By Staff
You've surely noticed that most outdoorpersons have genes of the adventurer coursing through their veins. In planning our outdoor pursuits our minds are always on far off, exotic places. That's where the good stuff is, right? Always on the other side of the hill. While I consider that a healthy trait, it also causes us to overlook what we have here at home. For one of the most diverse and interesting places on earth we need go no further than the Allegan State Game Area, located northwest of Allegan just an hour's drive north of here.
I discovered Allegan many years ago when wife and I would greet spring by removing the T-tops from the Monte Carlo and going for all day drives through the country side. We soon found a full day could be squandered cruising the back roads and two tracks of the Allegan State Game Area and never see the same scenery twice.
At 50,000 acres it is the largest tract of public land in Southern Michigan. But it's not just the size that's so impressive, it's the diversity of habitat and wildlife. Hunters know Allegan for the thousands of geese drawn to its two waterfowl refuges. Hikers know it for the miles of trails rambling through the woodlands, bird watchers know it for the more than 220 bird species that have been recorded there and photographers know it for the limitless photo opportunities awaiting around every corner.
There are two distinct portions of the Allegan State Game Area. The main part which encompasses 34,000 acres of woodlands was purchased by the U.S. Government in the 1930's. In 1940 the State took over stewardship. During the 1950's the State acquired the second portion, known as the Todd Farm. This is 16,000 acres of poor farm land lying to the west of the main game area. It is managed primarily for waterfowl.
In presettlement days the Allegan State Game Area was comprised of approximately 60% oak and pine forest and 20% savanna grasslands with the rest being various wetlands, lakes and streams. The DNR has taken a minimal management approach and it remains pretty much the same today with the exception of the open barrens and savannas which are gradually succeeding into forest as the years go by.
Should you desire a walk on the wild side here's some things to look for. Right now the wild lupines are in full bloom and all the open areas of the game area are virtually a sea of blue. You might even be lucky enough to see an endangered Karner blue butterfly which lives on these lupines. This is one of only three places where they can be found in Michigan. The also rare bird foot violets mixed in with the lupines are just now ending their bloom period. Wild columbine, hoary puccoon, hawk weed, wild geraniums and many other wildflowers are also putting on an extravagant color show right now. Both big and little blue stem grasses are beginning to sprout amongst the lichens covering the dry, sandy barrens.
Spicebush, black and tiger swallowtail butterflies are everywhere as are a variety of skippers. Once in a while a giant swallowtail, our largest butterfly, lumbers by like a big Boeing 747. Occasionally the uncommon Olympic marble butterfly, looking like a brilliant piece of white quartz laced with veins of gold, flits by.
Where the pines and deciduous trees meet you'll find Blackburnian, prothonotary, pine and black-throated green warblers. Nearly every warbler native to the area can be found at Allegan. In the oak forests are red headed and pileated woodpeckers, scarlet tanagers, rose breasted grosbeaks, flycatchers and uncountable other forest dwelling birds. Along the grassland edges chestnut sided towhees and indigo buntings abound. Out in the barrens you may be lucky enough to spot a rare prairie warbler amongst the upland sandpipers, bobolinks, savanna and song sparrows. The numerous marshes host all manner of waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as the occasional osprey and bald eagle.
Nature enthusiasts travel the globe in search of unique adventures but one really need go no further than the Allegan State Game Area for the ultimate in wildlife viewing. Carpe diem.
Larry Lyons writes a weekly outdoor column for Leader Publications. He can be reached at larrylyons@beanstalk.net