Date sent: Tue, 16 May 2000 09:54:54 -0700 (PDT) From: Dan Gertiser Subject: Directions to Heritage Park Famington, MI To: "Bruce M. Bowman" First here is a map, online courtesy of Yahoo. ... [I've provided a link to Dan's Yahoo map. Bruce] Heritage Park is located on Farmington Rd approximately 3/4 of a mile north of Farmington. It is between 10 mile and 11 mile Rd. It is 160 acres in size. The front of the park is mowed, and includes picnic areas, volley ball courts, and playgrounds. The rear of the park has been left in a natural condition. The trails are paved, dirt, and in some places covered by wood chips. It is accessible to the handicap with approximately 1/2 mile of paved trails. Birding is best in the spring with all normal migrants present. The best spot to bird is the bridge over the Rouge River. If you catch a Warbler flight, the birds will be moving North up the river. Relaxed birding, with GREAT looks! In the fields to the front there are nest boxes maintained for Eastern Bluebirds. Field Sparrows have been calling here earlier this year. Baltimore Orioles, Towhees, and Rose Breasted Grosbeak nest throughout the park. In the Rear of the park in the mature woodland Scarlet Tanagers have Nested. Also nesting here are Red Tailed Hawks, and Great Horned Owls. Good birds seen here lately include Northern Goshawk, winter and a spring migrant, Northern Shrike, two months this winter, Black-Billed Cuckoo and Blue Winged Warblers. While this park does not receive a lot of interest from "listers", it is a good spot for a lunch hour, or when you only have a hour in the evening to get out. Also, one mile to the North on Farmington Rd, is Woodland Park. I have not had the success here that I have had at Heritage. However, I am interested in how other birders do at this park.] I am willing to accompany visiting birders to this park. Thank you Dan Gertiser 248-477-6977