Birders can keep busy with 421 species of birds to look for in Michigan, one being the popularly sought after Kirtland's Warbler. Also known as the Jack Pine Warbler, this is one of the rarest species of birds in the world. The Kirtland's Warbler inhabits only 20 counties in Michigan, with the majority of the population inhabiting Alcona, Crawford, Ogemaw and Oscoda counties. It spends the winter months in the Bahamas.

Whether you're an avid bird watcher or a novice hoping to get started with this outdoor activity, here are some equipment and tips to help make the experience better.

Equipment

• Binoculars or spotting scope
• Field Identification guides
• Road Map or atlas
• Backpack or other carrying case for storing equipment
• Notebook and pencil

Tips

• If you're viewing from a trail, stay on the trail so as to not disturb fragile ecosystems that some birds rely on. Practice "Leave Only Footprints" to leave the area your observing from in the same condition as when you arrived. This helps to preserve these areas for future birding adventures.
• Use a birding guide or bird identification book.

One of the best books to match up state parks and recreation areas with specific species of birds is the American Birding Association's "A Birder's Guide to Michigan." Edited by Allen T. Chartier and Jerry Ziarno, this volume collects all the citing reports from avid birdwatchers across the state. Here are their recommendations for spring bird viewing:

Southeastern Lower Peninsula Michigan
Be sure to stop by the Waterloo Recreation Area in May, and look for the Hooded and Kentucky Warblers, Wilson's Snipe, and the Sandhill Crane. In the early spring also look for migrant waterfowl throughout the recreation area.

Highland Recreation Area also offers a variety of bird sighting opportunities during the spring including Mute Swans, Ring-necked ducks, and Great Blue Herons.

Bird watching at Brighton Recreation Area in Livingston County can be quite exciting any time of year, but spring and summer can be especially active times of the year. To date, 178 species have been observed in the park, including 28 species of Warbler. Mid-April to mid-May is the best time to observe migratory birds, but summer can also be a very productive time to bird watch at Brighton Recreation Area. Cerulean Warbler, Golden-Winged Warbler, Pine Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Hooded Warbler, and Barred Owl have all been observed during the summer months, along with many of the more common woodland species.

Southwestern Lower Peninsula Michigan
P.J Hoffmaster State Park offers great bird watching opportunities along Lake Michigan shoreline or right from the Gillette Visitor Center. Look for Acadian Flycatchers, occasionally Hooded Warblers and hawks. Warbler activity can be observed right from the Gillette Visitor Center during spring migration.

At Holland State Park birders should head for the North Pier on Lake Michigan. The Purple Sandpiper, Common Loons, Red Throated Loons, and the Black-Legged Kittiwake are just a few of birds that can be viewed from the pier.

Stop by Van Buren State Park this spring for opportunities to see migrant raptors, shorebirds and Pine Warblers.

Northeastern Lower Peninsula Michigan:
Tawas Point State Park, on the shores of Lake Huron, is one of the world's premier locations for spotting the Kirtland's Warbler. Hundreds of species have been recorded here, and Tawas Point State Park is one of the best spots in the state for birding during the spring migration.

At Bay City State Recreation Area, look for the Connecticut Warbler, a rare find. It usually stops by the recreation area in May. Also look for the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, Great Horned Owl and Hairy Woodpeckers.

Located along Lake Huron shoreline, Negwegon State Park is a sure bet for shorebirds during migration. Other species that can be seen at Negwegon include Ruffed Grouse, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Alder and Great Crested Flycatchers, Nashville Warblers, Mourning Warblers and Magnolia Warblers.

A combination of Lake Huron shoreline and foot trails winding through mixed forests, provide the birder excellent opportunities at Thompson?s Harbor State Park. Look for the Bald Eagle, Great Horned Owl, Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos, Purple Finch, Indigo Bunting and many other species.

Northwestern Lower Peninsula
Located in the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula on the shores of Lake Michigan, Wilderness State Park offers excellent birding opportunities. This is an excellent breeding site for the endangered Piping Plover, as well as a good location to view the Common Yellowthroat, Alder and Great Crested Flycatchers, and numerous warblers including Nashville, Yellow-Rumped, Canada and Magnolia.

Fisherman's Island State Park attracts migrant shorebirds in May, including Semipalmated Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover and Sanderling. Also look for Magnolia, Nashville, Tennessee, and Palm Warblers to be migrating in the spring.

Eastern Upper Peninsula
It's usually the waterfalls that get all the attention at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, but turn your eyes away from the water and look for the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, Brown Creeper, Blue-Headed Vireo, White-Winged Crossbill, White-Crowned Sparrow and many warblers.

Western Upper Peninsula
Bald eagles often can be seen at J.W. Wells State Park, as well as Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Winter Wren, Great Crested Flycatchers, American White Pelican and various ducks and warblers.

Look for the Barred Owl, Black-Throated Green Warbler, Common Loon and the Broad-Winded Hawk further inland at Bewabic State Park.

Birders must stop by Michigan's largest state park, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, for big birding opportunities. Red-Eyed Vireo, Veery, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, Black-Throated Green Warbler and Rose-Breasted Grosbeak are a few species you can find at Porcupine Mountains.

To enter a state park or recreation area, you must have a Motor Vehicle Permit. Permits are available to purchase at the park or recreation area and cost $6 for a daily permit or $24 for an annual permit for Michigan residents. For out-of-state visitors, permits are $8 for a daily and $29 for an annual permit.

Birdwatchers should ask DNR staff at a park or recreation area about birds they have spotted recently. Many staffers are avid birders and keep a list of birds spotted at the park or recreation area.

Visit the DNR's Web site for more recreation information: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr