Tour of Watkins Lake SP/CP 10/27/2026

We had a beautiful day of sunshine and autumn color for our fall tour of the Watkins Lake State Park/ Washtenaw Nature Preserve. Nine JAS members attended. We started with Sybil from Irish Hills Concerned Citizens giving us an update on the proposed gravel mine in adjacent property. Once the obligate Northern Mockingbird and Turkey Vulture made their appearance we walked west along the RR grade.

(Sylvia Kay)

Moving along we picked up a few more Mockingbirds as well as Eastern Bluebird, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Northern Flicker.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)(Don Henise)

As per our normal process, we opened a new list once we crossed the line into Washtenaw County. On the wooded trail to the south we had some views from the east into the lake. Here we saw Ring-necked Duck, Great Blue Heron, and Pie-billed Grebe. Don’t worry, It gets more ducky later.

(Sylvia Kay)

The walk up the hill was gradual and the view from the top was great. Fall color was a bit past peak, but lovely.

(Sylvia Kay)

There are some Osage Orange at the top of the hill which adds a bit of variety to the trees in this area of the park. On the final stretch we all had a good look at a close Northern Mockingbird. And I think it wasn’t even singing!

Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)(Don Henise)

The final leg of the tour was the lake and we travelled the road from the north. The family of Common Gallinule were still there but we observer only two juveniles. This was a great bird for the day and a new bird for some of our participants.

Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)(Don Henise)

There was a lot of activity with about 2000 Ring-necked Duck and 400 Canada Goose. In all, we tallied 19 waterfowl and other water birds.

All three eBird lists are below and an eBird Trip Report totaling 41 species.

State Park parking lot & east trail: https://ebird.org/checklist/S405902258

Washtenaw CP: https://ebird.org/checklist/S405903017

Watkins Lake: https://ebird.org/checklist/S405899696

eBird Trip Report https://ebird.org/tripreport/589462

bye-bye

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)(Don Henise)