There is always much to see on the park, yet many seem to say that they do not see any animals or different birds. There are many reasons. In this article is a list of flowers, animals,. birds and plants that ARE currently being seen on the park.

 I talk to many people who just cannot understand that there really is a good deal to see on Presque Isle in the way of birds, animals, fish, wildflowers, and native plants. Visitors tell me that when they are on the park, they do not see any wildlife and the only birds they see are robins and the other common birds.

I try to explain to them that this is usually what they and the others with them are doing that may be preventing them from seeing something. It may also be where they are on the park.

There are a few areas of the park where animals just do not travel.

Many visitors walk around the park in groups. When they walk, they talk among themselves.  Well, folks, the wildlife can hear you coming half to three-quarters of a mile away. That is when they disappear into the woods.

The other factor, they can smell pipe and cigar smoke well before you arrive at where they are.  It’s the little things such as these that can make visitors seeing the park’s wildlife difficult. 

Now let’s see what has been viewed on Presque Isle recently:

MINK - - These little (11 to 20 inch) creatures are all over the park. However, they are never far from the water. This year and the past four or five, they can be seen swimming and hunting along North Pier.  They are excellent swimmers and, on the park, feed mainly on fish. 

STRIPED SKUNK - - They live almost everywhere.  Skunks are mainly out at night and only seldom seen during the day. Be careful when you see one because when frightened they DO SPRAY their one-of-a-kind odor. At least they usually arch their back, raise their tail, stamp their front feet, and shuffle backward before they spray.

SPATTER DOCK (COW LILY) - - This floating pond, marsh and lagoon plant is likely the plant I get most questioned about on the park.  It is a plant that grows almost anywhere there is water that is at least 15-16 inches deep.  It has a small yellow to light orange flower that at 1 inch high on a two to three-inch stem.  Deer love to eat the plant and beavers and muskrats dine upon the rhizomes.   The plant is an annual and produces many, many seeds and self-seeds itself each year.

WILD TURKEY - - The park is home for a large population of wild turkeys and especially in the spring during breeding time, can be seen nearly all over the park.  Turkeys usually roost in trees and feed on the ground.  They are almost always seen around Horseshoe Pond and Beach 11 plus around the Lighthouse and the Sidewalk Trail. A family of turkeys has recently been seen closer to the park entrance. 

OSPREY - - These are a large bird, having a wingspan of nearly six feet. They are also known as a Fish Hawk.  This year offers the first year that they have not just visited Presque Isle, but have begun to try to nest on the park. They are still being seen flying around the lagoons areas and the beach 10 and 11 areas.

WHITE WATER LILY - - This is a floating white-flowered plant that lives in nearly all the ponds, lagoons, and area that have at least 12 inches of water.  The flowers are long-lasting and very fragrant. The plant itself has about twenty-five leaves and is a perfect habitat for fish, reptiles, and ducks.

EASTERN COTTONTAIL RABBIT - - These little guys are all over the park.  They are a short-eared, short-tailed rabbit.   If left to themselves, they would overrun Presque Isle. Foxes, hawks, and owls keep their population within bounds.

BEAVER - - Famed for their dam and lodge building ability, they are North America’s largest rodent. The beavers and numerous on the park and even have been trapped and moved to other locations due to their tree gnawing and falling of many trees.  On the park, they are non-dam building bank beavers.  They can be found in the ponds all over the park.

GREEN HERON - - This small dark heron (18-20 inches) is usually seen poised motionless on a ponds bank or old log or snag overlooking the water. It is, in fact, a resourceful and at times even acrobatic fish-catcher.  They are common the waterworks ponds and along the shoreline of the lagoon. A good number have seen recently in Frog Pond which is across the road from Horseshoe Pond where the houseboats are moored.

RED FOX - - The Red Fox has made a return to Presque Isle after a few years of absence. This year there have been many sightings of the elusive fox. It is the common belief by regular visitors to the park that most likely there may now be three to four families of foxes on Presque Isle. The fox has developed over the years as a very adaptable species. It seems to be able to adjust to most environments. The foxes usually live in pairs or small families. They are skillful hunters who survive on rabbits, game birds, and reptiles.

See you on the Park!!
