Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve Field Guide
Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson
Nature Preserve Field Guide
Ecological Restoration, Flora and Fauna
PHOTO: NOAH JURIK
Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve protects substantial acreage within the heart of the Mitchell Creek watershed, the thirdlargest subwatershed feeding Grand Traverse Bay. The preserve encompasses wetlands, forest complexes, and grasslands that provide essential habitat for various wildlife species. These natural features filter surface runoff before it can enter Mitchell Creek and its tributaries, making them important to safeguarding the region’s water quality.
Once threatened by extensive development, this ecologically significant property was protected through the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s (GTRLC) Campaign for Generations in 2019, thanks to a generous lead gift from Don and Jerry Oleson. Subsequent efforts by the Conservancy led to the protection of additional adjacent parcels, expanding the preserve to nearly 243 acres by 2024.
However, the property’s previous usage as a golf course and cattle pasture left the land impaired and the surrounding watershed vulnerable to threats. Today, the Conservancy’s ongoing stewardship efforts focus on revitalizing the property’s health by restoring and connecting diverse habitats. This work is part of a larger, collaborative restoration initiative to improve water quality in the Mitchell Creek watershed, which began after Mitchell Creek landed on the State of Michigan’s Impaired Waters list for bacterial contamination.
Today, Mitchell Creek Meadows is open to the public as a nature preserve and a growing hub for conservation. In addition to housing the Conservancy’s main offices, its net-zero facilities include a collaborative learning gallery, a greenhouse dedicated to cultivating native plants for restoration projects, a stewardship workshop, a barn for invasive species-eating goats and more. The preserve has also become a vital part of efforts to provide children with safe routes to school using trails here. Together, the property and these facilities demonstrate the transformative impact of land protection, stewardship, restoration and collaboration on our region’s lands, wildlife and communities.
Preserve Location Map
Mitchell Creek Watershed GTRLC Land Protection Map
Get Involved with Community Science
Community science is a movement that involves working with the general public to collect scientific data. Among a variety of benefits, it allows GTRLC and other land managers to substantially grow their capacity to protect and manage critical lands and waters that sustain us all.
You can help the Conservancy through community science by collecting observations of flora and fauna at our preserves and sanctuaries using the iNaturalist and eBird platforms. At Mitchell Creek Meadows, these observations will contribute to the care of the preserve’s habitats while providing valuable information about the restoration effort’s progress.
To participate, download the iNaturalist application to your phone and make observations while exploring the preserve. You can take pictures of interesting plants and animals with your phone and upload them to the iNaturalist database, where GTRLC will automatically have access to your observations. You can also download the Seek application, which syncs with iNaturalist and uses image recognition technology to suggest species from your observations.
More interested in birds? eBird is made for you! Similar to iNaturalist but specifically for bird sightings, eBird is another great website where you can share your observations (Mitchell Creek Meadows is listed as a hotspot).
How to Use This Guide
This guide is intended to be used as a trail companion while exploring Mitchell Creek Meadows. It contains information about the fascinating species found on the preserve and the ongoing efforts to restore the property’s natural habitats. The first section describes the trails and facilities at the preserve. The second section describes the property’s ongoing stewardship efforts, including habitat restoration and the collaborative initiative to improve water quality in the Mitchell Creek watershed. At the time of this guide’s publication (summer 2024), these efforts are still in the early stages and are expected to evolve in the coming years.
In the third (flora), fourth (birds) and fifth (other fauna) sections, you will find information about some of the common and unique species that can be found on the property. A botanical assessment conducted in 2023 noted a total of 310 species of plants at the preserve, with 232 being native. While ecological assessments are ongoing, about 100 bird species and over 50 other fauna species have also been observed on the property, including 10 species listed as endangered, threatened or species of special concern. As inventories and monitoring efforts continue, more species are likely to be discovered in the coming years. This guide is not meant to include every plant or animal that can be seen at Mitchell Creek Meadows but to highlight some notable species that may be seen at different times of the year.
To honor the importance of Indigenous language in preserving scientific and traditional knowledge about our native ecosystems, flora and fauna, we have included Anishinaabemowin names for the species where the information was available. Through this, we hope to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the unique connection between Anishinaabe culture, the land and the life it supports, as well as the myriad ways the Anishinaabek have long cared for our lands and waters. Miigwech (thank you) to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for providing resources used for these translations.
SECTION 1: MITCHELL
CREEK MEADOWS: THE DON & JERRY OLESON NATURE PRESERVE
PHOTO: NATE RICHARDSON
Access to Nature
Universally Accessible Trails
The Mitchell Creek Meadows Preserve offers outstanding opportunities for hiking, biking, bird watching and accessing nature. Visitors can learn about and experience diverse, critical habitats while traversing the universally accessible Looyenga Family Trail, a nearly 0.75-mile path made possible by Roger and Ann Looyenga in honor of their children and grandchildren.
From the trailhead at the property’s western edge, the trail winds through various habitats undergoing restoration, including northern wet meadow, northern shrub swamp and mixed hardwood and conifer forest.
At the first intersection, visitors can explore Glen’s Grove, a half-acre remnant cedar grove dedicated in honor of GTRLC’s founding executive director, Glen Chown. Here, an artesian aquifer bubbles up and spills down the slope to the adjacent wetlands.
Heading east, a mowed path runs parallel along the solar array and connects to the eastern portion of the trail system, which comprises a mix of universally accessible boardwalk and aggregate trail. From the intersection, visitors can head west to an elevated platform offering scenic views of the surrounding landscape or east, where the trail crosses the western branch of Four-Mile Creek, a tributary to Mitchell Creek.
Future Connection to TART’s Three-Mile Trail
GTRLC is working with TART Trails to develop a trail that will pass through the western portion of the preserve, connecting the Three Mile Trail from Airport Road south to Hammond Road. The trail is intended to provide a safe, nonmotorized route to school for over 4,000 students who attend the schools within a 1.5-mile radius of the preserve.
A Regional Hub for Conservation
The existing buildings and the central location of the preserve provided the Conservancy with a unique opportunity to establish the site as a regional hub for conservation. Thanks to generous lead support from Tom and Debby McMullen, who also inspired many other donations with their challenge gift, the former golf course clubhouse and workshop were transformed into a workspace and educational center, which opened to the public in 2023. Close to half of the square footage was repurposed from existing buildings, with renovations and new construction funded entirely by private donors.
Designed with sustainable features, the facilities model a carbon-neutral approach to energy use. The structures integrate renewable energy components like ground source geothermal heating and cooling, solar energy, sustainable water management and more. Collectively, the property provides significant savings in energy costs over the long term—meaning more dollars for land protection and stewardship, and we are always striving for ways to improve.
The McMullen Family Conservation Center
With indoor and outdoor event spaces, including the Debra Edson Family Learning Gallery, the facility offers a beautiful, natural setting where people and organizations can exchange ideas and learn about environmental issues affecting northern Michigan. Visitors can explore ways to contribute to land and water conservation, discover ongoing projects by GTRLC, and learn about collaborative efforts that make our communities better places to live, work and play. 1
Surrounded by schools and neighborhoods and in the heart of a watershed critical to the quality of our region’s drinking water, the Conservation Center is a place where people can join together to build a more resilient, engaged and proactive community.
Bob & Pauline Young Stewardship Workshop
Native Plant Greenhouse
Goat Barn
Botany Lab
McMullen Family Conservation Center
The McMullen Family Conservation Center. Demonstration Dune Gardens Bioswale
PHOTO: JOHN ROBERT-WILLIAMS
Demonstration Dune Gardens
Along the building are two special mini-habitats or “dune-scapes,” home to an interesting assortment of native shrubs, forbs and grasses that thrive in the sandy soils of our region’s coastal dunes. These demonstration habitats will help the Conservancy engage students and volunteers from the surrounding area with the installation, care and seed collection of dune species, which will be used for restoration projects on protected lands. Many of the species selected are critical nectar and host plants for a variety of declining pollinator species. These small dune demonstration areas also serve as raised beds for propagating difficultto-grow dune species that are declining due to factors like habitat loss and degradation.
3
Bioswales
Bioswales, also called retention ponds, play an important role in managing stormwater runoff and protecting water quality at the preserve. In addition to providing habitat for many forms of wildlife, they offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to concrete gutters and storm sewers.
A series of vegetated, low-lying channels trap and absorb stormwater runoff from the parking area and excess water from the main building. Native wetland plants slowly hold and filter runoff before it can permeate the water table, allowing bacteria and other organisms to break down contaminants into less harmful nutrients, which then become available to plants and algae for their growth. The bioswales also allow larger debris and silt to settle at the bottom of the pond, thereby removing them from the water column. The cleaned water then percolates into the ground and into the water table that feeds the nearby streams of Mitchell Creek.
A demonstration dune garden outside the Conservation Center.
