An important heronry/rookery on the East side is in danger due to proposed construction on adjacent land. The Union Pacific RR is planning to build a facility on its land in Alorton, Illinois (near the Centreville city line). This project will negatively impact the nesting colony of Little Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, and both Night Herons, which are all on the Illinois Endangered Species List. This heronry is the northernmost location in the Midwest where Snowy Egrets and Little Blue Herons have a large colony. In addition, rail species such as King Rail and Common Moorhen are also found there. Union Pacific RR will need permission from the Corps of Engineers to build the facility, as it will impact the adjacent wetlands where the heronry is located. Attached to the end of this newsletter is a letter written by Sue Gustafson which you can remove, sign and mail to the Corps of Engineers. This is a very URGENT matter that we ask you to put to the top of your "To Do" List. We must do everything we can to SAVE this habitat and to prevent disturbance to the colony.

Our Committee has begun compiling articles and scientific studies on birds killed at communications towers, as well as lighted buildings. Here are some Internet sites to get information. If anyone wants this information but does not have access to the Internet, call Yvonne to get a copy. An annotated bibliography published by the US Fish & Wildlife Service can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/r9mbmo/issues/tower.html. An excellent overview of the problem was presented in an article in the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources magazine. It can be found online at: http://www.wnrmag.com/stories/2000/feb00/birdtower.htm. A web site dedicated solely to the problem of tower kills is: http://www.towerkill.com which has links to many other sites.

In addition, the most recent (March-April) issue of Audubon magazine has an article entitled "The Dark Side of Light." Scientist Sidney Gauthreaux (whose radar studies of migrating birds crossing the Gulf of Mexico show a significant decline in the number of migrating birds in recent years) is also studying the problem of birds killed when attracted to lighted sources. One of the worst disasters occurred in 1954, when 50,000 birds were killed at an Air Force Base in Georgia when they followed the beam of a guide light straight into the ground. On 1/22/98, between 5,000 and 10,000 Lapland Longspurs collided with radio towers in Kansas. Many, many more collisions of this type have been documented. Songbirds are most at risk, because they fly at lower altitudes.

The Dick Anderson Memorial Fountain in Forest Park is now completed. Many thanks to those whose generous contributions funded this memorial, and to Mike Flieg, WGNSS member and contractor, who installed the pipe system. Randy Korotev, Ken Cohen, Jim Ziebol (who conceived the idea), Sue Gustafson, and the St. Louis City Parks Department also played key roles. Birders and birds alike will enjoy this spot.

We are continuing our plans for a Butterfly Garden outside the new headquarters building at Busch CA. If you are interested in volunteering time, plants or seeds, please contact Co-Chairs Jack Harris or Jeannie Moe.

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