Kirtlands warbler
		Habitat for the Kirtlands warbler is closed to the public for several months of the year. However, during the months it is open several oppotunities to catch site of the rare bird are offered by both the US Forest Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The tours offered through the nesting area are guided by professional wildlife specialsts who can answer most any question a visitor may have, and can lead visitors through the jack pine habitat easily. Also available is a self-guided auto-tour around the Jack Pine forest. So for those ready for a tromp through the woods or those who prefer the comfort of their cars, their is a wonderful opportunity awaiting you.

Jack Pine Wildlife Viewing Tour

The Jack Pine Wildlife Viewing Tour is a self-guided, 58-mile auto tour through the scenic AuSable River Valley and unique jack pine ecosystem, home of the critically endangered Kirtland's warbler. You have a special opportunity to see the summer home of one of the rarest birds in the world.  Even though their numbers have increased in recent years, there are still only about 3,000 of these birds left on the earth.

Even more amazing, each year from May through September nearly all of these endangered birds live and nest within a 50-mile radius of Mio, Michigan.  They spend the cold winter months in the Bahama Islands.

This auto tour not only takes you through areas inhabited by the endangered Kirtland's warbler, but through a variety of habitats providing opportunities to see many kinds of wildlife — from bald eagles and white-tailed deer to bluebirds and beavers.

The tour has twelve specific stops that are identified with the Watchable Wildlife Logo INSERT WILDLIFE LOGO. Several of these stops have scenic overlooks of the AuSable River, a world famous trout stream and home to river otters, eagles, great blue herons, and many other wildlife.

Chances are you will not see a Kirtland's warbler while driving this auto tour. The birds usually stay within their dense jack pine nesting habitat and the the habitat is closed to public entry during the nesting season. However, guided tours are available.  The tours are hosted by professional wildlife staff, and usually they can get you "up close and personal"with these rare birds.

For a print friendly version of the map: Jack Pine Wildlife Viewing Tour Map

 

Kirtlands Warbler Tour

Guided tours to Kirtland's warbler nesting areas are offered from the US Forest Service, Mio Ranger Station in Mio, Michigan, and from the Holiday Inn in Grayling, Michigan. For more information on the Grayling tour, contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service at their website or at the address below. Tours offered by the US Forest Service depart from the Mio Ranger Station in Mio. Tours start on May 15 and the last tour for the year will be conducted on July 2. Tours are not offered on Memorial Day. The tours are conducted daily and start at 7:00 am. and cost $5.00 per person. Eighty percent of these funds stay on the Forest to help cover the costs associated with the tours.

The nesting areas are closed to public entry, so the best opportunity to see a Kirtland's warbler is on this guided tour. Chances of seeing a bird on the tour are typically greater than 90%. The number of tour participants ranges from 1 to 30.

The Mio tour lasts approximately 3 hours. Participants should arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the tour to obtain a pass. The tour begins with a brief video on the Kirtland's warbler and the management of the jack pine habitat. Participants then follow the tour guide in their own vehicles to a nesting area about 20 minutes away to try and see a singing male.

The best time to see the bird is from May 20 to June 20. Upland sandpipers, clay-colored sparrows, Brewer's blackbirds, black-billed cuckoos, eastern bluebirds, Lincoln's and vesper sparrows can also be seen in the jack pine ecosystem.

Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars or a spotting scope. Cameras are allowed, but special efforts will not be made for photographers. Tape recorders, pets and smoking are not allowed. Early morning tours are often cold, so a warm jacket may make you more comfortable. Biting black flies are abundant in the nesting areas, so insect repellent, hats and bandanas are desirable.

Small groups create fewer disturbances and are preferred because they are more likely to see a Kirtland's warbler. No reservations are necessary, but we recommend contacting the Mio Ranger Station so that we can plan to have adequate staff present on the day you plan on attending.

Other activities include the Kirtland's Warbler Festival, held during May. For more information on the Festival, contact Kirtland Community College.

 

Mio Kirtland's Warbler and Jack Pine Wildlife Viewing Tours:	Grayling Kirtland's Warbler Tour:	Kirtland's Warbler Festival:
		(link: http://warbler.kirtland.edu/)
US Forest Service Mio Ranger District 107 McKinley Rd. Mio, MI 48647-9314 Phone: 989-826-3252 Contact: Kim Piccolo (Ext. 3320) or Bev McVeigh (Ext. 3310) E-mail: r9 hmnf website@fs.fed.us	US Fish and Wildlife Service East Lansing Field Office 2651 Coolidge Road East Lansing, MI 48823 Phone: 517-351-2555 Contact: Chris Mensing (Ext. 316) E-mail: chris_mensing@fws.gov	Kirtland Community College 10775 North St. Helen Road Roscommon, MI 48653 Phone: 989-275-5000