A bioswale at the Conservation Center captures stormwater runoff from the adjacent parking area.
PHOTO: RICK KANE
PHOTO: RICK KANE
Bob and Pauline Young Family Stewardship Workshop
Volunteers are vital to GTRLC’s work and have a transformative impact on our communities. In addition to providing a centrally-located and well-organized space for the Conservancy’s stewardship equipment and supplies, the Bob and Pauline Young Family Stewardship Workshop is a place where volunteers and staff can learn from each other through training and hands-on participation. The work accomplished at this facility enables GTRLC to build better trails, tackle more habitat restoration projects and equip volunteers with the necessary knowledge and skills to serve our entire five-county service area.
Volunteers working at the Bob and Pauline Young Family Stewardship Workshop.
Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve
PHOTO: RICK KANE
Goats and Invasive Species Control
Since GTRLC protected this property, staff and volunteers have been working to remove aggressive invasive plants like autumn olive, honeysuckle and reed canary grass, which threaten to outcompete native plants. To complicate matters, the property contains sensitive wetland areas that could be damaged by vehicles and heavy equipment.
Goats, however, are ideal for handling this job. They do much of the hard work for us while grazing on invasive species and significantly reducing their biomass—making it easier for us to remove them and, sometimes, completely exterminating the plants. The reduction of plant material, in turn, allows nutrients and sunlight to be more readily available to native plants, which will help promote plant diversity within the area. The best part is they enjoy the work! Goats can easily navigate challenging terrain with little impact on the habitat, and they prefer targeting some of the most difficult invasive species to control.
In 2023, the Conservancy introduced a small herd of goats to the preserve to remove invasive plants. Working in carefully prioritized areas, allows them to feast on invasives while causing minimal damage to native plants. They stay comfortable and safe in indoor and outdoor spaces, including a sheltered barn featuring a large wintering area, a heated medical bay where they can be treated for illness, and hay storage conveniently located nearby. The barn is also attached to a spacious outdoor run with repurposed enrichment structures like broom brushes and wooden spools.
GTRLC’s herd of goats resides in its onsite barn.
PHOTO: ERIN SCHUG
Native Plant Greenhouse
Native plants are an integral part of a balanced ecosystem. Unlike non-native species, they have evolved with our local climate and conditions over hundreds or thousands of years, establishing complex relationships with fauna and other flora. They are the base of the food web in nearly every ecosystem, providing food and shelter for most wildlife.
At the native plant greenhouse, volunteers play a crucial role in the Conservancy’s conservation efforts by helping to grow native wildflowers and grasses that directly benefit our local ecosystems. These plants are restoring habitat for declining bird species, providing food sources for native pollinators, improving habitat structure that supports wildlife and more.
Botany Lab
The botany lab supports efforts in the greenhouse as well as serving as a research hub for studying the biodiversity of the region’s protected lands. By cataloging plant inventories in the lab, GTRLC’s staff, volunteers and researchers are gaining a better understanding of which habitats are present. This information is crucial for protecting and caring for our region’s unique wildlife and natural features. In addition, the lab is used to catalog and restore rare or declining species, including the reintroduction of native orchids in priority habitats.
Thousands of seedlings are grown each year in the native plant greenhouse.
A GTRLC volunteer helping to document species in the botany lab.
PHOTO: RICK KANE
PHOTO: KATE PEARSON
SECTION 2: MITCHELL CREEK MEADOWS: ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION
An Impacted Landscape
Before becoming a nature preserve, this property experienced decades of agricultural use followed by more than twenty years as a golf course, resulting in numerous alterations to its hydrology and habitats.
Initially managed as a cattle pasture, the land’s natural wetlands were dredged and pumped to produce upland conditions suitable for cattle. Subsequently, the property was converted into a golf course, where soils were added to form greens, fairways and tee boxes, and natural streams were straightened, diverted and culverted to maximize recreational space.
Following the golf course’s closure, the once heavily maintained fairways lay fallow for a decade. This period of neglect resulted in the emergence of a thatch layer of cool-season grasses and a seed bank filled with invasive shrub species. Dense thickets of autumn olive grew unchecked, forming monocultures with little wildlife benefit. These changes led to a fragmented landscape, with some areas unable to support healthy populations of native flora and fauna.
Despite these challenges, the preserve contains substantial wetlands that safeguard water quality and support a variety of wildlife. Native plants flourish in forested and open wetlands, providing vital habitat for insects, amphibians and reptiles, especially in the intact mixed conifer swamp habitats that form the property’s perimeter.
Some impacted areas are gradually reverting to a more natural state, with abundant native plants emerging in the former fairways, including blue vervain, common milkweed, goldenrods, sedges and dogwoods. Over time, some of these fairways will transition into conifer, hardwood or mixed forests. Others will be intentionally maintained as open meadows, which are crucial for declining wildlife species that rely on the structural composition and plant diversity of northern wet meadows and sand prairies.
GTRLC’s staff believe the preserve’s natural habitats were likely a mix of forestlands and open, grasslike meadows and shrub thickets, based on soil types, topography and existing plant communities. In less impacted areas, the Conservancy aims to encourage these habitats’ natural succession into forests once invasive species are under control. These areas are illustrated as crosshatched sections on the restoration map on page 22.
MITCHELL CREEK MEADOWS:
Nature
Restoring Mitchell Creek Meadows: From Golf Course to Nature Preserve
Upon entering the preserve, you will notice remnants of the former golf course’s driving range to the north of the driveway. This area’s once natural, open wetlands were affected by land use and road construction, and currently have a mix of standing water or seasonally saturated soil conditions. Restoration of this site seeks to recreate a habitat similar to a northern wet meadow, a historically underrepresented habitat type in our region, with the emergence of native species such as lake sedge and bluejoint grass. Additionally, look for emergent marsh species such as cattails and other aquatic plants, which will likely dominate the deeper water sections, especially along Three Mile Road.
In collaboration with stream restoration specialists from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the Conservation Resource Alliance, GTRLC has also been working to improve the hydrological function and connectivity of Vanderlip Creek, a Mitchell Creek tributary flowing through this area. Historically, a downstream section of the creek was altered and directed into a straight-line ditch along Three Mile Road. As a result, water flows too fast for species like brook trout and white suckers, whereas the natural stream channel (which flows through GTRLC’s Reffitt Preserve just north of the Mitchell Creek Meadows preserve) has lost much of its water. The project aims to provide about two miles of habitat for fish and aquatic species and return water to the stream’s natural, cedar-forested corridor. The group is also working to remeander (or restore a stream’s sinuosity) a stretch of the creek that runs just south of the driveway, and to remove a culvert upstream to restore connectivity.
While exploring the preserve, keep in mind that ecological restoration is a long process. While meadow habitats may begin to show progress within 5-10 years, forested wetland habitats, such as rich conifer swamps, can take decades or even centuries to fully recover from disturbances.
MITCHELL CREEK MEADOWS:
THE DON & JERRY OLESON NATURE PRESERVE
LEGEND
Targeted stewardship efforts are necessary to restore ecological health in specific areas of the preserve. To achieve this, the Conservancy is strategically planting native species based on guidelines developed using the natural communities and associated plant lists from the Michigan Natural Features Inventory.
On the Trail
Trail Section:
2
As you embark from the trailhead, you’ll notice abundant native dogwood species in the area closest to Three Mile Road. This is in response to volunteer efforts to remove autumn olive, which had been outcompeting native species in that area. In addition to ongoing autumn olive removal efforts, the Conservancy has planted tree and shrub seedlings here to gradually restore a habitat that resembles a northern shrub thicket.
Continuing along the trail, remnants of the former fairways come into view. Over time, the former ninth hole will transform into a healthy, forested swamp as young native saplings, such as white birch and poplar, mature. Throughout the property’s forested wetlands, the impact of deer browse is significant, and unfortunately, deer do not enjoy eating invasive species, giving plants like autumn olive a competitive advantage. To alleviate this pressure, GTRLC has used fencing to protect sensitive seedlings and allows bow-hunting in certain areas of the preserve.
As you approach trail marker 2, the trail splits in two directions. Heading north toward the Conservation Center, it passes by two artificial ponds that provide habitat for birds and waterfowl, reptiles, amphibians and other wildlife. This section of the trail also leads to Glen’s Grove, where a unique artesian aquifer bubbles up and spills down the slope to the adjacent wetlands.
Deer exclosure fencing at the preserve, as seen from the trail.
PHOTO: MADELINE NORTH
Trail Section:
Venturing east toward trail marker 3, the trail becomes a mowed path along the south side of the solar array, goat barn and native plant greenhouse. Once the sixth hole’s long fairway, this heavily impacted area is now home to sensitive, ground-nesting birds such as the Eastern Meadowlark, Killdeer, bluebirds and swallows. Raptor species can also be observed foraging here, including the Northern Harrier, which likes to hunt rodents in open meadows.
