Seney Refugewinter wildlife
September and October are Seney's best months for fall migratory birds, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. No official report yet this season.
Next 7 days at Seney Refuge
- TodayChance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy71° / 56°54% rain
- ThuMostly Cloudy69° / 40°6% rain
- FriMostly Sunny62° / 30°3% rain
- SatWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny64° / 38°40% rain
- SunChance Rain Showers62° / 31°40% rain
- MonWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny58° / 32°6% rain
Heads up: Freezing night (low 30°F): Friday Night, Sunday Night, Monday Night.
Today: sunrise 7:42 a.m., sunset 7:28 p.m., light until 7:58 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Marshland Wildlife DriveA seven-mile, one-way drive through wetlands and forests, open May 15 to October 20 from dawn to dusk, with three observation decks that all have spotting scopes; loons, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and osprey are common sights. No vehicles over 28 feet long, 9 feet wide or 11 feet tall
- Whitefish Point UnitA 53-acre part of the refuge 80 miles from the main unit, at the end of North Whitefish Point Road beyond Paradise, where thousands of raptors, songbirds and waterbirds funnel through in migration; an elevated boardwalk crosses cobblestone and stunted jack pines to the tip of the point
Nearby
- Shiawassee Refuge223 miSeptember and October are the best months for fall migratory birds
- Necedah Refuge253 mi2 separate phases, from September through November; the last few cranes, ducks and swans depart by mid-NovemberSatMostly Sunny
- Ottawa Refuge347 miwaterfowl numbers peak in OctoberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers
- Rice Lake Refuge349 mi2 separate phases, from September and October are the best months for fall migratory birds
- Minnesota Valley Refuge364 miDecember - MarchSatMostly Sunny
- Sherburne Refuge375 mi3 separate phases, from September and October are the best months for fall migratory birdsSatChance Rain Showers
The year at Seney Refuge
- Marshland Wildlife Drive open, May 15 to October 20NowMay–Oct
- May: Warblers, late May (spring's best month for migratory birds is May)May
- May: Listen for the calls of rails, late MayMay
- Best months to see wildlife with young, June to AugustJun–Aug
- Jun: Snapping turtles nest along the roadsides, early JuneJun
- Least buggy months, July to OctoberNowJul–Oct
- Best months for fall migratory birds, September and OctoberNowSep–Oct
- Oct: Fishing Loop closed to cars and walkers in October so migrating birds can restOct
- Oct: Best weeks for fall color, usually the first two weeks of OctoberOct
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Seney National Wildlife Refuge?
September and October are Seney's best months for fall migratory birds, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: Sept. and Oct. are the best months for fall migratory birds. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it wildlife season at Seney National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
Why is the Fishing Loop closed in October?
To give migrating birds a safe, quiet place to rest and refuel: it's closed to walkers as well as cars all month. The Marshland Wildlife Drive stays open until October 20.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Auto Tour ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can other areas close during migration?
Yes. The refuge manager may close some areas during peak bird migration, and also for maintenance, management or safety. Check at the visitor center or watch for closure signs.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Hiking ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is Whitefish Point worth the drive?
It's 80 miles from the main refuge, but it's a Globally Important Bird Area where the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory has recorded more than 300 bird species. Restrooms are in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society's gift shop building.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is anything else migrating?
Monarch butterflies: the year's last generation sets off on the long flight to Mexico, where it spends the winter.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How should I dress in fall?
In layers: temperatures can swing widely in spring and fall, and mornings can be cool.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Seney National Wildlife Refuge?
Marshland Wildlife Drive: a seven-mile, one-way drive through wetlands and forests, open May 15 to October 20 from dawn to dusk, with three observation decks that all have spotting scopes; loons, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and osprey are common sights. No vehicles over 28 feet long, 9 feet wide or 11 feet tall; Whitefish Point Unit: a 53-acre part of the refuge 80 miles from the main unit, at the end of North Whitefish Point Road beyond Paradise, where thousands of raptors, songbirds and waterbirds funnel through in migration; an elevated boardwalk crosses cobblestone and stunted jack pines to the tip of the point.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Seney National Wildlife Refuge?
Fishing Loop closed to cars and walkers in October so migrating birds can rest (Oct).
What is Seney National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Warblers, late May (spring's best month for migratory birds is May) (May), Listen for the calls of rails, late May (May), Best months to see wildlife with young, June to August (Jun–Aug), Best months for fall migratory birds, September and October (Sep–Oct), Marshland Wildlife Drive open, May 15 to October 20 (May–Oct), Fishing Loop closed to cars and walkers in October so migrating birds can rest (Oct), Best weeks for fall color, usually the first two weeks of October (Oct), Least buggy months, July to October (Jul–Oct) and Snapping turtles nest along the roadsides, early June (Jun).
How we know · Sources (5)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Auto Tour (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Hiking (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)