The Audubon Society of Jackson County, Michigan
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Photos courtesy of Doug Leffler
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eBird bar chart of all species recorded in Jackson County
From warblers in Waterloo Recreation Area to Sandhill Cranes at Haehnle Sanctuary, there are many excellent birding opportunities for birding in the Jackson area. Here is a list of JAS members' picks for local and regional birding hot spots.
Below is an complete summary of the hotspots in Jackson County compiled by Ross Green and published in 2026.
Jackson County eBird Hotspots / other Birding Destinations - South Townships
Jackson County and the 7 Counties that Immediately Surround It
eBird Hotspots – Jackson County South Townships - Tier 1
Note: Number of species observed at hotspot area, according to eBird as of 1/1/2026, is shown in parenthesis. The number following is the hotspot ranking (determined by total number of submitted species as being seen), out of 88+ total hotspots in Jackson County.
Concord Twp. North
Concord Twp. South
10 – A Concord Millpond (150) – 16
At the far west end of the Falling Waters Trail, the Concord Millpond can be seen from the bicycle/walking bridge or from along River Street where there is a parking area. During migration, it is not unusual to see a large raft of Ring-necked Ducks, along with all three species of swans and a mixed flock of dabbling ducks. The end of the Falling Waters Trail is also a good spot for general bird species, including warblers, during migration.
10 – B Falling Waters Trail (west end) (108) – 38
The Falling Waters Trail west terminus is just NE of the community of Concord. Parking, a vault restroom and signage are located there. See Concord Millpond for more information, as the two hotspots merge there.
Spring Arbor Twp. North
Spring Arbor Twp. South
11 – A Kate Palmer Wildlife Sanctuary (133) – 27
Located on both the west side and east side of O’Brien Rd., just north of McCain Rd., the Kate Palmer Wildlife Sanctuary is owned and by Michigan Audubon, and is mostly maintained by Jackson County Audubon members. On the east side of O’Brien Rd. the narrow, maintained trail meanders through the hardwoods near Sandstone Creek, crossing the road to the west side of O’Brien Rd., through more hardwoods and then back south toward the parking lot. The parking lot is on the east side of the road and holds 3 or 4 vehicles. This hotspot is known for its general passerine observations. Barred Owls are occasionally heard calling there. The Sanctuary is recognized as a great spot for spring flowers observations.
11 – B Falling Waters Trail (Lime Lake Vicinity) (167) - 13
The Falling Waters Trail is part of the converted train rails to biking/hiking trails system. It runs from Weatherwax Rd. in Summit Township to Concord, with parking areas at both locations. About halfway between, just south of Spring Arbor, is an intermediate area parking area for the Falling Waters Trail which includes vault toilets and signage. The parking lot is located off Teft Rd., just west of Lime Lake. The former train grade/present biking trail splits the lake into two parts, Lime Lake North and Lime Lake South. The west end of Lime Lake South, also located off Teft Rd., is where Lime Lake County Park is located. There is a boat launch and dock. In general, Falling Waters Trail is a good spot for general passerine observations, with Lime Lake sometimes producing rare sightings such as a Red-throated Loon, Long-tailed Ducks and White-winged and Surf Scoters. The South Lake occupies 96 water acres and the North Lake occupies 75 water acres. Water access to the north lake is mostly limited to shallow watercraft from another small parking lot located closer to Spring Arbor off Teft Rd. before the first bend.
Lime Lake County Park*
Lime Lake County Park is located off Teft Rd., just south of the Falling Waters Trail. It has a boat launch with a dock. Although not an official hotspot, it can provide another viewing point of Lime Lake South.
CT – A M60 near King Rd. Cell Tower – Osprey Nesting Site
Summit Twp. North
Summit Twp. South
12 – A Cascades Falls area (86) – 49
Cascades Falls area is located SW of the City of Jackson between Kibby Rd., Brown St. and Randolph St. The park has paved walking trails that go around the perimeter of the wetland area. There is also a dirt/grass trail that cuts though the center of the wetland. The park is a favorite spot for walking dogs (6’ leash law), with bi-cyclist also using the trail as it does attach to the MLK Equity Trail via the Kibby Connector Trail. Observations in the park are generally common passerines, though there can be waterfowl (Canada Geese, Mallards and Wood Duck, along with Herons and Egrets) observations most anytime of the year.