In the early spring of 2024, before nesting season, a controlled burn was conducted here to eradicate a thick layer of cool-season grasses and to suppress the regrowth of invasive honeysuckle and autumn olive, which had been cleared in the previous year. The burn also helped return nutrients to the soil and create conditions for germinating native seeds, such as butterfly weed, wild lupine, wild bergamot and black-eyed susan. Many wildlife species benefit from the open landscapes created by prescribed burns, which enhance foraging opportunities, nesting sites and overall habitat quality. Over time, GTRLC envisions this area transforming into a thriving and beautiful meadow with features of mesic sand prairie and dry sand prairie habitats. By taking a photo at the chronolog post, you can help us document this transformation.
A controlled burn helped clear invasive species and enhance growing conditions for native plants.
Trail Section:
3 4 4 5
The mowed path intersects the boardwalk at trail marker 4, where at the time of writing, heavy thickets of autumn olive were scattered on either side of the trail. Here, you may see GTRLC’s herd of goats, who have been working diligently to remove autumn olive in select, fenced-in areas. As restoration efforts continue, the species composition here will shift and allow native species to regrow, mimicking a habitat similar to a northern shrub thicket. As the Conservancy learns more about these impacted areas, staff will be able to make betterinformed decisions regarding which species to plant.
Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve
PHOTO: RICK KANE
Trail Section:
5 6
Before reaching trail marker 5, there is a distinct, raised feature of the landscape that appears to have been the fifth hole’s green, a reminder of the land’s ongoing transformation. From here, the trail loops through a largely intact, mixed conifer swamp habitat that extends east beyond the preserve’s boundaries. While there are still invasive shrubs to remove, this lush, forested wetland is one of the most ecologically diverse and healthy areas of the preserve. Here, you may notice a variety of species, including a mix of cedar, hardwoods, ferns, shrubs and forbs, as well as many birds and other wildlife.
As you navigate this portion of the trail, you will reach the western branch of Four-Mile Creek, one of several Mitchell Creek tributaries flowing through the preserve. To address challenges such as a disconnected floodplain and fish passage barriers, GTRLC is collaborating with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the Conservation Resource Alliance. Their efforts aim to revitalize a half-mile section of the stream by replacing a culvert, remeandering a 150-foot stream segment, and reintroducing large woody debris to enhance fish habitat. Aquatic species like brook trout benefit from the creation of a forested buffer, which helps regulate instream temperatures and provide forage for macroinvertebrates.
Volunteers and GTRLC staff sampling macroinvertebrates in a Mitchell Creek tributary.
PHOTO: RICK KANE
Trail Section:
Continuing to trail marker 6, you will encounter a spur leading to an overlook that was built on what appears to have been the green for the golf course’s second hole, near noticeable sandy areas resembling bunkers. The observation platform offers sweeping views of the landscape; looking east, keep an eye out for a currently uninhabited Bald Eagle’s nest, while to the north, you can admire the conifer swamp near the property’s edge. The golf course’s previous first and second holes, now open landscapes, serve as reminders of the property’s past and ongoing restoration efforts.
GTRLC’s herd of goats has been busy removing heavy thickets of autumn olive and other invasive species here, with evidence of their hard work apparent on either side of the observation platform. You may see the goats in action along the trail, chewing on invasive shrubs in fenced-in areas. Ultimately, this work is helping to pave the way for the natural resurgence of native perennials, trees and shrubs, which will eventually replace invasive cool-season grasses and shrubs to establish a mix of forested upland and wetland habitats.
Trail Section: McMullen Family Conservation Center
6
Proceeding toward the Conservation Center, you will pass through some of the most impacted areas of the property. A five-acre zone surrounding the former golf course’s clubhouse, parking lot and cart barn has been the focus of many early restoration activities, including the planting of native seedlings nurtured in GTRLC’s onsite greenhouse. By bolstering native landscaping around the facilities, these plants—which are well-adapted to our specific eco-region—are providing valuable habitat that supports native wildlife in addition to providing a self-sustaining seed source for the Conservancy’s restoration projects. Through a cycle of collection, growing and planting, they will help kickstart and sustain restoration efforts on the preserve and throughout the region.
For further details, or to learn how you can get involved, visit GTRLC.ORG.
Harebell, a native wildflower in bloom near the Conservation Center, is one of the species being used as a native seed source for restoration.
GTRLC’s herd of goats at work, helping remove invasive autumn olive at the preserve.
PHOTO: RICK KANE
PHOTO: RICK KANE
SECTION 3: MITCHELL CREEK MEADOWS FLORA
Despite significant historical impacts on the preserve, Mitchell Creek Meadows is home to over 230 native plant species, with a Floristic Quality Index (FQI) calculated at 33.8—well above the state average of 20. Native plants are uniquely adapted to and thrive in the places they’ve evolved, making them practical and ecologically valuable options for landscaping and habitat restoration projects.
Using a carefully curated selection of species, based on their habitat preferences and the property’s restoration goals, GTRLC is growing a variety of native plants in its onsite greenhouse. These plants will enhance biodiversity, improve wildlife habitat, and provide food and refugia for pollinator species. Ongoing restoration plans also include native tree and shrub plantings throughout the preserve’s wetlands, meadows and forested wetland habitats. These plants need time to establish and flourish, so make sure to visit often and witness the transformation!
The following list is not exhaustive but provides a sampling of the various species that can be observed on the property. As the property’s restoration progresses, this diversity of species is expected to increase. Please remember that you can contribute to the effort and help guide our work by recording your observations on iNaturalist.
What is a C Value?
A plant’s C value is short for its Coefficient of Conservatism value. Basically, on a 0-10 scale, this value indicates a plant’s dependence on a particular habitat type to thrive. For example, plants with lower C values can grow in multiple habitat types (also often considered more of a “generalist” species), whereas a plant with a high C value can thrive only in certain habitats, deemed a “specialist” species.
All the individual C values of the plants found on a property are then used to calculate a property’s Floristic Quality Index (FQI) score. This score is a good way to indicate whether a high-quality habitat is functioning at natural levels, as the presence of specialist plants suggests it is suitable for their growth.
Season: Summer
C Value: 8
This low-growing shrub often indicates the presence of high-quality fen habitats, despite being in the same plant family as the non-native and invasive glossy buckthorn. It’s common name derives from its leaves resemblance to tag alder. Alderleaf buckthorn is also much shorter than its invasive counterpart, rarely growing more than three feet tall.
Fun Fact:
A unique attribute and helpful way to identify this wetland shrub is its tendency to grow in circular patches.
PHOTO: LIANA MAY
Alderleaf Buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia)
Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
Season: Summer
C Value: 0
This deciduous shrub is native to Asia and was introduced to the United States in the 1830s. Once viewed as an ornamental plant that provides food for wildlife, it is now known to be invasive and negatively impactful to native plant populations. Autumn olive has nitrogen-fixing root nodules that allow it to grow in unfavorable conditions and degrade native plant communities, making it difficult to control. Because it is nearly ubiquitous in the region, GTRLC prioritizes control efforts in high-quality natural areas and is working to remove large infestations at the preserve, where the plant has spread across the former golf course’s fairways and crept into high-quality habitats. Volunteers, staff and partner organizations, including a small goat herd, are also working to install native plants in its place.
Fun Fact:
Named for the shape of its fruit, autumn olive has no native herbivore predators, yet goats are especially well-adapted to consuming it. They don’t mind its thorns and can reach up to five feet high by standing on their hind legs.
PHOTO: RICK KANE
Season: Summer
C Value: 2
This hardy member of the Salix or willow plant family can grow up to 80 feet tall and has distinctive, golden resin on the underside of its leaves. When crushed, the leaves have a sweet, pine-like scent reminiscent of balsam fir, hence its common name. It prefers wetland conditions but will grow wherever it can have “wet feet.” It is also occasionally found on dune habitats in areas with high clay content.
Fun Fact:
Bees sometimes use the resinous sap from this species to disinfect their hives. Michigan is towards the southern extent of this species range, which stretches north across Canada into Alaska.
PHOTO: ANGIE BOUMA
Balsam Poplar, Maanazaadi (Populus balsamifera)
Blue Joint Grass (Calamagrostis canadensis)
Season: Summer, Fall
C Value: 3
Also called marsh reed grass, this important marsh plant grows up to five feet tall, with narrow, blue-ish leaves growing in clumps. It grows in very saturated conditions and provides structure for a variety of flora and fauna species.
Fun Fact:
This grass is a key component of northern wet meadows. Its thick growth restricts tree seedlings from establishing and serves as critical habitat for wetland birds.
PHOTO: ANGIE BOUMA
Native Plant Greenhouse
Season: Summer
C Value: 4
This tall, stiff-stemmed perennial plant grows up to five feet tall with opposite leaves and spiked, blue-purple flowers that bloom from top to bottom.
