The University of Michigan Health Center

The University of Michigan Health Center (Ann Arbor) is on 
Plymouth Road a short distance east of U.S. 23.  It is on the 
south side of Plymouth Road and just east of the entrance to 
Domino's Farms.  East of the Health Center are large grass- 
sedge-wooded fields (probably on the order of 200 acres) owned 
by the University.  My outing there this morning (6-19-2002) 
turned up eleven Bobolinks and six Eastern Meadowlarks (minimum 
numbers) and two or three Sedge Wrens (heard but not seen). 

To bird this area, park in the parking lot of the Health Center.  
Walk to the east and south into the fields.  Carry a scope with 
you; you'll be rewarded.  The Bobolinks were pretty much straight 
east of the Health Center (a good distance).  The Sedge Wrens 
were at the southeast corner of the building (but not near it).  
There is a north-south road (inaccessible by car) that runs back 
to a fenced storage area alongside the building.  Follow an 
extension of this road to beyond the rear of the building.  The 
wrens were south of an extensive area of teasel. 

The central south edge of the field ends at a ridge beyond which 
is almost a shear drop of perhaps 50 feet.  This must have been a 
gravel or sand pit at one time.  The view south from the ridge is 
of what looks like a good birding area.  You can get down to it 
by following the ridge to the east and continuing as it curves 
south.  You'll come to a trail down into the pit.  But don't go 
to that area from the Health Center fields.  Instead, enter from 
an access off Dixboro Road that's near the Matthaei Botanical 
Gardens.  See the directions for "Dixboro Road (west)." 

Bruce