Eight members of JAS turned out this morning to see what wildfowl was coming through the Watkins Lake State Park. This park is in Jackson and Washtenaw counties, the dividing line aligns roughly with Arnold Road. This road bisects the lake, so it's a great viewing platform for the water birds.
![](/resources/Pictures/SJerant/2022-11-01_WatkinsLakeSP.jpg)
(Steve Jerant)
While the weather was a bit dreary, we were greeted by the local Northern Mockingbird that hangs out near the parking lot and road out to the west of the park. As usual, we had lots of Canada Goose (3,000), Ring-neck Duck (2,000), and Ruddy Duck (150). In total there were 18 species of waterfowl, gull and waders were observed. A huge (2000) raft of Canada Goose came over. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYQkLhaS9pw )
We noticed a school of fish coming up to the surface of the water to take a gulp of air.
![](/resources/Pictures/LEckerle/2022-11-01_WatkinsLakeSP-GroupFeeding%20Fish(LEckerle).jpg)
(Lynn Eckerle)
This site has some NATIVE American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)on the roadside. The berries are in clumps, generally at the terminus of the stem.
(Lynn Eckerle)
(Lynn Eckerle)
At the end of the walk down the road a Bald Eagle was perched and caught the sun perfectly for a naked eye, binocular, and scope view.
(Lynn Eckerle)
See the eBird list at https://ebird.org/checklist/S121702014