Fun Fact:
This is a beneficial pollinator plant, with many bee and wasp species attracted to its flowers in late summer.
Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve
PHOTO: ANGIE BOUMA
Blue Vervain, Zhawaseshkoohnse (Verbena hastata)
Native Plant Greenhouse
Boneset, Niya'wibukuk (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Season: Summer
C Value: 4
This member of the aster family blooms in the summer and early fall, and attracts many species of bees, including sweat bees, small carpenter bees, digger bees and bumble bees. Look for small white flowers that grow near the top of the plant and distinctive leaves pierced by the stem.
Fun Fact:
Deer tend to avoid eating this plant, and it is often found in northern wet meadow habitats. Some sources suggest its common name comes from its historical use of helping to heal broken bones.
PHOTO: PAULA DREESZEN
Native Plant Greenhouse
Season: Summer
C Value: 1
The well-known and distinctive flowering heads on cattails set these species apart from all other wetland plants. The corn-dog-like flowers are female and grow in various sizes. The leaves can grow up to 7 feet tall or higher depending on the soil conditions.
Fun Fact:
Wildlife such as muskrats love this species, which contains more starch than potatoes and more protein than rice. As muskrats consume the roots, they keep the plant in check and create openings for other plants to grow.
PHOTO: ANGIE BOUMA
Broadleaf Cattail, Apakway (Typha latifolia)
Bull Thistle, Chi-mazaanashk (Cirsium vulgare)
Season: Summer
C Value: 0
This introduced plant species has long thorns that set it apart from native thistles. Look for large purple-pink flower heads at the ends of prickly branches. Unlike Canada thistle, which can invade high-quality habitats and establish an extensive root system, bull thistle is not considered a management concern outside of sensitive habitats and will diminish in the presence of competition. The plant is listed as a noxious weed in Michigan and can easily spread in recently disturbed soils.
Fun Fact:
Unlike some other non-native or invasive plants, the bull thistle does provide some value to local wildlife, as goldfinches and other small songbirds eat the seeds.
PHOTO: PAULA DREESZEN
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Season: Summer
C Value: 2
This biennial plant has bright yellow, fragrant flowers that open in the evening to attract moths and other night-flying insects. The flowers close the next day but bloom long enough during the daylight hours to be useful to butterflies and many kinds of bees. It grows on stalks up to six feet high in dry, sandy soils of fields, prairies and dunes.
Fun Fact:
This species produces banana-shaped pods containing seeds loved by goldfinches and other birds, who feed on the pods all winter. It is also an important host plant for sphinx (or hawk) moth species.
PHOTO: PAULA DREESZEN
Native Plant Greenhouse
Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
Season: Summer
C Value: 0
This shrub can reach up to 18 feet tall, has shiny leaves, and is native to Europe and Asia. Promoted for hedgerows and wildlife habitat in the mid-’60s, it has become common in disturbed or open canopy areas. It can spread to highquality natural areas and form dense thickets with little native plant diversity. This shrub has no native herbivore predators, produces many seeds, has an extensive root system and tolerates various conditions, including full sun, partial shade and wet soils. These traits make it particularly threatening for high-quality wetland habitats.
Fun Fact:
Glossy buckthorn is one of the most difficult invasive shrubs to control. The primary goal for controlling this species is to locate the seed-producing plants and prevent seed production and dispersal. Continuous monitoring is critical where fruit production is greatest, including many areas within Mitchell Creek Meadows.
Canada goldenrod blooms in late summer and fall, adding a showy, golden-yellow display to the preserve in autumn. Measuring from one to seven feet with fuzzy stems and small, yellow flowers, this species forms large patches on wetter ground along shorelines, in thickets and in meadows. It is one of five types of goldenrods that have been identified at Mitchell Creek Meadows.
Fun Fact:
Goldenrods are commonly blamed for hay fever, but are not the cause. The pollen of goldenrod is only transferred by insects as it is too heavy to float in the air. Hay fever discomfort is typically due to pollen from ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), which has less conspicuous, greenish flowers that bloom at the same time.
PHOTO: ANGIE BOUMA
Native Plant Greenhouse
Great Water Dock (Rumex orbiculatus)
Season: Summer
C Value: 9
You can’t miss this plant’s striking reddish-pink plumes with large, long leaves.
Fun Fact:
This plant is one of several species with high conservation value found within the preserve’s high-quality, rich conifer swamp habitat.
PHOTO: ANGIE BOUMA
Season: Summer
C Value: 3
This annual plant has unique orange flowers, sometimes with small red dots or splotches, and a translucent stem. It is typically found in disturbed areas and needs sunlight to bloom, so its presence can indicate that the habitat was recently cleared. If light continues to be available, it’s likely that other species will move in. Be on the lookout for this species along the trail at the preserve.
Fun Fact:
Along with other species in its genus, the juice of the leaves and stems is a traditional Indigenous remedy for skin rashes, including those caused by poison ivy. Conversely, some individuals have shown a sensitivity to this plant that leads to even more severe rashes than that of poison ivy—perhaps earning the plant one of its common names, “spotted touch-me-not.”
PHOTO: RICK KANE
Jewelweed, Ozhaawashkojiibik (Impatiens capensis)
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
C Value: 2
This ubiquitous fern of many wetland habitat types is a delicate-looking but hardy plant that grows in rhizomatous colonies (what appear to be separate plants pop up from long, horizontal interconnected roots).
Fun Fact:
It is the only known host plant for Fagitana littera, the Marsh Fern Moth.
Marsh Fern, Ana Ganuck (Thelyptris palustris)
PHOTO: ANGIE BOUMA
Northern Black Currant, Amikomin (Ribes hudsonianum)
Season: Summer
C Value: 10
This is a small, uncommon shrub found on the forested wetlands of the preserve. Its tasty berries are quickly consumed by birds and other wildlife. There are many species of currants, also called gooseberries, that grow in Michigan.
Fun Fact:
At the turn of the 20th century, Ribes species were targeted for removal when white pine blister rust was introduced, as they are an alternate host plant for that fungus.
PHOTO: LIANA MAY
Northern White Cedar, Giizhik (Thuja occidentalis)
Season: Year-round
C Value: 4
The Nookomis Giizhik, or “Grandmother Cedar” in Ojibwe culture, is also known by its Latin name Arborvitae or “tree of life.” It is a keystone species of rich conifer swamp habitat—meaning without it, a habitat would be dramatically different or cease to exist. Its native habitat ranges from southern Michigan and the northeastern United States to the Arctic tree line.
Fun Fact:
It is a very slow-growing species, whose shorter stature and smaller trunk diameter can disguise its true age. If conditions are favorable, this tree’s lifespan is around 400 years, with the oldest known living specimen being 1,141 years old as of 2008.
This member of the aster family blooms in the summer and fall. Look for pink-purple flowers and leaves in whorls of three to seven. It can grow up to 10 feet tall in wet meadow habitats!
Fun Fact:
This is an excellent pollinator plant—its blooms provide abundant nectar to traveling and resident insect species, including Monarchs and many other butterfly species.
Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve
PHOTO: ANGIE BOUMA
Native Plant Greenhouse
Swamp Milkweed, Bagizowin (Asclepias incarnata)
Season: Summer
C Value: 6
This common plant grows in rows up to four feet high with narrow, opposite leaves. Its very fragrant and structurally unique flowers are pink to red in color.
Fun Fact:
Like other milkweeds, this plant is of critical importance to Monarch butterflies, which lay their eggs on this plant. The caterpillars feed on the plant as they grow, accumulating mildly toxic chemicals which contribute to their coloration and make them unpalatable to predators.
PHOTO: PAULA DREESZEN
Native Plant Greenhouse
Tag Alder, Wadub (Alnus incana)
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
C Value: 5
This deciduous, native shrub stands 10-20 feet high and has alternating leaves that are doubly serrated or “toothed” along the margins. With sprawling branches and multiple trunks, this shrub creates thickets that provide valuable habitat for many plants and animals but can make traversing wetlands challenging. All other plants in the community depend on this keystone species, and its removal would drastically change the ecosystem.
Fun Fact:
Tag alder is monecious, meaning it produces male and female catkins, or flowers, on the same plant. Female flowers develop into cone-like fruits.
PHOTO: ANGIE BOUMA
Tussock Sedge (Carex stricta)
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
C Value: 4
Tussock sedge leaves are thin and form dense rounded mounds that stand above the water’s surface. It may cover wet meadows with hundreds of mounds only feet apart. The elevated semi-dry mounds are an important place of refuge for wildlife and an important source of insect food for bird species.
Fun Fact:
Like blue joint grass, this plant is considered an important “ecosystem engineer” because it has such an influence on the plant and animal communities associated with it.
