116 Shiawassee
River
Wetlands 
Click on the photo to view each
site.
This site is a combination of federal, state, and local natural areas
that conserves a wonderful complex of river wetlands located just outside
of Saginaw.
The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, Shiawassee River State Game
Area, and the Green
Point Environmental
Learning Center
provide access to various parts of this unique mosaic of natural areas.
The Rivers and streams that come together here drain a total of 22
different counties-the largest watershed in Michigan. Wetlands and backwaters of Flint, the Shiawassee,
Tittabawassee, and Cass rivers, provide
fantastic habitats for a variety of wetland wildlife. Large numbers of mosquitoes are common here
during spring and early summer. Come prepared.
Shiawassee
National Wildlife Refuge
wildlife viewing | directions and facility information
 Wildlife Viewing
Huge concentrations of ducks and geese descend on wetlands along the Shiawassee River during their spring and fall
migration. The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge alone may host more
than 50,000 waterfowl at a time! Photo: US Fish and Wildlife Service
This site is home to some incredible waterfowl viewing. There is a
good probability of seeing ducks and geese any time of the year, but
during March/April and again in October/November, numbers of these birds
may be spectacular. It is not uncommon for the refuge to host more than
30,000 ducks and an additional 25,000 geese as they travel between their
breeding areas in the North and their wintering areas in the South. This
site has been named one of the top 25 birding sites in America. Prothonotary warblers and brown creepers are but two
of the interesting birds that spend time at the refuge. The Woodland and
Ferguson Bayou nature trails wind among bottomland hardwood forest and
wetland areas. An observation tower complete with a 10-power spotting
scope along the Ferguson Bayou trail provides a great view of wildlife in
the wetlands and bald eagles that like to perch along the river.
Bicycling and skiing are allowed along the designated trail systems.
Trails are open dawn to dusk year-round, except during the hunting
season. Trails may flood during
times of high water. Stop at the refuge headquarters for
maps and other materials and to determine trail availability during
autumn.
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