Birding at Huron Municipal Pier

General Information

Address

Huron, OH

County/Counties

Erie

DeLorme Page Number and Coordinates

(7th Edition and earlier) Page 39, A-5, the pier is shown on the map.

Nearest Town or City

In the town of Huron, Ohio.

Directions from Nearest Town or City

The site can be reached from US Rte 6 (Lakeside) in downtown Huron. Turn north at the stoplight at the intersection with SR 13 and follow the river about a mile to a small parking lot at the foot of the pier.

About Huron Municipal Pier

A park along the riverside and a few other vantage points offer views of birds in the river along the way to the pier, and is worth a stop on the way out. Closer to the lake, a large semicircular bay is hemmed in by the shore, the pier, and the walls of a circular impoundment. Many birds may be seen, especially if water levels expose shallows for gulls to roost, and this is often the best place to start. Another angle on this area can be had by taking any of several streets west to a park along the shore.

Walk the pier north toward the open lake. Occasionally shorebirds are seen on the left on a sandy beach or in the wrack behind it. Raptors, including eagles, can sometimes be seen perched in larger trees in the impoundment on that side as well. Brushy areas on the west side can yield sparrows, warblers, etc., in migration, and occasionally siskins and redpolls in winter. Further along on the left side is a vast sea of unproductive Phragmites reed, punctuated with some trees. Hunters and fishers maintain trails through this dense vegetation that go to the shore of the pool inside the impoundment; they are sometimes worth following to see if shorebirds or waterfowl can be seen at close range there.

On the right hand lies the Huron River, hemmed in by the pier on one side and breakwalls on the other. Water birds of many species may be seen here in the water. Purple sandpipers are found yearly among the stones of the walls, and snowy owls are possible on the far shore in winter. The pier is easy walking as far as an elevated platform (about .2 mile). From there, one has to walk atop a flat rock wall. The footing is not too difficult in the absence of ice. Here, the pool inside the impoundment is visible on the left, the river mouth widens to the right, and the lighthouse comes into view. Flat-topped rocks end at the lighthouse. The breakwalls of the impoundment on the left are rugged walking, and the base of the lighthouse can be reached only with some exertion, especially in icy conditions. The view at this point is extensive, and birds can be numerous.

Visiting Information

Closed hours/season

Open all year during daylight hours.

Parking Areas

At the foot of the pier.

Fees/Permits

None.

Restroom Facilities

None.

Special Note

Difficult footing when icy.

Restaurants in the Area

There is a donut and coffee shop in the median of Rte 6 back near the road to the pier.

Other Useful Information

The first half of the pier is easy walking, but negotiating the top of the breakwall past the platform can be difficult for some when dry, and for all when icy. The circular enclosure of the impoundment is rough, and not advised as a route to see inside.

Other Birding Spots in the Area

Sheldon’s Marsh, Huron River Flats, Old Woman Creek Sanctuary.