PHOTO: ANGIE BOUMA
Native Plant Greenhouse
Season: Summer
C Value: 7
Turtlehead is a distinctive and rarely seen plant in the figwort family with white flowers that grows in partially shaded wetland forests. It is an important nectar source for many insect species, particularly bumble bees, and is sometimes pollinated by hummingbirds.
Fun Fact:
Turtlehead is a host plant for the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly.
PHOTO: NANCY MURRAY
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Native Plant Greenhouse
Twinflower, Neezhodaeyun (Linnaea borealis)
Season: Summer
C Value: 6
This creeping evergreen plant is found in moist, shady hummocks of northern Michigan’s forested wetlands. Only reaching 3-6” tall, this plant can grow dense colonies over time, yet it is not invasive. It is easily identified when in bloom, as two bell-shaped flowers appear in mid-to-late summer.
Fun Fact:
This plant’s scientific name derives from the famous Swedish botanist, Carl Linnaeus, who created the binomial nomenclature system for naming species. Twinflower is believed to have been Linnaeus’s favorite plant.
PHOTO: KIM STRINGER
Season: Year-round
C Value: 2
A culturally and ecologically significant tree, white birch is an early successional species of the northwoods, and Michigan is about as far south as it prefers to grow. White birch lives for about 50 years, compared to its close relative, yellow birch, which can live over 200 years. White birch is a host plant for many insect species, including the Luna Moth and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.
Fun Fact:
Its paper-like bark provides important habitat for wildlife and removing it can harm the tree. Please do not carve on or remove the bark of this or any other tree.
PHOTO: NATE RICHARDSON
White Birch, Wiigwaasi-matig (Betula papyrifera)
Season: Year-round
C Value: 3
The tallest conifer tree native to eastern North America, historically reaching heights of 200 feet, this towering tree’s branches are tiered horizontally, with tufts of blue-green needles in clusters of five near the end of its twigs.
Fun Fact:
White pine trees’ straight and hardy trunks were prized for building ship masts during the colonial period and for construction in the early 1900s, which greatly reduced their abundance. These trees readily recolonize cleared land, and can also live an amazingly long time—historically living up to 400 years old!
White Pine, Jingwak (Pinus strobus)
PHOTO: NATE RICHARDSON
SECTION 4: MITCHELL CREEK MEADOWS FAUNA–BIRDS
Featuring forested wetlands, open meadows and flowing creeks, Mitchell Creek Meadows provides excellent foraging and nesting grounds for a variety of bird species. Notably, the preserve boasts one of the largest stretches of herbaceous wetlands near Traverse City, offering abundant food sources such as insects, fish and amphibians. Additionally, many birds also find shelter in the dense vegetation of the property’s forested wetlands, which protect them from predators and harsh weather. Waterfowl species are also commonly found in the open water and marsh habitats. Ground-nesting species particularly benefit from the availability of materials like grasses, leaves, and twigs, which are ideal for building concealed nesting sites.
The following list is not exhaustive but provides a sampling of the various species that have been seen here. Included with each species are the best season for viewing and whether or not they are currently nesting or have historically nested on the property. The preserve’s diversity of bird species is expected to grow as ongoing restoration efforts increase the variety of native plants, insects and other wildlife. If you spot any birds while exploring the preserve, please be sure to share your observations with GTRLC on eBird and iNaturalist!
About Michigan’s Species of Special Concern designation:
Some of the bird species in this section are indicated as Species of Special Concern which are declining or relict populations that may be listed as threatened or endangered if they continue to decline.
To learn more about listed species in Michigan, visit mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/animals
Season: Spring, Summer
Nesting: Yes
Species of Special Concern
A well-known North American bird of prey, the Bald Eagle thrives near open water with abundant food sources and old-growth trees for nesting. They are opportunistic feeders, primarily eating fish but also consuming waterfowl, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and small mammals. They are also scavengers, often feeding on carcasses, which puts them at risk of collisions and lead poisoning from hunting debris. Once endangered due to trapping, shooting, poisoning and pesticides, the Bald Eagle’s population rebounded after DDT was banned and protections were made under the Endangered Species Act in the 1970s.
Fun Fact:
Bald Eagles build the largest nests of any North American bird, measuring up to 13 feet deep and 8 feet wide, and weighing nearly a ton! At the preserve, a presently unoccupied nest can be seen from the observation platform in a tall conifer.
PHOTO: RICK KANE
Bald Eagle, Migizi (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Season: Spring, Summer
Nesting: Yes
Known for their gorgeous coloration, flight acrobatics, distinctive forked tail and cup-shaped mud nests, which are built almost exclusively on man-made structures (including barns), Barn Swallows are a beautiful addition to Mitchell Creek Meadows’s cast of feathered characters.
Fun Fact:
The Barn Swallow is the most abundant and widely distributed swallow species in the world. It breeds throughout the Northern Hemisphere and winters in much of the Southern Hemisphere.
Barn Swallow, Zhaawno-bineshiinh (Hirundo rustica)
PHOTO: EDWARD KAMINISKI
Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Season: Year-round
Nesting: Yes
Barred owls are capable of thriving in a range of environments (including suburban areas), yet are mostly found in mature forests across North America, from the eastern United States to the Pacific Northwest. They inhabit a variety of forest types, including deciduous, coniferous and mixed woodlands, as well as swamps and riparian areas. Listen for their distinctive “who cooks for you” call.
Fun Fact:
Barred owls possess specialized wing feathers that enable them to fly silently through the forest, making them stealthy hunters who can surprise and ambush prey—even capturing insects while in flight.
This water-loving bird is widespread throughout most of North America. It is known for its loud, rattling call and skilled fishing abilities. Kingfishers are often found perched near rivers, streams, lakes and ponds or hovering over the water, scanning for fish. When they spot prey, they dive headfirst to catch it with their long, dagger-like bills. In addition to fish, they may also eat amphibians, crayfish, mice and insects.
Fun Fact:
Kingfishers like to return to the same hunting grounds, stopping at their favorite exposed perches along streams and lakeshores.
PHOTO: DOUGLAS FIKES
Season: Spring, Summer
Nesting: Yes
The Brown Thrasher is long and slender with reddish-brown coloring on its upper body and white below with dark brown streaks. This large and roadrunner-esque, secretive bird often lurks in dense shrubs and thickets, turning over leaves and debris as they search for insects and other small prey. A summer resident in Michigan, some consider this insect-loving bird to be a true harbinger of spring.
Fun Fact:
Brown Thrashers may have the most extensive vocal repertoire of any North American bird. From high, exposed perches in spring and early summer, males sing loud, long series of more than 1,100 musical phrases, which they usually sing in twice-repeated pairs.
PHOTO: JOE BROOKS
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)
Season: Year-round
Nesting: Yes
Cedar Waxwings are social and strikingly beautiful birds that often travel in flocks. They tend to nest in the late summer, feeding their young with small fruits. They resemble Bohemian Waxwings and share a love for berries, especially juneberries and crabapples.
Fun Fact:
These social birds can appear in the hundreds to feast on berries and then vanish once the crop has been depleted.
PHOTO: JOE BROOKS
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Season: Spring, Summer
Nesting: Yes
At first glance, this species might seem similar to the Yellow Warbler, but the Yellowthroat has a distinctive black mask that sets it apart. Listen for its unique “wichety-wichety-wichety” call.
Fun Fact:
The Common Yellowthroat was one of the first bird species to be cataloged from the New World when a specimen from Maryland was described in 1766 by Carl Linnaeus, a biologist best known for creating the system of naming plants and animals that is still used today.
PHOTO: JENNY YOUNG
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
Season: Late Spring, Summer
Nesting: Yes
Species of Special Concern
During the breeding season, this ground-nesting species’ pretty, flute-like songs can be heard in grasslands and farms in eastern North America, often late in the day. While moving through grasses searching for insects with their long, sharp bills, they blend into the ground with their brown and black dappled upperparts. Yet as they perch on fenceposts and telephone lines, their bright yellow underparts and a striking black chevron across the chest are visible.
Fun Fact:
The Eastern Meadowlark is easily mistaken with the Western Meadowlark, whose range has extended eastward beyond the Great Lakes due to the clearing of forests in the eastern U.S. On rare occasions, the two species may interbreed near the edges of their range, however, more frequently they will fight for territorial supremacy.
PHOTO: JENNY YOUNG
Season: Year-round
Nesting: No
This majestic, blue-gray bird boasts a long, gracefully curved neck, a distinctive yellow bill and dark legs that may stand four feet tall. When in flight, look for its slow, deep wingbeats, tucked-in neck and long legs trailing behind.
A patient, stand-and-wait predator, the Great Blue Heron forages along the edges of rivers, lakes, marshes, fields and wet meadows. Its diet consists of small fish, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals.
