Squaw Bay

South of City of Alpena on US-23, look for the 45th Parallel sign, you will be half way between the earth's equator and the north pole. Limited parking along shoulder and be careful of highway traffic. It's a long walk out to the water and watch for holes. Rubber boots are necessary. While the walk across the marsh is very demanding, on good days the shorebirding is well worth the effort.

This site is the premier shorebird site in the county. Species include: Herons, Bald Eagles, Common Snipe, Plover, Yellowlegs, Sandpipers, Sora, Dowitchers, Secretive Yellow Rails, Least Bitterns. Migrants include: Wilson's Phalarope, Horned Lark, American Pipit Great-black backed Gulls, Terns, Buff-breasted Sandpipers and Lapland Longspur. Rare sightings of whimbrel, marbled and Hudsonian godwits and both dowitcher species.Loon, Double-crested Cormorants, & flocks of Ducks can be spotted with a scope out in deeper water.

This property is owned by the State of Michigan and the bay is open but you can't use the privately owned land along the shoreline.

Source: Linda Klemens, Thunder Bay Audubon Society