As you climb, you might notice the more shade-loving trees beginning to give way to species that prefer plentiful sunshine, like the aspen. One unique thing about aspens is that they often reproduce through clones that sprout from the roots of the parent plant. This can create large groves of aspen trees that are actually one single organism, the largest of which (like the famed Pando in Utah) number among the most massive living things on Earth. The aspen stands out for other reasons too, as the most commonly harvested tree species in Michigan and an important part of the state’s $10-billion-dollar forest products economy. Aspen trees are also vital to certain wildlife, including woodpecker species like the downy woodpecker and the yellow-bellied sapsucker. The aspen is also a key piece of the diversity of habitats that provides migratory songbirds with nesting or stopover habitat on the Echo Lake Preserve. These upland areas of the preserve are especially important for nesting songbirds, including the alder flycatcher, black-throated green warbler and magnolia warbler. If you’re visiting in the spring, listen for their songs as you continue your climb to the overlook! One of the calls of the male alder flycatcher is a buzzy, two-note song that can beckon listeners to join him for a “free beer.” The black-throated green warbler’s song has lots of zee-zee-zee sounds, sometimes described as “trees trees I love trees.” The magnolia warbler has a bright yellow belly and an exuberant, three note song. **** Credits for Sound Effects: Alder flycatcher - Ron Overholtz, XC554809 Black-throated green warbler - Christopher McPherson, XC486860 Magnolia warbler - Jacob Saucier, XC501248