Birding In Marquette

Marquette provides birders with an excellent place to search for migrating shorebirds and different bird species as Marquette shares 83 miles of Lake Superior’s shoreline. Superior Stay Hotel is located a few blocks away from the Lake Superior Shoreline, so we are close to several great options for a perfect birding tour in Marquette!

Wetmore Pond trail

(5.7miles/9mins)

The Wetmore Pond Trail is 5.7 miles away from Superior Stay Hotel; it provides access to several ponds and mountains and a chance to see the species from the northern region. Gray Jays, Spruce Grouse, and Black-backed Woodpeckers are some possible sightings. Wetmore Pond has several loop trails to walk on, leading visitors up to overlooks and through rugged rock outcroppings. During migration, ducks and geese are seen in a group on the pond.

Presque Isle Park

(2.7mile/7mins)

The main birding attraction of Presque Isle Park is a short, two-mile nature trail that surrounds Presque Isle Point. It offers birders an opportunity to search for waterfowl sandpipers. The park also provides a place for many birds during spring migration due to its brushy habitat. Another place birders will want to visit before leaving is Moosewood Nature Center. Just before reaching the park, look for signs to Presque Isle Park Bog Walk. Even though the trail is only 0.25 of a mile in length, it is well worth a visit—you'll find large numbers of songbirds in the spring.

Dead River Mouth

(1.9mile/4min)

A parking area next to the Dead River's mouth provides birders with a comfortable place to search for birds. Long-tailed Ducks, Red-breasted Mergansers, and Common Loons have been witnessed on both the river and nearby Lake Superior.

Picnic Rocks

(0.6mile/2mins)

The beach at Picnic Rocks is an excellent place to find rare gulls, including Glaucous, Iceland, and Slaty-backed. Bald Eagles, Red-necked Grebes, and many other species of birds are possibly seen at the shoreline.

Lower Harbor Park

(1.8mile/4mins)

Lower Harbor Park provides birders with an excellent place to search the bay for their Little-companions. A rocky land shelters the harbor, creating a convenient spot for Double-crested Cormorants and other birds to gather.

Founder's Landing

(1.6mile/5mins)

Founder's Landing provides birders with a scenic spot to access Lake Superior's pebbled shoreline. A long, rocky dock next to the landing shelters the harbor from rough storms. Red-breasted Mergansers and Long-tailed Ducks are some of the commonly seen species during spring immigration.

South Beach Park

(2.1miles/6mins)

South Beach Park is a convenient place to set up a spotting scope and scan Lake Superior for ducks. The Carp River's mouth, located directly south of the park, can be a great place to search for migrating shorebirds in May and August.

What to carry for Birding?

Water & Food

They are the most crucial stuff no matter how experienced you are, you’ll need to be hydrated & fed. Birding trips in Marquette always last longer than you plan. There is no need to pack a fine, four-course meal, but a few energy bars during the day can make a huge difference, especially if you’re bushwhacking or just covering a lot of area on foot.

Bug repellent

The best time of year for Birding is also the best time of year to get swarmed by clouds of biting insects; mosquitoes, the list of bugs, is quite long. Insect repellent can make the difference between having an enjoyable trip despite the pesky bugs or having to abandon the trip because of them.

Flashlight

Going on a birding trip and staying long after the sun has gone down is a trip ritual. It happens to everybody at some point. Stumbling around in the dark is not so bad once you’re back at the car, but if you’re still out on the trail or standing in the middle of the forest, this is when you discover how essential flashlights can be.

Maps

Sometimes the best birding spots in Marquette are “off the map.” But this generally means off the usual road map that everyone uses. The traditional paper map is necessary for really getting away from towns, highways, and other non-natural areas and they are helpful as they show all the roads and the main landscape features, especially water bodies.

Walking pole

These can be useful for maintaining balance while going up or down rough, steep ground. It can also help push branches and bushes out of your way when going through thick grasses. However, an excellent benefit about which most people are unaware is that carrying a walking pole (or hiking pole) can help you walk farther.

Sunglasses

Birding on a bright, sunny day can be challenging on the eyes, especially if you are watching hawks in the bright sky or ducks on the shining water.

Clothing

Choose your birding outfits wisely; you don’t want to get uncomfortable or irritated in the first half of your trip. Wear comfortable clothes which provide full coverage, such as cargo pants, comfortable and non-squeaky footwear. Don’t wear loud colors; Try to look as harmless as possible to the birds by blending in with the habitat and cover your head with a hat.

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