
BIRDS OF MACKINAC ISLAND
Just as the landscapes and seasons on Mackinac Island differ, so do the birds. The birds found in the marina and along the coast will be significantly different than the birds found in the woods and ponds in the interior parts of Mackinac Island. Another big factor to consider when birding is the season. The birds in the winter are very different than birds found in the summer. Depending on the season, here are some of the birds you can expect to see on Mackinac Island:- Indigo Bunting
- American Redstart
- Yellow Warbler
- Blackburnian Warbler
- Common Redpoll
- Herring Gull
- Ring-billed Gull
- Blue Jay
- Robin
- Northern Cardinal
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Long-tailed Duck
- Mallard
- Common Goldeneye
- Bufflehead
- Red-breasted Merganser
- Red-necked Grebe
- Snowy Owl
- Barred Owl
- Bald Eagle
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Bohemian Waxwing
- Cedar Waxwing
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Ovenbird
- Tree Swallow
- Barn Swallow
- Purple Martin

BIRD COUNTS ON MACKINAC ISLAND
Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch
Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch (MSRW) has a bird counter stationed on Mackinac Island to count and observe migrating raptors. Since 2012, MSRW has conducted scientific research on migrating birds of prey as well as other non-raptor birds crossing the Straits of Mackinac. The MSRW count is held in Mackinaw City but many birds migrating up the coast of Lake Huron don’t even make it that far. Having an additional counter on Mackinac Island helps MSRW collect accurate data and numbers of migrating birds of prey.Christmas Bird Count on Mackinac Island
If you’d like to participate in a bird count, then the Mackinac Straits Christmas Bird Count is for you! This annual event consists of volunteers spending a full day counting the quantity and species of birds in a 7.5-mile radius. Mackinac Island is included in the 7.5 miles and the data collected is submitted as a nationwide effort for bird surveys. A bird count is generally exhausting but imagine one where you don’t have a vehicle to get around!