Before finalizing details for our March 21 field trip, a few of us walked the main loop at Grand Ravines North County Park east of Allendale this morning. Weather conditions were sunny and cold. Ground conditions were hard and dry.
We began at the dog park parking lot on Fillmore St. east of 42nd Ave. (a mile south of Grand Valley State University) and walked the blacktop trail north along a meadow and across "Michigan's longest pedestrian suspension bridge".
We left the blacktop after crossing that ravine and headed east through the woods. Wooden staircases made it easy to descend as we headed toward the Grand River. There were a number of winter birds along our way, but this trail should really be "birdy" come spring.
Strangely, the water level of the Grand River at the park was much lower today than it was last year. Even near the river, the path (blacktop again for the rest of our walk) was well above the water. At this point we had walked about a mile and Charlie photographed this Bald Eagle perched on a tree at the river bend.
Northern Flicker by Charlie DeWitt
The entrance road parallels the deepest ravine and intersects another blacktop trail heading south back to the dog park. An Eastern Bluebird flew over and perched beside the trail before we got back to our cars.
Eastern Bluebird male by Charlie DeWitt
Only the first week of March, we still found 19 species of birds including Sandhill Crane; Red-tailed Hawk; Downy, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpeckers; lots of Red-winged Blackbirds and Tufted Titmice; American Robin and Song Sparrow.
The entire walk was about two miles. I hope we get as pretty a day with warmer temperatures on our March 21 field trip!
- Ric
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