A Biological Inventory of Seven Lakes

Nature Preserve Alger County, Michigan

By Ryne Rutherford, M.S.

Biologist, Biophilia, LLC

March 31, 2018

Photo 1. A picturesque fall day at Casey lake in October 2016.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………..2

METHODS………………………………………………………………………………………......3

GEOLOGY AND LANDSCAPE SETTING………………………………………………………5

NATURAL COMMUNITIES………………………………………………………………………6

KINGDOM ANIMALIA…………………………………………………………………………..15

Birds………………………………………………………………………………………….15

Amphibians…………………………………………………………………………………..22

Reptiles……………………………………………………………………………………….24

Mammals…………………………………………………………………………………….26

Fish……………………………………………………………………………………...……27

Insects………………………………………………………………………………………...29

Miscellaneous Invertebrates………………………………………………………………..36

KINGDOM PLANTAE…………………………………………………………………………....37

Plants…………………………………………………………………………………………37

Bryophytes…...………………………………………………………………………………47

KINGDOM FUNGI……………………………………………………………………………......49

Free-living Fungi…………………………………………………………………...………..49

Lichenized Fungi………………………………………………………...…………………..52

LISTED SPECIES……………………………………………………………………………...….55

INVASIVE SPECIES………………………………………………………...……………………57

MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION…………………………………………………...…59

FUTURE INVENTORY AND MONITORING NEEDS………………………………….…….60

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………………………….62

LITERATURE CITED AND REFERENCES…………………………………………….……..63

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Introduction

The Seven Lakes Nature Preserve is tucked away in Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula,

approximately 15 kilometers south of Lake Superior and the Grand Sable Dunes at Pictured

Rocks National Lakeshore. This relatively pristine nature preserve occupies over 3,600 acres of

classic Northwoods habitats, such as lakes, streams, bogs, pine forests, northern hardwood

forests and boasts abundant wildlife. Strong elements of the deciduous forest biome to the south

and the boreal forest biome to the north are represented.

The goals of this project were (1) to provide a baseline biological inventory to be

compared to future inventory and monitoring projects and (2) evaluate ecosystem health by

assessing potential threats to the ecosystems at Seven Lakes Nature Preserve, such as invasive

species, diseases and direct human impacts. Given the many habitats and great potential to

support biodiversity we were not surprised to amass a list of 811 species. The list includes 328

animal species (116 birds, 12 amphibians, 5 reptiles, 15 mammals, 10 fishes, 159 insects and 11

other invertebrates), 327 plant species (299 vascular plants, 27 bryophytes, 1 algae) and 156

fungi species (82 free-living fungi, 74 lichenized fungi). Fourteen species found were state listed

(Table 9) and one species, gray wolf (Canis lupus), is federally endangered.

With looming threats from climate change and other anthropogenic causes there is no

better time to document and study our flora and fauna. We believe this study will be an important

piece of that not just at Seven lakes, but regionally.

Photo 2. The beautiful female luna moth (Actias luna).

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Methods

Our research at Seven Lakes was scheduled to maximize the number of species we could

detect during any given trip and to target state and federally listed species. A team of seven

expert biologists assisted with data collection. Our initial sampling was conducted October 7-10,

2016 and focused on the collection and identification of fungi and lichens. Birds were also

surveyed. The entire property was explored, and plans were made to focus on places with

potential for rare species to be sampled on future visits. On May 7-11, 2017, we focused our

efforts on amphibians, migrant birds and collecting bryophytes. Visual egg surveys were

conducted for salamanders and wood frogs. Birds were sampled in the early morning and late

evening. The edges of the airstrip seemed to be the most reliable spot for migratory songbirds

and our efforts focused there. Owls were also surveyed after dark. Thirty 3’ by 4’ cover boards

were deployed for snake and small mammal surveys. On June 10-13, 2017, we conducted

breeding bird surveys throughout the property, and minnow trapped for small fish, amphibians

and aquatic insects. We also used aerial nets to survey for odonata and butterflies and conducted

terrestrial meander surveys for plants. On August 10-13, 2017, we checked the cover boards for

snakes and small mammals and continued aerial net surveys for odonata, butterflies, bumblebees

and other insects. Terrestrial meander surveys for plants also continued. Surveys were also

conducted for fall migrant shorebirds at Moose Lake. On August 31-September 1, 2017, we

visited areas that were not previously surveyed, completed the inventory of natural communities,

surveyed for migrant songbirds and mammal tracks. On our final visit October 15-16, 2017, we

picked up cover boards and surveyed for migrant waterfowl.

Photos 3-4. Checking out a captivating moss (photo 3, left) and minnow trapping at Deerfoot Lake (photo

4, right). Photos by Darrin O’Brien.

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Figure 1. Map of Seven Lakes. The original purchase area is shown in red and a later addition is shown in

yellow. Map courtesy The Nature Conservancy.

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Geology and Landscape Setting

The entire area comprising Seven Lakes Natural Preserve is underlain by Cambrian age

sandstone which is not directly exposed at the surface but comes close along the Fox River in the

southern portion of the property. This is overlain by a variety of glacial deposits, which may be

up to 200 feet thick, from the Wisconsin glaciation at the end of the Pleistocene epoch 9-12,000

years ago (LaBerge 1994). Coarse textured glacial till dominates much of the upland portion of

Seven Lakes, while the lowland areas are composed of pitted outwash plains with occasional

sandy ridges. Soils are composed of peat, poorly drained sands and extensively drained sands.

Podzols are the dominant soil type (Albert 1995) (Photo 5). Ice blocks broken off glaciers melted

in depressions to form lakes and ponds that have gradually become filled over the centuries and

millennia by undecomposed peat to form bogs. The peat at Seven Lakes is likely several meters

deep in places.

This area is in a unique geographic position, sitting at the headwaters of the Fox River in

the Lake Michigan watershed, yet much closer to Lake Superior which is only 13.5-18

kilometers away. Seven Lakes Nature Preserve sits about 100 meters higher than Lake Superior

or 270-285 meters elevation. Its proximity to the lake and elevated location puts this area within

the Lake Superior snow belt. Although snowfall amounts are not measured for this exact location

(John Hermann personal communication).

Photo 5. A soil profile along a roadcut on the main track into Seven Lakes. Notice the very thin organic

layer on top (O horizon) and the robust gray layer in the middle (E horizon). Chunks of sandstone are

visible underneath revealing the local bedrock type. This is an acidic, nutrient poor soil type characteristic

of the boreal forest region. It was the predominant soil in the uplands at Seven Lakes.

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Natural Communities

Forests

Forest comprises most of land at Seven Lakes Nature Preserve and can be divided into

the following community types.

Mesic Northern Forest was the dominant forest type and has been since the original

land surveys in the 1800s (Albert et al. 1995). The hilly uplands underlaid by coarse textured

glacial till are covered mostly by this forest type which occurs on over 50% of the land area at

Seven lakes. Although mostly underlain by nutrient poor podzols, one area of Mesic Northern

Forest is underlain by a loamy sand that is more nutrient rich and occurs east and west of Casey

Lake. Likewise, the southeastern corner of the property between the Fox River and Moose Lake

is similarly well developed. In the Casey Lake Hardwoods (Figure 2, Table 1). Sugar maple

(Acer saccharum) is the dominant tree, with lesser amounts of yellow birch (Betula

alleghaniensis) and black cherry (Prunus serotina) with the latter species occurring in unusually

high abundance. White pine (Pinus strobis) once formed a super-canopy over this area and many

very large stumps persist from the great cutover around 1900. Surviving relict white pine is rare

on the property but occurs east of Casey Lake (Photo 6). The ground flora in the Casey Lake

Hardwoods was particularly rich with Streptopus roseus, Prunus serotina, Trientalis borealis,

Claytonia caroliniana, Erythronium canadensis, Hepatica americana, Carex gracillima, Carex

deweyana, Carex artata, Carex intumescens, Smilicina racemosa, Dryopteris intermedia, Oxalis

acetocella, Polygonum cilinode, Aralia nuticaulis, Spinulum annotonium, Huperzia lucidula, Dendrolycopodium dendroideum and Polygonatum pubescens. The uplands near Gopher, Spruce,

Deerfoot and Centerline Lakes and extending north to Adam’s Trail, where the soil type is

podzol, contain Mesic Northern Forest with greater amounts of red maple (Acer rubrum),

American beech (Fagas grandifolia) and ironwood (Ostrya virginiana). Eastern hemlock (Tsuga

canadansis) increases in abundance near lakeshores and streams. Virgin stands of eastern

hemlock, likely several hundred years old occur on steep slopes along the Fox River downstream

from Casey Lake (Figure 2, Table 1, Photo 7). It is worth noting that other tree species common

in this forest type elsewhere in the Upper Peninsula, like ashes (Fraxinus sp.) basswood (Tilia

americana) and red oak (Quercus rubra), were not found at Seven Lakes. It is also worth noting

that nearly all the forests at Seven Lakes have all been logged in the past but are now covered

with mature second growth. Within the last decade American beech has been severely impacted

by beech bark disease and nearly all the mature beech has died. This has resulted in numerous

dead falls and standing dead trees. Younger beech trees are often severely deformed (Photo 53).

Dry-mesic Northern Forest occurs in a few pockets where the soil is slightly poorer and

more acidic. Historically abundant in the Upper Peninsula, but now much less common after the

great cutover around 1900, this white pine dominated forest occurs along the east and northern

shoreline of Gopher Lake (Photo 8) and in small pockets around Owl Lake. Only a few tens of

acres were found on the property. Bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera), trailing arbutus

(Epigea repens) and wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) are characteristic shrubs found in this

forest type.

Dry Northern Forest was found in a concentrated pocket directly north of the airstrip

and north of Casey Creek, just east of the Casey Creek Boreal Forest (Figure 2, Table 1). An

open forest of red pine (Pinus resinosa) occurs on sandy uplands and is surrounded by lowland

bogs and poor conifer swamp. Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), Canada blueberry

(Vaccinium myrtilloides), goldthread (Coptis trifolia) and wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

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were common in the understory. This area had been logged in recent decades but should recover

nicely without need for intervention. Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana) is often the dominant tree in

Dry Northern Forest but is apparently absent from Seven Lakes.

Forested and Shrubby Wetlands

Although covering far less acreage than upland forests, significant areas of forested

wetlands occur on the property, usually in low lying areas of sandy pitted outwash plain in

proximity to rivers and lakes, but also occurring in isolated depressions where they are

associated with open bogs.

Northern Shrub Thicket occurs along the floodplains of the Fox River and even more

extensively along Casey Creek. Northern Shrub Thicket is almost entirely composed of tag alder,

(Alnus incana) and contains nutrient rich soils and is adapted to fluctuating water levels and

beaver activity. This rich ground flora in the floodplain of Casey Creek (Photo 17) contains

Calamogrostis canadensis, Onoclea sensibilis, Rubus strigosus, Clematis virginiana, Scuttellaria

galericulata, Prunus virginiana, Impatiens capensis, Thalictrum dasycarpum, Osmunda regalis,

Glyceria canadensis, Solidago rugosa, Viburnum cassinoides, Symphotrichium lateriflorus,

Ludwigia palustris and Juncus canadensis.

Poor Conifer Swamp is prevalent on acidic peat in association with lake edges and open

bog margins with the largest patch occurring near Casey Creek (north part of section 28, Casey

Creek Boreal Forest, (Figure 2, Table 1, Photo 13) and another large patch occurs at the southern

outflow of Deerfoot Lake. Black spruce (Picea mariana) with lesser amounts of tamarack (Larix

laricina) form the canopy which varies from closed to partially open. Sphagnum moss forms the

understory from which a variety of shrubs emerge, such as Labrador tea (Rhododendron

groelandicum), wild raisin (Viburnum cassinoides) and Canada blueberry (Vaccinium

myrtilloides).

Rich Conifer Swamp is far less common and is restricted to a small patch on the east

side of Deerfoot Lake (Photo 11). Richer in nutrients and more influenced by groundwater, this

natural community is characterized by white cedar (Thuja occidentalis). Ostrich fern (Matteuccia

struthiopteris), starflower (Trientalis borealis) and golden saxifrage (Chrysosplenium

americanum) were noted in this small patch which was only 2-3 acres in size. The latter species

was abundant in a springy seepage and found nowhere else on the property.

Open Wetlands

Although generally small at Seven Lakes, open wetlands host high levels of biodiversity

and are home to several unique species.

