DeBuck's Sod Farm (near Howell in Livingston Co.) a.k.a. Burkhart Ridge sod farm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date: Mon, 01 Sep 2003 14:28:40 -0400 From: Steve Santner To: birders@umich.edu Subject: Golden Plover/Baird's Sandpiper and more - Livingston Co This morning I went to a sod farm near Howell in response to a post about two weeks ago by Lyle Hamilton.. This spot is an amazing location for shorebirds right now. I found 3 Am Golden Plover, 2 Baird's Sanpipers, 3 Pectoral Sandpipers, 4 Semipalmated Plover, and 5 Wilson's Snipe in among the 200 or so Killdeer. To reach the location take I96 to the M59 interchange. This is a somewhat complicated intersection. When you get off of I96 to get to M59, you will cross Burkhart Rd, whether you are coming from the east or west.. You want to go south on Burkhart Rd (turn left if you're headed east on I96 or right if you're headed west. Almost immediately after clearing the intersection, there will be a road going off to the right to a modular home development. This access road goes right through the sod farm. Do not park on the road. Instead, drive on through to the community center and park in the lot there. Walk back to see the birds. When I was there, all of the interesting birds were in the smaller section on the right as you're walking back out. The big section on the left held only Killdeer but you probably should check it anyway. Who knows what could show up here - maybe even a Buff- breasted Sandpiper. Steve Santner ----------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 17:44:53 -0400 Subject: Re: Burkhart Ridge sod farm From: John Lowry The Livingston County birders (about three or four of us at last count) are checking that a few times a week. In recent days we've had a Baird's Sandpiper and as of yesterday a Stilt SP. Earlier there has been SB dowitcher, SP plover as well as some peeps on and off as well. Burkhart road is reached from the first exit west of Howell off of I-96. The sod farm and manufactured home development is just south of 96 and visible from it. There is a road parallel to 96, Millett Rd., that allows access to another part of the sod operations. There is some habitat there now. I am copying Lyle, Sean and Chris in the hopes they can correct my probably inaccurate directions or give you further recent sightings. John ----------------------------------------------------------------- From: "chrisandkami" Subject: Re: Burkhart Ridge sod farm Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 23:44:49 -0400 I plan on stopping by tomorrow, the area closest to I-96 is quickly drying up. Also seems to be a good area for Rough-legged Hawks in the winter. The owners of the sod farm have another sod farm somewhere else. I forgot to ask the employee that stopped to chat with me on Millett road the other day. He said a few years ago they had "some long-billed bird from the arctic" that caused quite a stir at their other location. I'll keep you posted. Chris ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Burkhart Ridge sod farm From: lyle.hamilton@gm.com Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 13:49:58 -0400 I was there yesterday around 9:30 AM after picking up the Buff- breasted in Washtenaw. The juvenile Stilt was still there along with two Lesser Yellowlegs, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers and about 6 Least Sandpipers. I did not have time to check the whole facility and focused on the Millet Rd. "pond". I will be re- checking tonight and will let you know if I turn up anything of interest. We probably should have posted the Stilt due to its easy access. We are somewhat concerned with being denied access through the modular home park and therefore have been hesitant to post. Most of the better shorebirds this year have been in a pond (now dried up) that was only accessible by driving to the very back of this park. The roads are posted as to no parking on either side and there is a general feeling that no one is welcome other than residence. I have been parking in the driveway of a place that is for sale and walking across the street to some vacant lots to scope out the area. Next year will be a real challenge if the remaining lots are developed. Next year, if they hold to there rotation, they will be lifting the sod by the entrance road as they did last year. This area is a lot more accessible as you can park at there club house and then walk back to scan the fields. Lyle Hamilton Howell, MI ----------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Steven Santner" To: birders@umich.edu Subject: Livingston Co shorebird hotspot Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2003 10:41:41 -0400 I received an email last night that a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found at the Burkhart Rd sod farm about two hours after I was there yesterday. Probably it was there when I was but it was not easy to see and I probably just missed it. Definitely a place worth checking out. Again -to reach the sod farm go to the I96 - M59 intersection and take Burkhart Rd south. Immediately after clearing the intersection, turn right on an access road to a modular home development which goes through the sod farm. You have to drive on through to the community center parking lot and walk back along the road to scope the fields. Steve