Bay City State Recreation Area
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bay City State Recreation Area is reached from the south by 
taking the M-13/Kawkawlin exit off of I-75 in the Bay City area 
and following M-13 north to Beaver Road.  Follow Beaver east to 
the state park.  It is most easily reached from the north by 
taking the Beaver Road exit off of I-75 and following Beaver east 
until entering the park.  

The park itself has several areas worth checking.  To reach the 
beach, turn left at the main entrance to the park.  Once past the 
fee hut, turn left again and park near the first sidewalk headed 
out toward the bay.  The sidewalk will lead to a small waterway 
that connects Saginaw Bay with a small lagoon.  both sides of the 
waterway are worth checking.  The beach on the east side normally 
consists of mud rolled up by lake action (A).  This mud makes for 
treacherous walking but excellent birding.  This is another area 
where extensive flats are exposed during south and westerly 
winds.  Willet, Marbled Godwit, and White-rumped Sandpiper are 
some of the better shorebirds seen here in the past few years.  
It is also a fine locale for observing gulls and terns.  The most 
famous of these is Lester, the resident Lesser Black-backed Gull.  
Lester was first seen here in September of 1990.   Since that 
time he has made the park his home for a short time each spring 
and for a few months each fall.  The area inland from this part 
of the beach is land that escaped from the park and became 
wetlands.  It is often home to migrant passerines and even rails 
depending on the water level and whether the park staff has 
recently mowed the vegetation.  The best part of this section of 
beach is where lagoon inlet enters Saginaw Bay (B).  The sand 
bars near this lagoon are where most of the gulls and terns 
roost.  In spring this is one of the few areas in the state where 
Common and Forster's Tern can be compared side-by-side. 

The beach on the west side of the waterway has some sandier 
sections remaining (C).   This is a better area for shorebirds 
such as Black-bellied Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, and Sanderling.  A 
hiking trail takes off from the bridge over the waterway and 
circles the lagoon itself.  The lagoon is excellent for 
mergansers and other divers in the early spring.  Later in the 
year Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, 
and Belted Kingfisher are often seen fishing here.   Several more 
lagoons to the west are visible from the trail as it follows the 
west side of the park lagoon. Dabblers and Caspian Terns are 
often seen along with the typical herons and egrets. The Jennison 
Nature Center lies on the southwest corner of the lagoon.  
Several feeders at the Nature Center attract birds year-round.  
The small woodlot between the lagoon and the Nature Center along 
with the trees just to the east can be excellent for passerine 
migrants (D).  Such rare migrants as Lawrence's Warbler, 
Connecticut Warbler, and Summer Tanager have been noted here. 

Return to the fee hut and, crossing Beaver Road, enter the 
campground area.  Park in the visitor lot just beyond the check-
in booth for the campground.  Proceed west on a small trail that 
leads to an abandoned railway bed.  This area is often very wet 
in spring, and the insects attracted by the standing water 
attract many warblers (E).  Carolina Wren and Prothonotary and 
Hooded Warbler are among the more interesting records from this 
part of the park. Continue north along the old railway checking 
for migrants; a small wet spot just west of the railway about 
fifty yards south of the trail/railway intersection can be 
superb.  Just look for a small less-than-obvious foot path to the 
right.   The vegetation will open up on your right and the wet 
spot will be to your left.   Return back to the parking lot and 
check the campground for migrants.  The wet area just to the 
south of the campground are best (F).  Some of the more 
interesting residents found in this part include Cooper's Hawk, 
Red-bellied and Red-headed Woodpeckers, and Brown Creeper.   All 
of the edges around the campground can be excellent for migrants 
in spring.   It is often wise to walk and listen carefully for 
activity before deciding where to concentrate your efforts. 

Excerpted from Birds and Bird Finding in the Saginaw Bay Area by 
Ron J. Weeks.