I stumbled on this sliver of a neighborhood park a couple years ago when looking at an eBird hotspot map of my county in southeast Michigan. At only 37 acres, it’s small. With a 1.3 mile paved path that is open for walkers, joggers, leashed dogs and bikes, it’s well used. An adjacent elementary school and the Red Oaks Nature Center make it a hub for educational programs. Nearby are a golf course, swimming pool and dog park, necessary amenities for a public park in a large metropolitan area. But I take my nature opportunities in greater Detroit however they present themselves.
THE DAILY BUCKET IS A NATURE REFUGE. WE AMICABLY DISCUSS ANIMALS, WEATHER, CLIMATE, SOIL, PLANTS, WATERS AND NOTE LIFE’S PATTERNS.
WE INVITE YOU TO NOTE WHAT YOU ARE SEEING AROUND YOU IN YOUR OWN PART OF THE WORLD, AND TO SHARE YOUR OBSERVATIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURPOSE AND HISTORY OF THE DAILY BUCKET FEATURE, CHECK OUT THIS DIARY: DAILY BUCKET PHENOLOGY: 11 YEARS OF RECORDING EARTH'S VITAL SIGNS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
From Oakland County website showing the location of Friendship Woods and the Red Oaks Nature Center. The heart-shaped area to the right is Lake St. Clair.
Trail map for the park. All the trails are paved and well maintained, so handicap accessible. I’d rate all of them “easier” as well.
Vernal ponds produce lots of insects, which in turn fuel migrating birds. But there’s always something to see and enjoy no matter the season.
In spring, I check the water level (and frog noise level) in the vernal ponds. The biggest one is marked on the map above, but there are many areas throughout the park that collect and retain water in the spring. Until recently, Oakland County and much of southern Michigan have been abnormally dry this year.
I was concerned when the large vernal pond was very dry on March 11th.
A series of storms in early April brought five inches of rain, as measured by my backyard rain gauge. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, that ended our abnormally dry status.
Vernal pond on April 8th. I noticed a big uptick in the insect activity, even on a frosty morning.
Early signs of spring are always a welcome sight.
Willow tree at Friendship Woods. They are always the first tree in this area to leaf out.
White Trillium from last spring. Still to early for them this year.
Wildlife tends to be on the small size. Lots of squirrels and birds, although I’ve also seen white-tailed deer in the park.
A Red Squirrel eyes me cautiously.
Ditto for an Eastern Cottontail.
There is an artificial pond outside the nature center, with a small waterfall and side channel with perfect spots for sipping and bathing.
I was surprised to see a Snapping Turtle has made the pond its home.
An Ovenbird preparing for a dip in the side channel.
The Friendship Woods is a go-to spot for spring bird migration. I’ve snagged a couple lifers here.
Golden-winged Warbler at Friendship Woods last April.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN. WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NATURE IN YOUR AREA?
