Shiawassee Refugewinter wildlife
September and October are the refuge's best months for fall migratory birds, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. No official report yet this season.
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Ferguson Bayou TrailA flat 5-mile dirt-and-gravel route on dike tops at the west end of Curtis Road (6000 Bishop Road), bordering the restored 1,000-acre Maankiki Marsh, with two observation decks, a photo blind and two comfort stations; open sunrise to sunset all year, except on some fall hunt days
- Green Point Environmental Learning Center trails2.5 miles of trails at 3010 Maple Street in Saginaw through bottomland hardwood forest, with views of fields, wetlands and the Tittabawassee River; the refuge says they stay open through the fall; no bicycles
Nearby
- Ottawa Refuge125 miwaterfowl numbers peak in OctoberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers
- Cuyahoga Valley190 mi5 separate phases, from during the third week [of September] ... in peak migrationSatSlight Chance Rain Showers
- Seney Refuge223 miSept. and Oct. are the best months for fall migratory birdsSatWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
- Erie Refuge235 mifrom September to NovemberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers
- Necedah Refuge314 mi2 separate phases, from September through November; the last few cranes, ducks and swans depart by mid-NovemberSatMostly Sunny
- Montezuma Refuge365 mi2 separate phases, from peak in September (within a mid-August through mid-October shorebird season)SatMostly Sunny
The year at Shiawassee Refuge
- Spring migratory birds: April and May are the best monthsApr–May
- Wildlife Drive open, June 1 to September 30NowJun–Sep
- Fall migratory birds: September and October are the best monthsNowSep–Oct
- Oct: Fall color peak, usually the second or third week of OctoberOct
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge?
September and October are the refuge's best months for fall migratory birds, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: September and October 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 Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
Can I drive the Wildlife Drive during fall migration?
In September, yes. The 7-mile drive past forests, grasslands, marshes, open pools and the Shiawassee River is open daily from sunrise to sunset through September 30, and every vehicle must be off by sunset. It can also close for flooding, soft roads or deer hunts, and bikes aren't allowed on it.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Shiawassee NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Do fall hunts close any trails?
Some trails close on days during the refuge's fall hunting periods. The Green Point Environmental Learning Center trails stay open through the fall.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Shiawassee NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What comes after the fall migration?
In late fall, waterfowl and eagles arrive to feed. Through the winter the refuge is a wintering ground for Canada geese and tundra swans, which gather in huge numbers.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Shiawassee NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where should I start?
At the refuge headquarters, 6975 Mower Road, about 5 miles south of Saginaw off M-13 at Curtis and Mower roads, where staff can help you plan a visit on weekdays.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Shiawassee NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge?
Ferguson Bayou Trail: a flat 5-mile dirt-and-gravel route on dike tops at the west end of Curtis Road (6000 Bishop Road), bordering the restored 1,000-acre Maankiki Marsh, with two observation decks, a photo blind and two comfort stations; open sunrise to sunset all year, except on some fall hunt days; Green Point Environmental Learning Center trails: 2.5 miles of trails at 3010 Maple Street in Saginaw through bottomland hardwood forest, with views of fields, wetlands and the Tittabawassee River; the refuge says they stay open through the fall; no bicycles.
What is Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Spring migratory birds: April and May are the best months (Apr–May), Wildlife Drive open, June 1 to September 30 (Jun–Sep), Fall migratory birds: September and October are the best months (Sep–Oct) and Fall color peak, usually the second or third week of October (Oct).