A Pickaway County Bed and Breakfast, Mount Sterling, Ohio The 4+ acres of the property is in the process of a Prairie Establishment.  The south half of the property was planted through Pheasants Forever with a mixture of native grasses and wildflowers.  The north half of the property was planted in mostly Little Bluestem, as well as some Rye and flowers/forbs. Prairie plants native to the property include New England Asters, Black-Eyed Susans, Ohio Spiderwort, and Goldenrod (not the plant with allergy-causing pollen). These are supplemented with Purple Coneflowers, Wild Bergamot, and others. The general consensus on prairie establishment is that it takes around 3 years to become established. Prairies were in the area in the past.  According to Historical Collections of Ohio Vol. II, 1888, By Henry Howe, referring to the Pickaway County area, “The Black Mountain, represented on the map by C (so called by the natives, but why so named tradition hath not informed us), is a ridge somewhat in the shape of an inverted boat, elevated from 130 to 150 feet above the bottom of the prairie immediately in its vicinity, and commands from its summit a full view of the high plains and the country around it to a great extent.  This facility the natives enjoyed, for they were in the practice yearly of burning over the country, which kept down the undergrowth, while the larger growth was so sparse as to not materially intercept the view." Burning of the prairie was a routine practice, though not applied on our property. There is a Purple Martin 24-apartment house which has been occupied to capacity for the past couple of years. Recently installed is an 18-apartment wooden house of 1960's vintage.  Both of these have been retrofitted to allow raising and lowering for nest checks, as recommended by the Purple Martin Conservation Association.  We also have a bluebird house on our mailbox across the street which is also occupied. Turkey Vultures routinely soar above the lake, riding on thermals and looking for food. Other birds include Tree and Barn Swallows, Goldfinches, mourning doves, cowbirds, hawks, Killdeer, and others. Telescopes available inside, and binoculars for outside.