12 – B MLK Equity Trail – SW Jackson (136) – 23
The MLK Equity Trail is located between Cascades Park and Ella Sharp Park, connecting the City Bike Trail(s) to the Falling Waters Trail. Much of the trail is newly paved with concrete, and 10’ wide, making for a good walking and biking surface. Parking can be at the Parkside Middle School lot, the Soccer Field lot, or at the Weatherwax Falling Waters Trail main parking area. It can also be accessed from the Cascades Manor parking lot, located off Kibby Rd. just south of Cascades Falls Park. The Kibby Connector Trail is relatively new and connects the MLK Equity Trail to Kibby Rd./Cascades Falls area. The MLK Equity Trail and Kibby Connector Trail is a good spot for spring migrating warblers that migrate late (Wilson’s, Mourning, Canada, Connecticut) along with other more common migrating warblers. Olive-sided flycatchers, Yellow-bellied Flycatchers and a variety of thrushes are commonly reported there.
12 – C Ella Sharp Park (110) – 37
Located south of the city of Jackson, Ella Sharp Park contains playscapes, softball fields, soccer fields, a golf driving range, a museum, a planetarium and several miles of walking and biking trails. Most of the bird observation are of general passerines, with an occasional buteo (Red-shouldered Hawks are often seen there). A walk though the woods along the drain on the NE corner of the park can be good for White-throated Sparrows, Hermit Thrush, Carolina Wren and American Robins during the winter months. In the spruce stand near the pavilion on the hill, White-winged Crossbill sometimes show in winter. Very near here is where a Long-eared Owl roosted for several weeks.
12 – D Stakeout - Rufous Hummingbird, Mulligan Dr. (2018) (24) – 83
This hotspot was a short-lived location when a Rufous Hummingbird showed up at a private residence in late November / early December.
12 – E Vandercook Lake (77) – 57
Vandercook Lake is located just south of the community of Vandercook Lake off Parkway Dr. and Fourth St. The 144 water acres lake has a park on the NE corner which includes a shallow hull boat launch and a kayak/canoe dock for summer use. Migrating Comon Loons and diving ducks are often observed in the spring and fall. Sometimes there are also large numbers of geese that congregate there, occasionally a Cackling Goose or Snow Goose mixed in with them.
12 – F Brown’s Lake (56) - 71
Brown’s Lake is located off Brown’s Lake Rd., just west of Vandercook Lake and has limited public access. It contains approximately 125 water acres and is connected to Vandercook to the east at the bridge and to mostly private Williams Lake by shallow stream to the north, which is approximately 25 water acres. Brown’s Lake can be seen from Brown’s Lake Rd., by looking between the closely located houses/buildings that line that part of the lake.
12 – G Wilkinson Property (restricted access) (141) – 19
This hotspot is a private location with most of the observations coming from one birder who lived near there and had limited permission to explore the area.
Cove Lake (less than 20 acres, connects to Vandercook Lake by stream)
12 – H Springbrook Rd. pond / Mercedes Lake (56) – 73
The small pond on the corner of Springbrook Rd. and Kimmel Rd. often stays open during the winter months, even during hard freezes, and can be a spot to observe dabbling and diving ducks. Viewing is limited to pulling off to the side of the road, which can be hazardous at times. Mercedes Lake, located on the east side of Springbrook Rd., is privately owned, with limited viewing access off Springbrook Rd. or off Springbrook Ln. The hotspot is noted for its dabbling ducks, geese, swans and Belted Kingfishers and Great Blue Herons with one or two hanging around during the winter.
12 – I Dahlem Center (174) – 9
Dahlem Center is located off South Jackson Rd. just north of Kimmel Rd. The property is adjacent to Jackson County ISD/Career Center, located off Brown’s Lake Rd. Several miles of maintained walking trails loop through hardwoods, pine stands, grasslands and small wetlands. In several spots raised wooden walkways pass through/over wet areas. Mostly noted for general passerine observations, Dahlem Center is a good spot for migrating spring and fall warblers. The large grassland is a summer home to Eastern Bluebirds and sometimes Henslow’s Sparrows. The Dahlem Center’s Community Gardens, located off Wickwire Rd., provides a second spot to park and enter from that side of the property. This area can be a good spot to view several species of migrating sparrows, including Lincoln’s Sparrows.
12 – J Jackson College Campus (60) – 69
Jackson College Campus is located south of Vandercook Lake. There is a paved walking path around the campus which passes by a water retention pond. Bird observations are mostly of the general passerine type. This is a reliable spot to find nesting Cliff Swallows, that can be viewed flying around campus. The nests are typically found attached to the north side of the gymnasium.
