Harbor Island Refugefall migrant birds
Wildlife refugeFall migratory birds: September and October are the best months, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. No official report yet this season.
Sources for this timing ↓About Harbor Island Refuge
- What it is
- A wildlife refuge in Michigan
- A little history
- In December 2019 the agency bought Standerson Island, a 25-acre island northwest of Harbor Island.
- What you'll see
- Fall migrant birds · usual peak September and October
Next 7 days at Harbor Island Refuge
- TodayPatchy Fog then Chance Rain Showers65° / 51°30% rain
- FriMostly Sunny59° / 44°–
- SatMostly Sunny59° / 51°26% rain
- SunChance Rain Showers60° / 44°42% rain
- MonMostly Sunny53° / 42°3% rain
- TueMostly Sunny58° / 49°13% rain
- WedSlight Chance Rain Showers60° / 49°23% rain
Heads up: Windy (winds up to 20 mph): Friday, Friday Night, Sunday.
Today: sunrise 7:34 a.m., sunset 7:17 p.m., light until 7:47 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 67% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
- Harbor Island RefugeLocal timing: September and OctoberThis page
Where to watch
- The harbor (by boat)Boats may pull up along the refuge shoreline
- Standerson Island (by boat)A 25-acre island northwest of Harbor Island, added to the refuge in December 2019
Worth the drive
- Seney RefugeWildlife refuge107 miSept. and Oct. are the best months for fall migratory birdsSatWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
- Shiawassee RefugeWildlife refuge189 miSeptember and October are the best months for fall migratory birdsSatSunny
- Ottawa RefugeWildlife refuge309 miwaterfowl numbers peak in OctoberSatSunny
- Necedah RefugeWildlife refuge342 miJanuary through MarchSatMostly Sunny
- Cuyahoga ValleyNational park350 miDecember is a good time to watch coyotesSatSunny
- Erie RefugeWildlife refuge359 mifrom September to NovemberSatSunny
The year at Harbor Island Refuge
- May: Spring migratory birdsMay
- Wildlife with youngJun–Aug
- Winter wildlife: September and OctoberNowSep–Oct
- Oct: Best fall color, usually the first two weeks of OctoberNowOct
Harbor Island Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge?
Fall migratory birds: September and October are the best months, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: September and October. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it wildlife season at Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
When was Standerson Island added to Harbor Island Refuge's history?
In December 2019 the agency bought Standerson Island, a 25-acre island northwest of Harbor Island.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harbor Island NWR about ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge?
The harbor (by boat): boats may pull up along the refuge shoreline; Standerson Island (by boat): a 25-acre island northwest of Harbor Island, added to the refuge in December 2019.
What is Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Spring migratory birds (May), Wildlife with young (Jun–Aug) and Best fall color, usually the first two weeks of October (Oct).
How we know · Sources (4)
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Oct 1) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harbor Island NWR visit (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harbor Island NWR about (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harbor Island NWR rules (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)