Date sent: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 09:08:58 -0400 (EDT) From: Mary Irene Wise To: "Franklin, Susan L." Copies to: "'birders@umich.edu'" Subject: Re: Manitou - Camping I camped at S. Manitou about 5 Memorial Day weekends in a row in the late 80's/early 90's, _just_ before I really got into birding. My experiences there were probably one of the key things that kicked me over the edge into finally getting into birding. In the spring, it is a prime birding site, with tanagers, bobolinks, ovenbirds, veeries and bluebirds being abundant (remember, I'm recalling all these from _before_ I had a pair of binoculars!). I imagine it'd be decent in the fall as well, but I don't know; it might depend on the winds??? There's also lots of neat plant life, but only 4 mammals! Also there's lots of old houses and stuff. I imagine the leaves would be starting to get nice about now; it would be gorgeous out there in fall color. There used to be a huge gull colony at (duh!) Gull Point, but the foxes have wreaked havoc on it in recent years. The boat ride over can be rough, and if the winds/waves are too bad, the ferry won't even come over. Thus it's important to pack extra food in case you have to stay an extra day or so. That never happened to me, but I remember once when it didn't come the day before we left! I would imagine that this would be more of a problem at this time of year. There are _no_ facilities on the island as far as groceries/supplies. The two main campgrounds are both about a mile from the ferry dock. That's short enough that if you need to you can just lug everything along in duffles or whatever, but long enough that a backpack works best. The campgrounds have water and pit toilets. There is a ranger station there too. I don't think there's public phones even. N. Manitou is bigger and much more primitive. I've never actually been there though. They used to allow hunting there, but that may have stopped since I think the NPS owns it now. Anyhow, you might want to check on that; I'd hate to be hiking with a bunch of bows aimed at me! hth, Mary ------------------------------ *** ------------------------------------ Mary Wise | (313) 647-6230 Computer Systems Specialist * College of LS&A | auntyem@umich.edu 3557 LSA Bldg 1382 * University of Michigan | -------------------------------*** ------------------------------------ On Wed, 16 Sep 1998, Franklin, Susan L. wrote: > Can anyone offer information/insight on camping, birding, etc., at N. > or S. Manitou Islands? We are thinking of heading up the first > weekend in October. All I know is that it's "rustic" and that you > haul over your equipment by boat. > > Thanks! > > * * * * * * * * * > Susan L. Franklin > Client and Public Relations Coordinator > McNamee, Porter & Seeley, Inc. > susan.franklin@mcnamee.com >