Fun Fact:
Great Blue Herons nest in large colonies of treetop nests, called rookeries. Since rookeries are sensitive to human disturbance, they tend to nest far from people. As of publication, there is no known rookery at Mitchell Creek Meadows but they utilize the preserve for foraging frogs, fish and other small aquatic animals.
PHOTO: JOE BROOKS
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)
Season: Late Spring, Summer
Nesting: Yes
This cardinal-sized bird has a gray throat, lemon-yellow belly, reddish-brown tail and a bushy-crested head. A common summer resident of open deciduous forests, the Great Crested Flycatcher is often overlooked, hunting high in the tree canopy. Its loud, squeaky “wheep!” can be heard more often than it’s seen.
Fun Fact:
The Great Crested Flycatcher is a cavity nester that prefers natural tree cavities, as it cannot make its own. It will occasionally decorate the entrance of its nest with a shed snakeskin or, as a substitute, plastic wrap.
PHOTO: JENNY YOUNG
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
Season: Spring, Summer
Nesting: Yes
The Green Heron is stocky, about the size of a crow, and sports a striking appearance with a dark, blue-green crown and back, chestnut-colored face and neck, and yellow legs. These birds are known for their solitary and secretive nature, often found hunting for frogs and small fish along wooded creeks, ponds and marshes. As clever hunters, they frequently perch just above the water’s surface. Look carefully…they are often perfectly still!
Fun Fact:
Green Herons are one of the few species of birds known to use tools. While hunting, they sometimes drop small debris, such as twigs, insects, breadcrumbs and feathers onto the water’s surface to lure small fish within striking range.
PHOTO: JOE BROOKS
Killdeer, Jiichiishkwenh (Charadrius vociferus)
Season: Spring, Summer
Nesting: Yes
This well-known and unique plover nests in open, dry habitats and has adapted to human alterations to the landscape. However, it is sensitive to a host of environmental issues and has declined by 26% since the 1960s. The Killdeer is most likely to be seen on dry, open ground with low vegetation where it builds its nests. Like many other birds, their name comes from one of their distinctive calls, in this case, an excited “kill-deer!”
Fun Fact:
This long-distance, migratory bird winters as far south as northern Chile and southern Perú. In addition to its unique call and appearance, it is known for protecting its ground-built nest and will pretend to have a broken wing to lure nearby predators away from its nest.
PHOTO: JOE BROOKS
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Nesting: No
Species of Special Concern
Although it can be spotted in numerous habitats, the Northern Harrier is among the top birds of prey associated with wetland habitats. It holds its wings in a V-shape when soaring (like the familiar Turkey Vulture) instead of flat like many other birds of prey. Also look for its characteristic white rump patch, which is obvious in flight.
Fun Fact:
Despite not being related to owls, Northern Harriers are the most owl-like of hawks. They rely on hearing, as well as their vision to capture prey. The diskshaped face looks and functions much like an owl’s, with stiff facial feathers helping to direct sound to the ears.
PHOTO: PHIL LOWE
Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis)
Season: Winter
Nesting: No
The Northern Shrike is a small yet fierce predator that preys on birds, small mammals and insects. They prefer hunting in brushy, semi-open habitats, where they chase after birds, creep through dense brush to ambush prey and pounce on mice. This formidable species has a black mask and stout and a hooked bill, and breeds in the far northern reaches of North America, migrating only as far south as the Northern United States for the winter.
Fun Fact:
An aggressive predator, the Northern Shrike often kills more prey than it needs at one time. It is known to impale its prey using spiky plants with thorns, such as hawthorn, saving its meal for later.
PHOTO: FRED HALL
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Season: Late Spring, Summer
Nesting: Yes
If you see a hawk flying over an open field or perched along a roadside, chances are it is a Red-tailed Hawk. This is one of the most common and adaptable raptor species, ranging from northern Canada to southern Central America. This fast-flying raptor can dive at speeds recorded at 120 mph. It feeds mostly on mammals, helping keep rodent populations under control.
Fun Fact:
The distinctive call of the Red-tailed Hawk is often used in movies for other birds.
PHOTO: JOE BROOKS
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Nesting: Yes
Does anything sound quite like the height of spring as much as the unmistakable call of a Red-winged Blackbird? The boisterous male is very easy to identify, especially as they aggressively defend their territory during nest establishment in the spring and summer. The nondescript females, however, somewhat resemble sparrows and are much more difficult to positively identify. This species is closely associated with wetland habitats, so much so that an image of it perched on a cattail is often the first thing that comes to mind when it is mentioned.
Fun Fact:
In stark contrast with some monogamous bird species, a Red-Winged Blackbird male may have as many as 15 female mates.
PHOTO: JOE BROOKS
Season: Summer, Fall
Nesting: No
This is an unmistakable bird, if for nothing else because of its large size and, if you’re close enough, striking red facial coloration. Sandhill Cranes are often spotted standing in fields, but they also feed and nest in marsh habitats.
Fun Fact:
These long-lived birds (the oldest living to be 37 years old) start their families relatively late, between two and seven years old, and mate for life.
The Sedge Wren’s fondness for sedges ties into its name. This small and secretive bird is commonly found in grassy marsh habitats and is often spotted taking flight as it is flushed. Its unique flight pattern involves stiffly vibrating its wings as it appears to float over the ground. Like other wrens, it constructs “dummy” nests, often concealed within dense marsh grass.
Fun Fact:
The Sedge Wren is one of the most nomadic territorial birds in North America. In a given area, it may be present in significant numbers one year and be completely absent the next.
PHOTO: CARL FREEMAN
Season: Summer
Nesting: No
This common shorebird is one of the most spotted (pun intended) by birders and casual observers alike. This is not only because of its wide distribution but also because it is not shy and rather conspicuous as it scrambles and “teeters” along the shore.
Fun Fact:
The male takes the primary role in parental care, incubating the eggs and taking care of the young. One female may lay eggs for up to four different males at a time.
PHOTO: JOE BROOKS
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Nesting: Yes
As its name implies, this particular sparrow is quite fond of marshes, swamps and other wetland habitats. Like other species that favor these types of habitats, it is more often heard than seen.
Fun Fact:
The Swamp Sparrow has longer legs than other members of its genus; this adaptation allows it to wade into shallow water to forage. This species even sometimes submerges its head underwater to capture aquatic invertebrates.
PHOTO: JOE BROOKS
Season: Spring, Summer
Nesting: Yes
This bird is similar in size and shape to its flashier cousin, the Barn Swallow. Like other swallows, it can be seen chasing after flying insects with acrobatic twists and turns.
Fun Fact:
The Tree Swallow gets its name from its habit of nesting in tree cavities.
Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve
PHOTO: JOE BROOKS
Tree Swallow, Zhaawno-bineshiinh (Tachycineta bicolor)
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola)
Season: Spring, Summer
Nesting: No
Like other rails, this bird is extremely secretive and is therefore heard (in this case, a distinctive and loud grunting) more often than it is seen. If it is seen, it will most likely be at dawn or dusk in times of minimal disturbance. Like its cousin, the Sora, the Virginia Rail loves the cover provided by sedges and other marsh vegetation.
Fun Fact:
The forehead feathers of Virginia Rails are adapted to withstand wear and tear that results from pushing through dense and often sharp marsh vegetation.
PHOTO: JOE BROOKS
Season: Spring, Summer
Nesting: No
This stocky little shorebird is one of the most widely distributed throughout North America. It is somewhat similar in shape and appearance to a Woodcock, though the two species prefer different habitats. Wilson’s Snipe feeds heavily on insect larvae, snails and other aquatic invertebrates.
Fun Fact:
Because its eyes are set so far in the back of its head, it can see almost as well behind it as it can to the front and sides. Because of this, predators have a hard time sneaking up on it.
The Winter Wren is a petite, round-bodied bird with brown plumage and a short, stubby tail that points upward. It thrives in forested habitats rich in downed logs, standing dead trees, and lush understory vegetation, especially near streams. Its diminutive size and elusive nature make it a challenging species to spot, but if you see it, this bird will likely be hopping and scampering through the understory, investigating decaying logs for food.
Fun Fact:
The song of the Winter Wren is distinguished by its explosive delivery, melodious, bubbly tone and extended duration. In Michigan, few other songbirds can match the Winter Wren’s ability to sustain a song for up to 10 music-packed seconds.
PHOTO: M. A. HENRY
SECTION 5: MITCHELL CREEK MEADOWS FAUNA–OTHER
Although some of the property’s landscapes have been heavily altered, many wildlife species have made the Mitchell Creek Meadows their home. In addition to the numerous birds and plants found here, the preserve offers habitat for a wide variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish, mammals and more. These species are organized in the guide by their class.
