#americanbittern — Public Fediverse posts on home.social

DoomsdaysCW @[email protected] · 2026-07-10 · 22:11 UTC

Northern #Michigan #WildlifeHaven upgrade will transform habitat for #RareBirds

Mon, July 6, 2026

HOUGHTON LAKE, MI - "The Michigan Department of Natural Resources plans to rehabilitate the South Unit at #HoughtonLake Flats this summer, replacing aging infrastructure at the popular wildlife viewing and fishing destination in Roscommon County.

"The project will modernize the 350-acre #wetland's water control system, replacing the concrete dam, pumphouse, underground pipes and related structures with modern equipment. Construction is expected to begin this summer once water levels drop and be completed in the fall.

"The rehabilitation addresses infrastructure problems that have hampered wildlife management at the site located just off U.S. 127. The water pump failed several years ago, eliminating the DNR's ability to control water levels to enhance habitat conditions.

" 'The current dike system, which includes several miles of dikes and a dam, provides impounded water for many species of wildlife,' said Mark Boersen, a DNR wildlife biologist based in Roscommon. 'However, several years ago the water pump failed, taking away the DNR's ability to manipulate water levels to improve the wildlife habitat. Additionally, time has taken a toll on the South Unit dam so that it can no longer safely and efficiently hold water.'

"The original dike system was constructed in the 1960s to offset environmental impacts from building U.S. 127. #HoughtonLakeFlats draws water from nearby Houghton Lake, Michigan's largest inland lake.

"Public access to the South Unit gazebo and fishing platform will be closed during construction, but the North Unit will remain open. The North Unit encompasses 335 acres of wetland north of County Road 300.

"Boersen noted the flats attract visitors for waterfowl hunting, #Fishing and #WildlifeViewing, with several uncommon species making appearances.

" 'Several secretive and sometimes rare species of wildlife are observed at the flats, such as #TrumpeterSwans, #BlackTerns, #osprey and the #AmericanBittern,' he said. "Although the fishing dock will be closed during construction, visitors are welcome to fish and #birdwatch from the dikes or from hand-launched boats.'

"The project is part of the DNR's broader effort to address aging dams and dike systems across Michigan."

Source:
https://www.mlive.com/environment/2026/07/northern-michigan-wildlife-haven-upgrade-will-transform-habitat-for-rare-birds.html

#SolarPunkSunday #WildlifeHabitat #SpendTimeInNature #RareBirds

#michigan #wildlifehaven #rarebirds #houghtonlake #wetland #houghtonlakeflats

Parsingphase @[email protected] · 2025-11-11 · 16:00 UTC

#DailyBird 🤖
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), 19th February 2024
es: Avetoro Lentiginoso, fr: Butor D’Amérique
Ipswich, Massachusetts
Agawam & Pawtucket traditional territory
Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 800mm f/11, 35% crop, 1/500s, ISO 320
#Birds #AmericanBittern #AMBI #BirdOfTheDay #HopeIsTheThingWithFeathers #DescribeYourImages

#dailybird #birds #americanbittern #ambi #birdoftheday #hopeisthethingwithfeathers

Cambirdsong @[email protected] · 2025-03-03 · 12:51 UTC

Skulking in the marsh grasses.

#MarshMadness #AmericanBittern #LakeRoland #birds #birding #wildlife #NaturePhotography #SolaceInNature #DelightOverDarkness

#marshmadness #americanbittern #lakeroland #birds #birding #wildlife

Nicolas Demers @[email protected] · 2024-04-13 · 04:22 UTC

After literally years of hearing people banging on about the resident Bittern... we finally saw it! And not just a quick glimpse, but it was out hunting in the open! It is a gorgeous creature, with a heron's trademark killer glare, but built very differently, and with subtly beautiful markings -- ƛ̓éxətəm (Tlahutum) Regional Park, April 7
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#TlahutumRegionalPark #ThePlaceFormerlyKnownAsColonyFarm #birds #AmericanBittern