Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point

Michigan · Midwest

Habitat
GrasslandWetland
Best Seasons
SpringFall
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point is a productive birding destination in Michigan, with 247 species recorded on eBird. This grassland and wetland habitat attracts White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, and American Herring Gull among many others. Spring migration along the Mississippi and Central Flyways makes this a vital stopover for diverse species.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Bonaparte's Gull

Chroicocephalus philadelphia

3/4/2026Sleeping Bear Dunes NL--Glen Haven1 observed

Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

3/3/2026Home1 observed

Winter Wren

Troglodytes hiemalis

3/2/2026South Bar Lake1 observed

Common Grackle

Quiscalus quiscula

2/27/2026South Bar Lake1 observed

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

2/21/2026County Road 618, Bingham Township - Leelanau County1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

2/20/2026Avis Gård7 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

White-winged Scoter

53/4/2026

Long-tailed Duck

143/4/2026

American Herring Gull

13/4/2026

Horned Grebe

113/4/2026

Red-tailed Hawk

13/4/2026

Common Raven

13/4/2026

Black-capped Chickadee

13/4/2026

Red-breasted Nuthatch

13/4/2026

Northern Cardinal

13/4/2026

Greater Scaup

23/1/2026

Common Goldeneye

33/1/2026

Common Merganser

33/1/2026

Red-breasted Merganser

93/1/2026

Mourning Dove

13/1/2026

Ring-billed Gull

33/1/2026

Glaucous Gull

13/1/2026

American Tree Sparrow

23/1/2026

Bald Eagle

22/28/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan fence posts and utility wires for perching raptors and kingbirds.

  2. 2

    Walk field edges at dawn when sparrows and grassland species are most vocal.

  3. 3

    Time your visit during the first week of May for maximum species diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point for birding?
The best months to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point?
Notable species at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point include White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, American Herring Gull, Horned Grebe, Red-tailed Hawk. The area supports grassland, wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point?
Birding at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point?
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Sleeping Bear Point offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.