The following list is not exhaustive but provides a sampling of the various species that can be observed on the property. Included with each species is the best season for viewing. As the property’s restoration progresses, this diversity of species is expected to increase. Please remember that you can contribute to the effort and help guide our work by recording your wildlife observations on iNaturalist.
Season: Spring, Summer
Class: Amphibian
The American toad breeds in early spring, just after the snow melts and their breeding ponds become ice-free. Although breeding can last a couple of weeks, individual males call for an average of 6-7 nights during their breeding period. The male’s call is a long, high-pitched trill lasting 6 to 30 seconds. Depending on the water temperature, the eggs can hatch between 2 and 12 days. It takes approximately 50 to 65 days for toad tadpoles to develop into their adult form.
Fun Fact:
Toad tadpoles tend to swim in large groups as a defensive strategy, but they also have toxins in their skin that make them unpalatable to predators.
PHOTO: HEATHER LEACH
American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia)
Season: Spring, Summer
Class: Arachnid
This spider inhabits fields, prairies and wetlands, and is found on various flowering native plants throughout the preserve. It frequents plants with white or yellow flowers, including goldenrods, milkweeds, daisies and asters. Crab spiders can walk sideways and have longer front legs they hold away from their bodies while waiting for prey. Unlike web-spinning spiders, they are ambush predators relying on strong eyesight and camouflage. Despite their small size (roughly 0.25”), they hunt larger prey visiting flowers for pollen and nectar, including bees, flies, butterflies and grasshoppers. They tend to remain stationary but may monitor several sites before selecting a location.
Fun Fact:
Females can change their color to match their surroundings through molting. This can take up to 25 days and allows the spider to switch between white and yellow. Occasionally, other pigments can be derived from their prey.
PHOTO: CHRIS GARROCK
Season: Summer
Class: Fish
Brook trout belong to the salmon family and are native to Michigan. These fish, known colloquially as “brookies,” tend to seek colder water during the summer, which they can find within the tributaries of the Mitchell Creek. They inhabit rivers and streams, inland lakes and even the Great Lakes. Brookies found in the Great Lakes often grow larger than those in inland waters.
Fun Fact:
Brook trout are known for their stunning coloration. During the breeding season, their bellies turn a vibrant orange-red, and their sides and backs are marked with beautiful, streaked patterns called vermiculations.
PHOTO: JOSHUA EASTLAKE
Brook Trout, Nimegos (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Western Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys obtusus)
Season: Year-round
Class: Fish
These fish are a small prey fish species, typically 2-3 inches in length, that prefer shallow streams with plenty of places to hide. They are known for their distinctive coloration, with a dark stripe running along their sides and a black spot at the base of their tail fins. Their diminutive size often gives the illusion of having no scales.
Fun Fact:
Despite its common name, this species is not a dace but rather a member of the minnow family.
PHOTO: DWIGHT BAKER
Season: Spring, Summer
Class: Insect
An easily noticeable butterfly of wet meadows, this species relies upon turtlehead as its caterpillar host plant.
Fun Fact:
This butterfly overwinters during the fourth stage of its life cycle in the rolled-up leaves of leaf litter, another reason to “leave the leaves” in the spring and fall.
Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve
PHOTO: MARETTE YEAGLE
Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Eastern Bumblebee, Aamo (Bombus impatiens)
Season: Spring
Class: Insect
Although bumblebees and other pollinators have declined drastically from many concerning factors, this native bumblebee is still commonly seen. This fuzzy insect has yellow and black stripes on its abdomen and a black thorax. They are important pollinators, visiting a wide variety of flowers to collect nectar and pollen. They usually nest in large colonies consisting of 300-500 bees.
Fun Fact:
Eastern bumblebees can perform a unique behavior called “buzz pollination.” This involves grabbing onto a flower and rapidly vibrating their flight muscles, which causes the flower to release its pollen. This technique is especially beneficial for many wildflowers and crops like tomatoes, blueberries and peppers.
PHOTO: MAKALAI LASAVATH
Season: Spring, Summer
Class: Insect
One of North America’s most common soldier beetles, the goldenrod soldier beetle visits flowers in the late summer. It inhabits meadows, old fields, wetlands and gardens, and is attracted to flowers like milkweed, asters, rattlesnake masters and goldenrods. These orange beetles, slightly over half an inch long, have two brown-black spots near the base of their elytra (wing covers). Often mistaken for other garden pests, they cause no harm to plants. They primarily feed on pollen and nectar but sometimes prey on small insects like aphids and caterpillars.
Fun Fact:
One of the first specimens observed was described as having coloration similar to early British infantrymen, called redcoats, where the name “soldier beetle” originated.
The adult Isabella Tiger Moth is orange-yellow to yellow-brown with possible dark lines and spots throughout its wings and abdomen. As a generalist, it doesn’t need specific plants to complete its life cycle and feeds on various flowers throughout the preserve. However, you’re more likely to remember an encounter with its larval form. The “woolly bear” caterpillar is common in early spring due to its overwintering strategy. Unlike most insects that overwinter as eggs, this species hatches in the fall and survives winter as caterpillars. A type of “antifreeze” allows their tissues to freeze without disrupting cellular structure and function. While their hairs aren’t venomous, they may cause irritation.
Fun Fact:
Folklore suggests the caterpillar’s color bands can predict the coming winter’s severity, but there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Individuals from the same clutch often display significant color variability and their brown bands widen with each molt.
PHOTO: ZACH KEMP
Season: Summer, Fall
Class: Insect
Among our most beloved pollinator species, adult monarch butterflies have beautiful orange-red wings with black veins and white spots along the edges. Unfortunately, populations have significantly declined in recent years due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change and other factors. Conservation efforts are crucial for their survival. Planting milkweed, which monarch caterpillars feed on exclusively, and preserving critical habitat are some ways to help.
Fun Fact:
Some generations of monarch butterflies embark on an incredible long-distance migration that spans thousands of miles. The longest documented migration routes involve monarchs traveling 2,500 to 3,000 miles before reaching their final destination.
PHOTO: KIM STINGER
Monarch Butterfly (Danus plexippus)
Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Class: Mammal
The American black bear is the continent’s smallest and most widely distributed bear species. They are often found in areas with relatively inaccessible terrain and thick understory vegetation, but they are incredibly adaptable and can also live near people. The American black bear is an omnivore, with up to 85% of their diet coming from plant-based sources like acorns, berries, grass shoots and tubers.
Fun Fact:
As they prepare to enter their seasonal state of torpor, where decreased activity allows them to survive periods with reduced food availability, black bears can consume up to 20,000 calories per day (compared to humans, who consume closer to 2,000-2,500 calories per day).
PHOTO: STEVE WALLER
Season: Year-round
Class: Mammal
Bobcats are the most common wildcats in Michigan, vastly outnumbering the Canadian lynx and the cougar combined. They are called “bobcats” due to their short, stubby or “bobbed” tails. In summer, they have brown fur, which turns white to light gray with dark streaks and spots in winter. Long, stiff fur protrudes down from their jowls and tapers to a point, while their ears have a distinct triangle shape, with black fur on the backside and a white spot in the middle. Bobcats climb trees relatively infrequently but they are know to be very good swimmers.
Fun Fact:
Female bobcats often have two separate dens in their territory. A natal den, where they give birth to and raise kittens for a short period, and a second den to which they can take their kittens if the natal den is disturbed.
PHOTO: BRIAN ALLEN
Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)
Season: Year-round
Class: Mammal
The North American porcupine is one of the nation’s largest rodents, coming second to the beaver. Porcupines are excellent climbers and swimmers who often scale trees for food and occasionally build nests in dead snags. Young porcupines, called porcupettes, are born in the spring and early summer with an average of one per litter.
Fun Fact:
The word “porcupine” comes from the middle or old French word “porcespin,” which means “thorn pig”—a fitting name referring to the 30,000 sharp, hollow quills that cover their back and tail.
PHOTO: STEVE JESSMORE
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Class: Marsupial Mammal
As North America’s only marsupial, the opossum is a non-placental mammal that carries its young in a belly pouch or marsupium. Opossums have been roaming the earth for about 20 million years. They have interesting characteristics, including a prehensile tail, scutes on their feet, and 50 teeth—the most of any mammal. While its evolutionary path likely originates in South America, opossums are common in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
Fun Fact:
Newborn opossums are no larger than honeybees, and are usually blind and deaf.
PHOTO: AARON CARROLL
Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
Season: Year-round
Class: Mammal
The most common large mammal in Michigan, the white-tailed deer has bright white fur on the underside of its tail used to communicate with other deer, often by quickly pointing it in the air to signal danger. Their fur is reddish brown in the summer and grayish brown in the winter. Fawns have white freckles and are often left alone by their mothers in hidden places while they feed. If you encounter a fawn, it’s best to leave it undisturbed to ensure its safety, as they rely on hiding to avoid predators, and moving a fawn may make it impossible to reunite with its mother.
