The sign stands at the entrance to the dock: "Please No Fishing, Swimming." It's old and hand-made. And it's more than just kitch art: it's part of the rules of use of the property.
If people wish to swim in a lake, then I wish that they would find a lake that isn't Third Sister Lake.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Coyotes in the forest
I got a call this morning to let me know that there are coyotes (a mother and her litter) in the forest. They startled her, and the mother started to keen at the woman and her dog.
As a forested area, it's not surprising that wildlife would use this area as a refuge, and -- what with seeing two coyotes during the winter -- I'm not too surprised that they have had a litter.
Other semi-cryptic animals that are native to the area that I've seen in the woods are foxes, deer, possum, groundhog, and turkey in the woods (no sign of the wild pigs though), as well as some rather odd (non-native) animals as well (a peacock and a muscovy duck).
Right now, I'm not going to take any measures against the coyotes. They are primarily crepuscular, and most people are not going to be around while they are out and about. People do have to remember, though, that Saginaw Forest is not managed for public recreation, but for ecosystem research. Hopefully, it will be another reason for people to keep their dogs on-leash.
As a forested area, it's not surprising that wildlife would use this area as a refuge, and -- what with seeing two coyotes during the winter -- I'm not too surprised that they have had a litter.
Other semi-cryptic animals that are native to the area that I've seen in the woods are foxes, deer, possum, groundhog, and turkey in the woods (no sign of the wild pigs though), as well as some rather odd (non-native) animals as well (a peacock and a muscovy duck).
Right now, I'm not going to take any measures against the coyotes. They are primarily crepuscular, and most people are not going to be around while they are out and about. People do have to remember, though, that Saginaw Forest is not managed for public recreation, but for ecosystem research. Hopefully, it will be another reason for people to keep their dogs on-leash.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Turkeys again
This time, I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye while inside and saw a turkey chick clambering up the retaining wall just outside the window. I was able to take a short video before the mother took all three chicks further away from the cabin and path.
So, at least now I know that I have a breeding pair out here. Exciting!
So, at least now I know that I have a breeding pair out here. Exciting!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Nope, Saginaw Forest is still not a dog park
I came across two women with their four dogs off-leash. One of the two said that she had been told that Saginaw Forest is a dog park.
uuuuuhhh.... nope. Not a dog park, which is why there are all the "All dogs must be on leashes" signs around the property.
If you want to take your dog to a dog park, then they are quite easy to find on Google:
uuuuuhhh.... nope. Not a dog park, which is why there are all the "All dogs must be on leashes" signs around the property.
If you want to take your dog to a dog park, then they are quite easy to find on Google:
- Copper Leaf Dog Park (3.9 miles south @ Ann Arbor-Saline & Pleasant Lake)
- Olson Dog Park (5.0 miles northwest @ 1551 Dhu Varren Road)
- Swift Run Dog Park (6.1 miles southeast @ Platt & Ellsworth)
- Paw Run Rec Area (8.1 miles north @ 6660 Zeeb Road)
A brief description of the parks can be found at the Ann Arbor Dog website.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Boardwalk plans moving forward
The contractors for the boardwalk came out today for a site visit. It looks like the plan's going forward.
Exciting!
Exciting!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Berm Fixed
During the heavy rains and winds of May, the berm that went to the north side of the property ended up being washed out.
Today, U-M Plant Operations came out and fixed the berm by filling it in with lots of new gravel.
It isn't packed down, but I'm sure that having a few researchers drive over it will help.
Today, U-M Plant Operations came out and fixed the berm by filling it in with lots of new gravel.
It isn't packed down, but I'm sure that having a few researchers drive over it will help.
Monday, June 6, 2011
The "trifecta"
There aren't that many rules of public use in Saginaw Forest, but yesterday, I encountered a group of 18-20-somethings who appeared to either bey really trying to break them or were completely oblivious of them.
I was doing rounds at 6 when I encountered a dog walker who said that there were three guys that were fishing on the north side of the lake. Yeesh. So, I knew to keep an eye out for them. Sure enough, there they were, getting ready to start fishing, a bag of beers in the water, and one opened. I informed them that they were not allowed to fish in Third Sister Lake (mono-fecta), were on the property after public-access hours (di-fecta), were drinking alcoholic beverages on university property (tri-fecta). (I suppose if they really wanted to shoot for more, they could have had their dogs off-leash, camping, cutting trees, hunting, burning wood, and riding horses and/or ATVs, too.)
They said that they didn't know that they were on university property (however, I question this assertion, since it turns out that at least one of them lives nearby). However, they were willing to leave, informing two of their friends (who were just showing up) that they couldn't actually stay and had to go somewhere else.
I was doing rounds at 6 when I encountered a dog walker who said that there were three guys that were fishing on the north side of the lake. Yeesh. So, I knew to keep an eye out for them. Sure enough, there they were, getting ready to start fishing, a bag of beers in the water, and one opened. I informed them that they were not allowed to fish in Third Sister Lake (mono-fecta), were on the property after public-access hours (di-fecta), were drinking alcoholic beverages on university property (tri-fecta). (I suppose if they really wanted to shoot for more, they could have had their dogs off-leash, camping, cutting trees, hunting, burning wood, and riding horses and/or ATVs, too.)
They said that they didn't know that they were on university property (however, I question this assertion, since it turns out that at least one of them lives nearby). However, they were willing to leave, informing two of their friends (who were just showing up) that they couldn't actually stay and had to go somewhere else.
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