Northern Wet Meadow. A few excellent examples of this community are present at

Seven Lakes, the most noteworthy one is at the south end of Moose Lake and is over 10 acres in

size (Photo 16). Another one occurs in an old beaver flooding at the Fox River headwaters off

Adam’s Trail. Relatively rich in nutrients, these communities typically occupy formerly flooded

basins, often from beaver activity and contain organic peat soils. The community in the Moose

Lake wet meadow is dominated by wire sedge (Carex lasiocarpa) and Canada blue-joint grass

(Calamogrostis canadensis). Also present are Solidago canadensis, Symphotrichium lateriflorus,

Iris versicolor, Epilobium leptophyllum, Lysimachia terrestris, Lysimachia thrysiflora, Verbena

hastata, Spirea alba, Glyceria canadensis, Sciurpus cyperinus, and Campanula aparinoides.

Marsh thistle, Cirsium palustre is a noteworthy non-native that is common in wet meadows at

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Seven Lakes. This community contains abundant late summer flowers this is a very important

natural community at Seven Lakes for pollinators.

Emergent Marsh. This tall graminoid dominated aquatic community was present

primarily at Moose Lake where it occupied several acres (Photo 15). Very small patches

occurred along the margins of Casey Lake. Emergent marsh habitat is dependent on nutrient rich

organic soils and was dominated by broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia), softstem bulrush

(Schoenoplectus tabernaemontanum) wiresedge (Carex lasiocarpa) and Persicaria amphibia

with scattered Nuphar variagata along with Rosa palustris and Myrica gale along its upland

margins. The only breeding colony of red-winged blackbirds occurred in this habitat. In

migration, a northern harrier was observed foraging over this habitat.

Submergent Marsh. This community is very well represented in several lakes on the

property. This plant community is mostly composed of aquatics and forms the structure and base

of the aquatic food web that supports waterfowl, aquatic insects, fish, turtles and amphibians.

Plants found at Seven Lakes in this community include: Brasenia shreberi, Nuphar variagata,

Nymphaea odorata, Najas flexilis, Persicaria amphibia, Myriophyllum sibiricum, Myriophyllum

heterophyllum, Elodea canadensis, Ceratophyllum demersum, Bidens beckii, Schoenoplectus

tabernaemontanum and Equisetum fluviatile. Pondweed species include Potamogeton alpinus, P.

pussilus, P. natans, P. zostriformis, P. robbinsii, P. praelongus, P. obtusifolius and P.

amplifolius (Photo 14). Although no rare aquatic species were found on our initial surveys, it is

very noteworthy that no aquatic invasive species were present, and care should be taken that no

aquatic invaders (plants, snails, etc.) are introduced. A freshwater sponge, Spongilla lacustris

(Photo 38), was found in Casey Lake and is a good indicator of water quality.

Intermittent wetland. Occurring in areas with seasonal and interannual water

fluctuations this community occurs on acidic sandy and shallow peats. The community contains

elements of emergent marsh and peatlands. This uncommon wetland type only occurs around the

margins of Moose lake (Photo 12). In October 2016, May, June, and August 2017, this area was

an exposed mudflat and during September and October 2017 it was covered in shallow water.

This was an important migrant bird habitat and in August 2017 when a variety of migrant

shorebirds occurred on these mudflats, including uncommon species such as Baird’s sandpipers and short-billed dowitcher.

Poor Fen. This bog-like community develops on acidic peat soil with minimal to

moderate influence of groundwater. The plant community contains similar flora to bogs with the

addition of several species less tolerant of highly acidic bog conditions, such as Arethusa

bulbosa, Oclemena nemoralis, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex oligosperma, Dulichium arundinaceum,

Meynathes trifolium and Aronia prunifolia. The largest examples of this community occurred

along the outflow of Deerfoot Lake (Photo 10). Other patches occurred around the margins of

Gopher, Owl, Spruce and Moose Lakes.

Bog. A nutrient poor acidic peatland lacking influence from groundwater and fed only

from rain. This highly specialized plant community occurred in scattered isolated pockets

throughout Seven Lakes. Excellent examples occur around the margins of Owl, Gopher (Photo

9) and Deerfoot Lakes and in other isolated locations such as the Twin Bogs and at Glory Bog

(see locations in Figure 2, Table 1). Highly specialized plants, such as purple pitcher plant

(Sarrencia purpurea), Andromeda glaucophylla, Chamaedaphne calyculuta, Kalmia polifolia,

Carex paucifola, Carex oligosperma, Eriophorum virginicum, Rhyncospora alba and Xyris

montana. An uncommon clubmoss Lycopodiella inundata was found at Glory Bog. A highly

specialized butterfly, the bog copper (Lycaena epixanthe) (Photo 34) occurred in this habitat

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along with several rare and uncommon species of dragonflies such as the state special concern

incurvate emerald (Somatochlora incurvata) (Photo 50).

Anthropogenic habitats. Although, occupying relatively little land area at Seven lakes,

the flora and structure of manmade habitats provided places for species that would not have been

able to occur otherwise. The most striking feature is an old airstrip that is in the process of being

reforested and contains a mixed of native and non-native open country plants. Species detected

there include common milkweed, monarch butterflies, a variety of sparrows during migration,

horned larks and a vagrant western meadowlark (Photo 22). This along with the bridge crossings

and roads were the only areas where we observed turtle nesting behavior. A large open sandy

area at the south end of the airstrip was used heavily in June 2017 for nesting common snapping

and painted turtles. Unfortunately, many nests were depredated by coyotes.

Photo 6. Mesic northern forest with super-canopy white pine. This forest type was historically the

dominant upland habitat at Seven Lakes. Although the hardwoods still prevail, white pine is only present

in this community in a few small patches now, but white pine stumps are a ubiquitous sign of the great

cutover around 1900. Also, notice the thick understory of sugar maple. This indicates low levels of deer

browse and low non-native invasive earthworm abundance. Breeding bird surveys here in 2017 indicated

higher species diversity and densities than the surrounding managed forest. Shown above is Casey Lake

Hardwoods (Figure 2, Table 1).

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Photos 7-8. Old growth eastern hemlock was present along the edge of ravines along the Fox River

downstream from Casey Lake with Susan Fawcett (photo 7, left). A strip of white pine dominated dry-

mesic northern forest covered the west facing shoreline of Gopher Lake (photo 8, right) (see Fox River

Old Growth and Gopher Lake White Pine in Figure 2, Table 1).

Photos 9-10. An open bog at Gopher Lake (photo 9, left) and a poor fen around the Deerfoot Lake

outflow (photo 10, right).

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Photo 11. Only one small patch of white cedar dominated (Thuja occidentalis) rich conifer swamp was

found at Seven Lakes near the east edge of Deerfoot Lake. Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris),

Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis) starflower (Trientalis borealis) and golden saxifrage (Chrysosplenium

americanum) were noted. The latter species was found nowhere else on the property.

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Photo 12. The exposed mudflats in the intermittent wetland at Moose Lake provide valuable habitat for

migrant shorebirds when the water level is low. Short-billed dowitcher, greater yellowlegs, Wilson’s snipe, least, spotted, solitary and Baird’s sandpipers were all present August 11-13, 2017. The

surrounding area varies in level of acidity producing a wide range of natural communities (emergent

marsh, intermittent wetland, poor conifer swamp, northern wet meadow, open bog and poor fen) and

botanical diversity, including many late summer flowering Asteraceae, which provided valuable nectar

sources for many insects, including the State Special Concern yellow-banded bumblebee (Bombus

terricola).

Photos 13-14. Poor Conifer Swamp in the Casey Creek Boreal Forest (photo 13, left) and abundant

floating and submergent plants in Deerfoot Lake (photo 14, right) (see Casey Creek Boreal Forest Figure

2, Table 1).

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Photos 15-16. Emergent marsh (photo 15, left) and Northern Wet Meadow at Moose lake (photo 16,

right).

Photo 17. Northern Shrub Thicket along Casey Creek. An important habitat for stream obligate odonata.

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Figure 2. Selected locations of biological interest at Seven Lakes Nature Preserve. Map courtesy Google

Earth.

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Location Latitude Longitude

Deerfoot Lake Fen 46° 30' 54.82" -86° 4' 16.53"

Moose Lake 46° 30' 27.99" -86° 3' 33.76"

Twin Bogs 46° 31' 32.72" -86° 3' 57.81"

Casey Lake Hardwoods 46° 31' 20.87" -86° 2' 47.88"

The Airstrip 46° 31' 20.23" -86° 4' 51.74"

Glory Bog 46° 32' 46.73" -86° 5' 20.37"

Fox River Headwaters Wetland 46° 32' 45.54" -86° 3' 40.91"

Owl Lake 46° 30' 24.39" -86° 4' 24.42"

Casey Creek Boreal Forest 46° 31' 54.01" -86° 4' 11.89"

Gopher Lake White Pine 46° 31' 10.34" -86° 3' 24.68"

Fox River Old Growth Hemlock 46° 30' 48.62" -86° 3' 5.28"

Centerline Lake Bridge 46° 30' 24.72" -86° 3' 57.84"

Table 1. Reference table for selected locations of biological interest at Seven Lakes with

latitude and longitude.

KINGDOM ANIMALIA

Birds

A total of 116 bird species were detected during our surveys, including 73 likely breeding

species, 40 non-breeding migrants and an additional 3 transient species (Table 2). Among the

breeding bird species, an excellent total of 49 breeding songbirds were found, including 15

species of wood-warblers, 7 species of tyrant flycatchers and 4 species of thrushes. The

abundance and diversity of breeding songbirds lies in contrast to the often depauperate avifauna

found on surrounding timberland (personal observation).

Among the non-passerines, raptors were particularly well represented with 5 likely

breeding on the property including state listed northern goshawk, merlin and bald eagle. The

northern goshawk was heard calling in good breeding habitat in the nesting season (May), but

not re-found. We suspect that this species nests on the property. Merlin is also a likely breeder

and this species has rebounded strongly in recent decades and may not be state listed for long.

Five species of breeding woodpeckers were detected. Among the non-breeding migrants

found, 5 species of migrant ducks, 7 species of migrant sparrows and 7 out of the 9 shorebird

species found during the project were migratory (see solitary sandpiper Photo 21). Non-breeding

raptors, such as osprey, northern harrier, red-shouldered hawk and turkey vulture were

detected outside of the breeding season. These are potential breeding species, but since they were

detected outside the assured breeding season, they’ll have to be considered as non-breeders.

An additional 3 transient species were found, including a western meadowlark (Photo

22), a grassland species from the Great Plains and rare in the U.P., was found in May 2017 along

the airstrip. A black-backed woodpecker was found at Gopher Lake in October 2016. This

boreal species is special concern in MI, but breeding is unlikely on the property due to limited

habitat, but possible. A single European starling was another transient and the only non-native

species found. Although abundant regionally, European starlings are uncommon in largely intact

forested areas of the U.P. Other state listed breeding species include trumpeter swan (Photo

18), which was confirmed breeding in Casey Lake. One cygnet was fledged in 2017. Another

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pair was seen sporadically at Deerfoot Lake. Also, Common Loon were seen in Gopher and

Owl Lakes sporadically throughout the summer. It seemed odd that no breeding activity was ever

seen, despite plentiful suitable habitat. It is possible that these lakes contain high mercury levels

that would make breeding success rare, which is the case in similar softwater lakes nearby in

northern Schoolcraft and eastern Alger counties (Joe Kaplan, Common Coast Research &

Conservation, personal communication).

