| Acquired: |
1995 donation by Masten, Messinger, and Gillette families |
| Location: |
Bertrand Township, Berrien County |
| Size: |
71 acres |
| Accessibility: |
Open to the public |
| Trails: |
Viewing platform 50 feet from road. Click here for trail map. |
Most of Topinabee Lake Preserve is made up of a shallow lake with a border of willows, swamp rose and small trees. This wetland is a popular migration spot for many different species of birds, especially waterfowl. Nearly 20 different types of  ducks alone have been identified on the preserve. Rare birds for southwest Michigan such as American Bittern, Common Moorhen, and Great Egret are occasionally found hunting the wetlands for food while various warblers, orioles and tanagers explore the brushy edge for insects.
A viewing platform offers easy access and an improved view of the wetland. Visitors are serenaded by a variety of frogs and birds throughout the spring and summer. Binoculars or scope are recommended to help spot the diverse wildlife that use this preserve as both a home and migratory rest stop.
Directions: The preserve is on Portage Road, which is off of US 12 west of Niles and just east of US 31. Head north on Portage Road and park along the east edge of the road when you see the preserve sign. |
