Mink River Estuary-Newport State Park

Site Description

Extensive, undeveloped shorelines and a variety of habitats characteristic of the Lake Michigan coastal zone make this an ecologically rich and important site.  Habitats include sand and cobblestone beach, dunes, coastal wetlands composed of sedges, cattail, and bur-reed, and swamp conifer, mesic, and boreal forests.

Ornithological Importance

Many priority wetland birds breed here including osprey, American bittern, Virginia rail, sedge wren, and the rare yellow rail.  Forest breeders include at least 13 species of warblers and other passerines, some, like golden-crowned kinglet and Cape May warbler, at or near the southern limit of their ranges in the state.  This site also is considered an important stopover habitat for migrating birds.

Photo Credit: The Nature Conservancy