WATERFOWL !!

The lake opened up a few days ago, and already there are 100's and 100's of ducks and other waterfowl on the open water!  Just today, I saw, Bluebill (Scaup), Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Ringneck, Hooded Merganser, and even a couple Canvasbacks. Of course there were also many Canadian Geese and 3 pairs of Mute Swans too.  Also have seen many Sandhill Cranes making their way to the lake as well. I'm sure it was most probably this miserable weather that brought them in in these quantities; I wouldn't want to fly in this weather either!  Should have a few pics to post tomorrow.

Round-the-Lake Nature Trail Project

Following our work at the Quietwater Symposium at Michigan State University, we are continuing our strives to raise awareness and support for the proposed round-the-lake non-motorized hiking trail. We feel strongly that this project would be the greatest benefit to Bath and surrounding community's students of all ages, and all individuals that have a desire to learn more about Michigan's environment as it relates to wetlands and wilderness habitat including bogs.

Several programs at Michigan State University already utilize Park Lake's accessible shoreline to inspect and discover it's wealth of natural resources. MSU's Fisheries and Wildlife management departments regularly hold outdoor classes at the lake to better give students a "feel" for their environment on a first-hand basis.

Help us to promote this very worthwhile project for the community by voicing your support of "Friends of Park Lake".  Membership is NOT required to participate, but it does help us further our support of the surrounding environment by sponsoring significant projects in and around Bath's largest park, PARK LAKE.

Spring is less than 1 week away!!

With the temperature near 50 degrees today, and the ice on Park Lake beginning to disappear in earnest, all of the wildlife (including us) are just "itching" for the lake to open up and the temps to begin to climb. Many species of birds have been spotted already around the lake, including several pairs of Sandhill cranes, Turkey vultures, Red-wing Blackbirds, as well as Eastern Bluebirds.

If you have more sightings to share, please post a comment!

Robins!

Spotted my first Robins of the year yesterday!  A group of 6 near the corner of State & Park Lake Rd. Spring is officially only 10 days away!  I am sooo tired of winter.  The ice on Park Lake is already beginning to leave. A good sign of that is when you see muskrats sitting on the ice. They locate the earliest possible holes in the ice and enlarge them enough to begin feeding in earnest. I have seen about 1/2 dozen muskrats in various areas of the lake since last week.

Don Parkey also mentioned seeing a Coyote out on the frozen lake actually chasing a feral housecat! Guess there will be one less cat out there eating our songbirds as of tomorrow......Coyotes LOVE housecats.....

DNR Fishing report for the 1st week of March

11,000 lakes in Michigan, and PARK LAKE gets mentioned as being favorable fishing!!
http://michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_10848-34956--,00.html

MSU Quietwater Symposium

We are presently manning our booth at the MSU Quiet Water Symposium at the Pavilion on the corner of Mt. Hope & Farm Lane. There are many very interesting displays, including kayaks, canoes, excellent and detailed varied maps of Michigan. Fisheries and Wildlife department of MSU is here as well.

Really appreciate this opportunity to showcase our cause and project for the barrier-free playground and the Round-the-lake non-motorized pathway project.