TRAIL REPORT & RECENT OBSERVATIONS

Seven Ponds Nature Center encompasses nearly 500 acres of woodlands, wetlands, lakes, ponds, prairies, and fields. There are over six miles of trails for you to explore and enjoy. Please check-in at the nature center prior to venturing out on the trails. Our trails are open to guests Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and open to Seven Ponds members dawn to dusk, every day of the year.

CURRENT TRAIL CONDITIONS


April 05, 2026 - Saturday's heavy rains have filled the ponds by several inches and caused some minor flooding; both the Tree Top dock and the short cedar swamp trail that leads to the A-frame bridge are underwater. If you decide to hike the trails today, make sure to bring your tall waterproof boots! Other trails not located near the ponds are wet but clear. Areas near wetlands and small ponds may have standing water, such as the north side of Earl's Prairie, around the perimeter of Waterfowl Pond in the N-80, and parts of the Paul's Woods trail near Tree Top and Miller Ponds.


April 03, 2026 - Spring is in the air here at Seven Ponds! Many of the species that call the nature preserve home are becoming vocal. Listen for spring peepers, chorus frogs, and wood frogs. Sandhill Cranes have recently arrived, so listen for their distinct call as well. Brown-headed Cowbirds and Grackles have been spotted at the feeders, and at least a few of the Evening Grosbeaks are still in the area. With the spring rains comes the mud, so anticipate soft ground on the trails and dress appropriately for the weather.


March 7, 2026 - The warm weather and hard rains have brought early spring to the nature center. The trails are clear of debris, and this is a great time to discover and identify different types of mammal and ground bird tracks. Anticipate wet spots in the low areas, and be on the lookout for the occasional animal scat underfoot.


February 21, 2026 - The snow melt this week has made the trails a bit challenging if you wished to keep your boots dry, but the drop in temperatures yesterday and today have frozen much of the soft ground. Expect areas of frozen ruts and soft muddy spots in the low areas of the trails. Wear your best mudders and waterproof boots to be prepared for anything the fickle Michigan weather will throw at you!


February 14, 2026 - Sunshine and mild temperatures make for a great combination to explore the trails today. The trails are still snow covered, and there may be a few slick spots, but overall conditions are good for an excursion with your valentine!


January 11, 2026- A fresh blanket of snow has brought the winter wonderland back to Seven Ponds, making it a perfect time to explore the beauty of our Michigan environment!


RECENT OBSERVATIONS

  • One of our naturalists spotted an American mink at the large bridge at the eastern end of the North 80 this past Tuesday. Keep an eye open for these and other small mammals the next time you hike the N-80. (04/04/2026)
  • A sharp-eyed birder spotted an unusual visitor to the nature center today: a Cackling Goose! The Cackling Goose looks like a miniature version of the widespread Canada Goose, with which it was once combined as a single species. The two are almost identical in plumage, but Cackling Geese are more delicate, with stubbier bills, steeper foreheads, shorter necks (strikingly apparent in flying birds), and usually more rounded heads (Source: All About Birds/Cornell University). This one was spotted on Big Pond off Paul's Woods. (03/22/2026)
  • The rising temperatures this weekend have heralded many sounds of spring bird activity. Trumpeter Swans and Sandhill Cranes have been spotted on Big Pond, and Redwing Blackbirds are already staking out their territories. Listen and watch for other migratory birds, including Killdeer, Woodcock, and Turkey Vultures! (03/07/2026)
  • Early signs of spring migration are evident here at the nature center with the arrival of Redwing Blackbirds at our feeders. Also reports of hearing (but no confirmed sighting) Sandhill Cranes in the vicinity of Miller Pond, as well as small pairs of Canada Geese. (02/21/2026)
  • The first robins of the new year have been spotted near our feeders. While it is not uncommon to see robins in February here in Michigan, their presence is often determined by food availability rather than temperature, relying on fruit-bearing trees and shrubs for sustenance. Here at the nature center, the first robins tend to appear in March, with spring arriving not much further behind. (02/14/2026)
  • We have had two separate confirmed sightings of a red morph Eastern Screech-Owl in a bird box near the viewing tower in Paul's Woods! This may be the same red morph that has been sighted at the bird box by the feeders next to the interpretive building, so keep an eye open the next time you trek the Paul's Woods trail! (01/11/2026)
  • The Evening Grosbeaks are proving to be popular for birders and casual visitors alike! We have noticed that they are most active at our feeders and in the trees surrounding the interpretive building during the mornings when we put out fresh black oil sunflower seeds on our flat platform feeders. If you come early, you may catch a sighting! (01/11/2026)

Seven Ponds Nature Photo Gallery

206 bird species have been observed at Seven Ponds! The most recent addition to our property list was Common Goldeneye, seen on March 12, 2023. For more recent sightings posted to eBird, click the eBird logo to the right.


Our satellite properties are visited less frequently, but offer different habitat for birds. Check out the eBird reports for these two areas below:

 

Jonathan Woods Nature Preserve eBird reports

106 bird species observed

 

Richie Pond Nature Preserve eBird reports

75 bird species observed