Shiawassee Waterfowl Trail

Shiawassee Waterfowl Trail

The Shiawassee Waterfowl Trail in the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is an interesting walk almost any time of the year, as it provides dry footing through an area of marshes, ponds, and other moist soil units managed for a variety of wildlife. But during the peak migration seasons of March through April and September through early November, this day hike offers an impressive view of waterfowl, especially Canada geese. At the height of migration, some 25,000 to 40,000 geese and 50,000 ducks gather on the refuge. From the observation tower, the halfway point of the 5-mile hike, you can watch flocks of hundreds rise in unison off the water, circle the refuge twice, and then depart. You are also sure to spot muskrats and possibly a variety of other wildlife, including great blue heron, great egrets, bald eagles, or some 200 other species of birds, as well as beaver or even white-tailed deer.

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