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This
site is a large, forested, federally-owned natural
area that is part of a much larger swampland complex,
and it is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Cadillac.
The area has a tremendous diversity of habitat types,
from old growth hemlock and white pine to lowland
hardwoods to shrubby marshland, plus a 50-acre wildlife
impoundment. Although the area has no developed or
marked hiking trails, there are a number of small,
closed-to-vehicles two-track roads that will take
you through a variety of habitats if you are willing
to do some hiking and exploring. Come prepared, however,
since wildlife viewing in the interior can be a remote
and sometimes wet experience. In-season, mosquitoes
and deer flies can be pesky. A county road and federal
forest road cuts north–south through the area and
can be a great route to go birding and wildlife viewing.
Parking is along the shoulder of this roadway, however,
so be careful where you pull off, making sure there
is good sight clearance for approaching vehicles.
This site has no facilities or improvements, but is
adjacent to the Hemlock National Forest Campground,
and also close to Mitchell State Park, a year-round
facility
Wildlife
Viewing
Photo credit: US Forest Service
This large area has a wide diversity of habitats
offering the adventurous a similarly wide diversity
of wildlife viewing opportunities. By driving slowly
along the main road through the area, you will have
an opportunity to see or hear many of the forest songbird
species that breed in this natural area and in much
of northern lower Michigan. A little hike and you
can hear the more secretive species like northern
water thrushes, alder flycatchers, golden-winged warblers,
and red-shouldered hawks. This is one of the more
southerly breeding sites in Michigan to regularly
see and hear the white-throated sparrow. This is also
great place to see black bear sign. August is the
best time to see bear sign when bears come to this
swampland to feed on the ripe, starchy nutlets of
skunk cabbage that grow here in large patches. Look
for bear tracks, droppings, and scratch marks on trees
throughout the area. The waterfowl management area
and wetland impoundment at Brandybrook offer the opportunity
to see active beaver lodges and muskrat houses, plus
observe waterfowl during spring and fall migration.
An osprey platform has been erected in the middle
of the wetland and has been used by osprey that fish
here and on nearby Lake Mitchell. Bald eagles nest
in the vicinity and are most active in May and June
when feeding their young.
This area is open to public hunting.
Contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
for affected seasons and locations.
Directions
From Cadillac at the M-115 and M-55 intersection, drive west
on M-55 about 3 miles to 31 Mile Road. Turn right (north) and
continue 1.5 miles to Forest Road 5381. This road winds north
to south through the Brandybrook area. >From the north end,
above Lake Mitchell and off M-115, take Boon Road (34 Mile Rd.)
west about two miles to Forest Road 5381 and turn left (south)
where it becomes 31 Mile Road.
[Nancy: A USFS staff person told us we need to add a road to
the map. From the 1994 map, on the top or northern edge of the
federal ownership shown in green, draw a straight east-west
line along top edge of uppermost, right-hand green block and
run it from left side of map to right side of map. This is another
major road to access the area. I added these directions in the
Directions section above. The road should be labeled Boon Road.
If questions, contact site manager Chris Schumacher (231) 723-2211,
ext. 118. ]
Ownership: U.S. Forest Service, Cadillac-Manistee
Ranger District, 231-723-6121]
>Watchable
Wildlife
Wildlife
Viewing 
