SPRING PUDDLES
Fairy Shrimp (Eubranchipus vernalis)
The Harbor Country Hiker’s latest nature study experience took place March 21st at the New Buffalo Area Schools Nature Study Trails. Amy Gillan (Berrien County Vernal Pool Patrol Coordinator) and Pat Fisher (HCH President and assistant coordinator) told their stories about how and why they became involved in the Michigan Vernal Pool Patrol (MI VPP). Amy’s lifelong love for getting outside and learning about the natural world led her to the MI VPP. While taking the training she learned vernal pools were really cool and SW MI had ZERO pools identified and NO coordinator, so she decided to volunteer as a VPP Coordinator and Go Find Some Fairy Shrimp! Pat discovered vernal pools by accident while he was constructing trails within the natural areas of the NBAS Nature Study Trails. Little did he know some of the trails would become vernal pool wetlands when spring came. Opps! While investigating these strange puddles, he discovered the MI VPP program and decided to learn more. Since Amy met Pat the vernal pools of SW Michigan will never be the same again!
During their talk we heard things like “Why are vernal pools keystone habitats; How to recognize them; What confirms they are a vernal pool; Why was the MI VPP created; and how to get training and become a VPP volunteer. We also learned that the MI VPP validates vernal pools if four obligate species are found: fairy shrimp, wood frog, spotted salamander and blue-spotted salamander with an emphasis on fairy shrimp. You'll also find a large collection of facultative species typically found in streams and rivers. With that said, Pat asked if anyone wanted to go find a pool. It was a unanimous YES! It didn't take long for us to find a pool. While Pat and Amy were dipping in the pool for critters, Mike Latus was identifying the tiny animals and telling their story. Everyone was amazed that these small pools contained such a wide range of animals—a complete micro-ecosystem.
The remainder of the hike took us through several types of natural communities. Acidic sandy flatwood forest, wet mesic southern forest, floodplain forest, and shrub-carr to name a few. We saw unique inhabitants of Southwest Michigan that aren't normally found at this latitude. We found wetland trees like muscle wood and ironwood, and wetland shrubs like spicebush and buttonbush and heard we will find wetland flowers like jack-in-the-pulpit, skunk cabbage and marsh marigolds. We learned that several endangered species or species of special concern lived here such as the monkey flower, eastern box turtle and gray rat snake. We discovered some breeding grounds for spring peepers, western chorus frogs and bullfrogs; their mating calls were loud and unmistakable. We also had the opportunity to listen to and watch hundreds of sandhill cranes circling and passing overhead. Spring is so awesome!
After the main hike a smaller group of us hiked the trails beside and behind the school. We discovered more breeding grounds and an assortment of plants that require special environments to live, such as club moss, partridge berries, winter berries, blueberries, yellow trout lily, bear corn and skunk cabbage. We ended our hike with a pass though another natural community called a wet mesic prairie that was planted on an abandoned ball diamond.
A shout out to Amy Gillan and Mike latus for helping with the pools
Here are some special links: