By Annis Pratt On April 10, 2003, there were 90 people gathered at the Baldwin Library in Birmingham, Michigan to hear reports on the botanical and aquatic diversity of the Rouge Green Corridor in Birmingham, Beverly Hills, and Southfield. We heard about the plentiful fish and water insects, the nine species of frogs, and the native wild plants growing along the corridor. They were glad to have my 1992-2002 bird lists from the Rouge River as it flows through Linden Park in Birmingham (between Lincoln and Maple) but would like to have bird counts along the rest of the corridor: Douglas Evans Nature Preserve in Beverly Hills or, especially, The Valley Woods Trail South in Southfield. They would also like counts from the Booth Park trail running back from Old Woodward along the Rouge River to Willits Road in Birmingham. The Douglas Evans Preserve is located in Beverly Hills between 13 and 14 mile Roads on Evergreen (just after it changes from Cranbrook Road). It is a small area of Prairie and riverbed woodlands without trails but with easy access to the river. The Valley Woods Trail South can be reached from Bell Road off of 12 Mile. To reach this trail turn off Bell Road at Rivercrest and follow the "No Outlet" signs to a circle, at the far end of which you will see a log over the entrance to the trail which runs through new growth to old growth woodlands for about a mile and a half along the Rouge. This will be a wonderful place for spring and fall warbler watching! If you go, make a sign that says "Rouge Green Corridor Bird Count: Contact Gail Barber" and put it on your windshield as there is only neighborhood parking. So, if you itch to get out birdwatching this spring or fall, could you do the Rouge Green Corridor folks a favor? Go to Linden or Booth Parks, the Douglas Evans Preserve or, especially, the Valley Woods Trail, and send lists of the bird you identify to me at: A V Pratt 1056 Larchlea Drive Birmingham MI 48009 or EMAIL TO: avpratt@aol.com In this way we can prove how vital these green corridors are to the life of both our year round and migratory bird species. Overview Map of Oakland County, Michigan