MARTHA MOTT SANCTUARY - Overview

A former farmstead and woodlot in Almena Township, Van Buren County, this 80 acre sanctuary has a fine stand of oaks, hickory and walnut. There are open and shrubby fields and Hayden Creek along the south boundary. Typical southern Michigan birds such as Eastern Bluebirds, Field Sparrow and Red-eyed Vireos are found here.

View of Hayden Creek

That's the official Audubon version. Their sanctuary descriptions are very brief, provide no information about the property donor, and are out of date. I'll try to remedy that in the blog.

I've yet to see hickory trees; better look closer. The other day I discovered a Mountain Ash! One singular tree. Possibly a result of a tree is in the subdivision that parallels the east boundary and some hungry bird ate the berries then came here to poop. In Scotland it’s called a Rowan Tree with much folklore and myths.

The Mt. Ash is on the edge of a unique depression, small crater. There aren't any sizeable trees in it, but it has a row of Red Pine, the ubiquitous planation tree widely planted in the 1930's. So the depression may not be a natural feature. What did they dig out?

There is now a marked loop, with a well worn trail thru the grasslands. Yes the fields are getting shrubby with autumn olives but there is a nice stand of bluestem at the north end of the big field. And the goldenrod is lovely.

44th Ave at 24th St, Mattawan Almena Twp. T2S R13W Sec 36

 Parking Lot and Kiosk