To: birders@umich.edu Date sent: Wed, 28 Apr 1999 13:28:25 -0400 Subject: A Birder's Guide to Hines Parkway From: Allen T Chartier Birders, I got a few requests for directions to Newburgh Lake, so I thought I would give a little bit about the part of Hines Parkway I've been birding lately. I used to work in Dearborn, and birded during lunch at UM-Dearborn, but I work in Livonia now and it just took too long to go to Maybury SP on a lunch hour, so now I'm stopping along Hines Parkway (Westland and Livonia portions) in the morning on my way in. Surely, others on this list (John Lowry?) knows these areas better than me, but here goes... From Ann Arbor, take either I-94 (recommended, as I-275 north of M-14 is undergoing massive reconstruction) or M-14 east to I-275. From I-94 go north (south from M-14) on I-275 to the Ann Arbor Road exit. Go west a short distance to Haggerty Road. Turn north (right) on Haggerty Road to Hines Parkway (I think it will be the 2nd intersection, the first being Ann Arbor Trail). Turn right. Just after passing under I-275, look for a dirt drive on the left where you can park. Cross the road and walk up the adjacent dirt drive to a blocked off road. This is where I was walking this morning, and is at the west end of Newburgh Lake. Continuing east on Hines Parkway there is a parking area where the lake can be viewed from the middle of the north side (just Mallards, Canada Geese, and white ducks there now). John Lowry mentioned birding on the south side of this lake a few days ago, which would probably mean there is access from Ann Arbor Trail. About a half mile east of here is another dirt road on the right, leading to a bridge. This is Levan Knoll (if you see the sign for Levan Knoll, and you're eastbound, you've gone about 100 yards too far). Monday I walked the area to the east a little bit, but concentrated on walking the bike path to the west. Just where the path turns away from the road and goes behind a little knoll (covered with white trout lily, but the way) is where I saw the Pine Warbler that day. About another half mile or more east is another pullout for a Canoe Livery. This is Nankin Lake, and sometimes has ducks and gulls in season. Last week I had a Caspian Tern fly over the road near here. Continuing east, you will cross Ann Arbor Trail. You are now in Westland. There are two areas along here that I have yet to check out thoroughly. One is on the north side (about 1 - 1 1/2 miles) and is the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center. Birding along the edges of the open areas both on the north and south side of Hines Parkway look good. There appear to be trails into a small woodlot on the south side. Also, near the overpass at Inkster Road, maybe another mile farther on (where I get onto) there seems to be good habitat too. Allen Chartier Managing Editor, Michigan Birds & Natural History 1442 W. River Park Dr. Inkster, Michigan 48141 amazilia@juno.com