I was delighted on my early morning hike at Lake Erie Metropark when I saw a pair of Marsh wrens chasing each other in the eight-foot tall Big bluestem prairie grass.
Once a lawn of green grass extending almost 1/2 mile to the Wave Pool, the area south of Cherry Island Nature Trail was converted to native prairie grasses a few years ago.
With its bronze/maroon color and three-parted spiked seed head that looks like a turkey’s foot, Big bluestem can’t be missed in late summer/early autumn prairies.
Big bluestem is one of the “Big Four” native grass species of central North America (the other three are Indiangrass, Switchgrass, and Little Bluestem.)
In the past, Big bluestem was one of the most abundant native grasses, but loss of habitat and overgrazing by cattle (which love it) have decreased its population.
For birders and nature lovers, it’s wonderful to see Big bluestem used in restoration and prairie gardens.
It’s drought-tolerant and will grow in any soil, as long as it’s in full sun. And offers an alternative to gardeners for invasive fountain grass.
Big bluestem provides excellent wildlife habitat, food, and nesting sites for over 20 species of birds, including Grasshopper Sparrows and Henslow’s Sparrows.
It’s also a host plant for Skipper butterflies.