Waterfowl Breeder Migrant Transient

Canada Goose Branta Canadensis X

Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinators X

Wood Duck Aix sponsa X

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos X

American Black Duck Anas rubripes X

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris X

Bufflehead Bucephala albeola X

Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus X

Common Merganser Mergus merganser X

Grouse, Quail, and Allies

Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus X

Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo X

Loons and Grebes

Common Loon Gavia immer X

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

Herons, Ibis, and Allies

Great Blue Heron Ardea Herodias X

Vultures, Hawks, and Allies

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura X

Osprey Pandion haliaetus X

Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius X

Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus X

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis X

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus X

Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus X

Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus X

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis X

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Cranes

Sandhill Crane Antigone Canadensis X

Shorebirds

Killdeer Charadrius vociferous X

Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii X

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla X

Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla X

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus X

Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicate X

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius X

Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria X

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca X

Cuckoos

Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus

erythropthalmus X

Owls

Barred Owl Strix varia X

Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus X

Swifts

Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica X

Hummingbirds

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus

colubris X

Kingfishers

Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon X

Woodpeckers

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius X

Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens X

Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus X

Black-backed Woodpecker Picoides arcticus X

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus X

Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus X

Falcons and Caracaras

Merlin Falco columbarius X

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Tyrant Flycatchers: Pewees, Kingbirds, and

Allies

Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi X

Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens X

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax

flaviventris X

Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum X

Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus X

Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe X

Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus X

Vireos

Blue-headed Vireo solitaries X

Red-eyed Vireo olivaceus X

Jays, Magpies, Crows, and Ravens

Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata X

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos X

Common Raven Corvus corax X

Larks

Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris X

Martins and Swallows

Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor X

Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice

Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus X

Nuthatches

Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta Canadensis X

White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis X

Treecreepers

Brown Creeper Certhia Americana X

Wrens

Winter Wren Troglodytes hiemalis X

Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis X

Kinglets

Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa X

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula X

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Thrushes

Veery Catharus fuscescens X

Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus X

Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus X

American Robin Turdus migratorius X

Starlings and Mynas

European Starling Sturnus vulgaris X

Waxwings

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum X

Longspurs and Snow Buntings

Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus X A

Wood-Warblers

Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla X

Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis X

Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia X

Nashville Warbler Oreothlypis ruficapilla X

Mourning Warbler Geothlypis Philadelphia X

Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas X

American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla X

Cape May Warbler Setophaga tigrina X

Northern Parula Setophaga Americana X

Magnolia Warbler Setophaga magnolia X

Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca X

Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga

pensylvanica X

Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata X

Black-throated Blue Warbler Setophaga

caerulescens X

Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum X

Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus X

Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronate X

Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga

virens X

Canada Warbler Cardellina Canadensis X

New World Sparrows

20

American Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arborea X

Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerine X

Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca X

Dark-eyed Junco hyemalis X

White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia

leucophrys X

White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis X

Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus X

Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis X

Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia X

Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii X

Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana X

Cardinals, Grosbeaks, and Allies

Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea X

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus

ludovicianus X

Blackbirds

Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta X

Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus X

Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus X

Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula X

Finches, Euphonias, and Allies

Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus X

Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus X

Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra X

Pine Siskin Spinus pinus X

American Goldfinch Spinus tristis X

Table 2. All bird species recorded at Seven lakes with possible breeding species in the left most column,

migrant only species in the middle and transient/vagrants only in the right most column.

21

Photos 18-19. Trumpeter swan pair with a cygnet at Casey Lake (photo 18, left). Hermit thrush nest

tucked away in moss in a bog (photo 19, right by Darrin O’Brien).

Photos 20-21. hairy woodpecker (photo 20, left) was one of 6 species of woodpeckers found at Seven

Lakes. This solitary sandpiper (photo 21, right) at Moose lake was one of several migrant shorebirds

encountered there in August 2017.

22

Photo 22. This western meadowlark was a vagrant from further west that was recorded in the

airstrip on May 10, 2017.

Amphibians

Salamanders. Five species of salamanders were detected during our surveys, although a

few of them were less abundant than anticipated (Table 3). The eastern red-backed salamander

(Plethodon cinereus), was extremely abundant throughout the forests of Seven Lakes. This is the

only species that is not dependent on wetlands for reproduction. Among the obligate ephemeral

pond breeders, four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum), was surprising hard to find,

although that may be attributed to the high-water levels in spring and the abundance of ideal

habitat, which may result in this species becoming more scattered than usual. It is noteworthy

that we did find 7 of these salamanders communally nesting in one clump of sphagnum moss

(Photo 25)! Although communal egg dumping is typical, finding that many in one spot is highly

unusual. Both species of ambystomid mole salamanders, spotted (Ambystoma maculatum) and

blue-spotted (Ambystoma laterale) were found, although the latter was far more common, with

eggs seen in most ephemeral ponds surveyed (Photo 26). One single eastern newt

(Notophthalmus viridescens) was discovered in a flooded wet meadow in spring, but no further

individuals could be found later for documentation.

23

Frogs. Seven species of frogs were documented (Table 3), including American Bullfrog

(Lithobates catesbeiana), which was a significant discovery and the first vouchered record for

the county (Casper et al. 2015) (Photo 23). One individual was in a very small bog pond on the

far western side of the preserve. A calling male was heard at Owl Lake in June 2017. Although

native to Michigan, many U.P. populations are of suspect origin and may have been introduced

many decades ago for the frog leg industry. Without further evidence they should be treated as a

native species and have not been shown to pose a threat for other aquatic creatures. Also

significant was a single mink frog (Lithobates septentrionalis) discovered at the Fox River

Headwaters (Figure 2, Table 1, Photo 24). This a boreal species at the southern limit of its range

in the U.P. and possibly declining in the state. They are uncommon in Alger and adjacent Luce

County, but common just to the south at Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Other true frogs

(family: Ranidae) in abundance were green frog (Lithobates clamitans) and Wood frog

(Lithobates sylvatica). Our single species of toad, eastern American toad (Anaxyrus americanus)

is common along with our two species of treefrogs, spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) and

eastern gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor). Voucher specimens were obtained for all species except

spotted salamander and eastern newt since no adults of either species were captured. Specimens

will be deposited at UMMZ in Ann Arbor, MI.

Photos 23-24. American bullfrog (photo 23, left) and mink frog (photo 24, right) were two of the rarer

species at Seven Lakes Nature Preserve. This was the first American Bullfrog collected in Alger County

and mink frogs are a regionally rare boreal species at their southern range limit. Both are worth

monitoring.

24

Photos 25-26. A cluster of four-toed salamanders at a communal nest dump in sphagnum moss (photo 25,

left) and a spotted salamander egg mass (photo 26, right). Photos by Darrin O’Brien.

Reptiles

Two species of turtles were found at Seven lakes: common snapping turtle (Chelydra

serpentina) (Photo 27) and midland painted turtle (Chyrsemys picta marginalis). Both species

are common in the lakes and streams throughout the property with significant nesting areas at the

south end of the airstrip and at all the bridge crossings. The turtle nests at the south end of the

airstrip were partially depredated by coyotes. Three species of snakes were detected; eastern

gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) (Photo 28) was the most abundant and found throughout Seven

lakes. Both smooth greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis) (Photo 29) and northern red-bellied snakes

(Storeria occipitomaculata) were detected under our cover boards deployed in a sandy opening

near the Casey Creek Boreal Forest and around natural cover off Sunset Lane. It is worth noting

that no snakes were found under our boards along the airstrip despite receiving the bulk of our

survey effort. Voucher specimens for all three snake species were obtained and specimens will

be deposited at UMMZ in Ann Arbor, MI. Smooth greensnake has recently been listed as special

concern in Michigan do to declines downstate, but remains abundant in the eastern U.P. Two

state listed turtle species, the wood turtle (Gylptemys insculpta) and the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) are in global decline. We targeted these species without success despite

the presence of suitable habitat and records exist for both species within 30 kilometers of Seven

Lakes. Continued surveys should be undertaken to determine if these species are present on the

property.

25

Photos 27-28. Common snapping turtle (photo 27, left) and an eastern garter snake (photo 28, right).

Photo 29. Smooth greensnake found inside a log pile alongside Sunset Lane. Photo by Darrin O’Brien.

26

Species Abundance

Eastern Red-backed Salamander Plethodon cinereus abundant

Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum likely common

Blue-spotted Salamander Ambystoma laterale common

Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculate apparently rare

Eastern Newt Notophthalmus viridescens apparently rare

American Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeiana uncommon

Green Frog Lithobates clamitans abundant

Wood Frog Lithobates sylvatica abundant

Mink Frog Lithobates septentrionalis apparently rare

Eastern American Toad Anaxyrus americanus common

Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer abundant

Eastern Gray Treefrog Hyla versicolor uncommon

Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina common

Midland Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta marginalis abundant

Eastern gartersnake Thamnophis sirtalis abundant

Smooth Greensnake Opheodrys vernalis common

Northern Red-bellied Snake Storeria occipitomaculata common

Table 3. Herpetofauna detected at Seven Lakes along with abundances. Both amphibians and reptiles

were target taxonomic groups and received much survey effort.

Mammals

Although our formal surveys did not target most mammals, we did opportunistically

record all species or sign encountered. This resulted in 15 species being found (Table 4).

Meadow vole and masked shrew (Photo 31) were recorded under our cover boards in a sandy

opening in coniferous forest. Two more masked shrew skulls were found in an owl pellet that we

dissected and analyzed. Among the more conspicuous mammals were eastern gray squirrel, red

squirrel and eastern chipmunk. American beaver sign was abundant around nearly all the lakes

and streams and this ecosystem engineer has been responsible for the creation of many wet

meadows and other open habitats on the property. Most lodges however, were present around the

existing lakes and no newly created ponds were found. Also, around several lakes and streams

was abundant sign of river otter, which had been feeding mostly on crayfish. Other larger

animals were detected by scat and tracks. These included coyote, red fox and gray wolf, the

latter was detected several times at the air strip. Fresh tracks of American black bear were

observed in the airstrip as well. Additionally, bear claw marks (Photo 30) were noticed on a few

trees, including a beech tree, indicating that it had been foraging on beech nuts. White-tailed deer

were also present, although in much lower numbers than the surrounding areas with much more

edge habitat. The lack of deer browsing has resulted in woody vegetation in much greater

abundance in the forest understory and represents the historical condition that much of U.P.

forests are lacking. Additional species detected were snowshoe hare, raccoon and meadow

jumping mouse. Additional survey work is recommended to detect other mammals that are likely

27

present; (e.g. mustelids; pine martin, mink, fisher, weasels) bats, flying squirrels and additional

small mammals. The most noteworthy mammal detected was the federally endangered and state

special concern gray wolf. Both tracks and scat were seen on the airstrip in October 2016 and

2017.

Species Abundance

Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Common

Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis a few seen

Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus common

Coyote Canis latrans tracks and scat on airstrip

Gray Wolf Canis lupis tracks on airstrip

American Black Bear Ursus americanus old sign seen, nothing fresh

White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus common, seen several times

Meadow Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus under cover boards

American Beaver Castor canadensis Abundant

Deer Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus under cover boards

River Otter Lontra canadensis Common

Raccoon Procyon lotor Common

Snowshoe Hare Lepus americanus Common

Meadow Jumping Mouse Zapus hudsonius Common

Masked screw Sorex cinereus Common

Table 4. Mammal species found at Seven Lakes with notes on abundance based on our limited

observations.

28

Photos 30-31. Black bear claw marks on an old dead pine (photo 30, left). Photo by Darrin O’Brien. A

masked shrew (photo 31, right) was found under a cover board. Likely the most abundant shrew on the

property. We found two skeletons of this species inside one owl pellet.

Fish

Minnow trapping was conducted to target small fish in lakes and streams. The following

species were caught: yellow perch, sunfish, mudminnow (Photo 32), spot-finned shiner,

pumpkinseed, northern red-bellied dace, brook stickleback and northern creek chub (Table 5).

Other species seen or reported by property caretakers include largemouth bass in Gopher Lake

and brook trout in the Fox River. The discovery of northern creek chub is noteworthy as some

reports suggest that this species is declining in the Great Lakes region. Overall the fish fauna at

Seven Lakes indicates that very little manipulation of aquatic habitats has occurred in the past,

although the bass present in Gopher Lake were very likely introduced since this species is

generally absent in northern softwater lakes in the northeastern U.P. The other lakes and streams

sampled (Owl, Deerfoot, Casey, the Fox River) had the small native species that one would

expect from pristine softwater lakes (Table 5). It is possible that mercury has affected the fish

fauna due to the ease of uptaking by biota in naturally acidic lakes, but this was not measured.

29

Species

Owl

Lake

Deerfoot

Lake

Gopher

Lake

Casey

Lake

Fox

River

Fox River

Headwaters

Yellow Perch Perca flavescens

X X X

Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus X X

Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus X

*Large-mouthed bass Micropterus salmoides X

Spot-finned shinner Cyprinella spiloptera X

Northern Red-bellied Dace Phoxinus eos X

Brook Stickleback Culea inconstans X

Northern Creek Chub Semotilus

atromaculatus X

Central Mudminnow Umbra limi X X X

*Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis X Table 5. Fish species at Seven Lakes. Most species detected were found by minnow trapping. Species

denoted by asterisk were reported by the caretaker, but not targeted on our surveys.

Photo 32. Central mudminnow, a common inhabitant of healthy small lakes, ponds and streams in the

U.P. Photo by Darrin O’Brien.

Insects

Insects are undoubtedly the most diverse group of animals in Michigan and we were only

able to survey for a small subset. We choose to sample primarily for Odonata (dragonflies and

damselflies) due to the concentration of rare and listed species in the region and their relative

ease of identification. We identified 48 species, 47 of which were collected (Photos 35, 36, 50).

