life list or just someone who enjoys spotting wildlife on a scenic drive, there are excellent birding locations within easy reach.
Tawas Point State Park
One of the most famous birding spots in the Great Lakes is Tawas Point State Park in East Tawas. AuSable Valley Audubon describes it as an internationally important migration stop because its geography gives tired birds one of the few places to rest and refuel during long flights. The park is especially well known for spring warblers and other migrants, and it is also a protected area for the Piping Plover.
Tawas Point is also home to the area’s best-known annual birding event. The 2026 Tawas Point Birding Festival is scheduled for Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16, 2026. AuSable Valley Audubon notes that the festival is usually held in mid-May during peak spring migration and includes educational stations and guided birding opportunities. It is worth noting that the 2025 event was cancelled due to construction at the state park, so checking current park conditions before you go is a smart idea.
Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area
If you enjoy wetlands and expansive open habitats, Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area near Standish and Au Gres is one of the top spots in the region. The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy (SBLC) says the site covers 3,023 acres, including more than 900 acres of wetlands, with dikes open to foot traffic year-round. It is an excellent place to look for shorebirds, wading birds, gulls, waterfowl, Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Black Terns, Forster’s Terns, Caspian Terns, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, bitterns, and Northern Harriers.
Au Gres River Mouth and Delta
Closer to the cabins, the Au Gres River mouth and nearby birding sites are excellent for waterfowl and raptors. The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy notes that the Au Gres River DNR Boat Launch has recorded nearly 90 species, with highlights including the Tundra Swan, Ruddy Duck, Horned Grebe, Broad-winged Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Bonaparte’s Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, and White-winged Crossbill.
The nearby Au Gres Delta Nature Preserve and Pressprich Nature Preserve are quieter places to explore on foot. SBLC describes the delta preserve as a mostly wetland site along the west shore of Saginaw Bay adjacent to the Au Gres River, while Pressprich is especially good in May as a landfall site for migrating songbirds and warblers moving up the Lake Huron shoreline.
Tuttle Marsh and the Tawas Area
The Tawas area offers even more wetland birding beyond Tawas Point. On the Arenac and Iosco County Birding Trail, nearby shoreline parks and marsh habitats support a wide variety of species, including waterfowl, gulls, terns, swallows, and shorebirds. SBLC notes that Gateway Park, just south of Tawas, has recorded more than 100 species, including the Horned Grebe, Red-necked Phalarope, Bonaparte’s Gull, Little Gull, Caspian Tern, Common Tern, and Purple Martin.
What You Might See by Season
Spring is the biggest draw for many birders, especially in May, when migration peaks and warblers, shorebirds, cranes, and other migrants move through the coast. Summer brings reliable looks at species such as Bald Eagles, Ospreys, terns, and Great Blue Herons in the broader coastal wetlands and shoreline habitats. Fall is excellent for migrating waterfowl and raptors, while winter can bring interesting northern visitors along the Lake Huron coast. These seasonal patterns are exactly why the Sunrise Coast trail has become such a popular destination for birdwatchers.
Why Stay at Lake Huron Cabin Rentals?
One of the best parts of birding here is that you do not have to rush. Staying at Lake Huron Cabin Rentals gives you a comfortable home base near some of the best birding on the Sunrise Coast. You can head out early for the morning flight at Tawas Point, spend the afternoon exploring marshes near Au Gres or Standish, and then come back to the lake to relax. It is a great fit for birders, photographers, couples, and anyone who enjoys peaceful time outdoors.
A Helpful Birding Tip
Before heading out, check recent local sightings to see what birds have been reported. For this area, community birders often use current county hotspot reports and local birding groups to track rare or timely sightings. During migration, that can make a big difference in deciding where to go first.
Plan a Birding Getaway on the Sunrise Coast
From the famous migration funnel at Tawas Point to the marshes of Wigwam Bay and the shoreline habitats around Au Gres, this part of Lake Huron offers some of the best birding in Michigan. If you are looking for a nature-filled getaway, birding near Lake Huron Cabin Rentals is an easy way to experience the beauty of the Sunrise Coast in every season.
