We spend a lot of the summer at our cabin at Whitefish Point, Michigan. Spring migration is long over, although yesterday we had a small kettle of eleven Broad-winged Hawks overhead. Now we talk long walks looking for flowers and insects, drive to favorite sites for birds and orchids or light for moths (more on all of these later). But today I’ll take you for a walk to see Piping Plovers.
When we refer to Whitefish Point we are referring to a mix of private property (south of this map), state land (DNR), the Shipwreck museum (GLSHS), Michigan Audubon and the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory (MAS) and federal land (USFWF).
The boardwalk to the tip of the point starts at You Are Here.
This is where we end up every day when we walk to the point.
This is the Piping Plover nesting exclosure. It’s in this area (one of two here) that there were hopes of plovers nesting. Not only Piping Plovers nest here but also Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers.
Every day we can see 2-3 Piping Plovers foraging along the shore.
But this morning we stopped by the nest-inclosure. We watched the adult turn an egg, then settle in on the nest.
But the trip along the boardwalk to the nesting area is always an interesting walk.
The sand dunes are covered with interesting plants. Wavy-haired and Beach grass are critical to the maintenance of the dunes, as their roots go deep holding stabilizing the dunes.
Another important plant is the false dune heather, or heath (Hudsonia tomentosa). This woody plant spreads across the sand, again helping to stabilize the dune structure. For much of the year the grayish-green stems and leaves are visible, but at this time of year they are flowering. The sand becomes aglow in green and yellow.
Looking closely, the flowers are quite pretty and provide food for butterflies and moths, as well as shelter for other animals.
This patch of grass and other plants is home to a garter snake. We have seen the snake here for the past few days, sunning itself on the sand in the cool mornings. While the rest of the state is experiencing sweltering heat here the morning have been in the upper 40s to low 50s (Fahrenheit).
A close look at the snake shows how attractive it is.
More tomorrow…
Michael's Place 