"Downriver" Detroit from downtown to the rivermouth at Lake Erie.

This IBA is recognized for its outstanding migrant and wintering waterfowl and waterbird concentrations. Early winter surveys have recorded high counts of 79,300 Canvasbacks (i.e. over 10% of the estimated global population), over 1,900 Tundra Swans, 1,000 American Black Ducks, 10,000 Mallards, 3,500 Common Mergansers, 40 Forster's Terns, and 275 Common Tern nests.

Longstanding pollution from industrial air pollution, dumping of chemicals, and runoff have recently decreased, in part due to the efforts of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and its support group, the Friends of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. These threats are still problematic and will require continued attention. Disturbance of the waterfowl flocks during late fall and winter (and nesting Common Terns) are potentially problematic for these species.