One species, the Incurvate emerald (Somatochlora incurvata) is rare and listed as special

concern in Michigan (Photo 50). Many Odonata specialize in habitats such as streams, bogs,

ponds and are an excellent group to monitor to assess ecosystem health. Butterflies were also

30

targeted, and 22 species were found (Photos 33-34). Both groups are undoubtedly more diverse,

and many more species would be found with additional effort. Other groups such as beetles,

flower flies (Photo 37) and bumblebees were targeted to a lesser extent and we were able to

document one rare species, yellow-banded bumblebee (Bombus terricola) of which two were

collected. Flower flies (Syrphidae) were surveyed toward the end of out project, with 8 species

found. Much future potential exists for survey work within this little studied group that includes

several rare old growth forest indicators (Skevington et al. 2018). With pollinators in decline, it’s

very important to document the distributions of bumblebees, flower flies and other bees. The

lack of industrial agriculture makes the U.P. an excellent place for pollinator baseline studies.

Altogether 159 species of insects were documented (Table 6).

Order Family Species Voucher type

Coleoptera Carabidae Cincindela formosa generosa picture

Coleoptera Carabidae Cicindela repanda specimen

Coleoptera Carabidae Cicindela tranquebarica specimen

Coleoptera Carabidae Cybister fimbriolatus specimen

Coleoptera Carabidae Cyclotrachelus sigillatus specimen

Coleoptera Carabidae Hydaticus piceus specimen

Coleoptera Cantharidae Podabrus rugosulus specimen

Coleoptera Gyrinidae Gyrinus sp. visual

Coleoptera Cerambycidae Cerambycidae sp.1 specimen

Coleoptera Cerambycidae Lepturopsis biforis specimen

Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Plagiometriona clavata specimen

Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Plateumeris sp. 1 specimen

Coleoptera Coccinellidae Coccinella septempunctata specimen

Coleoptera Cucujidae Cucujus clavipes specimen

Coleoptera Elateridae Athous neacanthus specimen

Coleoptera Elateridae Elateridae sp. 1 specimen

Coleoptera Elateridae Pseudanostris hieroglyphicus specimen

Coleoptera Elateridae Selatosomus pulcher specimen

Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Hydrophilidae sp. 1 specimen

Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Hydrophilidae sp. 2 specimen

Coleoptera Lampyridae Lucidota atra specimen

Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Dichelonyx linearis specimen

Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Hoplia trifasciata specimen

Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Osmoderma scabra specimen

Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Phyllophaga sp.1 specimen

Coleoptera Tenebrionidae Bolitotherus cornutus specimen

Coleoptera Tenebrionidae Iphthiminus opacus specimen

Diptera Asilidae Asilidae sp. 1 specimen

Diptera Asilidae Promachus bastardii picture

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Diptera Tephritidae Eurosta solidaginis visual

Diptera Bibionodae Bibio sp. visual

Diptera Bombyliidae Hemipenthes sinuosa specimen

Diptera Sciomyzidae Tetanocera sp. 1 specimen

Diptera Syrphidae Eristalis anthophorina specimen

Diptera Syrphidae Eristalis dimidiata specimen

Diptera Syrphidae Helophilus fasciatus specimen

Diptera Syrphidae Mallota bautias specimen

Diptera Syrphidae Spilumyia fusca specimen

Diptera Syrphidae Toxomerus geminatus specimen

Diptera Syrphidae Volucella evecta specimen

Diptera Syrphidae unknown specimen

Diptera Tabanidae Chrysops sp. 1 specimen

Diptera Tipulidae Tipulidae sp. 1 specimen

Hemiptera Belostomatidae Lethoceris americanus visual

Hemiptera Cicadidae Neotibicen canicularis visual

Hemiptera Alydidae Protenor belfragei specimen

Hemiptera Cicadellidae Cicadellidae sp. 1 specimen

Hemiptera Cicadellidae Draeculacephala zeae specimen

Hemiptera Eriococcidae Cryptococcus fagisuga visual

Hemiptera Notonectidae Notonecta lunata specimen

Hemiptera Eriococcidae Cryptococcus fagisuga picture

Hymenoptera Andrenidae Andrena sp. picture

Hymenoptera Apidae Bombus rufocinctus specimen

Hymenoptera Apidae Bombus sp. 1 specimen

Hymenoptera Apidae Bombus ternarius specimen

Hymenoptera Apidae Bombus terricola specimen

Hymenoptera Apidae Bombus vagans specimen

Hymenoptera Ichnuemonidae Netelia sp. 1 specimen

Hymenoptera Pelecinidae Pelecinus polyturator picture

Hymenoptera Pteromalidae Hemadas nubilipennis visual

Hymenoptera Diprionidae Neodiprion lecontei picture

Hymenoptera Tenthredinidae Dolerus sp. picture

Hymenoptera Tenthredinidae Tenthredinidae sp. 1 specimen

Lepidoptera Alucitidae Alucita sp. picture

Lepidoptera Erebidae Hyphantria cunea picture

Lepidoptera Erebidae Pyrrharctia isabella visual

Lepidoptera Geometridae Ematurga amitaria picture

Lepidoptera Geometridae Eufidonia sp. picture

Lepidoptera Geometridae Rheumaptera sp. picture

Lepidoptera Hesperiidae Amblyscirtes vialis specimen

32

Lepidoptera Hesperiidae Carterocephalus palaemon specimen

Lepidoptera Hesperiidae Euphyes vestris specimen

Lepidoptera Hesperiidae Poanes hobomok specimen

Lepidoptera Lycaenidae Callophrys augustinus specimen

Lepidoptera Lycaenidae Celastrus ladon visual

Lepidoptera Lycaenidae Callophrys niphon specimen

Lepidoptera Lycaenidae Lycaena epixanthe specimen

Lepidoptera Lycaenidae Satyrium lipadrops specimen

Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Boloria eunomia specimen

Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Boloria selene picture

Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Danaus plexippus visual

Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Limenitis arthemis visual

Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Nymphalis antiopa visual

Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Polygonia interrogationis visual

Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Polygonia comma visual

Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Speyeria cybele specimen

Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Vanessa atalanta visual

Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Vanessa virginiensis specimen

Lepidoptera Papilionidae Papilio canadensis specimen

Lepidoptera Papilionidae Papilio polyxenes specimen

Lepidoptera Pieridae Colias interior visual

Lepidoptera Saturniidae Actias luna picture

Lepidoptera Saturniidae Callosamia promethea visual

Lepidoptera Saturniidae Dryocampa rubicunda specimen

Lepidoptera Satyridae Cercyonis pegala specimen

Lepidoptera Sphyngidae Sphinx poecila picture

Mecoptera Panorpidae Panorpa sp. 1 specimen

Nueroptera Myrmeleontidae Myrmeleon immaculatus picture

Nueroptera Chrysopidae Chrysoperia sp. visual

Odonata Aeshnidae Aeshna canadensis specimen

Odonata Aeshnidae Aeshna eremita specimen

Odonata Aeshnidae Aeshna tuberculifera specimen

Odonata Aeshnidae Aeshna umbrosa specimen

Odonata Aeshnidae Aeshna verticalis specimen

Odonata Aeshnidae Anax junius specimen

Odonata Aeshnidae Basiaeschna janata specimen

Odonata Aeshnidae Boyeria vinosa specimen

Odonata Calopterygidae Calopteryx aequabilis specimen

Odonata Calopterygidae Calopteryx maculata specimen

Odonata Coenagrionidae Chromagrion conditum specimen

Odonata Coenagrionidae Enallagma annexum specimen

33

Odonata Coenagrionidae Enallagma boreale specimen

Odonata Coenagrionidae Enallagma hageni specimen

Odonata Coenagrionidae Ischnura verticalis specimen

Odonata Coenagrionidae Nehalennia irene specimen

Odonata Cordulegastridae Cordulegaster diastratops visual

Odonata Cordulegastridae Cordulegaster maculata specimen

Odonata Corduliidae Cordulia shurtleffi specimen

Odonata Corduliidae Epitheca cynosura specimen

Odonata Corduliidae Epitheca spinigera specimen

Odonata Corduliidae Somatochlora incurvata specimen

Odonata Corduliidae Somatochlora minor specimen

Odonata Corduliidae Somatochlora williamsoni specimen

Odonata Gomphidae Hagenius brevistylus specimen

Odonata Gomphidae Ophiogomphus colubrinus specimen

Odonata Gomphidae Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis specimen

Odonata Gomphidae Phanogomphus lividus specimen

Odonata Gomphidae Phanogomphus spicatus specimen

Odonata Gomphidae Stylurus scudderi specimen

Odonata Lestidae Lestes congener specimen

Odonata Lestidae Lestes disjunctus specimen

Odonata Lestidae Lestes dryas specimen

Odonata Lestidae Lestes forcipatus specimen

Odonata Lestidae Lestes inaequalis specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Celithemis elisa specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Ladona julia specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Leucorrhinia frigida specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Leucorrhinia glacialis specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Leucorrhinia hudsonica specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Leucorrhinia proxima specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Libellula pulchella specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Libellula quadrimaculata specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Plathemis lydia specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Sympetrum costiferum specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Sympetrum danae specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Sympetrum obtrusum specimen

Odonata Libellulidae Sympetrum vicinum specimen

Orthoptera Acrididae Melanoplus bivittatus specimen

Orthoptera Acrididae Melanoplus sp. 1 specimen

Orthoptera Acrididae Spharagemon marmorata specimen

Orthoptera Gryllidae Gryllus pennsylvanicus specimen

Orthoptera Rhaphidophoridae Ceulthophilus sp. specimen

34

Orthoptera Tetrigidae Nomotettix cristatus specimen

Orthoptera Tettigoniidae Orchelimum vulgare specimen

Orthoptera Tettigoniidae Scudderia furcata specimen

Orthoptera Tettigoniidae Scudderia sp. 1 specimen

Plecoptera Unk sp. specimen

Trichoptera Limnephilidae Platycentropus radiatus specimen

Trichoptera Phryganeidae Oligostomis pardalis specimen

Table 6. Insects found at Seven Lakes. Many were collected and are represented by a voucher specimen

which will be deposited at UMMZ in Ann Arbor, MI. Photo vouchers were obtained for other species and

visual observations were noted when neither was obtained.

Photos 33-34. A couple lycaenid butterflies, striped hairstreak (Satyrium liparops) (photo 33, left) and

bog copper (Lycaena epixanthe) (photo 34, right). Right photo by Darrin O’Brien.

Photos 35-36. The black meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae) (photo 35, left) and the specialized zebra

clubtail (Stylurus scudderi) (photo 36, right), which was common in the Fox River. Photos by Darrin

O’Brien.

35

Photo 37. A bald-faced hornet mimicking syrphid fly (Spilumyia fusca). Syrphids are a fascinating group

worthy of more survey work with many specialized species, including some that are entirely dependent on

old growth forests. Photo by Darrin O’Brien.

36

Miscellaneous Invertebrates

In addition to insects a few other invertebrates were documented including crustaceans,

mollusks, non-insect arthropods and even freshwater sponge colonies. Although only 2 species

were documented, hundreds of species of spiders are likely present and are a potential target

group for future surveys. Over a dozen species of mollusks would likely be found if that group

received targeted survey efforts and likewise for aquatic crustaceans. It’s also worth noting that

the common pillbug (Armadillidium vulgare), the common dusky slug (Arion subfuscus) and the

brown centipede (Lithobius forticatus) are ubiquitous non-native species from Eurasia and are

naturalized throughout the region (Table 7).

Phylum Class Order Family Species

Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Aranidae Araneus sp.

Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Thomisidae Misumena vatia

Arthropoda Chilopoda Lithobiomorpha Lithobiidae Lithobius forficatus

Arthropoda Entognatha Collembola Hypogastruridae Hypogastrura nivicola

Crustacea Malacostraca Decapoda Cambaridae Orconectes propinquus

Crustacea Malacostraca Isopoda Armadillidiidae Armadillidium vulgare

Mollusca Bivalvia Unionoida Unionidae Lampsilis siliquoidea

Mollusca Gastropoda Arionoidea Arionidae Arion subfuscus

Mollusca Gastropoda Planorboidea Physidae

Mollusca Gastropoda Planorboidea Planorbidae

Porifera Demospongiae Haplusclenida Spongillidae Spongilla lacustris

Table 7. Miscellaneous Invertebrates encountered at Seven Lakes.

Photo 38-39. Lake sponge (Spongilla lacustris) (photo 38, left) and clearwater crayfish (Orconectes

propinquus) (photo 39, right). Both are native aquatic invertebrates indicative of good water quality.