Fun Fact:
Deer are considered a keystone species, which means their presence in an ecosystem has a direct impact on the lives of other plants and animals.
PHOTO: DAVID FOOTE
Season: Spring
Class: Reptile
This snake is a non-venomous subspecies of the eastern racer snake, known for often having a striking blue coloration on sections of their scales and an easily recognizable black ‘‘mask’’ behind their eyes. They prefer a dry and sunny habitat, like hedgerows, thickets, open forests and woodland edges, but are also found in moist environments such as weedy lake edges and marshes. Blue racers are among Michigan’s largest snakes and have been recorded at up to 6 feet in length.
Fun Fact:
Although these snakes are known for having a bright blue coloration, they can also sport a uniform gray, bluish-gray, turquoise, olive or brown color.
PHOTO: CARL FREEMAN
Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii)
Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi)
Season: Spring, Summer
Class: Reptile
Also referred to as DeKay’s brown snake, this reptile typically has a brown or grayish-brown body. They have a light stripe running down the center of their back that is bordered with black spots on each side, which sometimes forms a checkerboard pattern. These snakes are relatively small in size, with adults ranging from 12 inches to a record-holding 19.4 inches in length. They prefer living in moist environments and their diet typically consists of slugs, snails and earthworms.
Fun Fact:
Brown snakes have specialized jaws with an acrodent tooth structure, meaning their teeth are attached to the edge of the jaw, which allows them to remove snails from their shells.
PHOTO: MIKE OKMA
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Class: Reptile
Painted turtles are one of the most common turtle species. They have a lifespan of up to 35-40 years, however, it is unlikely for them to live that long in the wild. Male painted turtles mature between three to five years and are usually smaller than females, measuring between three to six inches. Females take longer to mature, between six to 10 years, and are larger, measuring between four to 10”. Female painted turtles breed once per year and lay four to eight eggs per clutch.
Fun Fact:
These turtles are sunbathers and excellent swimmers and are often seen basking on logs or rocks near the water’s edge.
PHOTO: TRAVIS GELINAS
Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)
Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Class: Reptile
Snapping turtles are very selective of their habitat, spending nearly all their lives in the water with a preference for shallow waters with muddy, opaque bottoms. They typically only leave the water for nesting, using their tail as a drill-like device to dig below them and form a spot for their eggs. Snapping turtles are Michigan’s largest turtle, known for having a large black, olive or brown colored shell, which can be covered in algae or moss, and triangular spikes along their tail.
Fun Fact:
Snapping turtles lived with the dinosaurs. They have existed for around 90 million years, which means they survived the mass extinction 65 million years ago that wiped out most other animal species.
PHOTO: DOUGLAS FIKES
GLOSSARY
Artesian aquifer — An impermeable underground layer that confines groundwater under high pressure. When drilled, this produces a pressurized water flow.
Bioswale — Linear, vegetated depressions that collect, hold and filter stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces.
Carbon-neutral — Refers to an equal balance between the emission and absorption of carbon from the atmosphere.
Chronolog — A community science monitoring system that uses photos to document environmental changes for parks, nature centers, wildlife organizations, schools and museums worldwide.
Controlled burn — A planned low-intensity fire used for management of invasive species and future wildfire prevention.
Dry Sand Prairie — A native grassland community dominated by little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica). The vegetation here is short and patchy compared to other prairie communities. It occurs on loamy sand that drains well or excessively well.
Eco-region — An area with distinctive groupings of plants, animals and natural communities.
Geothermal heating and cooling — A system of using the energy from earth’s crust to provide heating and cooling.
Germinating — The process in which an organism grows from a seed or spore.
Habitat — The natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism.
Herbaceous wetlands — Wetlands dominated by non-woody vegetation, such as grasses.
Host plants — Plants which provide shelter, habitat, breeding sites or serve as a food source as part of the life cycle of another organism.
Hydrological connectivity — The ability of water to move through a watershed.
Hydrological function — The capacity of an area to capture, store and release water from rainfall, snowmelt and other natural occurrences.
Hydrology — A science dealing with the properties, distribution and circulation of water on and below the earth’s surface and in the atmosphere.
Invasive species — A non-native species that significantly alters the ecosystems it colonizes.
Keystone species — An organism that helps define an entire ecosystem, without it, the ecosystem would be wildly different or perhaps not even exist.
Large woody debris — Logs, sticks, and trees that fall or are placed in streams and rivers.
Macroinvertebrates — Any animal that lacks a backbone that is visible to the unaided eye.
Meadow — An open habitat or field vegetated by grasses, herbs, and other non-woody plants. Trees and shrubs occur sparsely.
Mesic Sand Prairie — A native grassland community occurring on sandy loam, loamy sand, or on sand soils on nearly level glacial outwash plains and lake plains.
Monocultures — The cultivation of a single species in an area.
Native species — A plant that is a part of the balance of nature that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular region or ecosystem.
Natural communities — An assemblage of interacting plants, animals, and other organisms occur under similar environmental conditions.
Natural succession — The process in which the mix of species and habitat in an area changes over time. Gradually, the communities will replace one another.
Net-zero — A target of completely negating or balancing out the amount of greenhouse gasses produced by human activity with the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Nitrogen-fixing — The chemical process in which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into forms of nitrogen that plants can absorb.
Northern shrub thicket — A shrub dominated wetland north of the climatic tension zone. They’re usually nearby streams, lakes and beaver floodings.
Prehensile — An animal’s limb or tail that is adapted to seizing or grasping.
Refugia — An area in which a population of organisms can survive through a period of taxing conditions.
Re-meandering — Consists of creating a new path in a river that allows it to connect to cut off meanders and thus slows down the flow of the river. This creates new flow conditions that improves biodiversity and sedimentation.
Scutes — Thickened horny or bony plates, as on some fishes and many reptiles.
Sinuosity — A technique used to restore sinuosity to streams that have been straightened and realigned.
Snags — The names of dead trees that are left standing that decompose naturally.
Successional habitat — A habitat composed mostly of pioneer species (the first species to colonize newly created or recently disturbed environments).
Surface runoff — Occurs when there is more water being added to the landscape than can be absorbed by natural ways.
GLOSSARY
Thatch (or thatch layer) — A tightly intermingled layer of living and dead stems and leaves, which resides between the layer of growing grass and soil underneath.
Torpor — A temporary physical state characterized by the controlled lowering of an animal’s metabolic rate. This helps animals survive hard times by conserving energy.
Watershed — A land area that channels rainfall and snowmelt, and runoff into a common body of water.
Wetland — Areas where water covers soil or is either at or near the surface for some part of the year.
RESOURCES
Anishinaabemdaa. (n.d.). Learn Anishinaabemowin. Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://www.anishinaabemdaa.com/
Bull, J. L., & Farrand, J., Jr. (1994). The National Audubon Society field guide to North American birds. Rev. ed. New York, Knopf.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2019. All About Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. https://www.allaboutbirds.org.
Herron, S. M. (2002). Ethnobotany of the Anishinaabek Northern Great Lakes Indians (Doctoral dissertation, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale). Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. (n.d). Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. https:// www.wildflower.org/.
Meeker, J. E., Elias, J. E., & Heim, J. A. (1993). Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa. Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission.
Michigan Flora Online, University of Michigan Herbarium. (2016). http://michiganflora.net.
Michigan State University Extension. (n.d.). Michigan Natural Features Inventory. http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu.
Pilette, J. (2009, October 19). Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Native Plants Initiative. Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Environmental Services Department for Conservation Resource Alliance.
Stoffle, R., Brooks, K., Pickering, E., Sittler, C., & Van Vlack, K. (2015). Climate change impacts on Odawa contemporary use plants and culture at Sleeping Bear Dunes
National Lakeshore: Final report. Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology, School of Anthropology, University of Arizona.
ABOUT THE CONSERVANCY
Since 1991, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has permanently protected outstanding places in our region—the natural, scenic and farm lands that define our northwest Michigan experience. Working in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Manistee counties, we use a targeted selection of land protection tools that guarantee the permanent safeguarding of significant lands and other natural resources. Our work reflects the needs of local communities and is made possible by the participation of willing landowners and the support of thousands of dedicated donors and volunteers. As of January 2024, GTRLC has protected over 47,300 acres of irreplaceable northwest Michigan land and 155 miles of shoreline along our rivers, lakes and streams.
Visit GTRLC.ORG to learn about these properties and more!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND SPECIAL THANKS
Many fun facts, photographs and other information included in this guide came from Michigan State University Extension’s Michigan Natural Features Inventory at mnfi.anr.msu.edu, the University of Michigan Herbarium and Michigan Flora at michiganflora.net, the Great Lakes Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Society, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s guide at allaboutbirds.org, the Audubon Society, GTRLC volunteer Paula Dreeszen, as well as many other GTRLC staff and volunteers.
