Directions to Rank Road birding sites (Washtenaw/Jackson Co. line) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Take I-94 to the Pierce Road exit (north), west of Chelsea. At the end of the exit ramp follow Old U.S. 12/Jackson Road west for 3-4 miles to Rank Road. (You will be driving parallel to I-94.) Turn left (south), cross over (under?) I-94, and continue driving south on Rank Road to the birding sites described below. Rank Road can also be reached via M-52 and Grass Lake Road, but Grass Lake Road may shake your vehicle apart. It is paved in Jackson County but not in Washtenaw County. I highly recommend I-94, Pierce Road, and Old U.S. 12/Jackson Road instead. 1. Rank Road bull thistle fields -- Dickcissels Two fields of bull thistles on the west side of Rank Road just north of Grass Lake Road are good for Dickcissels in the summer. Dickcissels will be seen on the telephone lines, too. You're like to hear Northern Bobwhites here. Horned Larks may be found along the road. A very short distance east from Rank Road on Grass Lake Road, fields on the north side of the road may produce Bobolinks. 2. Washtenaw County Mini-State Game Preserve Also known as Goose Lake State Game Area This site is not far north from Grass Lake Road on Rank Road (less than a mile?). The entrance is on the east side of the road. Park at the small parking area and walk back in along the grassy road. There's open marsh here, old orchard, oak savannah, overgrown field, a thick pine stand, and access to Goose Lake. ----------- From: Norma Green To: kclaflin@juno.com Subject: goose lake Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:20:48 -0500 Kathy, this just came in the SCD newsletter. Thought you and Lathe would be interested. I don't know where Goose Lake is. Norma *GOOSE LAKE STATE GAME AREA PUBLIC MEETING* * * The Michigan DNR invites citizens to participate in the planning and development of a 10-year management plan for the Goose Lake State Game Area in Sylvan Township, Washtenaw County. Goose Lake SGA is approximately 200 acres in size and consists of Goose Lake (37 acres) and a large wetland system. About 50 acres are in sharecrop rotation, primarily corn and soybeans, and almost 60 acres is forested or brushy field. Some hunting occurs at the SGA for waterfowl, deer, turkey and small game. Other notable species include pheasant and muskrat. The public meeting will be held: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2012 Grass Lake Town Hall 373 Lakeside Dr., Grass Lake MI 6 � 8 p.m. The meeting will include a presentation to start, followed by comments and questions. Refreshments will be served. Reply to dgg@mail.umich.edu