37

KINGDOM PLANTAE

Plants

Two hundred ninety-nine species from 77 families of vascular plants were documented in

our surveys (Table 8). The natural communities were described in detail in a previous section, so

that will not be elaborated in this section. The most diverse groups were ferns with 28 species,

Carex sedges, 23 species, Asters, 25 species and ericaceous shrubs, 13 species. Over 50% of the

plants encountered were forbs and 7% were trees. No state listed species were found, but several

interesting disjuncts and other species with high floristic quality were encountered. Both tall

bilberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) and oval-leaved bilberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium), which

occur mostlt in the western U.S., but also occur in Michigan near Lake Superior. The mean

coefficient of conservation was 5.2 and 22% of the flora was of high conservation value (e.g. %

C value 7-10). Most high-quality indicators were in the bog, poor fen and lake habitats.

The flora was dominated by native plants with 87% of the species encountered being

native. The other 13% were non-native and concentrated in anthropogenic habitats such as

around the airstrip, the cabins and some road edges. The core habitat areas had very few non-

native plants, although Cirsium palustre (European marsh thistle) was fairly common throughout

the wetlands on the property. This species is an established exotic throughout much of the U.P.

and little effort has been undertaken to eradicate it. Another non-native invasive, Vinca minor

(periwinkle), was found in a large concentrated patch along the track crossing the outflow from

Centerline Lake Bridge (Table 2, Figure 1). The patch is spreading into the adjacent forest. This

is a high priority invader and should be treated soon while it is still contained. The other high

priority non-native plant, spotted knapweed, Centaurea stoebe, is common on parts of the

property, mostly along road edges (particularly on the main track to the cabins and at the

airstrip). Efforts have been undertaken to eradicate this species from the property (John Heerman

personal communication), but large patches persist. European white birch, Betula pendula, is

restricted to the cabin area, where it is spreading in the opening near the cabin. This species

doesn’t appear to be a threat to native flora at this time, but it should be monitored. A specimen

was collected and represents a new voucher record for Alger County. These trees were certainly

planted at the cabin site decades ago and may be deemed of historic significance. The other non-

native species on the list are low priority invaders that are concentrated in anthropogenic

habitats. The complete lack of aquatic invaders was very encouraging, and care should be taken

to prevent any possible future invasion.

Scientific Name Common Name Family Name C

Sambucus canadensis COMMON ELDER, ELDERBERRY Adoxaceae 3

Viburnum cassinoides WILD-RAISIN Adoxaceae 6

Viburnum trilobum AMERICAN HIGHBUSH-CRANBERRY Adoxaceae 5

Cicuta bulbifera WATER HEMLOCK Apiaceae 5

Daucus carota WILD CARROT, QUEEN-ANNE'S-LACE Apiaceae *

Osmorhiza berteroi SWEET-CICELY Apiaceae 5

Apocynum androsaemifolium SPREADING DOGBANE Apocynaceae 3

Asclepias syriaca COMMON MILKWEED Apocynaceae 1

38

Vinca minor PERIWINKLE, MYRTLE Apocynaceae *

Ilex mucronata MOUNTAIN HOLLY Aquifoliaceae 7

Ilex verticillata MICHIGAN HOLLY, WINTERBERRY Aquifoliaceae 5

Arisaema triphyllum JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT, INDIAN-TURNIP Araceae 5

Calla palustris WILD CALLA Araceae 10

Aralia nudicaulis WILD SARSAPARILLA Araliaceae 5

Achillea millefolium YARROW, MILFOIL Asteraceae 1

Antennaria neglecta CAT'S FOOT Asteraceae 3

Bidens beckii WATER-MARIGOLD Asteraceae 10

Bidens cernua NODDING BEGGAR-TICKS Asteraceae 3

Centaurea stoebe SPOTTED KNAPWEED Asteraceae *

Cirsium palustre EUROPEAN SWAMP THISTLE Asteraceae *

Cirsium vulgare BULL THISTLE Asteraceae *

Conyza canadensis HORSEWEED Asteraceae 0

Doellingeria umbellata FLAT-TOPPED WHITE ASTER Asteraceae 5

Eupatorium perfoliatum BONESET Asteraceae 4

Euthamia graminifolia GRASS-LEAVED GOLDENROD Asteraceae 3

Eutrochium maculatum JOE-PYE-WEED Asteraceae 4

Hieracium aurantiacum ORANGE HAWKWEED Asteraceae *

Hieracium kalmii CANADA HAWKWEED Asteraceae 3

Hieracium piloselloides KING DEVIL, YELLOW HAWKWEED Asteraceae *

Lactuca biennis TALL BLUE LETTUCE Asteraceae 2

Leucanthemum vulgare OX-EYE DAISY Asteraceae *

Oclemena nemoralis BOG ASTER Asteraceae 10

Solidago canadensis CANADA GOLDENROD Asteraceae 1

Solidago rugosa ROUGH-LEAVED GOLDENROD Asteraceae 3

Solidago uliginosa BOG GOLDENROD Asteraceae 4

Symphyotrichum boreale RUSH ASTER, NORTHERN BOG ASTER Asteraceae 9

Symphyotrichum ciliolatum NORTHERN HEART-LEAVED ASTER Asteraceae 4

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum CALICO ASTER Asteraceae 2

Taraxacum officinale COMMON DANDELION Asteraceae *

Athyrium filix-femina LADY FERN Athyriaceae 4

Impatiens capensis SPOTTED TOUCH-ME-NOT Balsaminaceae 2

Alnus incana SPECKLED ALDER Betulaceae 5

Betula alleghaniensis YELLOW BIRCH Betulaceae 7

Betula papyrifera PAPER BIRCH Betulaceae 2

Betula pendula EUROPEAN WHITE BIRCH Betulaceae *

Barbarea vulgaris YELLOW ROCKET Brassicaceae *

Capsella bursa-pastoris SHEPHERD'S-PURSE Brassicaceae *

Cardamine pensylvanica PENNSYLVANIA BITTER CRESS Brassicaceae 1

Brasenia schreberi WATER-SHIELD Cabombaceae 6

39

Campanula aparinoides MARSH BELLFLOWER Campanulaceae 7

Lonicera canadensis CANADIAN FLY HONEYSUCKLE Caprifoliaceae 5

Silene latifolia WHITE COCKLE, WHITE CAMPION Caryophyllaceae *

Silene vulgaris BLADDER CAMPION Caryophyllaceae *

Stellaria media COMMON CHICKWEED Caryophyllaceae *

Ceratophyllum demersum COONTAIL Ceratophyllaceae 1

Clintonia borealis CORN-LILY, BLUEBEAD-LILY Convallariaceae 5

Maianthemum canadense WILD LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY Convallariaceae 4

