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| Mukai Pond - Island Center Forest and Wetlands |
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These protected woods, wetlands and ponds have an amazing number of upland microhabitats. There are large stands of conifers, many willows and then several small stands of aspen, cottonwood and Lodgepole Pine. The latter three species have few patches on Vashon. Many vireos, flycatchers, woodpeckers, wrens and warblers show up around Meadow Lake and Mukai Pond in spring and summer.
In fall, the brushy areas around Mukai Pond attract sparrows such as Lincoln's and Golden-crowned Sparrow and the shrubs around the lake host many Swainson's and Hermit Thrushes eating dogwood berries. A Marsh Wren was found in June 2002 at Meadow Lake and another at Mukai Pond in 2004, two of the few records since the 1970's when they were regular at Fisher's Pond.
Meadow Lake possesses a large cattail stand which is unique on the island, only small, thin patches are found elsewhere. Mukai Pond shows mud in the summer and fall that attracts shorebirds. Mukai Pond provides the only location on the island so far for Solitary Sandpiper, a rare spring and fall migrant. The ponds attract many puddle ducks such as Mallards, wigeon and shovelers. Hooded Mergansers, Mallards and Wood Duck breed at Mukai Pond. The woods stretch all the way from Bank Road to Cemetery Road. The Cemetery Road access has been a good area for Northern Saw-whet Owl and warblers.
The best access for the Island Center Forest and Wetlands consists of the approach from the north side, taking 115th Avenue south off of Bank Road. Follow 115th to the end and park in the large opening. The road becomes gravel and may require care in the winter months after heavy rains as parts of the road become somewhat steep and muddy. Mukai Pond lies to the east along a short (50 yards), gated dirt road. Walk the road to the pond and then around the pond.
The area is also accessible from the south, taking 115th Avenue northward from Cemetery Road. A complex of trails leads throughout the woods and eventually to both Mukai Pond and Meadow Lake. The trail system is difficult to describe in detail at this point because the brush grows so thick around Meadow Lake that no trails view its shore. King County and local organizations may soon be upgrading the trails.
From Birds of Vashon Island by Ed Swan, Vashon birding guide 206-463-7976
Photo by Pete Murray
Land Trust info
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