CT – A Weatherwax Dr. at Falling Waters Trail parking lot Cell Tower – Osprey Nesting Site
Osprey can be observed by binoculars from Falling Waters Trail parking lot off Wheaton Rd.
CT – B S. Jackson near Horton Rd. Cell Tower – Osprey Nesting Site
Osprey can be observed by binoculars/scope from Polly’s Market parking lot.
CT – C Hague Ave. north of creek crossing Cell Tower – Osprey Nesting Site
Osprey can be observed by binoculars from cell tower access drive.
Finton Lake*
Finton Lake, less than 25 water acres, is located in Three-Forty Farms Subdivision. Limited viewing is from Lexington Blvd.
Napoleon Twp. West
Napoleon Twp. East
13 – A Ackerson Lake (71) - 61
Located off Ackerson Lake Rd. south of M50, Ackerson Lake is private with limited public access. Views of the 187 water acre lake are limited between the houses/buildings that line the lake in that area.
Near Ackerson Lake (Cranberry Lake (93ac), Little Cranberry Lake (11ac), Mud Lake, Schoolhouse Lake, Green Lake)
13 – B Dollar Lake (30) – 80
Dollar Lake is located on Moon Lake Rd., just west of Napoleon Rd., on the south side of the bridge. There is a small pull-off that fisherpersons use to park, just west of the bridge. Waterfowl can be observed from the bridge. Often, the water stays open here during winter, even when other water areas are frozen. Dollar Lake is part of the Center Chain-of-Lakes; all 7 lakes can be accessed by boat going through the channel system.
13 – C Stony Lake (127) – 30
240 water acres Stony Lake is a private lake with limited access to the public. Most of the perimeter of the lake is owned by the YMCA Storer Camp. One the north side of the lake is a known roosting site for Sandhill Cranes during fall migration, numbering over 500 some years. This is also where a Whooping Crane hung out with the Sandhills for several weeks. During the 1920s, Roger Tory Peterson spent a summer working at the camp and found the first nesting Wilson’s Phalaropes in the State.
13 – D Wolf Lake (south – some of it is in Grass Lake Twp.)
Wolf Lake contains 376 water acres but has limited public access by land. It can be accessed by water through the Center Chain-of-Lakes channel system. Very large flocks of gulls have been known to roost here during migration. An Iceland Gull was reported with a large flock of Ring-billed Gulls and Herring Gulls a few years ago.
13 – E Little Wolf Lake County Park (112) - 35
Located on both sides of Wolf Lake Rd., the County Park is a good spot to view 106 water acre Little Wolf Lake. On the east side of the road is a small park which can be a good, general species viewing spot.
13 – F Lefglen Nature Sanctuary (143) - 18
Located off Wolf Lake Rd., between Cady Rd. and Orban Rd., just south of Little Wolf Lake, Lefglen Nature Sanctuary is owned by Michigan Nature Association. Comprised of 208 acres, the south trail is 2 miles long and winds beside a prairie fen, through oak barrens and wooded uplands. Maintained by MNA, the trail can become overgrown in late summer, early fall, making access to the eastern part difficult. Like the terrain, the bird species observed can be quite varied. It can be a decent spot for migrating warblers, both in the spring and in the fall. A portion of the trail parallels a large agricultural field, so winter field birds have been seen there.
CT – A M50 near Wheaton Rd. Cell Tower – Osprey Nesting Site
Osprey can be observed by scope from Church parking lot off Wheaton Rd.
CT – B S. Stony Lake/Deland Rd. Cell Tower – Osprey Nesting Site
Osprey can be observed by binoculars or scope from cell tower access drive or from Deland Rd.
Mellen Camp Lake* (small, shallow lake adjacent to Little Wolf Lake County Park
Price Lake* (49 acres)
Little Olcott Lake* (44ac.)
Olcott Lake* (40ac.)
Grass Lake North
Grass Lake South
14 – A Grass Lake (136) - 22
Located north of the community of Grass Lake, Grass Lake sits on 326 water acres with a County Park on the east side that includes a boat launch with a dock. A second viewing area is from the Grass Lake Township Offices, which is off Lakeside Drive. Migrating waterfowl, both dabblers and divers, can often be seen in large numbers. Terns are also seen here.
