WILD SPECTACLES FEAST FOR EYES
AT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND GET-AWAY

By Jim Bull: Coordinator

It’s five o’clock on Friday of Memorial Day Weekend and Detroit Audubon members and friends are beginning to trickle in to the Loon Lake Lutheran Retreat. Each one gets, a nametag peruse the field trip sign-up sheets and take a copy of the weekend schedule and maps they will need. After a lot of years of wear and tear we notice is that camp (the center) has been spruced up this year.

Before unpacking many venture over to the edge of the bluff overlooking the lake, and there she is as always, a Common Loon sitting on a nest placed on a floating platform of vegetation provided for her by the Michigan Loon Association. Seeing this large, primordial black and white denizen of the northern lakes on her nest was a great way to start the weekend exploring nature. Others that walked down one of the center’s nature trails were greeted by the large white blooming trillium. As night falls, the loons make their presence known in another way, through their loud, plaintive, eerie calls that echo all over the lake.

Early Saturday morning, several folks gather for a before breakfast bird hike down the hill along the lake. Kingfishers cackle at us, American Redstarts sing their hearts out to proclaim their territories, and then a large dark form with long board-like wings appears as it heads out over the lake—a bald eagle with its white head and tail gleaming in the low rising sun. After breakfast, announcements and the quote about nature that is known as the “thought for the meal,” it’s time to head off for field trips. While most of the center is a state wildlife refuge (the only one on private land!) that is worth exploring, there are also other birding and scenic spots within an hour’s. The most popular trip Saturday morning is the one to Tawas Point State Park, which is often called a smaller version of Point Pelee because of the variety and number of migrants that often stop here on their way north. Karl Overman drove up from Detroit to be our guide. While there weren’t large numbers of birds this year, there were some good ones. Karl points out a Mourning Warbler that loudly chirps his, “Cheery Cheery Chorry Chorry” song over and over from a dogwood thicket. Despite many good eyes, and several minutes of looking we never saw this colorful songster. A large flock of Dunlins at the point, with their rusty brown backs dabble in the sand on the distant sand spit

After a picnic lunch at the beach on Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay, some campers went to see the scenic Ausable River overlooks, and went down all those steps to the enchanting Iargo Springs that feed this mighty river, with its large clumps of water cress, golden marsh marigolds, skunk cabbage, white cedars.

Back at camp there is dinner, time to canoe along the lake shore for short while, then its time to gather at the fire circle to sing songs about Michigan’s natural heritage (new words to old songs by Jim Bull). After almost 45 minutes, rain drops told us it was time to end the singing and finish the day with toasting marshmallows and making s’mores. The children and youth around those red coals that had been the campfire, each with a stick pointed toward the middle of the circle, all had their fill as the day ended..

Sunday morning one group drove to a spot south of Mio and met Kim Picolo, a biologist from the Huron National Forest, our guide to help us find and see a Kirtland’s Warbler. It is always a thrill to finally find one of these lemon breasted songsters belting out that loud melodic song from on top of a snag. Kim set up a scope and true to form for this warbler, it stayed there for several minutes while everybody in the group got a good look. Then right in front of us, a Kirtland’s made a brief appearance. A nest must have been nearby, so we carefully make our way back to the road and our cars.

For the afternoon several chose to explore the Rifle River State Recreation area with me. First we take a short hike to see Pintail Pond, a fen, rare wetlands that along with bogs are known for their sphagnum moss mats growing out over a pond. The moss gets thick enough to support tamarack and spruce trees. Down low in the midst of the moss we find what we came for—the insectivorous pitcher plants and sundew.

Piling back into our cars, we headed for Ridge Road scenic drive. This is a one-way dirt road that heads up a narrow bluff between two lakes. What draws our attention is a large mass of sticks about two thirds of the way up in a White Pine tree on the opposite shore—a bald eagle nest. With scopes we witness a young eaglet. We watch this youngster for short while when our attention is drawn to an adult bald eagle that has flown into view low over the lake, plunges into the lake and comes up with a large fish in its talons. Then it flew up to the nest and slowly began tearing pieces of that fish off and feed its young. It is a spine tingling scene. And through Jack Lutz’s scope you could see every feather of the white headed adult. Under the bluff, we found the Phoebe nest that is usually in the same spot every year. A Rose-breasted grosbeak, its red chest standing out among the green leaves sang its sweet robin-like song, while the brown-streaked female tended her nest.

View the weekend bird species list

View the pictures from Sharon Miller

Another group, primarily families with children, were led by Andy Guest to Iargo Springs, Tuttle Marsh, and Lumberman’s Monument where the principal attraction is an old Rollway, a bare high sandy bluff that was used to roll logs down to the river so they could be floated to saw mill. At the Monument, the adults mostly watch, while the kids full of energy keep going up and down the Rollway, now only a sand dune.

There’s more fun back at camp: a challenge course set up along Lost Creek, a small stream that meanders through the center’s woods and empties into Loon Lake. The course requires balancing on a long board pivoting on a rock, and best of all a rope swing which the group has to use to get everybody from one side of the creek to the other. Many of these kids have done this challenge course every year for several years but never tire of it.

Still reveling in seeing the eagle feeds its young, or the fun on the dune or on the challenge course, we all head back to camp for supper, some relaxing time, then a look at some of the camper’s photos and a slide show about the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy’s work by DAS President Jack Smiley. Down to the dining hall for evening snack and then a small group gathers for a “night prowl.” Although we had not found an owl at the center for several years we tried playing the Barred Owl tape in the midst of a grove of old hemlocks. We waited quite awhile before these territorial owls began to call back to let the supposed intruder know that it is not welcome here. Then another responds in a higher voice—a female. And amazingly, a third chimes in as well (a helper offspring from last year?). Then Jim Bull, spies a dark form flying silently into a hemlock just above us. Quickly he turns on his lantern and shines its long beam right on the owl. The large owl looks down at us with its dark black eyes, moves its head a little but mostly just stays there for several minutes while everybody gets a good, close, long look. Another spectacle for the eyes and ears. The other two owls start their frenzied “monkey calls” that indicates they are really agitated. A last look or two and the light is turned off and we head back to our beds.

In the morning a few early birds assemble around the flagpole in front of the dining hall to sing a some patriotic songs to honor our veterans on this Memorial Day. Former DAS president and Loon Lake naturalist for 60 years, Homer Roberts would be proud as he began this practice long ago when he was our host at the center. For the past 31 years. After packing a lunch, I lead a hike out into the old field that is now growing up with large white pines, planted by campers. Here we hear and see several Indigo Buntings, their deep blue feathers shining in the sun.

Add the last few birds to the large bird checklist on the bulletin board, pack up our belongings and its time to bid adieu to this natural wonderland, and to the wonderful people we met until next year. I know I can’t wait. Maybe you’ll make Loon Lake a part of your Memorial Day tradition next year. We have one family, the Guests who have been coming here since the 1970s always with three generations. This year their reunion at this Detroit Audubon event attracted 21 people!!!

View the weekend bird species list

View the excitement at last year's Memorial Weekend

View the pictures from Sharon Miller