Directions to what were at one time excellent birding sites at Oakland University can be found below. However, as you will read in the first three Emails here (from Gerry Brierley), these sites have been lost to development. Bruce Bowman ------------ Date sent: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 11:46:09 To: birders@umich.edu From: "G.Brierley" Subject: Re: Take me from "we" (eco-chat) ... Way back in 1973 Al Brushaber and I "discovered" (hey we were young and meglomaniacs!)an area south of Oakland University which over the years has become a refuge of sorts for wildlife in an area which is quickly becoming more concrete than trees. When we first birded this area, only the University could be seen. Now the West side of Squirrel Rd. is completely gone due to Chrysler Corps(opps I mean Daimler-Chrysler!) total destruction of what once was, beautiful wet woodlands/prairies/pine tracts. Several 1000 acres. Then the destruction began East of Squirrel with the building of the Golf Course....another loss of gorgeous rolling grass land and abandoned orchards. Now the Powers that be are going for the kill with the announcement of the plans for a SECOND golf course(more, bigger, better)which would destroy what's left of what once was. http://www.detnews.com/1998/oakland/9811/20/11200141.htm Soon all the counties surrounding Detroit will have lost what once was. Take heart! I'm sure the powers will leave an acre or two with some wooden signs, and wood chipped trails to follow. One day in the future, maybe our kids or grandchildren may actually see a warbler or two and if they're reaaaally lucky a lone deer(hopefully not stuffed). Gerry Brierley chiksika@tir.com ------------------------------------------ Date sent: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 10:20:17 To: "Bruce M. Bowman" From: "G.Brierley" Subject: Re: Take me from "we" (eco-chat) >Does this include the area where the Clay-colored Sparrows have been? > >Bruce Hi Bruce: Yes. It includes most of what's left of the grasslands, abandoned orchards and part of the wet woodland and bog. The University is attempting to minimize the impact to the media but trust me this would be a devastating blow. Between the City of Auburn Hills and the University, they've already ruined 70% of the original land what with the Chrysler complex and the first golf course. I'm joining the fight against OU, but alas I fear apathy will once again win. Sorry about posting environmental chat to the birders list. I let my radical tendencies show! Gerry -Red Wings Fan-Stanley Cup Champions '36,'37,'43,'50,'52,'54,'55,97,& 1998. #16 Believe/Bepnm ----------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 11 May 1999 15:14:59 To: birders@umich.edu From: "G.Brierley" Subject: Oakland -Obit As of this morning I think it would be somewhat fair to annouce the obituary of the OU site. The bulldozers have finally made there way to the fields where the Clay-colored Sparrow nested a summer or so back. Also former home to Orchard Orioles. The old apple orchards, planted by Mrs Wilson are now gone, as are most of the hardwood woods. The boggy area which has been nesting grounds for Mourning Warblers is also under assault. The amount of devastation(progress??) is astounding in a short period of time. I know most on the list have never visited here, nor know much about it, but this once beautiful and rewarding birding spot is now pretty much a thing of the past. I've been birding here for over 25 years. I have recorded more than 200 species in this area with many fairly rare birds included. I'm very sad today. Gerry Brierley mailto:chiksika@tir.com -Red Wings Fan-Stanley Cup Champions '36,'37,'43,'50,'52,'54,'55,97,& 1998. #16 Believe/Bepnm ----------------------------------------- From: DPIOLI@aol.com Date sent: Sat, 29 Jun 1996 21:47:10 -0400 To: birders@umich.edu Subject: Oakland University Clay-colored Sparrows and Orchard Orioles Today I spent quite a few hours at OU, from mid morning to mid afternoon. Not a good time of the day, but I saw a lot of birds anyway. I had 44 species, including the Clay-colored Sparrows. I was also very happy because I not only found the Orchard Orioles, I found the nest. I saw the adult male bringing food to the nest twice before leaving the area not to disturb the birds. The place is on Butler Rd., EAST of Squirrel Rd., about 1.5 miles south of the entrance of OU. Another reference: this is about a mile south of Lonedale Rd., and is the southern edge of the savannas described before by Gerry Brierley. It is a dirt road too, with a "NO THROUGH TRAFFIC" sign at the entrance. From Squirrel Rd., drive about 0.5 mile, passing by what looks like an industrial building with satellite dishes and a telecommunications tower on the south side of the road, to a place where the fence on the NORTH side of the road is damaged, bent down forming an "u". You might have to be patient: the bird would only sing very briefly after long intervals and it usually sits at the top of tall trees with a lot of foliage. If you go there, be aware that properties on both sides of the road are private. The best way to access other places and trails within OU grounds is the one described by Gerry, from Lonedale Rd.. I have to thank Gerry Brierley once again for bringing to our attention such a nice place, with a lot of different types of habitat, a real jewel for birders on the northern metropolitan counties. Personally I like best the savannas on those rolling hills, with tall grasses and a lot of bushes interspersed to provide shelter for birds. But there are also wetlands, woods, etc.. About a week ago Gerry was very friendly and kind showing me most of the area. Dimas Pioli