Maianthemum racemosum FALSE SPIKENARD Convallariaceae 5

Maianthemum trifolium FALSE MAYFLOWER Convallariaceae 10

Polygonatum pubescens DOWNY SOLOMON SEAL Convallariaceae 5

Streptopus lanceolatus ROSE TWISTED-STALK Convallariaceae 5

Cornus alternifolia ALTERNATE-LEAVED DOGWOOD Cornaceae 5

Cornus canadensis BUNCHBERRY, DWARF CORNEL Cornaceae 6

Cornus sericea RED-OSIER Cornaceae 2

Thuja occidentalis ARBOR VITAE, WHITE-CEDAR, CEDAR Cupressaceae 4

Carex arctata SEDGE Cyperaceae 3

Carex brunnescens SEDGE Cyperaceae 5

Carex buxbaumii SEDGE Cyperaceae 10

Carex canescens SEDGE Cyperaceae 8

Carex communis SEDGE Cyperaceae 2

Carex comosa SEDGE Cyperaceae 5

Carex deweyana SEDGE Cyperaceae 3

Carex diandra SEDGE Cyperaceae 8

Carex echinata SEDGE Cyperaceae 6

Carex gracillima SEDGE Cyperaceae 4

Carex intumescens SEDGE Cyperaceae 3

Carex lacustris SEDGE Cyperaceae 6

Carex lasiocarpa SEDGE Cyperaceae 8

Carex leptonervia SEDGE Cyperaceae 3

Carex limosa BOG SEDGE Cyperaceae 10

Carex oligosperma SEDGE Cyperaceae 10

Carex pauciflora SEDGE Cyperaceae 10

Carex scoparia SEDGE Cyperaceae 4

Carex stipata SEDGE Cyperaceae 1

Carex stricta SEDGE Cyperaceae 4

Carex tenera SEDGE Cyperaceae 4

Carex trisperma SEDGE Cyperaceae 9

Carex utriculata SEDGE Cyperaceae 5

Dulichium arundinaceum THREE-WAY SEDGE Cyperaceae 8

Eleocharis erythropoda SPIKE-RUSH Cyperaceae 4

40

Eleocharis intermedia SPIKE-RUSH Cyperaceae 7

Eleocharis ovata SPIKE-RUSH Cyperaceae 8

Eleocharis palustris SPIKE-RUSH Cyperaceae 5

Eriophorum angustifolium NARROW-LEAVED COTTON-GRASS Cyperaceae 10

Eriophorum vaginatum COTTON-GRASS Cyperaceae 10

Schoenoplectus subterminalis BULRUSH Cyperaceae 8

Schoenoplectus

tabernaemontani SOFTSTEM BULRUSH Cyperaceae 4

Scirpus cyperinus WOOL-GRASS Cyperaceae 5

Trichophorum alpinum BULRUSH Cyperaceae 10

Cystopteris fragilis FRAGILE FERN Cystopteridaceae 4

Gymnocarpium dryopteris OAK FERN Cystopteridaceae 5

Pteridium aquilinum BRACKEN FERN Dennstaedtiaceae 0

Diervilla lonicera BUSH-HONEYSUCKLE Diervillaceae 4

Drosera rotundifolia ROUND-LEAVED SUNDEW Droseraceae 6

Dryopteris carthusiana SPINULOSE WOODFERN Dryopteridaceae 5

Dryopteris cristata CRESTED SHIELD FERN Dryopteridaceae 6

Dryopteris intermedia EVERGREEN WOODFERN Dryopteridaceae 5

Equisetum arvense COMMON HORSETAIL Equisetaceae 0

Equisetum fluviatile WATER HORSETAIL Equisetaceae 7

Equisetum pratense MEADOW HORSETAIL Equisetaceae 10

Equisetum sylvaticum WOODLAND HORSETAIL Equisetaceae 5

Andromeda glaucophylla BOG-ROSEMARY Ericaceae 10

Chamaedaphne calyculata LEATHERLEAF Ericaceae 8

Epigaea repens TRAILING-ARBUTUS Ericaceae 7

Gaultheria hispidula CREEPING-SNOWBERRY Ericaceae 8

Gaultheria procumbens TEABERRY, WINTERGREEN Ericaceae 5

Kalmia polifolia PALE-LAUREL, BOG-LAUREL Ericaceae 10

Pyrola elliptica LARGE-LEAVED SHINLEAF Ericaceae 6

Rhododendron groenlandicum LABRADOR-TEA Ericaceae 8

Vaccinium macrocarpon LARGE CRANBERRY Ericaceae 8

Vaccinium membranaceum TALL BILBERRY Ericaceae 8

Vaccinium myrtilloides CANADA BLUEBERRY Ericaceae 4

Vaccinium ovalifolium OVAL-LEAVED BILBERRY Ericaceae 9

Vaccinium oxycoccos SMALL CRANBERRY Ericaceae 8

Melilotus albus WHITE SWEET-CLOVER Fabaceae *

Trifolium hybridum ALSIKE CLOVER Fabaceae *

Vicia villosa HAIRY VETCH Fabaceae *

Fagus grandifolia AMERICAN BEECH Fagaceae 6

Ribes cynosbati PRICKLY GOOSEBERRY Grossulariaceae 4

Ribes glandulosum SKUNK CURRANT Grossulariaceae 5

Ribes triste SWAMP RED CURRANT Grossulariaceae 6

41

Myriophyllum heterophyllum VARIOUS-LEAVED WATER-MILFOIL Haloragaceae 6

Myriophyllum spicatum EURASIAN WATER-MILFOIL Haloragaceae *

Elodea canadensis COMMON WATERWEED Hydrocharitaceae 1

Najas flexilis SLENDER NAIAD Hydrocharitaceae 5

Vallisneria americana WILD CELERY Hydrocharitaceae 7

Hypericum boreale NORTHERN ST. JOHN'S-WORT Hypericaceae 5

Hypericum perforatum COMMON ST. JOHNS WORT Hypericaceae *

Triadenum fraseri MARSH ST. JOHN'S-WORT Hypericaceae 6

Iris versicolor WILD BLUE FLAG Iridaceae 5

Isoetes echinospora SPINY QUILLWORT Isoetaceae 9

Juncus canadensis CANADIAN RUSH Juncaceae 6

Juncus tenuis PATH RUSH Juncaceae 1

Luzula acuminata HAIRY WOOD RUSH Juncaceae 5

Clinopodium vulgare WILD-BASIL, DOG-MINT Lamiaceae 3

Galeopsis tetrahit HEMP-NETTLE Lamiaceae *

Lycopus americanus COMMON WATER HOREHOUND Lamiaceae 2

Lycopus uniflorus NORTHERN BUGLE WEED Lamiaceae 2

Mentha canadensis WILD MINT Lamiaceae 3

Prunella vulgaris SELF-HEAL, HEAL-ALL Lamiaceae 0

Scutellaria galericulata MARSH SKULLCAP Lamiaceae 5

Scutellaria lateriflora MAD-DOG SKULLCAP Lamiaceae 5

Stachys arenicola HEDGE-NETTLE Lamiaceae 5

Utricularia cornuta HORNED BLADDERWORT Lentibulariaceae 10

Utricularia intermedia FLAT-LEAVED BLADDERWORT Lentibulariaceae 10

Utricularia vulgaris COMMON BLADDERWORT Lentibulariaceae 6

Erythronium americanum YELLOW TROUT LILY Liliaceae 5

Linnaea borealis TWINFLOWER Linnaeaceae 6

Dendrolycopodium

dendroideum TREE CLUBMOSS Lycopodiaceae 5

Dendrolycopodium obscurum GROUND-PINE Lycopodiaceae 5

Diphasiastrum complanatum GROUND-CEDAR Lycopodiaceae 5

Diphasiastrum tristachyum GROUND-CEDAR Lycopodiaceae 7

Huperzia lucidula SHINING CLUBMOSS Lycopodiaceae 5

Lycopodiella inundata BOG CLUBMOSS Lycopodiaceae 7

Lycopodium clavatum RUNNING GROUND-PINE Lycopodiaceae 4

Spinulum annotinum STIFF CLUBMOSS Lycopodiaceae 5

Menyanthes trifoliata BUCKBEAN, BOGBEAN Menyanthaceae 8

Claytonia caroliniana CAROLINA SPRING-BEAUTY Montiaceae 6

Myrica gale SWEET GALE Myricaceae 6

Lysimachia terrestris SWAMP-CANDLES Myrsinaceae 6

Lysimachia thyrsiflora TUFTED LOOSESTRIFE Myrsinaceae 6

Trientalis borealis STAR-FLOWER Myrsinaceae 5

42

Nuphar variegata YELLOW POND-LILY Nymphaeaceae 7

Nymphaea odorata SWEET-SCENTED WATERLILY Nymphaeaceae 6

Chamaenerion angustifolium FIREWEED Onagraceae 3

Circaea alpina SMALL ENCHANTER'S-NIGHTSHADE Onagraceae 4

Epilobium coloratum CINNAMON WILLOW-HERB Onagraceae 3

Epilobium leptophyllum FEN WILLOW-HERB Onagraceae 6

Ludwigia palustris WATER-PURSLANE Onagraceae 4

Matteuccia struthiopteris OSTRICH FERN Onocleaceae 3

Onoclea sensibilis SENSITIVE FERN Onocleaceae 2

Botrypus virginianus RATTLESNAKE FERN Ophioglossaceae 5

Arethusa bulbosa ARETHUSA, DRAGON'S MOUTH Orchidaceae 10

Calopogon tuberosus GRASS-PINK Orchidaceae 9

Corallorhiza maculata SPOTTED CORAL-ROOT Orchidaceae 5

Cypripedium acaule PINK LADY'S SLIPPER Orchidaceae 5

Goodyera tesselata TESSELATED RATTLESNAKE PLANTAIN Orchidaceae 8

Platanthera huronensis LAKE HURON GREEN ORCHID Orchidaceae 5

Epifagus virginiana BEECH-DROPS Orobanchaceae 10

Melampyrum lineare COW-WHEAT Orobanchaceae 6

Osmunda claytoniana INTERRUPTED FERN Osmundaceae 6

Osmunda regalis ROYAL FERN Osmundaceae 5

Osmundastrum cinnamomeum CINNAMON FERN Osmundaceae 5

Oxalis acetosella NORTHERN WOOD-SORREL Oxalidaceae 7

Mimulus ringens MONKEY-FLOWER Phrymaceae 5

Abies balsamea BALSAM FIR Pinaceae 3

Larix laricina LARCH, TAMARACK Pinaceae 5

Picea glauca WHITE SPRUCE Pinaceae 3

Picea mariana BLACK SPRUCE Pinaceae 6

Pinus resinosa RED PINE Pinaceae 6

Pinus strobus WHITE PINE Pinaceae 3

Tsuga canadensis HEMLOCK Pinaceae 5

Chelone glabra TURTLEHEAD Plantaginaceae 7

Plantago lanceolata NARROW-LEAVED PLANTAIN Plantaginaceae *

Plantago major COMMON PLANTAIN Plantaginaceae *

Veronica officinalis COMMON SPEEDWELL Plantaginaceae *

Veronica serpyllifolia THYME-LEAVED SPEEDWELL Plantaginaceae *

Veronica verna SPRING CORN SPEEDWELL Plantaginaceae *

Agrostis gigantea REDTOP Poaceae *

Agrostis hyemalis TICKLEGRASS Poaceae 4

Avenella flexuosa HAIR GRASS Poaceae 6

Brachyelytrum erectum LONG-AWNED WOOD GRASS Poaceae 7

Bromus ciliatus FRINGED BROME Poaceae 6

43

Bromus inermis SMOOTH BROME, HUNGARIAN BROME Poaceae *

Calamagrostis canadensis BLUE-JOINT Poaceae 3

Dactylis glomerata ORCHARD GRASS Poaceae *

Danthonia spicata POVERTY GRASS, OATGRASS Poaceae 4

Deschampsia cespitosa HAIR GRASS Poaceae 9

Festuca trachyphylla SHEEP FESCUE Poaceae *

Glyceria borealis NORTHERN MANNA GRASS Poaceae 6

Glyceria striata FOWL MANNA GRASS Poaceae 4

Leersia oryzoides CUT GRASS Poaceae 3

Oryzopsis asperifolia ROUGH-LEAVED RICE-GRASS Poaceae 6

Phalaris arundinacea REED CANARY GRASS Poaceae 0

Poa pratensis KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS Poaceae *

Schizachne purpurascens FALSE MELIC Poaceae 5

Polygala paucifolia FRINGED POLYGOLA-GAYWINGS Polygalaceae 7

Fallopia cilinodis FRINGED FALSE BUCKWHEAT Polygonaceae 3

Persicaria amphibia WATER SMARTWEED Polygonaceae 6

Persicaria lapathifolia

WILLOW-WEED, NODDING

SMARTWEED Polygonaceae 0

Rumex acetosella RED SORREL, SHEEP SORREL Polygonaceae *

Rumex orbiculatus GREAT WATER DOCK Polygonaceae 9

Polypodium virginianum COMMON POLYPODY Polypodiaceae 8

Potamogeton alpinus PONDWEED Potamogetonaceae 10

Potamogeton amplifolius LARGE-LEAVED PONDWEED Potamogetonaceae 6

Potamogeton natans PONDWEED Potamogetonaceae 5

Potamogeton obtusifolius PONDWEED Potamogetonaceae 10

Potamogeton praelongus WHITE-STEMMED PONDWEED Potamogetonaceae 8

Potamogeton pusillus SMALL PONDWEED Potamogetonaceae 4

Potamogeton richardsonii RICHARDSON'S PONDWEED Potamogetonaceae 5

Potamogeton robbinsii PONDWEED Potamogetonaceae 10

Potamogeton zosteriformis FLAT-STEMMED PONDWEED Potamogetonaceae 5

Actaea pachypoda WHITE BANEBERRY, DOLL'S-EYES Ranunculaceae 7

Actaea rubra RED BANEBERRY Ranunculaceae 7

Anemone canadensis CANADA ANEMONE Ranunculaceae 4

Aquilegia canadensis WILD COLUMBINE Ranunculaceae 5

Clematis virginiana VIRGIN'S BOWER Ranunculaceae 4

Coptis trifolia GOLDTHREAD Ranunculaceae 5

Hepatica americana ROUND-LOBED HEPATICA Ranunculaceae 6

Ranunculus abortivus SMALL-FLOWERED BUTTERCUP Ranunculaceae 0

Ranunculus acris COMMON BUTTERCUP Ranunculaceae *

Ranunculus recurvatus HOOKED CROWFOOT Ranunculaceae 5

Thalictrum dasycarpum PURPLE MEADOW-RUE Ranunculaceae 3

Agrimonia striata ROADSIDE AGRIMONY Rosaceae 3

44

Amelanchier laevis SMOOTH SHADBUSH Rosaceae 4

Aronia prunifolia CHOKEBERRY Rosaceae 5

Comarum palustre MARSH CINQUEFOIL Rosaceae 7

Fragaria virginiana WILD STRAWBERRY Rosaceae 2

Malus pumila APPLE Rosaceae *

Potentilla argentea SILVERY CINQUEFOIL Rosaceae *

Potentilla recta ROUGH-FRUITED CINQUEFOIL Rosaceae *

Prunus pensylvanica FIRE CHERRY, PIN CHERRY Rosaceae 3

Prunus serotina WILD BLACK CHERRY Rosaceae 2

Prunus virginiana CHOKE CHERRY Rosaceae 2

Rosa palustris SWAMP ROSE Rosaceae 5

Rubus allegheniensis COMMON BLACKBERRY Rosaceae 1

Rubus parviflorus THIMBLEBERRY Rosaceae 6

Rubus pubescens DWARF RASPBERRY Rosaceae 4

Rubus setosus BRISTLY BLACKBERRY Rosaceae 3

Rubus strigosus WILD RED RASPBERRY Rosaceae 2

Sibbaldiopsis tridentata THREE-TOOTHED CINQUEFOIL Rosaceae 10

Sorbus decora MOUNTAIN-ASH Rosaceae 4

Galium tinctorium STIFF BEDSTRAW Rubiaceae 5

Galium trifidum SMALL BEDSTRAW Rubiaceae 6

Galium triflorum FRAGRANT BEDSTRAW Rubiaceae 4

Mitchella repens PARTRIDGE-BERRY Rubiaceae 5

Populus tremuloides QUAKING ASPEN Salicaceae 1

Salix pedicellaris BOG WILLOW Salicaceae 8

Salix petiolaris SLENDER WILLOW, MEADOW WILLOW Salicaceae 1

Arceuthobium pusillum DWARF MISTLETOE Santalaceae 10

Acer rubrum RED MAPLE Sapindaceae 1

Acer saccharum SUGAR MAPLE, HARD MAPLE Sapindaceae 5

Acer spicatum MOUNTAIN MAPLE Sapindaceae 5

Sarracenia purpurea PITCHER-PLANT Sarraceniaceae 10

Chrysosplenium americanum GOLDEN SAXIFRAGE Saxifragaceae 6

Scheuchzeria palustris ARROW-GRASS Scheuchzeriaceae 10

Scrophularia lanceolata EARLY FIGWORT Scrophulariaceae 5

Verbascum thapsus COMMON MULLEIN Scrophulariaceae *

Phegopteris connectilis NORTHERN BEECH-FERN Thelypteridaceae 5

Thelypteris palustris MARSH FERN Thelypteridaceae 2

Trillium cernuum NODDING TRILLIUM Trilliaceae 5

Sparganium eurycarpum COMMON BUR-REED Typhaceae 5

Typha latifolia BROAD-LEAVED CATTAIL Typhaceae 1

Urtica dioica STINGING NETTLE Urticaceae 1

Verbena hastata BLUE VERVAIN Verbenaceae 4

45

Viola cucullate MARSH VIOLET Violaceae 5

Viola macloskeyi SMOOTH WHITE VIOLET Violaceae 6

Viola renifolia KIDNEY-LEAVED VIOLET Violaceae 6

Xyris montana YELLOW-EYED-GRASS Xyridaceae 10

Table 8. Plants species detected at Seven Lakes Nature Preserve along with families and coefficient of

conservation for each species. Coefficient of conservation denoted “C” is a measure of floristic quality and fidelity to specific natural communities. An asterisk denotes non-native species.

Photos 40-41. Carnivorous plants of bogs at Seven Lakes, purple pitcher plant (photo 40, left) and round-

leaved sundew (photo 41, right).

