Black Rush Lake

The Black Rush Lake Waterfowl Production Area is a recently reclaimed 600 acre wetland and upland prairie upland complex. Black Rush Lake is rapidly developing into a useful nesting ground for area waterbirds including Redhead, Northern Pintail, Black Tern, and (of course) the American Coot. It might also prove useful for nesting Least Bittern, Wilson’s Phalarope, and perhaps Eared Grebe, though no nesting activity has been documented as yet.

DIRECTIONS: When you leave Camden State Park, turn south on Highway 23 for one mile to County Road 59. Turn East to reach the Black Rush Lake Waterfowl Production Area.

To the north of Lyon County Road 59 the north basin of the old lakebed has also been reclaimed. This area is the only possibly useful area to migrating shorebirds, since the Black Rush Lake has been quickly overgrown with vegetation. Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, and both godwits have been observed here in the spring.

Because of its proximity to the Regional Landfill, this is the most likely place to locate lingering gull species in the fall. Fall 2001 brought a Lesser Black-backed Gull to this location among the more common Ring-billed Gulls. A possible 1st winter Thayer’s Gull was also reported here. Although those species are unlikely to be seen with any frequency, Franklin’s, Bonaparte’s, and Ring-billed, and Herring Gulls abound for your identification pleasure. And don’t forget this spot for vagrant White-faced Ibis (October 2001) or lurking American Bittern during either migration period. Snowy Egret has been observed in 2002, and 2004, and Tricolored Heron was observed in 2007.

Turning south on the gravel road one mile from State Highway 23 takes you through the old lakebed. As you pass through this area keep a careful eye for wanderers such as Great-tailed Grackle (April 2001) along with the species usually observed in this habitat. Dickcissel, Orchard Oriole, and Indigo Bunting nest in the trees near the lakebed, while Swamp Sparrow and Yellow-headed Blackbird nest about in the reeds. After traveling south one mile, you may want to take a walk through the upland part of this acreage.

Either turn East or West (or both) to find a suitable location to park before starting your walk through the upland area. Big Blustem and Indian grasses are plentiful, and the walk along the rolling hill may spook up a migrating Short-eared Owl, or one of the local Gray Partridge. In fall this seems a possible spot to search for a Smith’s Longspur, and always be on the look-up for a wayward Ferruginous Hawk. American Tree, Harris’, and White-throated Sparrows will like the food supply and cover on the cold autumn mornings while the summer heat will keep the Sedge Wren, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Horned Lark close to shade. When do Yellow Rails migrate through the area in the fall? A walk through the lower part of the upland grasses near the wetland may give you an answer.

Spruce

 

 

Colorado Blue Spruce

Excellent cold hardy, and drought resistant, Colorado Blue Spruce is also attractive as a food source for grouse, and various finches including crossbills, siskins, and nuthatches. Like most conifers, it provides excellent nesting, roosting, and winter cover for numerous small birds. Grows 60 to 100′ high with a 15 to 35′ spread.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Hills Spruce

Black Hills Spruce is a slow-growing, compact tree, but don’t let that stop you. Slow growth equals dense growth, making it perfect for privacy screens and windbreaks. It’s short bright bluish green needles and a dense, conical shape make it a landscaper’s dream. Black Hills Spruce is virtually immune to the most common spruce pests and is very tolerant of drying winter winds. It is a truly cold adapted tree and is very resistant to winter injury.

Raspberry

Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

Size: 3-4′ canes usually in large swath of growth

Fruiting: July-August

Birds: late-Summer feeding of young such as red-headed woodpecker, robin, thrasher, and catbird.

Red Raspberry plants are broadly distributed throughout North America; most often found in open woodlands and streamsides growing from 3 – 5 feet tall. The juicy, red fruits ripen in July and August, and are very tasty to humans and birds. They are very low-maintenance plants, that prefer full sun to partial shade, and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions; though they prefer moderate moisture.

Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) has small, greenish-white petals that start appearing in late May to early June followed by their edible fruits appearing between July and August. They are most often found in forest or grove clearings, disturbed sites such as road crossings, woodland edges, or abandoned farm fields. The fruits are thought to be consumed by more that 150 species of birds and animals… including humans.