A great bird marsh where the rivers meet

Just south of Saginaw, where the big rivers come together, sits the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge — about 10,000 acres of marsh, wetland, and bottomland forest known as the “Shiawassee Flats.” It’s a leftover piece of what was once one of the largest wetlands in Michigan, before most of the surrounding land was drained for farming. The federal government set it aside back in 1953 to protect migratory birds, and it’s done its job: more than 250 kinds of birds have been spotted here, and it’s recognized as a globally important spot for ducks, geese, and other waterfowl that pass through on their long migrations.

For visitors, it’s quiet and flat and full of life. There are miles of trails, a driving route where you can watch wildlife from your car, and lookout platforms where you might spot a bald eagle or a great egret. Spring and fall, when the birds are moving through by the thousands, are the best times to come. Leave the dog at home, though — pets aren’t allowed, to keep the birds undisturbed. The refuge office south of Saginaw can point you to the trailheads and the wildlife drive.