May 28

Last Wednesday, I drove 20 miles north to Mt. Pleasant to join members of the Chippewa Valley Audubon Club for a bird hike at the 90-acre Mill Pond Park. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 54 degrees and no wind. Leaving the parking area, we followed a paved path south where we heard and saw a Chipping Sparrow perched high in a Spruce tree. Turning east and crossing over the millpond bridge, we paused to observe a perching Rough-winged Swallow. Continuing east on an earthen trail through a wooded area dominated by Box Edger trees, we heard and saw a variety of birds including: Carolina Wren, Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler, Redstart and Red-bellied Woodpecker. Along the way, I noticed the understory contained lots of Honeysuckle bushes displaying white, pink and red blossoms while the forest floor was blanketed with the highly invasive Garlic Mustard, showing its dainty white blooms. Further ahead, I paused to watch a ½ inch Amber Snail crawl slowly over a decaying log. Reaching the Chippewa River, I spotted a mixed patch of Buttercups and Violets on the muddy bank. Looping our way back to the paved path along the river, we observed a female Wood duck along with one of her ducklings swimming close to the path. Nearby, I noticed a few blossoms of Black Mustard and Dame’s Rocket. Also, I could see lacy leaves of Wild Carrot plants beginning to appear. Continuing east, we paused to look and listen as the river rushed north over the dam. From here, this extremely meandering river, curves to the east and flows 30 miles to Midland where it empties into the Tittabawassee River. As the path curved to the north, we saw and heard such birds as: Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Cuckoo and Ovenbird. Along the way, I spotted some tree blossoms of Choke Cherry and Pawpaw as well as ground blossoms of Wild Rose. Finally, I turned around, retraced my steps back to the car and headed home.

From a verdant meadow

From the forest ground

From trees on high

Jewels can be found

Some are bright yellow

Others white and blue

Some mostly red

Others, a purple hue

Colorful displays

To earth they cling

Nature’s gems

Blossoms of spring

D. DeGraaf