Natural History weekend - Presque Isle, Michigan

White Cedar, Thuja occidentalis, form an interesting boreal habitat that supports many bird speices and spectacular plant life in Michigan's Presque Isle County.

On the weekend of May 21 - 23, I'll be leading forays in stunning Presque Isle County, Michigan. We'll be based out of NettieBay Lodge, which allows for a life of luxury and excellent food when we're not afield.

Scenic Presque Isle County sits in the far northeastern corner of Michigan's lower peninsula, hard on the shores of the 2nd largest Great Lake, Lake Huron. This is the edge of the vast boreal forest, and there are extensive cedar swamps and other conifer-dominated forests, as well as fascinating habitats such fens, which support many interesting plants and animals. Long stretches of sandy beaches along Huron add to the diversity, and in places support breeding Piping Plovers.

The county breeding bird list is extensive, and includes Common Loons yodeling on the lakes, Golden-winged Warblers among 20+ other breeding warblers, Upland Sandpiper, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush, and over 100 others. On Sunday, we'll drop a bit to the south and visit the Jack Pine habitats to see and hear Kirtland's Warblers.

It'll be a fantastic time for spring flora, and the wildflowers will be a bit of a distraction. We'll see various orchids and such northern beauties as Fringed Milkwort, Polygala paucifolia, and Bunchberry, Cornus canadensis. The whole experience should be a riot for the senses, and a great way to learn more about birds and other elements of natural history.

We are keeping this event to a small group size so as to maximize the experience and the learning opportunities. For more information, and to register, please visit the NettieBay Lodge site HERE.

Sandy dunes and beaches along beautiful Lake Huron offer some interesting habitats in Presque Isle County.