Blanding's Turtles
Wall Lake is an important turtle habitat
Wall Lake's wetlands provide an important habitat for many species, including Blanding's turtles. Blanding's turtles are considered a Special Concern species in Michigan, and an Endangered Species elsewhere. It is a special sighting when one sees a Blanding's turtle.
Why the name Blanding's Turtle?
The Blanding's turtle is named in honor of American naturalist, Dr. William Blanding (1773-1857).
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Habitat
Blanding's turtles live primarily in wetlands in north America and Canada. Over the decades, loss of wetlands has reduced their habitat and has reduced Blanding's turtle populations. They still are commonly found in intact wetland habitat, but overall their numbers are in decline due to loss of habitat. They continue to live at Wall Lake in our wetlands.
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Description
Blanding's turtles are medium sized turtles (7-10 inches). They have a large, strong, smooth domed shell and bright yellow chin and throat. They like to sun themselves, and their large shell provides camouflage among large rocks.
Behavior
Blanding's turtles are docile creatures that retreat from peril and rarely bite. When threatened they prefer to sit on the bottom of a lake for hours. They are excellent swimmers.
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Feeding
Feeding Blanding's turtles are omnivorous and forage underwater for invertebrates, insects, fish, frogs, leeches, crayfish, carrion, and vegetation. They are good swimmers and can catch live fish. They have an exceptionally long neck which they use to ambush prey.
Laying Eggs
Blanding's turtles begin to be reproductive at around 14-20 of their approximately 80-100 year life span. They lay 5-15 eggs in a dry location. Most of their eggs are eaten by predators such as fox, raccoons, snakes, skunks, and coyotes. The few that survive live so long due to their docile nature, extremely hard shells, and natural ability to defy the aging process.
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Shoreline habitat is very important for the survival of all turtles, Blanding's turtles. A natural shoreline allows turtles climb out of the lake onto land to lay eggs. Seawalls or large rocks prevent turtles from leaving a lake to lay eggs.
Hazards To Turtles
Turtles that are swimming just below the surface of a lake are killed by motorboat propellers. Also, turtles are killed when crossing roads to lay eggs. Blanding's turtles in particular are susceptible to being killed by vehicles as they travel long distances over land and like to lay their eggs in the dry soil next to roads.
Longevity Research
Blanding's turtles live an astounding 80-100 years. Incredibly, they show almost no sign of aging and are able to reproduce until they die. Because of this they are considered to be nearly "non-aging", and they are the subject of aging research.
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Bufflehead Duck
Wall Lake is important for migration
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Wall Lake is a staging area (location where migrating birds stop to rest and feed) for many birds, including the Bufflehead Duck. This is why we see so many migrating waterfowl on Wall Lake in the spring and fall.
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Why the name Bufflehead?
The Bufflehead Duck gets its name from a combination of "buffalo" and "head", due to its large head.
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Their overall small size has evolved to fit the nesting niche of small tree cavities. The small body size gives them abundant energy and playfulness and they are a delight to watch.
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Habitat
Bufflehead Ducks nest primarily in holes in trees made by other birds, mainly Flickers. Over the decades, loss of forestland has reduced nesting habitat and has reduced Bufflehead populations. They summer in Canada and winter in the southern USA, seeking open water.
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Feeding
Bufflehead Ducks forage underwater and in freshwater eat insects, snails, fish eggs, and small amounts of plants. Wall Lake is an important source of food for migrating waterfowl.
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In saltwater Buffleheads eat primarily crustaceans and mollusks.
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Why Do Birds Migrate
Birds do not migrate like humans - to chase the weather. Birds, including hummingbirds, can survive the cold quite well - if there is enough food.
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Some birds, Cardinals for example, are able to find adequate food in the northern part of the northern hemisphere year round and therefore, do not migrate.
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Birds migrate to seek food and nesting habitat. Insects, seeds, worms, etc. and favorable nesting habitat are in abundance in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere in the summer months.
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When birds migrate south for the winter, they do so to varying extents. Some birds migrate short distances to seek lower elevations. Some birds migrate just a few states away. Some birds migrate long distances to another continent.
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It is not fully understood why birds living in tropical locations in the winter migrate north in the summer. One theory is that evolution favored species that did so, as the abundance of food, and longer days, allowed for better reproduction (more offspring) relative to the birds that remained in the tropics.
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Migration is triggered by genetics, day length, temperature changes, and food supply.
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Migration navigation is an astounding phenomenon that is poorly understood. How do birds that have never migrated know how to do so their first time, for example? Scientist think that birds use the earth's magnetic field, star patterns, the sun's position, scents, and visual landmarks for navigation.
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Hummingbirds have been known to return to the same backyard feeder in the spring after two 1000-mile journeys.
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Hummingbird in nest at Wall Lake
Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
12685 East C Avenue
Augusta, MI 49012
Phone: (269) 671-2510
Sanctuary Highlights
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Journey a paved, ¾ mile accessible trail to Wintergreen Lake to see hundreds of waterfowl in their natural habitat, including Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese and a variety of duck species
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Birds of Prey enclosures feature both rare and common raptors, including Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Eastern Screech Owls and others
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The Leslie E. Tassel upland game bird display houses threatened and endangered species from Michigan and from around the world
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A Pollinator Garden that uses native plants to attract hummingbirds and butterflies
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Visitors can browse and purchase nature- and bird-related gifts, toys and other locally made and fair trade items at the Sanctuary's Resource Center
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An outdoor eating space is available for group lunches.