Grassland tour of Watkins Lake SP 06/16/2026

We visited Watkins Lake SP for our annual summer grassland tour. The weather was a bit cool, sunny, and just enough wind to keep the mosquitos in check. Eight JAS members participated in the outing, including two joining one of our walks for the first time.

As we were hearing Bobolink on the eastern side of the parking lot, we started with a walk toward the Washtenaw County side of the property first. We did get a Bobolink and a bonus. Don spotted nesting-type behavior of a North Mockingbird. He tracked it down and found an active nest. So our supply of WLSP mockingbirds will be refreshed for next year!

Northern Mockingbird on nest (Don Henise)

After Great Blue and Green Herons were spotted in the distance over the lake, we moved west toward the upland grassland. The walk west over the old railroad grade provided a nice woodland boundary territory to observe before we go full prairie. The upland section is very approachable with a gentle trail to the top. Views to the east are great and we are able to see the opening on the opposite clearing on the Washtenaw County Preserve property to the east. We generally do a fall tour there for a bit of autumn color views.

We observed Henslow’s, Song, Chipping, & Field Sparrow, Male & Female Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and American Goldfinch.

Female Bobolink (Don Henise)

Male Bobolink (Don Henise)

There’s a picnic table on the top and it made a nice spot for the group picture.

(Steve Jerant)

The walk ended with a short walk in the small wooded area adjacent to the lake just south of the parking lot. We picked up a few woodland species before closing the list out at 38. Some of group got some lifers on this walk and that’s always a plus. The next tour will be another grassland walk at the West Lake Preserve in Washtenaw County.

eBird checklist https://ebird.org/checklist/S358453755