From: "Franklin, Susan L." To: "'birders@umich.edu'" Subject: Ann Arbor Airport Date sent: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 09:42:47 -0400 An egret made its debut at the Swift Run pond this morning. The first of the season! Just before I saw it, I heard a house wren singing in my neighborhood in Ypsilanti, south of EMU campus. Last night, I followed John Lowry's directions (thanks John!!) and was able to easily find the western meadowlark at the Ann Arbor Airport. What a pleasure!! I heard it singing immediately, but had to wait about ten minutes for it to leave the ground where I couldn't see it and fly to the tree top. It was a beautiful sight to see it singing. I could be wrong, but I believe there was a second one returning its call. I never saw the second bird, and it didn't sing back once the bird was in the tree, but in the grass the calls were coming from two different directions. Here are John's directions if anyone needs them... From I-94, take the State Street exit S. just past Ellsworth. Turn right into the airport and drive in toward the Ann Arbor Airport terminal. There is a road that goes around the airport - turn right on this road which takes you past the control tower on your left. After a couple hundred yards, when you get near the gated, restricted part of the road, you will see two large trees on your left. The bird was perched in the top of these trees and conspicuously flew down to the ground on the airfield and back up many times. Very vocal as well! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Susan L. Franklin Communications Coordinator McNamee, Porter & Seeley, Inc. franklin@mcnamee.com