Traverse City Travel Blog

To many of us, summer means getting outside. And whether you’re itching to spend the day on a boat, on the trail, or at a campground, there’s no better place to enjoy the beauty of nature than northern Michigan.

Many of us associate birds with springtime, but here’s a secret: fall is actually many local birders’ favorite season. Because there’s no real rush for birds to get to their wintering grounds—in contrast to spring’s mad dash to arrive and find a mate—fall migration is more drawn out, affording birders a better chance of seeing each southbound species.

And if you’re looking for a great region to break out those binoculars, look no further than northern Michigan. Our location at the intersection of the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways, our wealth of shoreline (which many birds tend to follow during migration), and our abundance of wetlands (important refueling sites) combine to make fall in NoMi one of the best birding experiences around.