46

Photos 42-43. Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) (photo 42, left) and bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia) (photo

43, right). Two important nectar sources late in the season and early in the season, respectively.

Photos 44-45. Two uncommon species seen at Glory Bog; yellow-eyed grass (Xyris montana) (photo 44,

left) and bog clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum) (photo 45, right).

47

Bryophytes

Twenty-seven species of mosses and liverworts were found. No listed or known rarities

were discovered. This was only a preliminary survey and the true list would be several times

what we identified. Mesic conditions and an abundance of microhabitats gives Seven Lakes

potential for some rare species and further efforts should be considered for a full bryophyte

inventory. Moss-like free-living algae such as Trentepohlia sp. were noted.

Aulocomnium palustre (Hedw.) Schwager.

Bazzania trilobata (L.) S. Gray

Buxbaumia aphylla Hedw.

Campylium stellatum (Hedw.) C. Jens.

Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid.

Dicranum ontariense Peters

Dicranum polysetum Sw.

Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw.

Fontinalis hypnoides Hartm.

Frullania bolanderi Austin

Leucobryum glaucum (Hedw.) Angstr.

Marchantia polymorpha L.

Neckera pennata Hedwig

Orthotrichum sordidum Sull. & Lesq.

Orthotrichum stellatum Brid.

Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt.

Pohlia nutans (Hedw.) Lindb.

Polytrichastrum pallidisetum Funck

Polytrichum commune Hedw.

Polytrichum piliferum Hedw.

Polytrichum strictum Brid.

Ptilium crista-castrensis Hedw.

Spagnum fuscum (Schimp.) Klinggr.

Sphagnum fallax (Klinggr.) Klinggr.

Sphagnum magellanicum Brid.

Tetraphis pellucida Hedw.

Ulota crispa (Hedw.) Brid.

48

Photo 46. The aptly named Alladin’s Cap (Buxbaumia aphylla) found by Alex Graeff was perhaps our

most exciting moss discovery.

49

KINGDOM FUNGI

Free-Living Fungi

Eighty-two species of fungi were identified. Seventy-nine of them to species and another

three just to genus level, At least twice that many were collected, but not positively identified.

The diversity at Seven Lakes is exceptional and the emergence in fall 2016 was one of the most

impressive I have ever seen. Unfortunately, very few species had emerged in fall 2017. Although

there is no species list of threatened and endangered fungi, one species that we collected,

Amanita ceciliae is considered rare in Michigan with very few records (Richter 2004). Many of

the species encountered, Amanitas, Boletes, Russulas, etc., are mycorrhizal and symbiotic with

trees and thus vital for the health of the forest ecosystem. The diversity at Seven Lakes suggests

a healthy forest ecosystem and further fungi inventory would be highly suggested. See complete

list of the free-living fungi identified below.

Agaricus sp.

Amanita brunnescens Atk.

Amanita ceciliae Berk. & Br.

Amanita citrina Schaeff. ex S.F.G.

Amanita fulva Schaeff. ex) Pers.

Amanita muscaria var. formosa (Pers. ex Fr.)

Amanita virosa Secr.

Apiosporina morbosa Schwein.

Armellaria mellea (Vahl ex Fr.) Kar.

Bisporella citrina (Batsch) Korf & S.E. Carp

Boletus affinis Pk.

Boletus auriporus Peck

Boletus badius Fr.

Cantharellus tubaeformis Fr.

Cerrena unicolor (Bull.)

Clavulina cinerea (Bull.) J Schrot.

Clavaria vermicularis Sw.

Clavariadelphus pistillaris (L.) Donk

Clavulinopsis fusiformis (Sowerby)

Climacocystis borealis (Fr.) Kotl. & Pouzar

Clitocybe intermedia (Fr.) Staude

Coltricia cinnamomea (Jacq.) Murrill

Dacrymyces palmatus (Schwein.) Burt

Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr.

Fomitopsis betulina (Bull.) B.K. Cui, M.L. Han & Y.C. Dai

Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst

Galerina autumnalis (Peck) A.H. Sm. & Singer

Ganoderma applenatum (Pers.) Pat

Ganoderma tsugae Murrill

50

Hericium coralloides (Scop.) Pers

Hericium ramosum (Bull.) Letell.

Hygrophorus coccineus (Fr.) Fr. Snsu Rick.

Hygrophorus conicus (Fr.) Fr.

Hygrophorus niveus (Scop.) Fr.

Hygrophorus turundus var. sphagnophilus (Peck) Hesler & A.H. Sm.

Hypomyces hyalinus (Schwein.) Tul. & C. Tul.

Hypomyces sp.

Inocybe napipes J.E. Lange

Inonotus obliquus (Vanin) Balandaykin & Zmitr.

Ischnoderma resinosum (Schrad.) P. Karst

Lactarius lygnyotus Fr.

Lactarius piperatus (L.) Pers.

Lactarius vinaceorafescens A.H. Sm.

Leccinium aurantiacum (Bull.) Gray

Lenzites betulina (L.) Fr.

Leotia lubrica (Scop.) Pers.

Lycoperdon marginatum Vittad.

Lycoperdon molle Persoon: Persoon

Lycoperdon perlatum Pers.

Marasmius rotula (Scop.) Fr.

Panellus serotinus (Pers.) Kuhner

Phellinus nigricans (Fr.) P. Karst.

Phlebia radiata Fr.

Pholiota aurivella (Batsch) P. Kumm.

Kuehneromyces mutabilis (Schaeff.) Singer & A.H.

Neonectria sp.

Pholiota squarrosoides (Peck) Sacc.

Phyllotopsis nidulans (Pers.) Singer

Polyporus brumalis (Pers.) Fr.

Pseudohydnum gelatinosum (Scop.)

Ramaria concolor (Corner) R.H. Petersen

Ramariopsis kunzei (Fr.) Corner

Cortinarius caperatus (Pers.) Fr.

Russula brevipes Peck

Russula heterophylla (Fr.) Fr

Russula mariae Peck

Russula paludosa Britzelm.

Russula sanguinea (Bull.) Fr.

Scleroderma citrinum Pers.

Scutellinia scutellata (L.) Lambotte

Stereum complicatum (Fr.) Fr.

Stereum ostrea (Blume & T. Nees)

51

Suillus pictus (Peck) A.H. Sm. & Thiers

Suillus placidus (Bonord.) Singer

Suillus punctipes (Peck) Singer

Thelephora terrestris Ehrh.

Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd

Trichaptum biforme (Fr.) Ryvarden

Tricholom flavovirens (Pers.) S.

Tylopilus felleus (Bull.) P. Karst.

Tyromyces chioneus (Fr.) P. Karst.

Xylaria polymorpha group J.D. rogers

Photos 47-48. Russula sp. (photo 47, left) and Hygrophorus sp. (photo 48, right) two well represented

genera at Seven Lakes.

52

Lichenized Fungi

Seventy-four species of lichenized fungi were found on our surveys, yet due to the

cryptic nature and low density of many species, we suspect that twice that many species may

occur at Seven Lakes. Lichens are essentially fungi that contains algae and/or cyanobacteria and

often have very specific habitat requirements. Many of them have unique chemical compounds

and are among the best quality habitat indicators that we have. The northern great lakes region

has some of the highest species diversity anywhere in the world, with Isle Royale having a

remarkable 600 plus species. Around 300 species are known from both the Ottawa National

Forest and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Sliwa and Wetmore 2001). Seven Lakes Nature

Preserve is more limited than these places in its potential to have that many species due to its

lack of exposed bedrock, but the old growth hardwood forests, shaded slopes, barren sandy

ground and open bogs all contained a plethora of specialized species indicating high habitat

quality and air quality. The abundance of fruiticose lichens provides strong evidence of excellent

air quality at Seven Lakes. One open bog species, Pseudoevernia concosians, was included on a

regional rare species list (Bennett and Wetmore 2004). Both Lobaria pulmonaria and L.

quercizans were abundant in the mature northern mesic forests on the property and both are old

growth indicators that have disappeared from much of their former range (Photo 49) (Brodo

2001). Both are also good air quality indicators. The diversity of ground dwelling lichens was

noteworthy, particularly the genus Cladonia with 19 species collected. The list below represents

all the species documented. All but one species, Loabaria quercizans, was collected and a few

may be revised when they are verified and curated in the MSU herbarium.

Allocetraria oakesiana (Tuck.)

Arthonia radiata (Pers.) Ach.

Bacidia schweinitzii (Fr. ex Michener) A. Schneider

Biatora vernalis (L.) Fr.

Bryoria furcellata (Fr.) Brodo & Hawksw.

Bryoria trichodes (Michaux) Brodo & Hawksw.

Buellia stillingiana J. Steiner

Candellariella aurella (Hoffm.) Zahlbr.

Cetrelia chicitae (Culb.) Culb. & C. Culb.

Cladonia mitis Sandst.

Cladonia rangiferina (L.) Wigg.

Cladonia squamosa Hoffm.

Cladonia carneola (Fr.) Fr.

Cladonia cenotea (Ach.) Schaerer

Cladonia cervicornis (Ach.) Flotow

Cladonia chlorophaea (Flörke ex Sommerf.) Sprengel

Cladonia coniocraea (Flörke) Sprengel

Cladonia cristatella Tuck.

Cladonia gracilis (L.) Willd.

Cladonia macilenta Hoffm.

53

Cladonia multiformis G. Merr.

Cladonia parasitica (Hoffm.) Hoffm.

Cladonia pleurota (Flörke) Schaerer

Cladonia squamosa Hoffm.

Cladonia stellaris (Opiz) Pouzar & Vezda

Cladonia subulata (L.) F.H. Wigg.

Cladonia turgida Hoffm.

Cladonia uncialis (L.) F. Wigg.

Conotrema urceolatum (Ach.) Tuck.

Evernia mesomorpha Nyl.

Flavoparmelia caperata (L.) Hale

Graphis scripta (L.) Ach.

Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl.

Imshaugia aleurites (Ach.) S. Meyer

Lecanora caesiorubella Ach.

Lecanora cinereofusca H. Magn.

Lecanora hybocarpa (Tuck.) Brodo

Lecanora symmicta (Ach.) Ach.

Lecanora thysanophora Harris in Harris & Tonsb.

Lepraria lobificans Nyl.

Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.

Micarea peliocarpa (Anzi) Coppins & R. Sant.

Nephroma bellum (Sprengel) Tuck.

Parmelia squarrosa Hale

Parmelia sulcata Taylor

Parmeliopsis ambigua (Wulfen) Nyl.

Parmeliopsis hyperopta (Ach.) Arn.

Peltigera canina (L.) Willd.

Pertusaria macounii (Lamb) Dibben

Pertusaria amara (Ach.) Nyl.

Pertusaria macounii (Lamb) Dibben

Pertusaria ophthalmiza (Nyl.) Nyl.

Phaeophyscia adiastola (Essl.) Essl.

Phaeophyscia pusilloides (Zahlbr.) Essl.

Phaeophyscia rubropulchra (Degel.) Essl.

Physcia aipolia (Ehrh. ex Humb.) Fürnr.

Pseudevernia consocians (Vainio) Hale & Culb.

Ramalina americana Hale

Ramalina obtusata (Arnold) Bitter

Tuckermannopsis americana (Sprengel) Hale

Tuckermannopsis orbata (Nyl.) M.J. Lai

54

Xanthoria sp.

Candelaria sp.

Pertusaria sp.

Melanelia sp.

Chaenotheca sp. 1

Chaenotheca sp. 2

Usnea hirta (L.) F. Wigg.

Usnea subfloridana Stirton

Vulpicida pinastri (Scop.) Mattsson & M.J. Lai

Lobaria quercizans Michaux

Platismatia tuckermanii (Oakes) Culb. & C. Culb

Photo 49. Lungwort lichens, Lobaria pulmonaria (the top one hanging off the side of the tree) and

Lobaria quercizans (the light green-cyan one with abundant brown apothecia toward the bottom)

frequently dominated the bark of hardwoods at Seven Lakes. Both species are indicators of cool moist

climates and have disappeared throughout much of their former range due to habitat destruction and

reductions in air quality.

55

Listed Species

Our original goal, in addition to completing an inventory of all taxa, was to find as many

threatened, endangered and special concern species as possible to guide future conservation

efforts on the property. Gray wolf was the only federally endangered species found and we also

found 10 state special concern and 4 state threatened species which included 2 insects, 1 reptile,

10 birds and 1 mammal (Table 9). Additional species would undoubtedly be found with

continued efforts. Individual species are discussed in the taxa specific sections.

