Wetlands dominate the area around Betsy, Sheephead and Clark Lakes, including one of
the largest northern peatlands in the eastern Upper Peninsula. In the wetter central portions
of these peatlands, the black spruce forests become open muskeg, characterized by widely
scattered, stunted, spruce and tamarack trees. This opens up into true bog, dominated
by sedges and low shrubs. These peatlands are great habitat for the moose who occasionally
can be seen, as well as providing perfect conditions for wild cranberry bogs, and two
state-threatened plant species; small yellow water-lily and wild rye.
Other wildlife in the area include bald eagles, wolf, black bear, coyote, osprey, spruce grouse, sharptail
grouse, river otter, fox, porcupine, beaver, mink, pileated woodpeckers, and a variety of waterfowl
and songbirds. Due to its location near Whitefish Point, a target for birds entering or returning from
Canada, the Tahquamenon area also sees large numbers of migrating birds during the spring and
fall migrations. In addition, this is one of the few nesting areas for sandhill cranes in Michigan.
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