Tawas Point State Park
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tawas Point State Park (183 acres) is a peninsula that separates 
Tawas Bay from Lake Huron.  Tawas Point is located off US-23, 2 
1/2 miles southeast of East Tawas on Tawas Beach Road. It is just 
over an hour drive from the Saginaw-Midland-Bay City area and only 
three hours from the Detroit area. 

In the spring and fall, Tawas Point is a stop over point for 
hundreds of species of migratory birds, and it is a favorite spot 
for many bird watchers from all over the midwest. 

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Tawas Point State Park may be reached by taking US-23 to the 
eastern edge of East Tawas; next turn right at Tawas Beach Road 
(look for the Big Boy restaurant) and follow it all the way to 
its end. Baldwin Resort Road may also be taken from US-23; follow 
Baldwin Resort Road to its intersection with Tawas Beach Road 
just north of the park. 

The park is undoubtedly the best migrant trap in the SBA. Birding 
is best during times of rapid migration such as during strong 
south winds in spring and strong north winds in fall. The spring 
migrants tend to follow the lakeshore and actually migrate south 
for a time to the tip of the point which faces southwest. Bad 
weather after a prolonged high pressure situation also tends to 
ground many migrants in the park. Soon after these conditions 
subside, the spring migrants slowly work their way northward out 
of the park. Equally impressive migrations occur in the fall. 
North and westerly winds push passerine migrants south and to the 
east edge of the Michigan land mass, respectively. Late August 
and September are the best for the majority of passerines. The 
stronger flying water birds and sparrows are seen in large 
numbers later in the fall (October and early November) especially 
during periods of strong north and east winds which force them 
south and towards the shoreline. 

The park itself is best birded by first walking the beach (on the 
east side of the park) to the tip in search of water birds while 
watching and listening overhead and in the trees for migrant 
passerines. Keep an eye on the outer sand bar for shorebirds and 
gulls (see A on the park map). Such goodies as Piping Plover, 
Wilson's Plover (to date Michigan's only record), Scissor-tailed 
Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, 
Lark Sparrow, and Loggerhead Shrike. But without a doubt , the 
most incredible bird ever found at the park was a White-collared 
Swift. This bird which has only been recorded in North America a 
handful of times was found by Jon Dunn and his WINGS tour group. 

The park is also one of the best vantage points in the SBA from 
which to observe migrating water birds. In spring and 
particularly in late fall large numbers of loons, grebes, 
waterfowl, and shorebirds may be seen streaming by and/or feeding 
in the deep water near the point. It is best to arrive at dawn as 
most of the activity occurs during the first few hours of 
daylight. A good scope is suggested as many of the birds never 
closely approach the point itself. The area preferred by most 
birders is along the boardwalk just south of the last parking lot 
(I). This vantage point offers a good view of the lake and also 
the outer sand bar. During April and early May fair numbers of 
Common Loons and a mix of dabblers and divers including good 
numbers of Oldsquaw and Red-breasted Mergansers may be expected. 
In recent years daily counts of up to 4000 Oldsquaw have been 
noted moving south past this vantage point throughout the month 
of April. The birds appear to be spending the nights on the open 
waters of Lake Huron only to move south into Tawas Bay each 
morning. They are often accompanied by smaller numbers of White-
winged Scoters, but typically no other species. During October 
and early November expect to see large numbers of Common Loons, 
Horned Grebes, Greater and Lesser Scaup, and Red-breasted 
Mergansers along with smaller numbers of Red-necked Grebes, all 
three scoters, Oldsquaw, and other divers. The loons and 
mergansers are often found feeding in large groups in the deep 
water just northeast of this vantage point. These feeding 
frenzies are often signaled by gulls flying overhead. Gulls may 
be abundant at these times with Ring-billed, Herring, and 
Bonaparte's being common and Great Black-backed and Glaucous 
usually present in smaller numbers. 

Other unusual species seen annually at the park include Red-
throated Loon (October and early November), Peregrine Falcon and 
Merlin (September and October), Little Gull (early to mid-May and 
occasionally in late fall), Whimbrel (late May), Northern 
Mockingbird (May), Orange-crowned Warbler (early May and early 
October), Clay-colored Sparrow (early to mid-May), and Orchard 
Oriole (early to mid-May). 

Before entering or leaving the park, it is often worth checking 
the fishing access just north of the park (J). Take the first 
right hand turn (if headed to the park) after passing the 
intersection of Tawas Beach and Baldwin Resort Roads. The access 
overlooks some of the more sheltered waters of Tawas Bay. This 
locale has proven to be excellent for divers such as Red-necked 
and Horned Grebes (especially in late fall), Canvasback, Greater 
Scaup, scoters, etc. Such rarities as Harlequin Duck (twice), 
Little and Franklin's Gulls, and the only SBA spring record of 
Black Scoter have been found here. 


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