The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds wildlife enthusiasts that this is a great time to observe waterfowl in the Saginaw Bay area. A variety of duck species in colorful breeding plumage provide a great opportunity for bird watching. Canada geese and tundra swans can be seen in large feeding flocks that sometimes number in the thousands.

"Usually, the third week of March is the peak time to view waterfowl in the Bay area," said DNR Wildlife Biologist Arnold Karr. "This year, however, cold temperatures and thick ice on Saginaw Bay have delayed the spring migration of waterfowl slightly. The last week of March or first week of April may provide the best viewing opportunities."

Wetlands in the Saginaw Bay area provide migrating waterfowl with a place to rest and feed during the long flight from southern wintering grounds to northern breeding grounds. For example, tundra swans begin their spring migration from the Atlantic coast with low amounts of body fat. As they pass over Michigan on their way to western Canada, the swans rely on wetland foods and corn stubble in the Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay areas to build up fat reserves for the rest of the journey and nesting.

The public lands and surrounding farm fields in the Saginaw Bay area provide excellent viewing opportunities. Some points of interest along the bay shoreline include Wildfowl Bay Wildlife Area in Huron County, Fish Point Wildlife Area in Tuscola County, and Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area and Bay City State Recreation Area in Bay County. Farther inland, migrating waterfowl can be observed at the Shiawassee River State Game Area, Crow Island State Game Area, and Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw County.

"In recent years, the largest concentration of tundra swans has been observed at the Finn and Feather Public Access Site at the end of Pigeon Road in Huron County," Karr said.

Observation platforms are open to the public for viewing wildlife at Fish Point and Nayanquing Point Wildlife Areas, as well as the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. The Shiawassee River SGA has an accessible blind for viewing and photography at the east end of Wahl Road. Wildfowl Bay also has three public access sites maintained by the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.