Dedicated to:
Bird and
Wildlife Conservation - Nature Education - Outdoor Recreation
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The
Audubon Society of Kalamazoo values its birding
areas and does not condone the use of any device
used to entice birds into view. We appreciate
your cooperation in protecting our birds in this
regard. Kleinstuck
Preserve - City of Kalamazoo From the I-94/Oakland
Dr. exit (#75) drive north on Oakland Drive
about 1 3/4 miles and turn right at Chevy
Chase; drive 1/4 mile and park on the street at the
bottom of the hill. Kleinstuck is the place to be in
spring, from the first of April to late May, with
the peak late April and early May, before trees leaf
out. Take the trail behind the guardrail; this meets
the main loop trail that goes around the wetland.
There are several side trails as well. In 31 years
of spring surveys 205 species have been recorded,
including 38 warbler species. On a good day in May
60-70 species can be found. Fall and winter can also
be pretty good. Asylum
Lake Preserve - City of Kalamazoo From US 131, take
Stadium Dr. east about 1 1/4 miles. Turn right at
Rambling Rd. (stop light). Follow Rambling Road
about ¾ of a mile and turn right onto
Winchell Ave. The entrance is just under two miles
on Winchell Ave. and is on the left. Park along the
street. Habitats include lake, deciduous woods,
restored native grassland and some marsh area.
Many trails. Due to the variety of
habitats bird diversity is often good from spring
through fall, though spring has the largest number
and variety. Wolf
Lake Fish Hatchery - M-43 and Fish Hatchery
Road Located on M-43 about six miles
west of the M-43/ US-131 interchange. Turn left at
Fish Hatchery Rd. and park at the Visitor Center. Walk
the dikes of the ponds behind the Visitor Center. Best
in spring and late summer-early winter for ducks and
other migrants. Shorebirds are mainly found in spring
and late summer through fall when and if a pond is drawn down. The shrubby dikes
and edge of woods hosts a number of migrant
songbirds. In recent years 196 species have been
recorded here, including almost 30 species of
warblers. West
Lake Nature Preserve - City of Portage Located near the
intersection of South Westnedge Avenue and South
Shore Drive. Drive 3 2/3 miles south of I-94 on S.
Westnedge to South Shore Dr. (about 1 1/4 miles
south of Center St.), turn left and park in parking
lot. Shallow pond, marsh, deciduous woods, nice
tamarack bog with boardwalk and a view of west side
of West Lake. Spring and fall can be good for
waterbirds. Kal-Haven
Trail State Park - North 10th Street 10th St. is the first
traffic light on M-43 west of the M-43/US-131
interchange. Drive north on 10th St. about 1 3/4
miles and the entrance will be on the left. A good
stretch of diverse habitats is from the trailhead to
the 8th St. marsh, about 5 miles round trip.
Additionally, the trail can be accessed from most
intersections all the way to South Haven. There is
no access fee. The trail is mostly wooded
and/or shrubby. Good for perching birds. In recent
years 156 species, including 30 warbler species,
have been recorded from the first 2.5 miles of the
trail. Portage
Creek Bicentennial Pathway - City of Portage Off South Westnedge
Avenue on Garden Lane. Main entrance: Take South
Westnedge 1 3/4 miles south of I-94 to Garden Lane
and turn east. Parking area is 1/4 mile on the left.
Paved pathway along Portage Creek, about 3 miles
round trip. Lots of wet, shrubby habitat. In nice
weather it is best to go early. May be busy late in
the day. Mostly perching birds and is best from
spring through fall. |