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Cathead Bay

Recognition: The Nature Conservancy Natural Areas Registry,
State of Michigan Park Plan
Cathead Bay location map
Size: 1236 acres
Location: Almost the most northern extent of Leelanau Peninsula
Management: Leelanau State Park
Activities: Hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing, camping (adjacent), photography, nature study
Importance:
A rather narrow sand and rock beach backed by several low dune ridges, and a wide sand-gravel flat with interdunal wetlands in some areas; behind these are high, forested dunes with numerous unvegetated blowouts. The open dunes, along with the numerous blowouts, are a fine example of this natural community, which was once common along the eastern Lake Michigan shoreline. In the sand and gravel flats behind the foredune, state-endangered piping plovers nest and feed. These birds usually nest on open wide beaches, but this unusual nesting spot is apparently satisfactory. Healthy populations of two state-threatened plants also grow in the interdunal area. Some shoreline areas may be closed during portions of May, June, and July due to piping plover nesting activity.


Cathead Bay


Cathead Bay


Cathead Bay

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