Michigan Birding 101
Michigan Sea Grant provides high-quality educational programs that foster conservation-friendly behaviors among new and life-long birders.
More than 460 species of birds have been recorded across Michigan (source). Birds are an important part of aquatic food webs, acting as predators, prey, and even transporters of fish. Birds are also a core indicator of Great Lakes health and have been used to monitor the Great Lakes for over a century.
Bird-watching is an easy, affordable way to enjoy Michigan’s wildlife, explore local natural areas, and travel farther afield in search of key species. Birding can bring tourism dollars to communities near major migratory pathways or unique habitats, and a passion for birds can inspire wildlife- and eco-friendly choices at home. These environmental stewardship actions are crucial to making sure Michigan’s resident and migratory birds are able to survive and thrive.
Our programs and resources
Michigan Birding 101 email list
Join the email list to get updates about upcoming classes, additional birding tips and resources, and updates about Michigan Sea Grant’s birding programs.
Michigan Birding 101
Since 2021, Michigan Sea Grant has helped new birders find success by offering live online classes covering the basics of bird identification, birding equipment, bird feeding, and backyard bird conservation.
Michigan Birding 101 is back in March 2026! Register here.
Free sessions will be held online at 7-8pm ET on March 17, 19, 24, and 26, 2026. Join for interactive challenges and live Q&A!
Watch recordings of these engaging classes on YouTube:
- Spring Session Full Playlist (full playlist that includes the four videos linked below)
- Spring Session 1 (birding equipment, field guides and birding basics)
- Spring Session 2 (backyard bird identification and bird feeding)
- Spring Session 3 (backyard habitats, birding ethics, fun identification challenges)
- Spring Session 4 (Michigan birding hotspots, finding a birding community)
Elliot’s winter birding report
Michigan Sea Grant’s Elliot Nelson shares his winter birding report, full of tips and tricks for spotting snowy visitors in the Upper Peninsula. Read his 2026 report.
Bird photo gallery
Explore Michigan Sea Grant’s collections of bird photos on Flickr here and here.
Michigan birding trails
Michigan is home to multiple birding trails, or routes that link birding hotspots and hidden gems across a region. Elliot has been directly involved in creating two of Michigan’s birding trails and has consulted on the creation of at least three additional trails. Find trails here.