Species MI State Status Seven Lakes Status

Incurvate Emerald Somatochlora incurvata Special Concern locally common

Yellow-banded Bumblebee Bombus terricola Special Concern locally common

Smooth Greensnake Opheodrys vernalis Special Concern common

Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator Threatened confirmed breeder

Osprey Pandion haliaetus Special Concern migrant

Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius Special Concern migrant

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Special Concern possible breeder

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Special Concern possible breeder

Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Threatened migrant

Common Loon Gavia immer Threatened possible breeder

Black-backed Woodpecker Picoides arcticus Special Concern likely transient

Merlin Falco columbarius Threatened possible breeder

Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta Special Concern vagrant/transient

Gray Wolf Canis lupis Special Concern unknown

Table 9. Michigan state listed species found at Seven Lakes. The Gray Wolf in bold is listed as federally

endangered.

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Photo 50. State Special concern Incuravte Emerald (Somatochlora incurvata) on a black spruce (Picea

mariana). Several of these bog specialists were found at Twin Bogs in August 2017. Photo by Darrin

O’Brien.

57

Invasive Species Threats

Roughly 13% of the plant species found at Seven Lakes were non-native (Table 10).

Most of these were established and prefer heavily modified habitats and do not pose an

ecological threat. Non-native invasive plants were covered in some detail in the plant section.

Below is a table with a list of all non-native plants at Seven Lakes. Nearly all species were

restricted to disturbed habitats, but a few such as the thistles (Cirsium palustre and Cirsium

vulgaris) were also present along wetland edges, most notably in the wet meadow at Moose Lake

where they were present in low abundance. The lack of invasive species was noteworthy with no

aquatic non-native invasives found and very few wetland invasives. Undoubtedly more non-

native species are present at Seven Lakes, since inventorying modified habitats was not a

priority, but it is unlikely that we missed a major infestation of a priority invasive.

Other invasives present are the non-native scale insect (Crytococcus fagisuga) and the

native fungus (Neonectria sp.) responsible for beech bark disease (Photo 51). This disease has

slowly spread west across eastern North American for the last 100 years and has had a

catastrophic impact on the abundant American beech at Seven Lakes. Nearly all the large beech

trees are dead or dying and many of the young trees are severely deformed. However, the forest

is regenerating quickly with red maple and striped maple growing abundantly in the canopy

gaps. No known treatment is available for this disease.

Although native, the red-headed pine sawfly has caused serious damage to planted pines

at the airstrip at Seven Lakes (Photo 52). This species tends to target pine plantations and small

and weak trees. Treatment has occurred already at Seven Lakes (John Heerman personal

communication). Numbers of this species also cycle naturally, and they have many natural

predators and parasitoids, so it is not expected to be an ongoing threat (Wilson and Averill 1979).

Scientific Name Common Name

Invasive

Rank

Agrostis gigantea REDTOP I

Barbarea vulgaris YELLOW ROCKET I

Betula pendula EUROPEAN WHITE BIRCH

Bromus inermis

SMOOTH BROME, HUNGARIAN

BROME I

Capsella bursa-pastoris SHEPHERD'S-PURSE

Centaurea stoebe SPOTTED KNAPWEED N, I

Cirsium palustre EUROPEAN SWAMP THISTLE I

Cirsium vulgare BULL THISTLE N, I

Dactylis glomerata ORCHARD GRASS

Daucus carota WILD CARROT, QUEEN-ANNE'S-LACE

Festuca trachyphylla SHEEP FESCUE

Galeopsis tetrahit HEMP-NETTLE I

Hieracium aurantiacum ORANGE HAWKWEED I

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Hieracium piloselloides KING DEVIL, YELLOW HAWKWEED

Hypericum perforatum COMMON ST. JOHN'S WORT I

Leucanthemum vulgare OX-EYE DAISY

Malus pumila APPLE

Melilotus albus WHITE SWEET-CLOVER

Myriophyllum spicatum EURASIAN WATER-MILFOIL

Plantago lanceolata NARROW-LEAVED PLANTAIN I

Plantago major COMMON PLANTAIN

Poa pratensis KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS

Potentilla argentea SILVERY CINQUEFOIL

Potentilla recta ROUGH-FRUITED CINQUEFOIL

Ranunculus acris

COMMON BUTTERCUP, TALL

BUTTERCUP

Rumex acetosella RED SORREL, SHEEP SORREL

Silene latifolia WHITE COCKLE, WHITE CAMPION

Silene vulgaris BLADDER CAMPION

Stellaria media COMMON CHICKWEED

Taraxacum officinale COMMON DANDELION

Trifolium hybridum ALSIKE CLOVER

Verbascum thapsus COMMON MULLIEN

Veronica officinalis COMMON SPEEDWELL

Veronica serpyllifolia THYME-LEAVED SPEEDWELL

Veronica verna SPRING CORN SPEEDWELL

Vicia villosa HAIRY VETCH I

Vinca minor PERIWINKLE, MYRTLE Table 10. Non-native plant species found at Seven Lakes. “I” indicates species on the Midwest Invasive

Plant Network list and “N” indicates plants on the noxious weed list for Michigan. The others are mostly

established plants that are most abundant in disturbed areas.

59

Photos 51-52. Beech bark disease has deformed this young American beech (photo 51, left). Red-headed

pine sawfly larvae feast on a planted red pine in the airstrip (photo 52, right).

Management and Conservation

Seven Lakes Nature Preserve is a precious jewel of the Northwoods and only light-

handed management is recommended. The J.A. Woolham foundation has done some wonderful

things already to manage the preserve. The most ambitious of which had been to return the

airstrip to forest with the planting of many native hardwoods and conifers. However, it will be

decades before the airstrip will return to forest. In the meantime, it might be worth considering

plantings that would be valuable for pollinators (e.g. bees) and nectar/host plants for butterflies

(e.g. common milkweed for monarchs). Since these groups are in decline, doing so would be of

conservation value.

Actions have already been taken to eradicate spotted knapweed from the property and the

small patch of periwinkle (Vinca minor) at the Centerline Lake Bridge (Figure 2, Table 1) should

at least be contained and complete eradication of that species would be ideal. Other than that, no

other priority invasive species were found. Efforts would be well spent to regularly monitor the

property for new non-native invasive plants that are likely to be found in the future. Perhaps the

most encouraging thing about our monitoring was the complete lack of aquatic plant and animal

non-natives. Non-native aquatic plants and mollusks have caused havoc in many parts of the

U.P. and they are very difficult to eradicate once established. Serious care should be taken to

ensure that aquatic invaders never show up at Seven Lakes. It would be worth instructing all

guests who plan to bring boats, canoes, kayaks, fishing gear, etc. to make sure that all their

60

equipment has been thoroughly cleaned.

Another encouraging sign at Seven Lakes was the near complete lack of earthworms,

which are all non-native in Michigan and have caused profound damage to soil flora and fauna.

They can also cause profound changes in forest tree composition and nutrient availability. It is

strongly recommended that the addition of outside soil be as minimal as possible and that

bringing worms for fish bait be strongly discouraged. This may be a potential issue if more trees

are planted, but the sandy soil may act as a partial buffer against the invasion of some of the most

destructive species.

Although no rare turtles were found, turtle nesting areas should be given special

consideration. The open sandy area on the south end of the airstrip had the largest number of

turtle nests. Virtually all the bridge crossings also had nesting turtles, particularly the Casey

Creek and Fox River crossings along the main track and the Centerline Lake Bridge (Figure 2,

Table 1). Special care should be taken when driving around these bridge crossings during the

June nesting season. Care should also be taken when eggs are in the soil (June-September) so

that eggs are not crushed.

Future Inventory and Monitoring Needs

Overall, this inventory will provide an excellent baseline for biodiversity monitoring in

the future. Although we have documented most of the amphibians, reptiles, breeding birds,

vascular plants, dragonflies and butterflies that are likely to occur at Seven Lakes, many are still

yet to be discovered including many potential listed species (Table 11). It is likely that we have

documented over half of the lichens and mammals that occur at Seven Lakes, but many species

await discovery. For groups such as moths, flies, beetles, mosses and mollusks we have barely

scratched the surface and much potential survey work remains. Bats should be a main target

group for future surveys since recent acoustic software technology has now allowed us to survey

for bats with portable audio recorders and get identifications immediately. This is especially

significant since the northern long-eared bat is now listed as federally threatened and that

species is likely to occur at Seven Lakes. It would also be worth conducting winter tracking

surveys for mammals such as mustelids (e.g. pine martin, mink, fisher, weasels) and the rare

possibility of federally threatened Canada lynx. Winter birds were also missed and could be a

potential target in the future. Additional efforts to detect small mammals and northern flying

squirrels would also add value to this inventory.

Insects are the group with the most potential to add species to the overall list. We did not

do any nocturnal insect work and the potential for many moth species exists, including some

listed species. Black light surveys work well for this and many other species would be detected

in the process.

We also have been involved in regional monitoring programs with the National Park

Service, The U.S. Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy for plants, birds, butterflies, frogs,

etc. and can help set up and conduct monitoring programs that would collaborate with our

regional partners. Our firm, Biophilia, LLC and our partner firm Great Lakes Ecological

Services, LLC have been using song meters to monitor birds and frogs at all the regional national

parks, including Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for several years. Other regional partners are

being encouraged to join our effort and add value to the large dataset we have accumulated for

61

the region that includes 9 regional national parks. For any further inventory and monitoring

needs please contact us for more details (biophiliallc@hotmail.com).

Scientific Name Common Name US/MI Status

Botaurus lentiginosus American Bittern SC

Chordeiles minor Common Nighthawk SC

Antrostomus vociferus Eastern Whip-poor-Will SC

Glytempys insculpta Wood Turtle SC

Emydoidea blandingii Blanding's Turtle SC

Alces americanus Moose SC

Myotis lucifugus Little Brown Bat SC

Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT, SC

Perimyotis subflavus Eastern pipistrelle SC

Boloria frigga Frigga Fritillary SC

Boloria freija Frieja Fritillary SC

Erora laeta Early Hairstreak SC

Stylurus amnicola Riverine Snaketail SC

Galium kamtschiticum Bedstraw E

Huperzia selago Fir Clubmoss SC

Myriophyllum farwellii Farwell's Water Milfoil SC

Potamogeton confervoides Alga Pondweed SC

Pterospoerma andromeda Pine-drops T

Carex wiegnadii Wiegand's Sedge SC

Carex novae-angliae New England Sedge T

Botrychium mormo Goblin Moonwort T

Table 11. Federal and state listed species of potential occurrence at Seven Lakes. Northern long-eared bat

is the only federally listed species we are likely to add to the Seven Lakes list.

62

Acknowledgements

A project of this size could not be completed in such a limited time frame without

considerable help. My wife, Jenny Rutherford, M.S. was extremely helpful in organizing and

logistical support and aiding with survey efforts and editing this document. Darrin O’Brien a professional-level naturalist was extraordinarily valuable to have along and was the primary

odonata researcher and assisted extensively with bird surveys and for other insects (Photo 53).

Alex Graeff, a master’s candidate in biology from NMU was our primary bryophyte researcher

and helped conduct our botanical inventory (Photo 53). Stephen Caird has a Master of Science

degree from NMU and assisted with our fungi inventory in 2016 and later in May 2017 with

general survey efforts (Photo 54). Dr. Bruce Baldwin, professor in the department of integrated

biology at UC Berkeley and the curator of the Jepson Herbarium and Susan Fawcett, PhD

candidate in botany at the University of Vermont assisted with botanical surveys in June 2017

(Photo 7).

I would also like to thank the John Woolham, Cathie Baily and the J.A. Woolham

foundation for funding this project and generously providing wonderful on-site lodging. I’d also like to thank the caretaker John Heerman and his assistant Dennis for helping maintain the cabins

and the roads and a providing an on-site vehicle that allowed us to reach many more sites on the

preserve than would otherwise be possible. Tina Hall with The Nature Conservancy helped

facilitate our work at Seven Lakes by introducing us to the J.A. Woolham Foundation staff and

deserves many thanks for that. Also, Sue Trull with the Ottawa National Forest for sharing

unpublished forest service reports on lichens with us and lastly, Jeff Skevington from the

Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, Canada for sharing a copy of his unpublished book on

flower flies (Syrphidae) which allowed us to identify them.

Photo 53-54. Alex Graeff (left) and Darrin O’Brien (middle) capturing a dragonfly (photo 53, left). Jr.

researcher Cypress Rutherford, Ryne Rutherford and Stephen Caird (photo 54, right) examine a chaga

fungus (Inonotus obliquus) on a yellow birch.

63

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