14 – B Bohne Rd. pond
While there is a small pond on Bohne Rd., this hotspot is better used as a general birding area along Bohne Rd. located between Francisco Rd. and Kalmbach Rd. There is a large farm with fields that can produce winter field birds (Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs, Snow Buntings), and the stream at the west end near Kalmbach is often open during the winter and may have Mallards and Great Blue Heron.
14 – C Schlee Waterfowl Production Area (66) – 66
The Schlee Waterfowl Production Area is maintained jointly with the US Fish and Wildlife and the Michigan. Total acreage of the property is 160 acres, with 108 acres of grassland, 6 acres of upland forest and 46 acres of wetland, which contain several small ponds. Dabbling ducks, Pied-billed Grebes and Common Gallinule have nested there. In the grassland area, Henslow’s Sparrows are reported most every summer. In the far NE corner of the property, access to the Grass Lake State Game Area is available.
13 – E Wolf Lake (north - much of it is in Napoleon Twp.) (66) – 67
See Napoleon Township for information.
CT – A Cedar Knoll Rd. Cell Tower – Osprey Nesting Site (potential)
Cell tower can be observed from business parking lot off Cedar Knoll Rd.
CT – B Mt. Hope Rd. and Morrissey Rd. Cell Tower – Osprey Nesting Site
Osprey can be observed by binoculars or scope from empty dirt lot on Morrissey Rd. just south of cell tower.
CT – C I-94 west of Francisco Rd. Cell Tower – Osprey Nesting Site
Osprey can be observed by binoculars or scope from east side of Francisco Rd. (pull off to side of road on mowed grass), just south of I-94 looking west.
Grass Lake Unit State Game Area*
Located off Michigan Ave., just west of the community of Grass lake, the Grass Lake Unit State Game Area is about 125 acres and includes a small shallow pond on the southern edge. Most of the property is grassland. Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark and several sparrow species can be found there, especially during migration. The SW corner of the property ties to the Schlee Waterfowl Production Area.
Tims Lake* (103 ac., located just north of Grass Lake)
Goose Lake – east* (398 ac.) is in Grass Lake, the west side in Leoni Twp.
Little Pleasant Lake – east*(116 ac.), most is in Grass Lake Twp., west portion in Leoni Twp.
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PU
eBird Hotspots – Jackson County South Townships - Tier 2
HERE
LEGACY CONTENT
Hot Spots and Local Parks
Hotspot: From the parking lot on Teft Road, walk westward on the trail toward Concord. Less than a mile and on your left (South) you'll see a pond. Keep walking until you see a bench on your right that looks out onto the pond.
GPS: 42.185165 , -84.565911
Jackson Intercity Trail
Registration required
MacCready Reserve
9243 Skiff Lake Rd
6 miles south of Jackson, MI. In Liberty Township between Myers and Skiff Roads.
Peregrine Falcon nest watch
While you cannot go there in person, you can view the Peregrine Falcon nest on the top for the historic Jackson County Tower Building.
And I can't resist, their default http 404 error is this page
Waterloo Recreation Area
The Waterloo-Pinckney recreation Area is the largest state park system in Michigan. A multitude of habitats can be found in the park including wetlands, oak-hickory & beech maple forests, oak savanna, and prairie. There is even a Black Spruce bog! Glenn Road area and Riethmiller Rd. are two local favorites.
Website
Glen Road
Glen Road between Mt. Hope and Maute, pullout on north side of road near Mt. Hope. Hiking trails bisect the road.
Excellent warblers in summer.
Riethmiller Road
Reithmiller Rd. west of Waterloo Munith Road, parking lot on north side of road about 4 miles from Waterloo Munith Rd.
This is a popular spot for watching the annual mating ritual of the American Woodcock.
Watkins Lake State Park & County Preserve
Arnold Road, north of Thorn Rd.
Now a Michigan State Park and Washtenaw County Preserve!
Straddling the border between Jackson and Washtenaw counties, this little gem never disappoints. Arnold Road bisects the lake so access to the water is excellent. Huge numbers of ducks and geese can be seen during fall and spring migrations Some water is generally open throughout the winter.
Regional
While definitely not in the Jackson area, the following are favorite regional birding spots of JAS members.
Magee Marsh
Near Toledo, OH
THE spot for Midwest spring warblers.
Tawas Point State Park
North of Tawas/East Tawas, MI
Excellent location for watching the spring warbler migration across Saginaw Bay. AuSable Valley Audubon host the annual Tawas Birding Point Festival held in mid May.