Oil Pad Botany Experience

Driving down a dirt road off of Sand lake road we turned onto the Oil Sand road.  As named, this road has several active and non-active oil pads.  This grasshopper oil rig was very close to our first Site of the day.  It works day and night just like you will see in this video. In addition to the sound of the oil rig, we also heard a yellow billed cuckoo bird, indigo bunting, and hermit thrush.

Artemsia 

leafy spurge with a caterpillar 

Our plant and grass identification skills are quickly improving.  On this day we successfully identified four different species of grass: Timothy, Poverty Grass, a red topped variety, and a delicate species.  Back in the lab we were able to determine their scientific identifications.  I shall spare you that description here.  However, it is interesting to note how Poverty grass is identified.  This grass grows in clumps, has a hairy collar, and the older blades of resemble wood shavings.  We found this grass the most often.  Other new species of the day included a species of: artemsia, mint, hawkweeds, goats beard, and daisy's.

Can you find the Badger Hole in this photo? 

It appears these sites are being utilized by a variety of wildlife.  We found evidence of Badgers, Deer, Turkey, Sandhill Cranes, green snake and I'm sure many others. The small trees trying to get established were almost all nibbled by deer.  Some would say these open patches of land are good for wildlife as they provide for some open landscape for browsing.  However, our purpose is not to say if these areas are good or bad, but why they are not reestablishing to forest. As you can notice in the photos the soil is very sandy.  Usually sandy soil is not known for its nutrient capacity.  Part of the challenge is was quickly infiltrates through the sand leaving it very dry.  Some of the plants that thrive in these soils have ways that they store water and or are hairy making it harder for them to lose water.  These open areas are quite warm and the sun reflecting off the ground makes it even warmer.  We take precaution against sunburn by wearing: pants, a light weight long sleeved shirt, hat, and using sunscreen on exposed skin.

Jack Pine Cone

One of the sites we visited had one row of Jack Pines that seem to becoming established.  They are currently about 8 feet tall and appear healthy. If there were more of these sized trees they would make good habitat for the Kirtland's Warbler who likes to nest in the low dense branches of the Jack Pine. This species is about to be de-listed from the endangered species list.  A success store of restoration through habitat management. One thing Jack Pines rely on for survival is fire. The cone is tightly held together by a resin that does not allow the cone to open unless subjected to intense heat (Greater than 120 F).  Then the seed can be released once the resin has melted away.

It was here that we enjoyed our lunch under the shade of some older Jack Pines that create a boundary between the oil pad and the neighboring forest.  Here we reflected on the solitude of field work and beauty we are blessed to experience.

Site where we saw two Sandhill Cranes

Arriving at our next sight was a special surprise.  Scanning my eyes along the field I noticed to long necked birds.  My first thought was a Bittern, but the habitat was not right, then we through maybe turkeys. However, our presence startled the pair and as they flew off we heard the distinct call of the Sandhill Crane.

 After completing the inventories of the Antrim County sites we were all ready to head home to the Institute!

Ready to head home for the day