Reed Turner Woodland
By Gary Gilbert
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Reed-Turner Woodland is located along a deeply incised branch of Indian Creek. The preserve is a remnant of a presettlement prairie grove which once occurred along Indian and Killdeer Creeks, from the current village of Long Grove to Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Cook County. All that remains today are small portions of floodplain and upland forest, and sparse remnants of savanna and prairie vegetation. Oaks and hickories dominate the upland areas while the floodplain contains black willow, green ash and black walnut. American elms were common along the stream, but they have been eliminated by Dutch elm disease. The site contains an interesting wet meadow which is dominated by sedges, rushes and a few wetland forbs such as meadow rue, marsh aster, and curly dock. Over 116 species of birds have been observed in the preserve including resident populations of waterfowl and herons. Many common woodland mammals also live in the area.
Reed Turner is only about 6 miles from my home but I had never been there before today October 7, 2006. I had read about the site in Chicago Wilderness Magazine at http://chicagowildernessmag.org/issues/summer2005/itwreedturner.html
Photos click here 
